Bike Knocked Down by an SUV

I parked in Manhattan tonight for an hour. I was the in the last space before a fire hydrant. There was enough space in front of me for 1 1/2 cars and yet someone managed to knock my Sportster down and ride away. A friend of the people I was visiting saw it happen but was too far away to get a license plate. A neighbor came out and saw some of it also. It was a big SUV being driven by an older woman. Why someone chooses to ride in a tank who can't even park it is beyond me. I wish I could have gotten the plate number and sued her ass for all the damage to my chrome and handlebars. I'd just finished a complete clean and polish and then this...

Don't know how you guys deal with this type of thing but I'm pissed. I guess you can't leave a bike alone for one minute. It's enough to make me only ride for pleasure and never for transportation again, but unfortunately, sometimes I need the bike to get around with. Bummed out now.

I and crying for you if you can't or won't. That is almost the worst, I guess worst would be that you were on it. Be glad of that I guess. A pollyanna view.
(I read or reread "Pollyanna", who remembers that.)
Pollyanna - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

sympathies

My sympathies HB I to don't understand why people do not have the common courtsey when they make a mistake and stop and own up to it. I hope you get your baby back in tip top shape soon.

I know how you feel.in 2002 my 6 month old fxdx got ran over by a semi in front of the plant where I worked. the only reason we caught the guy is he had to drop his load at our plant and the roach coach guy was parked down the street. he backed up over it then ran over it again pulled around the r.c. and hid in his sleeper. I had to threaten the r.c. drivers life before he would say anything. the trucking company gave me 3500 bucks and paid off the bike the salvage shop that bought it let me take out my crane ignition system and all my ss braided cables and hoses when I put all the stock stuff back on.I gave him the keys and when we tried it it started right up everything was destroyed except the motor and trans.when the trucking co. told the driver they were sending him for a drug test he quit on the spot and left the truck at our plant

Thanks guys. It's sad that after patiently putting time and effort to dial in my bike as I like it, some inconsiderate ass ruins it. This is a microcosm of our world isn't it? My only consolation is to think that I can probably afford to get my Sporty back into shape, but the person who knocked it down knows what they did and has to live with their ugly self for the rest of their days. I'm sure their integrity is out in other places as well. It was a fancy new SUV that knocked me down and I'm sure if they came back from dinner and it was all dented they'd be pissed. "Do unto others..." is the best thing ever written.

It's a fact of life that people who don't respect themselves don't respect others. I was so happy to see the little thing (riding my HD) that brought me some joy and fun working out so well. Guess it's a reality check, and sometimes reality can really suck these days.

Steve, that sounds really nasty, how's your ride now?

Sorry to hear 'bout that amn.... I woulda killed the F#$@^R if I caught 'em... Actually saw an accident one time in a parking lot, jotted down the plate # and got it to the owner of the car that was hit and run... I do that too...

Once when I was a teenager I scratched someone's car by accident, so I left a note with my number. The owner called, and I offered to pay for any repairs. He said not to worry about it, he owned a body shop! Instant Karma, I guess!

That Sucks, How Bout Parking On The Sidewalk? Hope The Damage Wasn't To Bad, Was It Just A Knock Over, Bent Your Bars, Broke Lever, Hope It Isn't Going To Be A Hard Fix. Good Luck.

This is probably exactly what the lady thought when she tipped your bike over, she was scared for her life, It is unfortunate that your bike got tipped over, The lady who did it was scared $hitless some big bad biker would come out and kill her and that is why she got the hell out of dodge and probably to scared to even go to the police to think a gang would come over and burn her house down, like I said it is unfortunate that it happened and Im sure she didnt do it on purpose but she probably was so scared she didnt know what to do, especially since she was an elderly lady. Todd

FUNNY WHAT YOU SAID DUKE, REMINDS ME OF THE STICKER ON THE OL'LADYS CAR, WARNING, PROTECTED BY BIG BAD ASS TATTOO'ED BIKER:roflmao: AND HEY HELLBOY LET US KNOW WHAT GOT F-UP'ED, WITH ALL OF US HERE WHO HAVE SPARE PARTS AROUND, WE COULD DO YA LIKE A PARTS RAISER FOR YOUR MISFORTUNE, GOT SOME DRAG BARS FOR YA IF YOUR BARS GOT BENT, YOU COULD PROB TAKE YOUR PIPES OFF AND GET THEM POLISHED AT A FAB SHOP PRETTY CHEAP, OR GET A BENCH GRINDER WITH A BUFFER WHEEL AND SOME INDUSTRIAL GRADE POLISH, HELL I COULD SEND YA SOME OF THAT TOO WITH THE BARS.

Some people are just scared of bikers, just today I was riding and pulled up behind a car and the lady rolled up her window and looked like she locked her door, Also some bikers are scared of other bikers, like when we are at Sturgis at the campground, seems are neighbors dont even look our way, we usually go over and start bsing with them and usually they come over and share our campfire or drink some of our beer, It is just a stereotype that bikers have, Todd

dont kno

the last time i was knocked down by f-350 van,,,, he never knew he hit me,,,, i was going about 50,,,, a stranger in the car behind him ran him down about 2 miles away,,,brought him back,,,, he never knew he hit me,,,, well so he said,,,pops so she may not have

Thanks guys, it's a great comfort to hear from all of you and know that sh*t happens to us all. I had an experienced rider friend take a good look and he thinks it isn't too bad. Mostly scratches and very small dents. I can have some chrome redone, put new foot pegs, grips and brake levers on and be nearly back to where I was. I'll have the handlebars checked, they might be off center a minute amount from the fall. One silver lining in this cloud, for some reason I hung my helmet on the right side, lower end. I've never done that before. The helmet took a big portion of the blow, so it saved me from a much bigger problem.

Will do AFN. At least I'll get to buy something new from HD without my wife rolling eyes at me

Sportsterboy, thanks for the thoughtful offer. I'll let you know what's up as I go. A friend who has 30 yrs. riding experience said it wasn't too bad. My Sporty's riding OK and it's mostly scratches on the pipes, handlebars and some chrome and a little bump here and there. I'll get new grips and footrests. I was planning on having my primary cover chromed over this winter. I'll have the handlebars checked for straightness, ride this summer and have the scratches repaired or buffed or replace a few parts at the same time I do the primary..

One silver lining in this cloud, I had left my helmet hanging on the lower right side, which I've never done before. When my bike went down, the helmet took the brunt of the fall. It probably saved me from a much bigger repair bill. Gotta get a new helmet though. I had one of those expensive Shoei helmets, but better the helmet than my tank!

Sorry for the mishap HB..that sucks big time. That's one of the reasons I try to park on sidewalks and places the cagers can't get to it (Sometimes I get a security guard tell me I can't park there when I come back out, but I do it anyway). I found my bike tipped over in a Wal-Mart parking lot 3 years ago..$1900 in damage just falling over and sliding a foot. I always hated Wal-Mart anyways and avoid that place like the plague.