Post ESTN accident report.

[Snowbird]

Pickup trucks have a bad reputation amoung motorcyclists for good reason. And I concur. Even though I personally own one, a lot of PUtrk drivers are azzholes.

(Not me, of course.)  

[SWriverstone]

Well...it looks like the 748 may have reached the end of its cherished association with our garage.  

Holly heard from the insurance adjuster this morning. Looks like the total damage assessment is around $5200---equal to (or greater than) the worth of the bike.

We could buy the bike back from Geico with a salvage title for $800...but of course we'd have to pay a lot to make it rideable again, and even more (if possible) to make it street-legal. Holly won't ride it looking beat-up, and I don't blame her---it's just too depressing for such a beautiful bike.

We both loved that bike...but our love isn't so great that we'll stop at nothing to recondition it for the street. And neither of us needs nor wants a track bike right now.

Ultimately, it's Holly's decision...but my recommendation to her was "take the money and run," and I think she agrees. She'd get a $5000+ check from Geico, which could go toward a brand-new bike. She might opt for a new bike of her own...or she might just start riding my VFR...and I'll buy a new bike.

I have no idea what Holly would want if she buys a new bike? I'm not sure what I'd want either...but I'm leaning strongly toward......a V-Strom DL-1000! I prefer the upright seating position over a sport-riding position...and I'd opt for the 1000 because I'd only use it for street touring (I have the KLR for real dual-sporting).

But I'm being premature---it's Holly's call, and I'll support her no matter what.  

It's all very sad. We both have very fond memories of that bike---the 748 (and of course the 916) are such legendary icons (and high points) in motorcycle design history. And it was the bike I learned to ride on! (I know---I was a lucky bastid.) And the sound? Omigosh---only a Ducati---and only a 748---could make that glorious sound!

Scott

[DNA]

Scott,

Not wanting to sound like a vulture after your misfortune, I would strongly suggest you buy the bike for $800.

There are so many track newbs here that you will certainly have a buyer and possible make a little cash as well.  Being so close to Summit, the market is already here.

I would love to track that bike if:
1) I had any cash
2) I had any experience

My first track bike will go down a time or 2, so a rashed up one is a great place to start.  

[garry]

I will also suggest buying the bike back for $800. I might even consider buying it myself for $800 and fixing it up. Do you have an official list of the damage?

[mrfun]

Buy that bike back. There will be a plethora of offers for it!

[RideWV]

You should have an STN blind auction.  I'd love to have it too.  Can't go wrong buying it back at that price.

James

[Snowbird]

Yeah, that's make a great track bike.

I think ABS on the rear brake is a good idea. Apparently, so does Honda as photos of their MotoGP bikes showed ABS on the rear.

Question for the racers among us: During a race, do you normally brake to the max possible, just short of lock up? I suspect not...  One, the brakes would not take it for extended periods. Two, chassis stability would suffer. Three, smoothness and high cornering speed I'm guessing win races better than ham fisted inputs.

[SWriverstone]

LOL, well, I guess it makes sense to buy the bike back for only $800. We don't have the actual damage list, but Holly will talk to Donnie Unger at DucPond Motorsports today.

I know the engine runs great...the important items (repair-wise) are likely a replacement rear wheel, replacement pegs, replacement brake lever...and (possibly most expensive) repairs to the rear subframe (if it got tweaked, which it might have).

I like your auction idea James!  

Scott

[hovmaven]

FWIW, I'd buy that bike back in a heartbeat.  

Add me to the list.  

[bsd43]

STN Raffle!!! j/k

[RideWV]

ST.N Beaverun Track Bike Timeshare.  Ten people buy in for $200, money goes toward necessary parts and initial $800 investment.

James

[Emerson00]

Great link DataDan. I definitely experienced this, because no matter how hard I try to reconstruct the moments before the accident in my mind, all I remember is one thing: the truck ahead was at a safe distance...and suddenly I was RUSHING up to it. It's one of those things that seems impossible to imagine if you haven't experienced it (e.g. "Aww c'mon! You mean you didn't notice the truck was stopped???") No! I didn't notice--and I was looking straight at it!! It just suddenly loomed very large in my field of view, and I found myself in an "oh-sh*t" moment.

Scott

Late to this. Sorry to hear of your misfortune.

I had the exact same thing happen a couple weeks ago on my way home from work in the cage... car ahead was stopped - I just, simply, completely, failed to recognize that it was stopped. I drove through the guy's trunk, totalling his car, and nearly totalling my own. (everyone was physically fine at the scene, though the dude has now decided to try to turn it into a paycheck)

The most frustrating part of the thing was that I had the radio off, the phone off, the windows up, and was doing not one single thing but driving. Then he was approching fast, adn the truck has no ABS - I literally skidded into him and through his trunk. Indeed, I remember clearly thinking " oh, look the airbags are going off, yep, it's filling up... I guess I did make contact with his car. Strange I thought I wasn't there yet..." all in the timespan between the steering wheel opening up and the airbags were fully inflated... I remember watching the airbag wrinkles get flattened out under pressure.

WTF is up with that? I couldn't recognize a stopped car, but could process visually and in words the fractino of a second the airbags opened?

So, Scott, I know the frustration... it'd be easier if I had an excuse (talking on the phone, listening to the radio loud, etc...)

[RideWV]

How is Holly feeling?

James

[SWriverstone]

Holy Cow Emerson00!!   Really sorry to hear of that. I'm telling ya, it's that "motion camouflage" thing again---everyone on this board should TAKE WARNING: a stopped vehicle in front---especially if it's in your lane of traffic, facing the same direction, and (worse) is stopped in the middle of nowhere---is a LOT harder to "register on the brain" than it sounds.

I'm glad you're okay Emerson (even if the car isn't). I'm still struggling to understand how I didn't notice the vehicle stopped ahead of us sooner...  

Scott

[SWriverstone]

How is Holly feeling?

James

Thanks for asking James. She's doing well, almost fully recovered. She rode her bicycle to the train station yesterday and reported a little lower back pain, but nothing bad.

She took a Ducati ST3 for a test spin a few days ago and liked it---she wasn't THRILLED with it, but said it was nice and felt like a Ducati! The dealer made her a great offer---his last remaining '06 on the floor (black) for sale at dealer cost. So Holly's chewing over the decision now---either buy the ST3...or ride my VFR. (Yeah I know, everyone is screaming TAKE THE DUCATI!!!!)

Scott

[Tar Snake]

Wow! I'm late to this too. Glad to read everybody is OK? I hope Holly's fracture is healing correctly! Bikes can be rebuilt, replaced, people, no. So glad the people involved seem to have come out OK.

What sticks in my mind is the comment about following too closely in a group. I'm guilty of that, and even before reading any of this I've become wary of group riding unless the group is very small, like me and another rider or two.

I think larger groups should be broken into little pods and spaced out. This would also help with another group (sounds like it didn't affect the ESTN group at all) problem: fast riding and the "need" to keep up.

Best Wishes and recovery and bike hunting! Excellent analysis write-up! thanks for posting it.

[basco]

Thanks for asking James. She's doing well, almost fully recovered. She rode her bicycle to the train station yesterday and reported a little lower back pain, but nothing bad.

She took a Ducati ST3 for a test spin a few days ago and liked it---she wasn't THRILLED with it, but said it was nice and felt like a Ducati! The dealer made her a great offer---his last remaining '06 on the floor (black) for sale at dealer cost. So Holly's chewing over the decision now---either buy the ST3...or ride my VFR. (Yeah I know, everyone is screaming TAKE THE DUCATI!!!!)

Scott

Sounds like she is getting better. The ST3 is a great bike, I just wished the pegs were in a better position. See if you can get a test ride on both and see what is the better bike. Maybe, if she is interested in the ST3, get her to try the Sprint.  

[Galo]

Emerson, Holly.....I'm late to the party but wishing u the best with the situation and Holly...glad u are okay!

[SWriverstone]

Maybe, if she is interested in the ST3, get her to try the Sprint.  

I suggested the Sprint. She said "Nope, don't like the looks and don't want to sound like the Jetsons."    

Scott

[keystonejenks]

Glad to hear Holly is doing well and I can tell by her "sense of humor" (regarding Triumphs) - she'll be back on a bike in no-time.