Metal against metal. Yesterday morning in the rain in rush hour traffic in NYC I sideswiped a big delivery truck. Probably my fault, at least more than 50% as I was passing on the left and then I moved into the right in front of him to make a right turn. He was stopped when I started to go to the right and when I passed him, he was either still stopped or started to move and his front left bumper started hitting my RL at the end of the passenger front door and didn't stop until it caved in the bed box above the rear wheel. It sounded like I had hit a garbage can and when I stopped around the corner, I expected to see a nice sized scratch, but when I saw what the side of the RL looked like, I almost lost my breakfast. Just got back from the bodyshop and estimate is $8000. They are going to cut the right side off at the rood line behind the rear door and reform the right rear of the RL. Passender door in back is likely completely shot and front passenger door will need smoothing. Repaint entire side of truck and likely roof and rear bumper. Before and after pictures to follow.

This sucks.

:( Aw, that does suck! 8K. Wow. From other accident pics I've seen, the front & rear of the RL hold up extremely well... it would be educational to see how the side faired.

I don't think I could drive in NY at all... I'm used to the open desert. I would be so stressed out! :eek:

I hope your truck makes a full recovery! :D

ouch...

sorry to hear that Billb.

good luck with the repair.

Good luck. Post some pics if you can.

I'm very sorry to hear that, BillB. No injuries, that's good. Accidents happen, don't beat yourself up over it. It's hard not to, I know. I caused $800 damage to mine when it was only 4 months old and I was weak in the knees each time I looked at it until it went into the shop. Yours is so much worse, I can imagine how you feel.

I hope your body shop repairs it to your satisfaction.

Sorry to hear Bill.... Unfortunately your living many of our worst nightmares. Heart goes out to ya cuz I know I would need a week off from work just to cope... Hope all works out in the end.:(

sorry man :(

first impression is that $8000 seems a little excessive

but either way, it does suck

Did you consider leaving the keys in it and putting a prepaid gas card on the dash and then calling your insurance company?

I got depressed just reading about it. Sorry BillB.:(

Did you consider leaving the keys in it and putting a prepaid gas card on the dash and then calling your insurance company?

I got depressed just reading about it. Sorry BillB.

I certainly did consider this and in the middle of NYC you don't even need the gas card to lose a vehicle. My luck is they would drive it into the ground for a week and then the cops would find it and I would have a useless RL with $8000 of body work.:(

Glad no one was hurt.

Here are some pictures of the damage. Doesn't take much to add up the thousands of $ on newer vehicles these days, but that is what the estimator is talking about. Between 6 and 8 thousand and 2 to 3 weeks in shop.:(

Wow, that is definitely not going to buff out. I wish you luck with this experience.

Ouch! :eek: :eek:

Here are some pictures of the damage. Doesn't take much to add up the thousands of $ on newer vehicles these days, but that is what the estimator is talking about. Between 6 and 8 thousand and 2 to 3 weeks in shop.:(

That even hurts me! :eek: :( Man, it sure doesn't take much! :(

Sorry to read/see this... I guess $8000 to do surgery on a unique vehicle can't be all that bad... Good thing it's not a Ferrari.

That sound is one you won't soon forget :( I really hate to preach but if you know you're going to have to turn please guys please get in behind the truck. No matter what the bigger vehicle will win everytime.

No matter what the bigger vehicle will win everytime.

Well, that depends on after market accessories. For instance, I recently installed the Ninjarator.

I'd love to go into detail on it's install and operation... but you know how testy those Secret Society Sects can be about 'sharing' information. And I'm not talking about the Ninja's either! Wink wink, nudge nudge, KnowWhatIMean? :rolleyes:

I can say that it is powered by an artificial pseudo-photosynthesis process, reverse engineered from an alien space ship recovered about 60 miles west of Socorro, NM. (More recently, the VLA was built in the area to monitor for transmissions from any possible search & rescue by further ships.)

Anyway, the pseudo-photosynthesis process is completed in what people assume is metal flake in the paint. In reality, the flakes are Smart-Nano-Auto-Plates that generate the required power to the Ninjarator. On a side note... configured correctly, the SNAP's can be routed to expend a non-lethal shock throughout the entire metal frame of the Ridgeline, Greatly extending the vehicle's alarm effectiveness! ;)

So, by un-bending the gravitational dent in space/time produced by the rotation of the earth, many escape velocities, and physical distortions to the shape of objects within the operational radius of the Ninjarator, can be created. Although this happens faster than human neurons can fire and be interpreted by the brain, it's after affects are similar to those times when you are either distracted, or extremely tired while on the road, and suddenly realize you are within minutes of your destination with no recollection of how you got there. Similar to 'lost time' as reported by those who claim to be abducted – only a bit more realistic than some of those stories! :rolleyes:

Anyway, I'd love to post the actual schematics, but the MIB's must have raided my truck file as all that is left in it are my bolt-on accessory receipts, and a card on my desk with an address... Hey, what's that bright light......................... :eek:

Well, that depends on after market accessories. For instance, I recently installed the Ninjarator.

I'd love to go into detail on it's install and operation... but you know how testy those Secret Society Sects can be about 'sharing' information. And I'm not talking about the Ninja's either! Wink wink, nudge nudge, KnowWhatIMean?

I can say that it is powered by an artificial pseudo-photosynthesis process, reverse engineered from an alien space ship recovered about 60 miles west of Socorro, NM. (More recently, the VLA was built in the area to monitor for transmissions from any possible search & rescue by further ships.)

Anyway, the pseudo-photosynthesis process is completed in what people assume is metal flake in the paint. In reality, the flakes are Smart-Nano-Auto-Plates that generate the required power to the Ninjarator. On a side note... configured correctly, the SNAP's can be routed to expend a non-lethal shock throughout the entire metal frame of the Ridgeline, Greatly extending the vehicle's alarm effectiveness! ;)

So, by un-bending the gravitational dent in space/time produced by the rotation of the earth, many escape velocities, and physical distortions to the shape of objects within the operational radius of the Ninjarator, can be created. Although this happens faster than human neurons can fire and be interpreted by the brain, it's after affects are similar to those times when you are either distracted, or extremely tired while on the road, and suddenly realize you are within minutes of your destination with no recollection of how you got there. Similar to 'lost time' as reported by those who claim to be abducted – only a bit more realistic than some of those stories! :rolleyes:

Anyway, I'd love to post the actual schematics, but the MIB's must have raided my truck file as all that is left in it are my bolt-on accessory receipts, and a card on my desk with an address... Hey, what's that bright light......................... :eek:


Did you get this idea from the "VoicesInYourHead"?:D

Bill, that plain sucks man...

I've also had my share of fender benders; one well known incident that happened last May with my P-Car and a recycling truck. In the end, the recycling truck won....don't they always?

Words of wisdom that I heard from an NYC cabbie back in the mid '80's (after I commented about his defensive driving habits), "You don't mess with the buses and the big trucks....they always have the right-of-way".

Dang! Thinkin' about that sound... :(

How long before you trade 'er in for a new one?

They say there's nothing like a "new hat" to lift the spirits. ;) :)

Dang! Thinkin' about that sound...

How long before you trade 'er in for a new one?

They say there's nothing like a "new hat" to lift the spirits.

I wish there was more damage so it would be a total write off. I know that it will never be the same again and with this one it has seen the last time I will compound and polish it. It has now become an official drive it until trade in time vehicle in about a year or so.

I do feel your pain. I had only owned my truck 6 hours and I hit a deer.:eek: Only $2800.

Wow...well...it could always be worse....I've done the same...so I know there isn't much to say except that I"m glad no one is hurt...you'll be back in business in no time...

Finally getting the State Farm adjuster to look at the truck this morning. It took 1 week for him to get assigned to the case. Not a positive response as far as I am concerned as a first impression for my first claimable accident in 25 years with this insurance company. Appointment at 10 AM and I will report how it goes.

Just finished passing my RL off to Huntington Honda for the repairs and they were great to deal with and gave me a FREE loaner Pilot for the duration my RL is in the body shop. Will be about 3 weeks at first estimate. Insurance adjuster came and did his thing with the laptop and digital camera interfaced directly and that was pretty impressive as he did the estimate and everything was instantly sent to the home office for final paperwork needs. It took me a couple of hours last night stripping down the RL of the custom parts so they do not get lost and this included my BAKFlip and custom Yakima bike rack. I am not looking forward to reinstalling the Yakima as that was a PIA the first time putting in the special bolt holders into the bed rail metal but unfortunately all that metai is being cut off and then replaced. I am apprehensive to say the least about what the final product is going to look like.:(

I am not looking forward to reinstalling the Yakima as that was a PIA the first time putting in the special bolt holders into the bed rail metal but unfortunately all that metai is being cut off and then replaced. I am apprehensive to say the least about what the final product is going to look like.

I would have thought that the re-installation would be covered in the accident. :confused: As it has to go back on to restore pre-accident condition. Or am I confusing my own little world for reality?

I would have thought that the re-installation would be covered in the accident. As it has to go back on to restore pre-accident condition. Or am I confusing my own little world for reality?

These are non-Honda parts and I did the initial install, not the dealer, so there would not be any way to expect them to take care of these like I know how to. As it is, I am just hoping the insurance guy and the body shop guy do not have to wrangle over replacing parts instead of putting bondo on metal so to uncomplicate as much as possible is best for my case.

I agree with you, Bill. The body shop could lose or break parts and won't want to be responsible for something they're not being paid to replace. I'd do it right the first time, myself.

These are non-Honda parts and I did the initial install, not the dealer, so there would not be any way to expect them to take care of these like I know how to.

Well, when I got rear-ended on my Honda motorcycle, the other guy's insurance was required to pay for ALL damaged parts. And let me tell you, I had a LOT of aftermarket 'non-Honda' parts. Whether or not you have the dealership re-install, the other guy is responsible for all parts damaged in the accident. Hmmmm... now I think I read it wrong - was it not damaged? I guess not, since you are re-installing it. :o Just ignore me. :o I am not here. :o

What model and year? what aftermarket stuff did you have?

Well, when I got rear-ended on my Honda motorcycle, the other guy's insurance was required to pay for ALL damaged parts. And let me tell you, I had a LOT of aftermarket 'non-Honda' parts. Whether or not you have the dealership re-install, the other guy is responsible for all parts damaged in the accident. Hmmmm... now I think I read it wrong - was it not damaged? I guess not, since you are re-installing it. :o Just ignore me. :o I am not here. :o

What model and year? what aftermarket stuff did you have?

2000 Shadow Spirit 1100
floorboard forward controls, Kury iso grips & throttle boss, mustang seat, leatherlyke saddlebags, cobra light bar, cobra license plate frame and chrome radiator cover are the items that got replaced.

I still have it, but I haven't riden it in about 2 years... had a 06 Gold Wing, so it got all the miles :D. Sold the Wing to get the Ridge :(, 4yo daughter needs a ride to school, so bike/daughter/bike/daughter/bike/daughter... ok daughter wins, and I got the bonus of an RL!! I WIN!

Although the little Spirit has about 80K on it, so it is a great bike, that will eat up the road... just not as hungry as the Wing was! :D:D

sucks to be rear ended...haven't had it happen yet with a motorcycle, but when I am riding I am constantly watching the people behind me.

Easy to replace a bike...not a life.

I know how expensive aftermarket items are.


2000 Shadow Spirit 1100
floorboard forward controls, Kury iso grips & throttle boss, mustang seat, leatherlyke saddlebags, cobra light bar, cobra license plate frame and chrome radiator cover are the items that got replaced.

I still have it, but I haven't riden it in about 2 years... had a 06 Gold Wing, so it got all the miles :D. Sold the Wing to get the Ridge :(, 4yo daughter needs a ride to school, so bike/daughter/bike/daughter/bike/daughter... ok daughter wins, and I got the bonus of an RL!! I WIN!

Although the little Spirit has about 80K on it, so it is a great bike, that will eat up the road... just not as hungry as the Wing was! :D:D