Just so I don't derail the Biktoberfest thread, I thought I'd start a new one. Feel free to bypass it if it doesn't interest you. It was a wild ride and it happened so quickly, it's amazing how much of it gets replayed in slow motion for days after the accident. Things like seeing that one tree that looked to be 25 yards or more quickly getting closer as I was sliding sideways and heading towards it. And having the horrible thoughts of how much longer is it going to slide through the mud out of control before the tires bite in and the trike starts to barrel roll knowing once it starts it wasn't going to end safely.
The surprising thing is that once it was pulled out of that situation, I was able to slowly drive it about 3 miles to a gas station that I knew would allow me to park it until I could get a flatbed to tow it to my home. I gave it a once over and a quick clean up and was somewhat happy that besides being filthy, it didn't appear to be in bad shape. I looked under the trike and didn't see anything obvious, but decided it was the best decision to send it to the Vanderhall dealer and pay them whatever they wanted for a "once over" inspection in case they found something that I didn't that would make riding it unsafe. I knew it needed the front lower chin panel replaced and a front end alignment as it pulled to the left even at the low speed getting it those 3 miles. I NEVER expected to get a phone call from the dealer saying they found major damage and that it was determined to be unrepairable.
I went to the Vanderhall dealer to remove my tag and any other personal property i had so it could get sent to the salvage lot and the service manager showed me what they found. Unlike the Slingshot that is manufactured using a tube chassis and then having the front end and rear end mounted to that "frame", the Vanderhall is constructed using an aluminum monocoque tub designed like the Indy cars. That tub assembly is an $18,500 piece! So you know they had to find out that it was damaged. The rear engine mount bracket tore apart the area by the firewall, but made sure to twist the tub before tearing it apart.
I guess they saw more damage when it was on the lift, so they removed the driver's side floor mat to see up close the extra damage to that tub. This picture shows the crack in the floor section to the right. The stainless panel on the right is the "Dead Pedal Plate" to rest your right foot while on trips with the cruise control engaged. So you know where my foot was during the accident. The only thing between my foot and that crack was the carpeted floor mat!
Talk about coming close to raising the claim from just a total loss to much much worse having medical expenses far more expensive than a pile of bent, cracked aluminum. I'm not sure what other people have for their beliefs, but after living through this one, I'm now a firm believer that my Guardian Bell that my niece bought me for Christmas (which just happened to be mounted on my side of the trike) did it's job and kept that nasty gremlin for causing me any more physical injuries than I received. I made sure I removed that bell and IF I decide to buy another trike, you know that bell is going to be the first thing that goes on even before the tag and a full tank of fuel
All I can say is for you all to be careful out there. You can be the best rider in the country, but there's so many fools on the road and these reverse trikes have a mind of their own on standing water. Once you start spinning out of control, your life and future is no longer in your own hands. If you don't have a Guardian bell yet, let it be known that you'd love to have one for your birthday, Christmas or just as a gift saying I want you protected while out there.
