While riding down the road a couple of weeks ago I was hit from behind by an older man in a Subaru Forester. He was rushing trying to get around traffic and was switching lanes erratically and got behind me and was tailgating me for quite a while. We stopped at a light and I gestured to him to back off. He just shook his head at me and continued to stay following me way too closely when the light changed. We were in the middle lane and changed to the left lane to let him pass and instead of staying in his lane and passing he followed me into the other lane while inches from my rear wheel.

Traffic ahead was beginning to slow for the next light and I had no choice but to start slowing and he made contact with my rear wheel and fender while traveling approximately 45 miles per hour. The impact caused the rear of the bike to lift off the pavement and was thrown to the right and nearly threw me out of the saddle. When the rear tire made contact with the road again the bike began to fishtail very badly but fortunately I was able to ride it out and not hit the pavement. Needless to say I was very shaken up and full of adrenaline until well after the police arrived. He didn't seem to want to pull over but a lady pulled her car in front of his and didn't allow him to drive off.

My back is stiff and sore and I'm going through physical therapy and the bike is getting a new fender, new fender struts, license plate mount, left signal, belt guard, new rear tire and odds and ends that are needed to complete the job. They will inspect the frame, swing arm, and rear rim when they take it apart to be sure there isn't any hidden damage to report. I'm very glad and fortunate that I didn't go down and end up more injured or worse. Here are a few pics of the damage.

 

Glad you are ok

 

Dumba$$ did a nice job!! Hoping you recover quickly. Make sure he pays through the nose for being so careless!!

 

 

Glad you are ok. Get a lawyer and have them put the screws down on this jackass and his insurance company.

 

GLAD u r ok and hopefully will be 100% shortly.

Do u have any idea why he was on your butt so much?

Especially when you moved out of his way. ??

BuzzCap7

 

I honestly think he got mad after I gestured at him to back off at the light before he hit me. Must have been thinking something to the effect of "u thought I was close before? Let's see how u like this" and got as close as he possibly could and stayed there even when I switched lanes.

When we were waiting for the police he was talking on the phone with someone, most likely his wife, who must have talked sense into him because he apologized and said sorry I hit you after that phone call and ran up admitting he was at fault when the cop pulled up behind me. Possibly a bit of road rage? Who knows. All I know is he put me in a dangerous situation without any thought to the possible outcomes of his actions or regard for my life. He'll pay for it. Definitely won't be gesturing at people to back off anymore. I'll just pull off and let them pass.

Thank you everyone for all of the well wishes. I'll be back on the road soon. It's a bit hard now though since my bike is my only transportation.... And I'm having bike withdrawals.

 

Glad you are OK. And you are very lucky. Drunk driver got me several years ago. Rear ended me, estimated speed at impact - 70 to 90 mph! I was going 35. I get really nervous now when anyone gets too close, Jeep or the bike. You have the right idea if that ever happens again, pull over and let them pass. Not worth fighting with those idiots.

 

Get a lawyer and rake him over the coals.