Dealing with a hit-and-run?

[asiantay]

I was hoping if I can get some opinions on hit-and-runs. It can happen a few ways, but in my case my bike was parked close to the street and was hit, toppled over and then propped up again.

When I got outside and got ready to go, I noticed the clutch lever was bent out of shape and that my left mirror was also bent around. I also felt that the gear was out of neutral, in second, and that there were new scratches on the headlight. Then I realized that the bike must have been laid down or dropped, and since I was the only one riding, I knew some jack@$$ probably hit it. I then took a flashlight out (it was about 11PM) and checked the bike. The right side of the license plate holder had been broken. This is a Honda CB250 Nighthawk, btw.

So here is my observation: Some guy, most likely a young driver was trying to make a U-turn in the cul-de-sac, and ended up misjudging the distance between his car and my bike. He hits the right side of the bike at the rear, and the bike topples over to the left, causing said damage.

I am pretty pissed off right now, and I'm glad I tried to keep my cool (no Turret-syndrome-like shouting of profanity etc...) and managed to get home and fix most of the damage right then and there, sans license plate holder and scratches. I am pretty sure I know the residence of who did it, but I am conflicted as to what course of action should be taken and what I should make of this. Im not worried about the damage, but what really gets me is that people are so rude and idiotic. Thanks in advance for the comments.

[NorthernPete]

Unless you have some proof, you probably dont have many options, you could call the fuzz, and get a report, but not too much will come of it. If you feel confident about knowing who did it, you could ask them, just be polite about it, no need to get irrate (yet ) and see what they say.

[Gummiente]

(no Turret-syndrome-like shouting of profanity etc...)

You mean Tourette syndrome. "Turret" syndrome is when some soldier loses it and goes on a drunken rampage throught town in a stolen tank.

[MotoF150]

It buggs me that nobody can be honest and if someone hit ur bike they should be honest, knock at ur door, write a note and tell them you hit their bike. I would call the local police and report a hit and run and tell him you have an idea who it is and I would tell that person face to face that you know it was him and ur going to prove it and get him in trouble and then remind him if he would of been honest and told you maybe you would have said no problem and forget it. This person that hit ur bike has no right to happy and have no worries after what he did, if you tell him face to face that you called the police he will be worried and shaken up. Think about this? Why should you be upset and mad and worried when the liar criminal isn't? You should be mad, I don't blame you, but he's living his life with no worries cause he think he got away with it, make him miserable too.

[ofblong]

without paint scratches not much you can do other than go to your insurance company and have them fix it (be it end of riding season if you have one or be without it for a few days).

[camthepyro]

There's really not a whole lot you can do concerning the police. But, if you're sure you know who it was, go up to their door, and when they answer, tell them you saw them from your window, and saw them as the put the bike back up and drove off. If you're very direct, and act like you know for sure they did it, people have a hard time denying things.

[asiantay]

Well I had a while to cool off. You're right, MotoF150, if they would have just told me I would have been like "Well its just cosmetic... see ya."

And that is true, it pisses me off that people cannot be honest. Anyways, I have a good idea of a few houses (they had a party a few houses down) and I think I know what I might do. I probably won't do it because without 100% accuracy and proof, I don't know who did it... BUT... my friend suggest salt-filled water balloons.

I probably won't do it cuz I don't want to spread needless misery and vandalise anything, that would make me a hypocrite... but if I EVER know who it is for sure, rest assured that my local walmart will be running out of salt and balloons VERY quickly. Thanks for the advice you guys. Ride safe.

[BubbaGump]

It buggs me that nobody can be honest and if someone hit ur bike they should be honest, knock at ur door, write a note and tell them you hit their bike.

Time to fess up Moto - we all know you did it.

[SuperRookie]

(no Turret-syndrome-like shouting of profanity etc...)

You mean Tourette syndrome. "Turret" syndrome is when some soldier loses it and goes on a drunken rampage throught town in a stolen tank.

Question: What's with the 'salt-water-filled' balloons?

[asiantay]

Salt water balloons are filled with salt and water. Salt, when soaked into ground, impedes growth by killing off the roots of plant (it absorbs the water, thus dehydrating plants). Thats my "bio" explanation. Something to do with hyoptonic and hypertonic solutions and salt concentration levels. In this case, theres more salt outside the roots so all the water goes towards it to dilute the concentration and maintain equilibrium.