H3 Unfortunate/Fortunate Event

[Zach Maples]

Hey guys,
So I took a cruise on my bike last week on one of our beautiful Alabama days, and let's just say things didn't go as planned. I was rolling about 45 as I came into an intersection where I had the green light and the right-of-way. A car was in the turn lane coming the opposite way as I was, and at the very last second whipped right in front of me. I had ZERO time to react and got lucky enough to "hit her" instead of her "hitting me." After a trip to the hospital and numerous X-rays and CT Scans I came away with only a concussion and bruising and some rash. I'll have to make bi-weekly trips to the chiro and therapy for a while. Not a bad day considering I am able to walk. A friend of mine's father was in a similar accident on his bike and is in a wheelchair. So my bike is TOTALED, and I'm looking into my next venture.

I say all that, to say this. I can confidently say that I will not get another bike, so I'm trying to figure out what I want to buy next. So I've narrowed it down to a few things. As much as everyone is against them, I've always wanted XD Rockstars on my rides since I was 15. So I'm thinking about going with a set of 18" Rockstars on some Trail Grapplers/ Mickey Thomp MTZ's. The other thing I can't decide on is whether or not I really want to blow money on some "bling" wheels. I already know that if I dropped the pretty penny on them, I'd be hesitant about wheeling the rig and scratching the wheels. At the same time if I was to go with the Rockstars and tires, I'd probably drop the rest of my money on a beater to wheel (got my eyes on a couple cherokees or samurais) to try and preserve the 3 as best as I can.

Now if I just go with some tires, I'll have money to put back in the hummer and worry less about wheeling it. IE, I would pick up some sliders, brushguard, winch, and some skids and other protection. Lastly, If I go with tires only, I already know I'll be fighting with myself over 33's/35's. I'm leaning towards 33's with my commute to and from college from home and because I've got the I-5.

Sorry for the novel guys ^ haha

 

[Zach Maples]

Another pic, once the wreck was cleaned up. Look closely at the forks. In person, they resemble twizzlers. The frame is also broken around the tank. I'm waiting to pick up the report from the PD and to get the rest of the pics from before everything was cleaned up.

 

[Mr_Rich]

I'm glad you're in a condition to write to us about this. I've had similar experiences in my road bike days back in the 70's/ early 80's. It's a great feeling to ride the wind, but road conditions with idiot drivers who don't pay attention to details ruin the experience.

 

[benlaud87]

if you get rockstars make sure you cut down the posts/mounts and screws about an inch or 1 1/4 inch. theyll look much better and id imagine are much less likely to get ripped off.

glad youre ok.

 

[Pappibri]

You can find some good wheels that are not as expensive and that still look sweet.. I think that there are two many people already with the Rockstars and Dick Cepek rims.. Find some other ones so you can get the more smarter/useful mods like, rock rails, a good set of UCP, air doc, tuner, brushguard.... You could probably get all that I just mentioned for what you are thinking of spending on the wheels and rubber...

 

[Gunner_45]

Nothing wrong with Rock Stars as long as you keep to a reasonable size.

Say 12.50 X 33 tire on a 17/18 inch rim or 12.50 X 35 on a 20 inch rim or less.

Can't remember but there seems to be a big price jump on tires for 18 in rims and larger.

One of the reasons I stayed with 17's.

 

[benlaud87]

I have the 18x9 rockstars. I got them as a package deal from a guy on craigslist with 5 wheels and 5 325/65r18 duratracs at a great price. the rockstars are pretty common for an aftermarket wheel so you can find them on craigslist alot of times. the only issue is finding 6 bolt pattern. you can find them from any 6 lug truck since they are a 6 lug universal pattern on the rockstars.

 

[Bigunit]

Glad you're OK Zack & lived to tell the story! :thumbs: Good luck with your mods.

 

[M22KLARS]

Damn man glad you're ok.

 

[Portager]

I'm glad you're OK! I've never owned a motorcycle for exactly that reason.

I wouldn't count the chickens before they hatch as they say. If you do get a settlement. I recommend an economical and safe daily driver for your commute and then mod the 3 for wheeling. I went down the fancy wheels road when I got my American Racing wheels. After scratching them up I'm totally over that.

I think the best looking wheels for a Hummer are the most capable off road wheels. Even if you don’t wheel it it looks best when it is set up for off roading. I truly love my Hutchinson Rock Monster double beadlocks. They are the most functional wheel you can get for wheeling and you don't see them on everything (might have something to do with the price tag!). I've had highly modified Jeeps drivers compliment me on my wheels. Some say I wish I'd gotten Rock Monsters and some say I want to get Rock Monsters someday.

Good luck with the mods, live long and prosper.

 

[3Hummers]

Glad you are ok. Hope you have an easy recovery.

 

[alrock]

Glad to hear you came out of the wreck okay, relatively speaking. Heck, if you like the Rock Stars go for it! Be careful as you step up in size as each step decreases the sidewalls which can be important in off road traction. One owner removed those center stars for each wheeling trip as they would get hit by rocks - it idea to move them inwards is a good one.

 

[silvrzuki77]

Well, if your worried about blowing your money on a set of rims your not getting enough money from the settlement. I was involved in a accident in a construction zone was half through when a 18yr old kid was driving past the speed limit 45 in 20mph skidded 45 ft and ran into my superduty's tire. The kid had no license, fled the scene after i called the police, fled because he had a drug warrant. Well since the nice cop said even though the road was closed in his direction (he would of crashed into a concrete barrier) i should of yielded even though i was half way through the intersection. I had a 1" dent in my fender and cost 3k to fix his car. He sued my insurance for 78k and WON! My insurance said it was cheaper to pay then go to court!! So hit someone with liberty mutual insurance! If a undeserving sh***bag can get that you deserve alot more for being in a serious accident. I work for the fire dept and every traffic accident is the same "my back hurts" blah blah insurance claim. 80% of motorcycle accident i go on end very bad or they die. Alright im off my soap box. Lol i hope you didnt settle and got a lawyer.

 

[silvrzuki77]

Then you can buy everyone rockstars lol

 

[evldave]

The fact you're barely a week out from your accident and you're already spending your 'settlement' says a lot about what's wrong with America...did you hire one of those ambulance chasing lawyers? How much do you really think you're going to get? As a reference, I have a friend who's had many many wrecks on his bike (he's spent at least a year in the hospital over the past 20 years) and he's never had a settlement...oh wait! He never asked for one, even when it wasn't his fault. Riding a motorcycle is a high-risk activity, I had one (stopped for exactly what happened to you and my friend) and would never expect a settlement - doctor and rehab fees? sure, but why any extra money? I hope your front light worked, I hope you did have any modifications on the bike, and I hope the other driver's lawyers sees this thread and uses it against you in court.

Thanks for wasting my tax dollars on court costs and raising my insurance rates to pay for money-grubbing lawyers fees. I hope you get all that you deserve

...and I'm glad you're ok and wish you a speedy recovery (seriously, I may not agree with you, but I am glad you're ok)

 

[4speedfunk]

wow.

 

[silvrzuki77]

Hmmm Evldave, obviously you have never been in a situation where you get a letter stating better hire your own lawyer because they are trying to sue you over your policy limits? So here I am with a family of 4 wondering if I am going to lose my house have my wages deducted, and if I am going to able to provide for my family. My policy limit at that time was 250k soo do the math. Let's see about me I have a second house all 1600ft of it that was my first home is now 190k underwater that I bought in 06 at the peak in vegas. Guess what I still have it because I wasnt raised to shortsale of foreclose just be honest. Now if some dirt bag runs me off the road or is busy on the phone and hits me and my kids guess what Im going to sue the crap out of them! What taxes dollars of yours?? This will settle out of court. Before the dirt bag hit ME, fled the scene with no drivers liscene, and the lazy ass cop because the kids dad came down to plead for his son can you say harboring a fugitive!!!! He should have be arrested. I WOULD agree with you and I STILL want to nuke every lawyers I see on TV. If his story was correct and accurate it was 100% the other persons fault there insurance should pay up. What if he lost a leg then is okay to sue?? Zach I hope you take it too them and dont settle!

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

Wow! Glad you are ok!

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

^^ Adding to that, I surprised you're event typing! Hope you get a fair share of upgrades

 

[twinmill28]

I watched a lifted Cherokee on Rockstars running an easy trail, slide down the rock wall he was straddling and explode his center cap. It was awesome.
I can't believe anybody would want to bling up their HUMMER, then buy a beater to wheel---WTH? Keep a set of street tires on it then swap to the offroad set for wheeling

 

[Zach Maples]

Woah Evldave. Internet hostility is always cool. Guess here is as good as anywhere to have your voice heard.


As for everyone else, I appreciate the concern! I'm feeling better each day. I can't explain how thankful I am, I know my situation could've been much worse. All I can say is the past week has been an eye-opener for sure. Last week started off with one of my high school classmate's father having an accident similar to mine. He suffered 12 broken ribs, both legs broken, a broken ankle, and a broken nose. Then my wreck of course. Then in the past few days, the mother of my younger sister's friend was caught in an undertow in the ocean in Panama City Beach. She (and a few other beach go-ers) was going after her daughter and her friends who were caught in the current. The children were rescued by the other men, when bystanders saw the mother floating face down in the water. She was rushed to the hospital where she died yesterday I believe. It's events like these that remind you just how fragile life is, and how quickly things can change.

On a more positive note, I've talked myself out of the rockstars haha. They're unnecessary and would likely end up beat up. I'll probably look into powder coating or plasti-dip'ing my wheels. I've become quite fond of plasti-dip lately haha. I'll also pick up some 33's I'm thinking.

 

[erdlen65]

Glad to hear your ok! This is also the reason why my better half woulnt let me get a street bike lol. I hope you get a good settlement I've been screwed by insurance companies multiple times in accidents that were not my fault. The only time it ever worked out in my favor is when I got rear ended with my then pregnant wife in my old Durango. Anyways good luck with your recovery glad your feeling good enough to be online.