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Way, way back on July 16, 2013 I was riding my awesome Kymco Like 200i.  The sun was shining, the wind was blowing through my Mesh Riding Jacket, my helmet cam was recording the "goings on" around me and all was well.  As I approached an upcoming intersection, I began to slow down so I could make a left hand turn. In the distance approaching me from the opposite direction was a car who indicated they would be making a left turn.  On my left, coming up the road I intended to turn on, was a Chevy Avalanche pickup truck which was zooming up to his stop sign. The car coming at me was far enough away that I could safely make my turn, all the while I was watching the truck.  I noticed the front of the truck nose dive indicating he was hitting his brakes for his stop sign. Just as I entered the intersection, the driver of the truck glanced to his right and floored it... I was right in front of him! I had no time to react other than to think he would smash my fingers on my handlebars, so I lifted my fingers on my left hand. He hit me hard, warping my body over his hood, throwing me about 20 feet and pulling the scooter under his truck. The impact broke my left shoulder blade and collar bone, it tore the tendons in my right shoulder and badly bruised me all up and down my left side.  It did not however, mash my fingers on my handlebar.

After the wreck, I sold my Cam Am Spyder (the Kymco was totaled). Due to my injuries I could not ride so why let the Spyder sit.  It took over 3 years and 1 shoulder surgery to get somewhat close to back to normal. After nearly 4 years since the wreck, the truck driver's insurance paid up.  Yes it was a lot but I won't say how much.  Going back to before the wreck, the reason I rode scooters and finger-shift Spyders is that I have a spinal cord injury and I cannot control my left foot to shift gears on a regular motorcycle. While contemplating getting another scooter I found out that Honda came out with the fully automatic NM4. It was low slung so I could get my gimpy leg over it and it had no gears so I could ride it! Hmmm... $11,000.  Bah, pocket change nowadays so I bought one.  700cc is awesome versus the 163cc of the Like 200i. It turns heads like nothing else, gets roughly 55 MPG and is a blast to ride.  I bought some leather riding pants, a new helmet cam (my old one was damaged in the wreck, plus it had no audio), new gloves and a new helmet. Now when the weather is nice, I hit the roads.

Below are a few pics and videos of me for those interested.  I don't have a Kymco anymore which is why I haven't posted here in the last several years. Stig asked me share this update so I did.  Y'all ride safe out there and if you are near Brent, Alabama give me a shout.

Note: Here are links to all the stuff I have going on for those that may be interested.
http://TabernacleFarm.com
https://www.youtube.com/sonicsix
http://RVRoadTrip.us
http://gosonicsix.com

The wreck just after it happened. Notice me on the ground?


Home after the shoulder surgery. I was not happy.


The new bike...


Me in my new gear...

You could also choose the Honda Integra (NC700D, same engine, same DCT) which is stilled called a scooter.

But more important: Get well soon!

I don't believe this will be sold in the US.  Even it was, $11,000 USD is pretty steep for a bike. As for me getting better, I am... although I am not so sure on the "soon" part.

A little background... some of you know who I am, most probably do not.  I have a spinal cord injury that prevents me from shifting gears with my foot.  As such, I am relegated to riding scooters which is not a bad thing as I LOVE riding them.  I have owned a Honda Ruckus 50cc, a Genuine Blur SS220i, a 250cc Honda Reflex and though not a scooter, a Can AM Spyder RT-S (paddle shift).  I was hit by a truck on July 16, 2013 which totaled my 2012 Kymco Like 200i... and nearly totaled me. Broken collar bone, broken shoulder blade, torn tendon in my right shoulder and banged up overall.  During the course of examining me for injuries from the wreck, they found out I have thyroid cancer. One surgery down, one more to go and then iodine treatments.  I am healing up slowly but surely but still have a ways to go before I am back to "my normal" self. 

That being said, the other guy's insurance is settling up on the scooter and all my broken equipment and I will be buying a new bike.  It will be a 2014 Honda CTX700 DCT motorcycle.  This is a 670cc cruiser style bike that has no foot shifter, can be ridden fully automatic where it does all the shifting on its own or I can use paddle shift. I never knew this bike existed until a few days ago. I am very excited about it.

So my scooter days are over and I will miss my Kymco Like 200i (may it R.I.P.), but I am looking forward to riding a powerful motorcycle again (haven't been able to do so for 23 years now)!  I have enjoyed this forum and the kind folks that utilize it.  Thank you all!

In case anyone is interested in the Honda automatic bikes, they are the CTX700 DCT (cruiser style) and the NC700X DCT (adventure style).  DCT stand for Dual Clutch Transmission which is what does the shifting on the 6 speed gear box.  The bikes are also chain drive and since it is a motorcycle, the maintenance schedule isn't nearly as frequent as a scooter. 8,000 mile oil changes, woohoo!

EDIT:  Once all the legal stuff is over with, I will post the full video of my wreck.  Your jaw will drop.  No time frame for this, though.

I like the Forza and that it is a Honda, but I really prefer a step through scooter like the GT300i.  I will have to sit on one to see which one I will buy.  If I had to choose only between the Downtown 300 and the Forza, I would go with the Forza.

Scoot is likely totaled, their insurance adjuster hasn't said yet.  I have seen pics and it looks toasted.  Not much on it is not broken or damaged.  As for me, broken collar bone, broken shoulder blade, banged up ribs and left leg and something wrong with right shoulder.  More doctor appointments scheduled, still assessing some of the injuries.  Slow, slow, OH SO SLOW healing process and quite painful. I have improved a little but still have a long way to go.  Thanks for asking about me.

Ouch get well soon. whats going on all theses accidents this year on scoots.I bet theres going to be some kind of record this year. Did you have insurance.

I carry both comp and collision on all my vehicles.  Thanks for the prayers everyone, they are certainly appreciated.

I bought mine new about a year ago and have 3,000 miles on it so far.  It has been a very solid performing scooter and I am very pleased with it. It carries me at 55 MPH with ease and tops out about 60 MPH.  I am 6ft tall (182.88cm) and weigh 180 pounds (81.64 kg). The bike is very reliable and easy to tinker on, meaning you can easily do your own maintenance if you want to. The only complaint I have about it is the contoured seat, it is not comfortable.  As with any bike, check for loose bolts often.  The Like is prone to lose the rear air cleaner bolt and all the screws holding the plastic muffler shield... but check ALL the bolts, not just those.  Would I buy another one?  Absolutely.

I have owned a 50cc Honda Ruckus, a 250cc Honda Reflex, and a 220cc Genuine Blur before this 163cc Like.  The Ruckus was the most fun but slow, the Reflex was comfortable and I wish I still had it, and the Blur was sporty and fast but I could not get parts for it.  I also have a Can Am Spyder RT-S SE5 but it is not a scooter.

I am retired and ride as weather permits.  I do not like to ride in the rain, but I do have a rain suit in case I get caught in it.

This shot is when the wife and I rode a pair of 50cc Honda Ruckus on the Blue Ridge Parkway.


Another shot, waiting under an overpass for the rain to stop.  This is the wife...