The Demise of Bubbles

OKBubbles · Post by **OKBubbles** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:30 pm

I have totalled my baby

!!

I was pulling out of a parking space at a shopping center, but had not allowed myself enough turning radius to clear the rear end of a H3 parked next to me. Smashed into the spare tire mounted on the back, and evidently the rubber tire surface was enough to "grab" the front panel/upper cowl (??), push the handlebar/cowl up and backwards, and cause the frame to buckle!! Fell over sideways and the cowl upper and lower parts separated, the rear brake handle broke off, etc., etc., etc. I was wearing boots, jeans, mesh jacket, gloves and helmet, so had absolutely NO damage to me -- but Bubbles is a wreck! Completely my fault, and absolutely stupid.

We loaded her onto a friend's pickup and drove her the 2 miles to Tulsa Scooters, where Brad the Ace Mechanic delivered the bad news. I do have full coverage, but it will be for "used value", and I will have to make up the difference for a new one -- whenevertheheck one actually comes in

Bubbles has exactly 946.8 miles on her, of which I put on 944.8. I am heartbroken.

docutech · Post by **docutech** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:32 pm

Aw that sux. Glad to hear you are okay though. The scoot can be replaced.

alienmeatsack · Post by **alienmeatsack** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:38 pm

Oh no!

Glad you are ok but Bubbles, noooOooOoooOO!

Tysonviolin · Post by **Tysonviolin** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:38 pm

This is really bad news. I am VERY attached to my 1st Buddy and I don't think I would take it as well as you.

But,... that said, I think the the Scooters will eventually win the war against the Hummers and we can remember Bubbles as one of our heroes!

Christy · Post by **Christy** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:41 pm

oh no!!!!

i'm glad you are AOK, but I'm very sorry to hear bubbles has met it's end.

Post by **jrsjr** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:41 pm

Bummer! Sorry to hear it, but I'm glad to hear you were doing that ATGATT thing and weren't hurt. Would you pls do us a favor and log your crash experience in our Who's Crashed thread? Thanks!

rajron · Post by **rajron** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:41 pm

OMG!
Glad that you are OK.

Sorta sucks that a Hummer took out the Buddy – and what’s with how weak the frame is?? This is not the first frame I heard of failing!

potamus · Post by **potamus** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:45 pm

OMG - i am so sad for you!!!!

Poor Bubbles! Glad you are ok, but I know how much love and care you poured on Bubbles - she will be missed!
I hope you can get another scooter before next summer.......

sue

sotied · Post by **sotied** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 12:41 am

BLOWS Bubbles.

So sorry for you.

How fast were you going or was it just a simple turn-around and then a little goose of the throttle into the wheel of the Hummer?

scoots4me · Post by **scoots4me** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 12:47 am

Oh MAN I am so sad to hear about this. Of course it is wonderful that you're ok, but BUBBLES!!! NOOOOOO!!! Are you getting another scoot? Will you still put some bubble stickers on her? Sorry dude - total bummer.

butero · Post by **butero** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 12:48 am

My condolences to you on the loss of Bubbles.

I'm glad you made it out o.k.

Post by **jmazza** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 12:51 am

So so sorry to hear this! Bubbles died in a valiant way.

babblefish · Post by **babblefish** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:11 am

Really sorry to hear of the demise of your loved one, but at least you didn't get hurt, and that's the important thing. A scooter can be replaced...

But like many things in life, there could be a silver lining to this. Trevo_man in the "Problems while installing slider weights" thread has a 125cc Buddy that might be in need of a heart transplant (engine) and might be looking for a donor.

runtotorun121 · Post by **runtotorun121** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:20 am

Sorry to hear about Bubbles, but like everyone else I am glad to hear you made it through okay.

I can't think of a prettier place for Bubbles to have lived than "Green Country," and I can't wait to see her reincarnation!

WillScootMN · Post by **WillScootMN** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:28 am

I have yet to get my scoot, and I can't imagine what you are going through, very sad to hear.

I am a little curious and concerned about the amount of damage at what I am assuming (I know we shouldn't assume) was a low spead. I hope this much damage isn't that common at low speed, and that this much damage (total) is some freak incident.

Any experts opinion/thoughts on the buddy frame strength/durability would be greatly appreciated.

Pekabou · Post by **Pekabou** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:35 am

My condolences! Your poor scoot! (glad *you* are ok though!)

gymnation · Post by **gymnation** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:38 am

Major bummer! I hope you find a new scoot that will ease the pain a bit.

heavypetting · Post by **heavypetting** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:38 am

Viva la Bubbles!

I know you don't think it now, but you were lucky to have your first crash not be in moving traffic and emerge unscathed. Some lessons are much more painful (physically).

djelliott · Post by **djelliott** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:17 am

Bummer. Sorry for to hear of your misfortune. I hate to bring this up while the engine's still warm but, when the insurance company totals her you have a chance to buy it off of them for cheap. If you part it out you may get some extra cash to help off set the purchase of a new one. Think of her as a scooter organ donor. Besides the frame and some body panels the engine, traney, and such are practically brand new. Just a thought. I'm glad at least you came out in one piece.

DJE

Post by **jmazza** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:30 am

djelliott wrote:I hate to bring this up while the engine's still warm but, when the insurance company totals her you have a chance to buy it off of them for cheap.

That's the second time I've read this here lately- I had no idea this is true but yah I'd buy it for parts, the engine, etc. You could do well (as others have already said) selling it here in the For Sale section!

Elm Creek Smith · Post by **Elm Creek Smith** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:54 am

Geez, Nanc! A Hummer? First you try something easy, like a Yugo, or a Fiat, or, better yet, a Trabant! Then you work your way up.

Sorry about ol' Blue, but I'm pleased you got the AGATT thing down. Most importantly, did you scuff your boots?

ECS

StacyB · Post by **StacyB** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:55 am

Bubbles, so sorry to hear this. Not sure what to say in times like this other than definitely glad you are ok. As has already been said, the scooter can be replaced.

OKBubbles · Post by **OKBubbles** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:55 am

Many thanks for the condolences and kind words from everyone. It's been really tough not to just break down in tears. I keep telling myself, "It's only a THING, and can be replaced, and I wasn't hurt, so what's the big deal?" But, dangit! Bubbles was my baby! And I absolutely LOVED every minute of riding her. And every time I walked out the door and saw her sitting there I started grinning.

Darling Nathan, who was my salesman at Tulsa Scooters, said it's kind of like losing a beloved pet dog after only having it as a part of your family for a year. The furry little thing is there every day, and you think you'll have it around for many years, and it will pass away in its sleep at an advanced age. But then the dog gets sick and dies way too early. And, in many ways, he's right. Bubbles had a personality, she was fun to hang out with, and I was expecting many more activities and adventures with her. But now . . .

Yes, I'll be replacing Bubbles, but it won't be quite the same. I even have a line on a possibility right here in town. A good friend of mine won a cream Buddy in a raffle last fall, but is too timid to ride it. Her husband has put a total of 125 miles on it just bopping around the neighborhood, but they are just not into scootering enough to get serious about it. I'm thinking a decent offer to them -- very close to what I'll get from the insurance co. -- could work out well for all concerned. They are on vacation this week, but I'll see them at church on Sunday. Keep your fingers crossed.

(Of course, now I have to figure out how to get the panels off -- or tape them out -- in order to turn the cream into baby blue!)

Racenut · Post by **Racenut** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 3:49 am

jmazza wrote:So so sorry to hear this! Bubbles died in a valiant way.

Yeah no kidding, trying to take down a hummer.

RIP Bubbles...

Glad you were not hurt OKBubbles.

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 3:59 am

Good luck with the cream Buddy, Nancy. Hey, salvage your basket--it'll look great on a cream Buddy! I'm so glad you're ok!

("keyed" the hummer, I hope)

bunny · Post by **bunny** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:24 pm

Oh. This is horrible! I am so glad you are okay, but I totally get the feeling.

Keeping my fingers crossed for Bubbles Jr.

UXO · Post by **UXO** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:30 pm

I am glad you are okbubbles. You weren't talking on a cell phone were you?

I can say this junk cause I'm old and you have to respect me.

weaseltamer · Post by **weaseltamer** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:44 pm

rajron wrote:OMG!
Glad that you are OK.

Sorta sucks that a Hummer took out the Buddy – and what’s with how weak the frame is?? This is not the first frame I heard of failing!

thats what i'm wondering. the dealership didn't get to look at my first bud, so i'll never really know if it was really totaled or not.

weaseltamer · Post by **weaseltamer** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:46 pm

OKBubbles wrote:
(Of course, now I have to figure out how to get the panels off -- or tape them out -- in order to turn the cream into baby blue!)

i bet the dealer would be willing to swap the panels out for you, just so they could offer some other customer "the last cream scooter"

gymnation · Post by **gymnation** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 4:51 pm

Change the cream into a Baby Blue/Cream. That would look great!

MikieTaps · Post by **MikieTaps** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 5:14 pm

gymnation wrote:Change the cream into a Baby Blue/Cream. That would look great!

i second that... keep the cream on the bottom, and switch out the upper stuff withthe blue!

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:22 pm

rajron wrote: Sorta sucks that a Hummer took out the Buddy – and what’s with how weak the frame is?? This is not the first frame I heard of failing!

Sounds more like the Buddy tried to take out the Hummer and it didn't go well. (important safety tip for next time)

I'm not so sure I'd call things like this a "frame failure". What happens when you drive your car into a lamp post at 10 or 15 mph? A front end failure?

Hang in there "OKBubbles".

beagldog · Post by **beagldog** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:22 pm

I think we should all put a bubble sticker on our Buddies in memory of Bubbles-kind of like the sports teams do. Very glad to hear you're OK though.

djelliott · Post by **djelliott** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:29 pm

DIE HUMMER!

runtotorun121 · Post by **runtotorun121** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:32 pm

djelliott wrote:DIE HUMMER!

OKBubbles · Post by **OKBubbles** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:49 pm

djelliott wrote:DIE HUMMER!

This is the absolute best laugh I have had in days! And I certainly need it right now.

Thanks, dj -- you're the best!

aerogirl7 · Post by **aerogirl7** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:40 pm

weaseltamer wrote:
rajron wrote:OMG!
Glad that you are OK.

Sorta sucks that a Hummer took out the Buddy – and what’s with how weak the frame is?? This is not the first frame I heard of failing!
thats what i'm wondering. the dealership didn't get to look at my first bud, so i'll never really know if it was really totaled or not.

In my experience the frame is pretty strong, it's how you attack it that makes the difference. I had a full on collision with a minivan last year at about 35-40 mph and only ended up with some cracked panels. Of course I had the chrome front rack that took the brunt of the impact, preventing crushing of the front-end. In the case of Bubbles, the strange angle of force from the Hummer-Wheel friction probably created no alternative than for the frame to buckle.

MikieTaps · Post by **MikieTaps** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:45 pm

any engineers wanna chime in on this?

ryder1 · Post by **ryder1** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:09 pm

Whoa! Sorry to hear about Bubbles misfortune.

Sure hope the Cream Buddy works out for you. Wait on painting it, you may find you like the Cream Buddy. Maybe someone has some panels they want to swap with you.

pdxer · Post by **pdxer** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:15 pm

I'm gonna take a bubble bath tonight and think of bubbles. may bubbles rest in peace. glad to hear you're gonna get another buddy. maybe bubbles was manufactured and placed here to teach you a valuable riding lesson. her job here was complete.....she will live on in another buddy yet to be built for sure. i believe in buddy reincarnation.

MikieTaps · Post by **MikieTaps** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:16 pm

pdxer wrote:I'm gonna take a bubble bath tonight and think of bubbles. may bubbles rest in peace. glad to hear you're gonna get another buddy. maybe bubbles was manufactured and placed here to teach you a valuable riding lesson. her job here was complete.....she will live on in another buddy yet to be built for sure. i believe in buddy reincarnation.

Awww....

enzomatic · Post by **enzomatic** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:25 pm

Really sorry about that. I would wear black for about a month. Any chance on pics of the damage, I'm having trouble visualizing it. Also someone should submit an image of bubbles beating the hummer for the new buttons, I'd wear one.

MikieTaps · Post by **MikieTaps** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:53 pm

+1 on the button idea!

alienmeatsack · Post by **alienmeatsack** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:40 pm

While at the shop earlier, I took at look at Bubbles.

I swear it does not look that bad. The casing for the headlight and such is broken, etc. But it doesn't look horribly mangled by any means.

Just goes to show you what you don't see is sometimes worse than what you do see.

pdxer · Post by **pdxer** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:42 am

in memorium

BigColdMartini · Post by **BigColdMartini** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 1:49 am

Sorry to hear about your beloved Bubbles. Are you sure there's no way to turn her into a Frankenscooter?

Elm Creek Smith · Post by **Elm Creek Smith** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 5:59 am

pdxer wrote:I'm gonna take a bubble bath tonight and think of bubbles. may bubbles rest in peace. glad to hear you're gonna get another buddy. maybe bubbles was manufactured and placed here to teach you a valuable riding lesson. her job here was complete.....she will live on in another buddy yet to be built for sure. i believe in buddy reincarnation.

Ah, grasshopper! You may yet become a true Buddyist. "Praise to Buddy!" and "Shall We Scoot" - From The King and I

ECS

OScoot! · Post by **OScoot!** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 8:46 pm

Oh, so sorry to hear about this. Glad you're OK though. This too shall pass and you will once again be "Bubbly"....

sailortot · Post by **sailortot** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 3:36 am

bummer

i guess your second love is never the same as your first. hang in there! let me know when youre ready to roll and we'll have a meet-up.