Well guys.. it had only been about 3 weeks since I've had purchased it. My friend Carlos and I were at a bike contest all day at Eximport, a bike shop here in Houston. We Decided we were gonna head out cuz it was a beautiful Saturday afternoon with sunny skys and high in the 70's. We had just entered the freeway, Carlos was about 4 car lengths ahead of me. We were riding at about 65 - 70 mph. All of a sudden I hear a big squeal of screeching tires to my right. When I turned to the side to see what was going on, I see this piece of "poo poo" old van about to hit the side of my rear tire. I didn't have any time to react. I just thought to myself "Damn! This can't be happening." All of a sudden I hear a big smack and my bike goes sliding while I am rolling behind it and the van right behind me. I seriously thought I was gonna die cuz the van was gonna run me over. So I rolled down the highway about 6 or 7 times. When I finally came to a stop, I immediately jumped up and saw that the guy had crashed against the wall on the right side of the freeway. He then jumped out of his van and took off running. I had realized that I was in the middle lane and was facing traffic, so I ran to the freeway divider and just slouched over it to hold myself up. My wrist was in extreme pain and I was bleeding but I didn't know from where. People were stopped and asking if I was okay but i didnt respond. I was in shock about the whole thing. Carlos had pulled over up ahead and was already calling 911. I turned around and saw my bike laying in the middle of the freeway with a trail of oil behind it. I just dropped to the ground and layed there while people were helping me to till the ambulance came. I was able to move all my body parts so I knew that nothing was broken. My Joe Rocket saved alot of my skin. I had just bought it that same morning and now it was destroyed but I didn't mind.... it did its job as well as my helmet. As far as the hospital... all they said was that I had a sprained (sp?) right ankle, a hair line fracture in my right hand. My wrist was killin the "fudge" outta me though. I came to find out that the man was drunk and thats why he ran. He had a bunch of empty beer cans in his van. They were going to investigate the whole thing cuz nobody had found him. The bike was not as bad as I thought it would have been. Damage is as follows: Broken off exhaust, bent shifter, damaged oil cover, scraped up swingarm, scratched fairings all along the left side, shaved down clutch lever, and bent front wheel thats about it.... I think. I will post some pics later. Im just glad I survived my first crash.... ut my poor bike was hurting then.... she wasnt even 3 weeks old. Lets all be safe while we ride out there. You might not be reckless but alot of people around you are.
Terrible story...hate to hear things like that but glad that you came out okay. I guess they never found this guy? They should have sold the van for scrap and given you the money. Shows you need good gear, were you wearing riding pants also or just jeans?
2002 Buell Blast 500 /¦\
[url=http://www.putfile.com][img]http://x10.putfile.com/3/8221543225.gif[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/viewtopic.php?t=11790]Confessions of a Commuter[/url]
Just jacket, helmet and gloves. I was very lucky though cause... even with just my jeans... i had a couple of scrapes and cuts but nothing major. As far as the guy no.. they never found him. He wasnt legal either thats a known fact because the van wasnt even registered to him
I have heard hit and runs are a major problem along the border. Either they have no insurance (and can risk deportation from a civil judgement) or they are illegals.
Glad to hear that your gear did its job and kept you in 1 piece.
I had realized that I was in the middle lane and was facing traffic, so I ran to the freeway divider and just slouched over it to hold myself up. My wrist was in extreme pain and I was bleeding but I didn't know from where. People were stopped and asking if I was okay but i didnt respond. I was in shock about the whole thing. Carlos had pulled over up ahead and was already calling 911. I turned around and saw my bike laying in the middle of the freeway with a trail of oil behind it. I just dropped to the ground and layed there while people were helping me to till the ambulance came. I was able to move all my body parts so I knew that nothing was broken. My Joe Rocket saved alot of my skin. I had just bought it that same morning and now it was destroyed but I didn't mind.... it did its job as well as my helmet. As far as the hospital... all they said was that I had a sprained (sp?) right ankle, a hair line fracture in my right hand. My wrist was killin the "fudge" outta me though. I came to find out that the man was drunk and thats why he ran. He had a bunch of empty beer cans in his van. They were going to investigate the whole thing cuz nobody had found him. The bike was not as bad as I thought it would have been. Damage is as follows: Broken off exhaust, bent shifter, damaged oil cover, scraped up swingarm, scratched fairings all along the left side, shaved down clutch lever, and bent front wheel thats about it.... I think. I will post some pics later. Im just glad I survived my first crash.... ut my poor bike was hurting then.... she wasnt even 3 weeks old. 
Lets all be safe while we ride out there. You might not be reckless but alot of people around you are.
