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Cruiser
Posts: 88
Nova Scotia , Canada | Hi everyone, last Monday afternoon on the way home a cage pulled out from a side street through a stop sign. I hit the brakes but could not stop in time so I layed the bike down in the Left side and on into the car we went. Smashing the front end of the bike, all of the front fairing panels are damaged, forks, fender, wheel, left signal, both left tip-overs and so on. I received some road rash some bumps and bruises sore muscles and neck, but otherwise fine. The lady said that she didn?t see me coming, I guess the front clearance lights, High intensity driving light and low beam headlight were not bright enough. I don?t know what the verdict is regarding the bike yet whether it is a fix or write off situation yet, I should know more next week.
Does any one know of any 08?s which have been written off from the rear that are for sale? I was thinking of buying it back from the insurance company if it is written off to build as a custom bike.
Don |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Don,
I am glad to hear that you are OK. Too bad about the Vision. I have heard of some salvage Visions for sale but .... I would caution you that after a wreck that cast aluminum frame could have unseen damage. Be careful building Visions from salvage.
Take Care. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 35
St. Charles, MO | Sorry to hear about the wreck, but glad you are OK.
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Iron Butt
Posts: 803
Perry Hall, MD | Glad to hear you are OK.
There was a stripped 08 up for a salvage auction this past week out of Oregon. Top bid was $400. From pics it looked like most of the parts were there. All of the others were collision sales. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 33
| Sorry to hear about the collision but glad to hear you're alright. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | Ditto on your safety. Curious what you were wearing or NOT wearing that caused the road rash.... My personal opinion and experience
is that i would not take on a salvage bike. Look, you're coming from a top of the line bike, you will never be happy with how whatever you rebuild rides, sounds, feels, etc etc. Any little noise you hear or imperfection that you see will only make you feel less secure with the bike.
Dont take this disrespectfully as its not meant that way, but dont CHEAP it out. Go get yourself another new bike so that you can ride with the same peace of mind that you had prior to this accident. You get one life, dont live it 2nd hand. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 28
Basehor, Ks. | Sir-I too am glad you were skilled enough to know when to lay it down and take your bumps.
I bought a salvage bike(BMW). I thought I knew what I was getting into. I got burned on some
hidden damage from the impact.
I agree with some of the previous respondents up to a point. If you are looking to replace major components to the machine that affect driveability then you have to be real careful with salvage or "used.' If you are looking to replace BODY parts, and can see them, the salvage or "used" option may be the way to go. Either way, good luck. I am 62 years old and I don't know how many vehicles have turned left in front of me....came extremely close many times not just on a bike but in my company vehicle. It is a sign of the times. Maybe my number is up soon, but I hope to continue to give intersections a WIDE berth, because people are really not concerned about anybody else except themselves.
Best to you.
thenuz |
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Cruiser
Posts: 88
Nova Scotia , Canada | Thanks guys for the experienced advice, I do appreciate it. I guess I was not totally clear regarding my old bike; I do intend to purchase a new or demo Vision to replace the damaged bike so that I can get out there and enjoy the remaining summer as soon as possible. I was looking at the damaged bike as a project to keep me out in the shop for the winter, out of my wife?s way.
A very good suggestion regarding the frame, I have a friend who is a welding technologist and he can x-ray for any cracks in the aluminium frame member. So if I go down this road I will certainly take your advice and have the frame checked out.
I was wearing Jeans, leather jacket, full faced helmet, and a pair of vented riding gloves, I received some scrapes on my legs, but it didn?t tear the jeans, and some on my hand. The helmet was scraped quite a bit and will be replaced. All in all I am lucky; these situations put lots of riders in a wheel chair. The tip overs worked perfectly, I went approximately 10 feet on the left side tip overs until the impact. The rear of the bike, is untouched. Which is why, I was inquiring about a rear ended Vision.
Thanks again for your advice, I will keep everyone informed as to whether it is a fix or write off when I get the news.
Don |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| First off let me say I'm glad you are fine but I want to clear something up, NEVER lay a bike down on purpose. If you have time to lay it down you have time to manuever and/or brake out of the get off. Once the bike is off the rubber you have zero control of the situation.
So next time you are just out for a casual ride find an empty parkinglot and practice avoidance techniques INSTEAD of emergency/panic stops. Yes Emergency braking will pull the bike down in a hurry but it is a technique designed for use when space is available. I have seen and talked to more riders who simply braked right into a collision than I can count, when a minor swerve would have seen them clear without a scratch.
I'd suggest reading "Twist of the Wrist" or purchasing the DVD for "Ride Like a Pro" and go practice. Better attend the Ride Like a Pro courses offered around the country, best $135 you'll spend.
Nice Rides, I truly am glad you walked away from this and I'm not aiming the previous comments at "you" or anyone in particular. We see far too many of these "type" of scenario's where the cage pulls out claiming to have not seen and the bike slamming into the cage. These really are avoidable collisions if riders ould become better prepared. Glad you are well and hope you get a new bike real soon. Back in the saddle as soon as you can, but you will ride with some nerves for a while. I'd skip the salvage buy, they usually get costly and the result generally isn't good. |
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Tourer
Posts: 323
Troy, NY | Glad you are okay!!!!
Great suggestion Teach. A friend gave me the Twist book and now I'm going to make time to read it!
Maybe nice rides put down the bike like that so he could get a 2011 Vision...it's not always about avoidance  |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 935
Rockford, IL | I....of course....like others here....am glad you came out of this with minimal injuries.
However I wouldn't get your hopes up in regards to keeping the bike if it is a total loss. Many states have laws that either prohibit or severely restrict the ability to do this. In ain't like the old days.
For example here in Illinois a consumer is NOT allowed to keep the salvage on ANYTHING that is 7 years old or newer. The only way to keep the salvage is to be a licensed facility with what is called a UDL number. And even then it is VERY difficult to keep, lots of paperwork and reinspections with the Secretary of State Police.....which is usually a nightmare. And the title MUST be forever branded as a rebuilt. The only salvage a consumer can retain is if its 8 years or older.
To the best of my knowledge every (or almost every) state has laws very similar to Illinois.
Keep us informed as to what is happening with your claim. There are a few folks here who can help you out and make sure you are treated accordingly.
Oh yea.....gotta say I 100% agree with Teach. I practice avoidance techniques a couple times a season. They have saved my butt on a few occasions. Be suprised what an hour or two in a vacant parking lot will teach you. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 88
Nova Scotia , Canada | Thanks for all the great advice gentleman, and Teach I will pick up the book you suggested.
Thanks Guys |
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | I had a wreck last year. I was able to duct tape the body panels and ride it home. No frame, fork, or wheel damage and it was still $6900 in damage. Hopefully the insurance will total it for you so you can get a new one. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 247
| Teach-couldn't agree less. there are reasons to put a bike down. been there, done that. lived to tell about it. convinced to this day that if i had not done that i wouldn't be writing this. there should be a book on how to do it. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 732
Western WA | Couldn't agree with Teach more because I'm a firm believer in physics. Scrub all the speed you can. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 204
guelph ontario | How can someone give advice where they are not familiar first hand with the situation. There are times when you have to lay it down and there are times when you can avoid an impact by keeping it upright. Unless your there a blanket don't lay it down advice can be the wrong advice. You need to think and act for yourself based on the situation. |
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | I too agree with Teach, am a firm believer of never laying a bike down on purpose. If I'm going to hit something, I want to be going as slow as possible when I do, and being on the tires is the best way to do that.
Sliding on metal, plastic and skin is never going to slow you down faster, but to each his own. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 140
| "had to layer down" = "I just panicked and stomped on the rear brake and it went down" |
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Cruiser
Posts: 215
Boydsville, AR United States | I agree |
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Cruiser
Posts: 88
Nova Scotia , Canada | Good evening everyone, I just found out that the Bike is a total loss and is heading to the bone yard. As mentioned earlier in the thread, does anyone have any advice regarding dealing with the insurance company regarding a settlement?
Don |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 935
Rockford, IL | You need to get values from as many sources as you can and then divide these values from however many sources you use, meaning four sources....divide by four. This way you are averaging average values.
Some sources are completed auctions on Ebay, or existing auctions with a B.I.N. and Nada.com and kbb.com and a few other sites which I can't think of right now but I'm sure someone here will toss them in. Print the info from these places.
Another great (but time consuming) way is to contact as many Victory dealers in your region and ask them what they would sell your bike for if it was on their floor. Put these quotes in a spreadsheet with the contact info for each dealer.
Keep in mind that you are entitled to retail value. And also depending on your state you are also entitled to tax & title & license plate fees. So basically retail plus tax/title/license minus any applicable deductible.
Basically the more documentation you provide that substantiates your value the better. The goal is to provide the insurance company with enough documentation that they can't really debate with you.
Now the insurance company is going to counter with "we use a system that gets values from multiple sources"...well the problem is that this is still just one source, its just one computer program. Such as if you got a value from just kbb.com and said "this is the value" they could say you aren't being fair. Well if they don't use multiple values form multiple sources....they aren't being fair.
One of the tricks they like to play is asking you how much you still owe the bank. This answer doesn't have anything to do with the value. I mean what if you only owed $200??? Is that the value??? Or what if you owed $50,000.00???? Does that mean they would give you $50,000.00??? Once again....what is owed has absolutely ZERO to do with the value.
Edited by Lotzafun 2010-07-19 10:28 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | I just refinanced mine with my credit union. 2008 Tour Premium with 28,000 miles on it. They came up with a value of 16,000 plus. I want to say 16,800 but I can't remember for sure. I was happy that I wasn't upside on it. I owed 15,800. I just checked Kelly Blue Book. It is $16,540 for an '08 tour premium. |
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Another Vision down