I guess that 35 years without a bike accident had to end at some time…

(not counting dropping it on my drive last year…)

15:20 Wednesday 21st July) I had just finished a hot and exhausting day’s work moving my son from Greenwich to a new flat in Nunhead. Back on the bike and an appointment in Tunbridge Wells so heading for the A2/M25.

In Lewisham and New Cross, bikes are allowed in the bus lanes, so there I was skipping past the heavy traffic down the bus lane. At the lights was a white van (why was he in the bus lane?). I pulled up behind him (as you do), only to see his reversing lights come on

3 seconds is not enough time to haul a Sprint 6 feet backwards…

With an almighty crunch, the front of my bike disappeared beneath his rear bumper, far enough such that the headlight fairing was jammed up against his rear doors.

I jumped off and had a good curse.

First inspection would indicate bent forks, smashed plastics, possibly bent wheel.

The front wheel was so far beneath the back of his van that the nose fairing was jammed up against the rear doors (also suspect bent upper fairing frame…)

When he pulled away, the bike (which was jammed upright), fell over to the left and scratched the mirror, crash bung, top box and bent the gear lever. Note that my new l/h fairing panel was undamaged!

R&Gs took the pain for the left hand fairing panel.

Gear lever is well bent

And it landed on the Givi box.
Recovered home by Carole Nash (great service)

Question:
If he denies it, who would you believe?
“He reversed into me”
“He was going too fast and rode into the back of me” ?
There were no witnesses – by the time I’d jumped off and cursed, the lights had changed and they’d all buggered off.

I had been home barely long enough to explain the SWMBO, when I received a call from his insurers (Aviva):
“Our insured has admitted liability and we’d like to clear this up as soon as possible. Can you get your bike collected asap and we’ll sent our assessor round to discuss the quote. You don’t have to involve your insurance company. It is quicker and cheaper for us to deal direct”

Update 22-July-10

Things are moving fast: bike collected by Bulldog Triumph and carted off to their workshop for an “initial assessment”:

“Looks like a write-off Steve…”

Update 23-July-10

Suzuki Bandit 1250 arrives in the morning. It was that or £15 per day for loss of use.

Went round to Bulldog: “Looks like a write-off Steve…”

Update 25-July-10

Bandit was late due to delivery driver calling in sick on Saturday morning (can’t get the staff can you?)

Here it is:

First impressions:

• Dull
• Quiet
• Digital speedo
• Dull
• Quite torquey
• Needs a gear indicator (I kept losing count…)
• Dull

Reminds me of a Bandit 600 that I rode years ago – it may be more modern and have a bigger engine but still about as exciting as watching the F1 from Hochenheim this afternoon.

Update 11-Aug-10

Still got the Bandit.

Insurance company have written off my Sprint and so I’m on the lookout for a replacement.

Update 13-Aug-10

No cheque yet but have already received the demand for the V5C etc…

Still got the Bandit.

Spotted a Stealth Black Sprint.    Hmmm…