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Post by TPP on Aug 26, 2015 0:35:08 GMT
Was on a dual-carriageway on an unusually quiet Saturday night (15th August 11:15pm), doing 50-55 mph, rear tyre failed suddenly. Managed to hang on for a few seconds and lose some speed but the back was swerving too much and me and the bike soon parted company, both sliding down the A34 at speed, Combiz on it's right side spraying sparks, me in front of it facing/sliding backwards looking at the thankfully almost empty road and seeing my beloved scooter taking a battering. Car passenger immediately stopped to help me, I refused. Started pushing bike to the next exit about a mile away, sometimes pushing, sometimes attempting to ride slowly. Dumped it in a village, and managed to stop another car for help. The drove me the last 2 miles home. I got a mate to arrange a van to retrieve it 2 days later, cost me £30, and I had to help my mate and van driver lift in and out of the van despite my injuries.  My helmet, gloves and jacket saved me and are intact, unfortunately it was my right knee that took the fall and scraped the tarmac for ages, and of course I wasn't wearing the protective trousers that night. I haven't ridden since. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2015 10:04:57 GMT
Was on a dual-carriageway on an unusually quiet Saturday night (15th August 11:15pm), doing 50-55 mph, rear tyre failed suddenly. Managed to hang on for a few seconds and lose some speed but the back was swerving too much and me and the bike soon parted company, both sliding down the A34 at speed, Combiz on it's right side spraying sparks, me in front of it facing/sliding backwards looking at the thankfully almost empty road and seeing my beloved scooter taking a battering. Car passenger immediately stopped to help me, I refused. Started pushing bike to the next exit about a mile away, sometimes pushing, sometimes attempting to ride slowly. Dumped it in a village, and managed to stop another car for help. The drove me the last 2 miles home. I got a mate to arrange a van to retrieve it 2 days later, cost me £30, and I had to help my mate and van driver lift in and out of the van despite my injuries. My helmet, gloves and jacket saved me and are intact, unfortunately it was my right knee that took the fall and scraped the tarmac for ages, and of course I wasn't wearing the protective trousers that night. I haven't ridden since. Sorry to hear that mate, hope you are not to badly injured! That's the only problem with 2 wheels as opposed to 4, tyre failures! 50mph is pretty swift as well. Trouble is the old knees are a bit vulnerable to knocks and scrapes at the best of times, and so bloody painful when they don't work properly! Hope you get the Combiz up and running and that you can get back on it again. Take it easy mate! |
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Post by TPP on Aug 26, 2015 20:27:16 GMT
Since the scooter was due for a full service and belt/roller change, new right mirror and new oils and spark plugs and tyres, I was planning to get all the parts together first and then get my usual mechanics to collect it from me and service it. But I'm a bit short of money and my priority is to get it rideable first. I'm very lucky to have another bike service place round the corner from me 2 streets away. I had a word with them yesterday and they said to bring it to them and they'll sort the rear tyre out. I couldn't get out of bed this morning though. Tomorrow I will push it to them and see if they can put a right hand mirror as well, even if it doesn't match I don't mind until I get the proper one. The mirror didn't break in the accident, it snapped off when I was putting the bike cover on around a month ago.
The only actual damage to the scooter was the right passenger foot peg, the plastic there scraped away terribly. There's other scrapes and scratches along the right side but thankfully no cracks in the plastic panels. If I wanted I could order new panels for it, but it would cost nearly £200 in all and the one I most want, the black floor section with passenger pegs is currently unavailable. Since they're not broken, and its likely I may have another accident in the future, I wonder if its possible to just get some touch-up paint for the white bits?
I'll upload some pics of the damage shortly.
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Post by TPP on Aug 26, 2015 20:41:04 GMT
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Post by TPP on Aug 26, 2015 22:46:34 GMT
My comprehensive insurance includes recovery. But I so badly wanted to get home quickly and had no phone credit I didn't bother. But when I got to the village (South Hinksey), I walked around and was considering knocking on someone's door at night, I thought I'd frighten them being a stranger at that time. Then I saw the car coming. I waved to them, they stopped and I asked them to call my parents. Neither my mum or dad answered. They wanted to see my bike, then I showed them and told them I'd push it home on foot. They said no way, leave it there and they'll take me home. It was a foreign left-hand drive car and the lady and man were French! They put my address in the sat-nav and drove me home. They were very friendly and concerned for me. After that I dialled 1471 on the house phone and traced their number (French mobile) and asked my dad to call them and thank them on my behalf, because he's Mauritian and is fluent in French. He invited them to his for a glass of wine but they said they'd consider it and call him back if they decide to do so.  Bloody hell only the Saturday before that I rode to London and back in my best suit for my niece's wedding. It was so hot that day I neglected the safety gear. From now on if I am going further than one mile or over 30mph, jacket and trousers will be worn at all times!!!  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2015 11:57:04 GMT
Could have been so much worse! Still bad enough though it really shakes you up! Just imagine all those prats with shorts and t-shirts and of course no gloves. Can you tell then? Not a chance! Must admit the trousers thing is my short coming! Jeans or thick cords, (not the lightweight cotton trousers Mrs Jenksy likes me to wear in summer!). But they won't offer that much protection! Hope you are up and running again soon mate. There are still plenty of "good people" out there who will help, even it seems French ones! Had to read the line twice there mate, thought it said your dad was a Martian!!! Think I need new glasses. Onwards and upwards as they say, think I blinked and missed that "hot" day you were on about, take care mate!
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Post by TPP on Aug 27, 2015 21:31:57 GMT
Indeed. I've never been one to wear shorts anyway. But I only wore jeans once for my first CBT. Those trousers I destroyed - too tight since I put on weight. I didn't feel too guilty about having to bin them haha! Never mind people riding practically naked, I witnessed one or two bikers near me ride with no helmet!!!!! In hindsight I wish I took the first offer of help, the car behind that saw my crash. As I got up immediately, and lifted the bike, the car actually stopped on the carriageway and reversed back to me. It was the lady passenger that was trying to help. She wanted to call an ambulance, police, AA, or give me a lift but I refused. Mainly I was so worried because the A34 is a dangerous road with no shoulder and I didn't want to cause another accident and wanted to clear it quickly. Luckily there is a footpath running alongside. I do think my dad is from another planet though! |
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Post by Bailo on Aug 28, 2015 17:23:27 GMT
Bloody hell! Glad your okay buddy! As Jenks said, it could have been so much worse!
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Post by TPP on Aug 28, 2015 22:13:29 GMT
Yeah, the passenger from the car behind said "we're just glad we didn't run you over" but I really wish I had those protective trousers on. Apart from a big itchy scab on my right knee my left ribcage still hurts a bit. Especially when I'm sleeping and roll on the left side. I still didn't get the tyre replaced. I'm in no hurry and using the time to recover from the accident and also several months of hard work. But when I have to walk miles and catch buses to certain places, it makes me want to start riding as soon as possible. I still can't decide if I'm lucky or unlucky this happened in the first place.... |
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Post by cybrandian on Sept 8, 2015 10:03:59 GMT
Sorry to hear about your crash but hope you're mending well !
I was reading about the damage to your scooter and noticed that one of the plastic covers for the floor panel bolts had been lost.
I have a Sym Fiddle 3 and have lost one of the same.
I asked my Sym dealer about a replacement but they were unable to help.
Could I ask where you order these from ?
Thanks.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2015 21:41:51 GMT
Sorry to hear about your crash but hope you're mending well ! I was reading about the damage to your scooter and noticed that one of the plastic covers for the floor panel bolts had been lost. I have a Sym Fiddle 3 and have lost one of the same. I asked my Sym dealer about a replacement but they were unable to help. Could I ask where you order these from ? Thanks. Give Chinese Motorcycle parts online a ring. They list a floor panel bung but don't show a picture of it! Maybe a generic fitting part. |
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Post by cybrandian on Sept 9, 2015 17:16:23 GMT
Thanks very much for the quick, helpful response
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Post by TPP on Dec 31, 2015 0:10:05 GMT
I have still not ridden the Combiz, or even fixed it yet! I decided to repair my ebike instead and have been riding that for the last 4 months.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2016 12:04:32 GMT
The e-bike is a bit different from 125cc of pure power! Hope your able to get the Sym back on the road, I know you made good use of it when it was roadworthy! Have a good 2016 mate!
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Post by TPP on Jan 2, 2016 0:13:02 GMT
The difference is amazing, it took me nearly a week to ride the ebike confidently, the steering is so light and sensitive and I wobbled a lot at first. The battery declined in storage and it only does 8 miles now. But it is so much cheaper to run and as its classed as a pedal cycle, I can use cycle paths and lanes. I do miss the Combiz, especially for longer journeys, its due its first MOT in April and I hope to have it running long before then. I don't know why I keep putting the repair off but I will go and visit my regular mechanic in a couple of weeks and see what he thinks, will have to collect it from mine I'm sure!
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My helmet, gloves and jacket saved me and are intact, unfortunately it was my right knee that took the fall and scraped the tarmac for ages, and of course I wasn't wearing the protective trousers that night. 
