After a particularly challenging day, I stopped at Whole Foods Grocery Store. I picked up my somewhat healthy, reasonably tasty, and outrageously priced food. I climbed aboard my CB1100EX, looking forward to the ride home and the warm meal.
I am usually very disciplined about where I park and, more importantly, about how I exit a crowded parking lot. I usually avoid the main parking lot "road" and opt to ride the perimeter of the parking to gain access to the street, avoiding cars and pedestrians as much as possible. On this day, not so much. I took the most common route traversed by Whole Fooders and sadly had a moment.
It appears a Tesla owner had placed her car in Autopilot mode and was allowing it to park unassisted. While I was driving on the parking roadway to reach the street, a Tesla pulled in front of me suddenly and then backed into the designated parking space. Although I was driving only five miles per hour, the appearance of half a car forced me to make a difficult decision: try to stop and remain upright, hoping I did not t-bone the Tesla or stop abruptly and "lay" my motorcycle on its side to avoid the collision. I opted for the 2nd option. I applied my rear brake, pulled in my clutch, turned hard right, and the motorcycle descended. I tucked in my legs and arms, keeping my hands on the grips. I landed with a thud, my motorcycle boot wedged between my motorcycle and the road. The handlebar weight took the brunt of the fall. The crash bars protected the tank and motor. But the end of the muffler formed the apex of this odd, sad triangle.
The lady stepped out of her car and appeared not to have noticed the would-be accident. It was quiet.
I disentangled myself from the CB1100 Pyramid and looked at my motorcycle. I began assessing the damage. I was lucky.
A gentleman outside on break witnessed everything. As he approached, he commented on my ability to "stop that big motorcycle on a dime" and asked if I was "okay." I told him I was fine. He asked if I needed help lifting the motorcycle. I gratefully accepted, placed it on the kickstand, and inspected it one more time. I thanked him for his kindness.
He asked me if I wanted to call the police and speak with the Tesla owner. I told him no because I feared what I might say, and more importantly, was not sure how Johnny Law would view the incident. It simply was not worth the effort.
He wished me well, and I started up the motorcycle and left Whole Foods.
Over the last few weeks, I repaired the damage to my handlebars, rearview mirror, crash bars, and muffler. "How To" documentation to follow when I have a moment to touch up all the pictures.
Today, I ask that you learn from my experience. Crowded parking lots and driver-assisted cars are a dangerous combination. Walk the few extra steps and take the road less traveled. Otherwise, you might find yourself deadlifting a CB1100 like me.
Pictures of the damaged parts follow. I will add to our "How To" library soon. My CB1100EX and I have returned to our usual form, much the wiser for the experience. David
Crash Bar
![[Image: dzE557k.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/dzE557k.jpeg)
Muffler
![[Image: HLi0Tto.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/HLi0Tto.jpeg)
Handlebar Weight
![[Image: 6oqqOAM.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/6oqqOAM.jpeg)
Review Mirror
![[Image: 6l6kX5P.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/6l6kX5P.jpeg)
Clutch Plate Cover
![[Image: U6oIk4p.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/U6oIk4p.jpeg)
I am usually very disciplined about where I park and, more importantly, about how I exit a crowded parking lot. I usually avoid the main parking lot "road" and opt to ride the perimeter of the parking to gain access to the street, avoiding cars and pedestrians as much as possible. On this day, not so much. I took the most common route traversed by Whole Fooders and sadly had a moment.
It appears a Tesla owner had placed her car in Autopilot mode and was allowing it to park unassisted. While I was driving on the parking roadway to reach the street, a Tesla pulled in front of me suddenly and then backed into the designated parking space. Although I was driving only five miles per hour, the appearance of half a car forced me to make a difficult decision: try to stop and remain upright, hoping I did not t-bone the Tesla or stop abruptly and "lay" my motorcycle on its side to avoid the collision. I opted for the 2nd option. I applied my rear brake, pulled in my clutch, turned hard right, and the motorcycle descended. I tucked in my legs and arms, keeping my hands on the grips. I landed with a thud, my motorcycle boot wedged between my motorcycle and the road. The handlebar weight took the brunt of the fall. The crash bars protected the tank and motor. But the end of the muffler formed the apex of this odd, sad triangle.
The lady stepped out of her car and appeared not to have noticed the would-be accident. It was quiet.
I disentangled myself from the CB1100 Pyramid and looked at my motorcycle. I began assessing the damage. I was lucky.
A gentleman outside on break witnessed everything. As he approached, he commented on my ability to "stop that big motorcycle on a dime" and asked if I was "okay." I told him I was fine. He asked if I needed help lifting the motorcycle. I gratefully accepted, placed it on the kickstand, and inspected it one more time. I thanked him for his kindness.
He asked me if I wanted to call the police and speak with the Tesla owner. I told him no because I feared what I might say, and more importantly, was not sure how Johnny Law would view the incident. It simply was not worth the effort.
He wished me well, and I started up the motorcycle and left Whole Foods.
Over the last few weeks, I repaired the damage to my handlebars, rearview mirror, crash bars, and muffler. "How To" documentation to follow when I have a moment to touch up all the pictures.
Today, I ask that you learn from my experience. Crowded parking lots and driver-assisted cars are a dangerous combination. Walk the few extra steps and take the road less traveled. Otherwise, you might find yourself deadlifting a CB1100 like me.
Pictures of the damaged parts follow. I will add to our "How To" library soon. My CB1100EX and I have returned to our usual form, much the wiser for the experience. David
Crash Bar
Muffler
Handlebar Weight
Review Mirror
Clutch Plate Cover
2017 Honda CB1100 EX
The most sophisticated, smooth, perfectly engineered motorcycle I've ever owned. A pleasure in every way.
The most sophisticated, smooth, perfectly engineered motorcycle I've ever owned. A pleasure in every way.
