Well, just as I was considering putting in some performance parts in my scooter, I crashed on it.
I was going to rent a movie at about 10:30 at night. I pulled into the parking lot, looked straight...saw no obsticles. I looked left, where cars can exit from a busy bar. Looked right as I passed another entrance into the parking lot, watching for people who might hit me (I'm extra cautious riding the scooter...I assume that people aren't gonna see me). Then I looked ahead again, just in time to see a speed bump like 8 feet ahead of me. I hit the breaks hard, but I still hit the bump hard and went flying. Heard some screeching and next thing I know I flew through the roof of my Courier and was sprawled out in the parking lot. Luckily I was going pretty slow, and I didn't break anything I don't think, although my ankle is pretty touchy now. I'll have to wait a week or two before I know if something is off kilter in there might be a mild sprain or something.
You can see the damage to me and my scooter at:
http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z117/sala_man_der/Scooter%20Crash/You can kind of see the white skid marks leading up to the bump, and then a dark blotch on the other side where gas ran out as my scooter sat on it's side.
I'm going to have to replace the mirror, both roof pieces, and pretty much all the panels on the left side of the scooter, as well as the front cowling. It still seems to drive fine, so I think the damage was only to the paneling. I have to give it a full inspection when I can walk again. knee and elbow are all swollen up.
I'm going to ask the property management to pay for the damages to the scooter. I'll ask them directly at first, if they make me go to small claims I'm going to ask for compensation for my injuries as well. As you can see in the pictures, all of the paint is worn off the speed bump, and you can barely see it even in good light. To make matters worse, the two lights that are nearest to the speed bump are out, making it even more difficult to see. While this isn't the end of the world in a car, on a scooter or motorcyle this is a serious hazard (as I found out). I believe it to be negligent on their part to not have the bump clearly marked and well lit at night.
Anyhow, crashing on a scooter is not much fun, and as I sit here typing this my leg and arm are killing me. I am however greatful that I don't think I broke anything other than my scooter!
