Arai Vector 2 Crash Test

Hey friends,

Well, ok, not really a crash (fortunately!), but I hit a massive bird today on the way home.  I'm pretty sure it was a vulture.  I was coming around a bend at about 45mph and I saw this big bird sitting on the side of the road.  The whole thing happened in a few seconds, I saw it, I started squeezing the brakes, I thought it was going to fly up into my face, it did, and BAM!  Felt like getting hit by a brick.  The darn thing ricocheted off my headlights and windscreen (nasty smear, yuck), and as I tried to duck below it, it clipped the back of my helmet and ripped it apart.

There was blood everywhere, fortunately not mine.  I stayed upright, but it gave me a heck of a headache! On a side note, I pulled over for a little bit and tried to calm down and tend to my head.  I was passed by several cars, none stopped.  People aren't as nice here as out in the country area where I previously was living.

Poor Helmet. Stupid Bird!!

I didn't think there was any damage at first, but after looking in my mirror at a stop, I saw feathers sticking out everywhere.  I reached back and was fussing with the feathers and then felt jagged edges and loose parts.  I pulled off plastic and my heart sank for sure.  When I got home, I finally saw the extent of the damage.  I'm not sure if the shell has been compromised, but I don't think I'll risk it.

First a flat tire. Then an egging. Now a busted helmet.
I sure have some bad luck...

But on a side note, this is why you should always wear a helmet!

- Pandabear

Bike is great, car, not so much! BMW E90 Sedan

Well friends,

I've been riding as much as I can the past few weeks.  It is rapidly getting cold and the season is nearly over for riding (or possibly, completely over!?).  The bike is running well, with the stator, voltage regulator, and radiator fan all being replaced - at a cost of about $700.  Sadly, it's been cold and I've been taking the car to work, my 2011 BMW 328i xDrive.

Yesterday however, congestion was really bad, and I opted to take the back roads home after work.  Sadly, upon trying to cross a four-way stop, I guess I didn't see a black car (I have no clue how I missed the headlights and it being "stopped" at a stop sign - unless it actually ran the stop??) and drove head on into it.  The other car wasn't too badly damaged but mine was:

 There was a good amount of frontal damage, the bumper is toast.  I didn't look at the fog lights but they might be damaged.  The headlights are on and running but some of the plastic went flying.  The hood also clearly got messed up and it does not lay flat like normal.  The driver side airbag deployed, as well as the passenger side curtain airbag (??!).  I realize now that the airbag is pretty violent, as it left some burns, deep bruises, and cuts on my arm and knuckles:

This image shows the injury hours after the accident, but immediately after it looked horrendous, and VERY purple and bruised.  I first thought I was going to need stitches, but it turned out a layer of skin was ripped off, not so much a deep cut.

I hope my car isn't totaled, but personally I am estimating at least $10,000 of damage easily.  I think they will total it at 15,000, so I'm hoping it doesn't come to that!  It is a real pity that I had it perfect just two days prior....waxed vacuumed and beautiful:

I guess I'll find out in the next few days what is going on!  Wish me luck.

- Pandabear

Update:  The car was totaled :(  There was $22,000 dollars of damage so they took her away.  I managed to get the same car in Tasman Green, oyster dakota leather, with an upgrade of Navigation, bluetooth, and Xenon headlights!  The new(er) car is actually in better condition - and of course, I tinted the windows!  I will snap a good picture when conditions clear up and I can finally wash and wax the new girl!