Bent My 1200GSA!

[maxc]

An unfortunate first post - I picked up an '09 GSA recently and had only lasted a month weeks before I got wiped out. An idiot decided to pull out of a layby to do a 3-point turn right in front of me on an unsighted bend/brow on an NSL limit road. He stalled in the middle of the road due to a massive diesel leak and rolled back into the gap against the kerb to cut off any chance I had to avoid him. Fortunately I wasn't going too fast and the ABS kicked in but it wasn't enough and I hit square into the driver's door - better to go in square...

I was thrown over the car and somehow escaped breaking anything (I used to race motocross professionally so I have plenty of previous experience!), so got up straight away to turn the engine off. I have some big bruises on my arms and legs and tweaked my knee slightly. My helmet has some scrapes but the rest of my kit is fine.

The bike did not look too bad at first glance - bent forks, snapped top yoke and a broken fog light, plus light scrapes on the engine bars and covers, and the rear pannier. The more I looked whilst waiting for recovery, the more looked to be out of shape. Bahnstormer's estimate today confirmed it - £6220! That excludes a new front tyre and a few other bits I see missing, so it looks likely to be write-off.

The good news is the driver was insured and his insurers are so far helpful ,so hoping to get it decided on ASAP and get it repaired or replaced. There were also 6 witnesses working on a fence who saw it all, so it makes things easier. I will report progress - I may even go for the salvage as it is not a complex rebuild and it will take a beating anyway with the use i have planned for it.

 

[patzx12]

F--k the bike as long as you are OK.

 

[GS_or_bust]

Glad to hear that you are relatively unscathed.

I am also interested that you feel the ABS was useful. People on bikes without ABS involved in this kind of accident normally say something like 'I chose to lay the bike down' when they generally mean they locked the front wheel and it folded under them. Nobody's arse slows down faster than front wheel rubber with most of the bike's weight on it.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Glad to hear that you are relatively unscathed.

I am also interested that you feel the ABS was useful. People on bikes without ABS involved in this kind of accident normally say something like 'I chose to lay the bike down' when they generally mean they locked the front wheel and it folded under them. Nobody's arse slows down faster than front wheel rubber with most of the bike's weight on it.

It wasn't that useful.....he still hit the car

Unlucky Max and glad you are unscathed.

 

[magno]

If you go for salvage be careful that you check the frame properly. 1200's aren't unknown to bend the headstock ever so slightly in crashes like that. If it's all ok however go for it.

 

[tanneman]

Dammit, as long as your ok and, oh welcome to the forum. Hope you enjoyed your GS experience so far before the crash I mean. As they say in the adverts, 'BMW R1200GS Adventure, unstoppable.'

 

[elvisncheese]

It wasn't that useful.....he still hit the car

Yes, he did. However, the reason he is relatively unscathed is partly due to the fact he didn't fold the front and go skidding into the side of the car, coming to an abrupt halt. At least, that's how it appears to me. Is this not the case?

 

[Sot1200]

Yes, he did. However, the reason he is relatively unscathed is partly due to the fact he didn't fold the front and go skidding into the side of the car, coming to an abrupt halt. At least, that's how it appears to me. Is this not the case?

Friend of mine crashed head on with another bike ( a Varadero) and what looked like damage that could be repaired only the engine remained at the end and even that had to have a new cylinder, so check the bike professionally and meticulously.

 

[red1]

I Was surprised to see the top yoke is not a solid casting! Is that usual on all makes?

 

[Yonkyo]

You were lucky to get away with that maxc.

As you said, your minimal injuries were probably due to your motoX background and knowing how to fall.

I've been ejected over the top of cars on more than a few occasions in the past, without serious injury. Which I put down to my many years of Martial Arts training, and knowing how to fall.

Good luck with the insurance claim…and possible rebuild…

 

[earthmover]

That's an excellent first post!
Shame about the bike, good to hear you're ok. I'm happy to find that all my years of crashing off-road may yet be some use to me in the future!
Welcome and good luck with the insurance.
Mark

 

[WindyChuffer]

Cracking first post in very unfortunate circumstances.

My money is on your bike being a write-off.

Hope you manage to work out a deal that works you, whatever that is.

 

[theory900]

Welcome Maxc, enter the ring with a bang

Beware of the apparent friendliness and willingness of the other parties insurers to help. I had a similar accident in February and was most impressed at how nice the car drivers insurers were. What they were doing was giving me the 'well the main thing is that you're alright and not injured' chat, which they quickly followed up in writing.

Since then they've been seriously unhelpful and the claim goes on and on and on.

I suggest that you get written statements off all 6 witnesses just in case and whilst it's fresh in their mind. Also get your 'tweaked knee' and bruises properly checked out as once you've told the other drivers insurers that you're fine it will be very difficult if it turns out you're not.

 

[patzx12]

The headstock frame will be bent but its easy to straighten its only steel tubes.
Where the headstock is bolted to the top of the engine block casting is weak, check the alloy lugs if they are not broken its an easy repair.

 

[Spout]

When I was knocked off my bike I escaped without serious injury. Which I put down to my many years of getting pissed, and knowing how to fall.

 

[Oldrat]

Cracking first post.

Glad you are well practised at this sort of thing

Don't forget your crash helmet and clothing must have suffered in the tumble too. You don't want to find that out on the first ride on your replacement steed. Checkthem oput carefully, and any manufacturers recommendations after accidents.

 

[autogs]

sorry to hear about the prang,but is it only me who thinks may have been avoided ie unsighted brow etc,only travel as fast as you can see ahead and stop if ness

 

[iftikartaxis]

accident

forget the bike if it's repared it will never be the same
get a claim for equipment and bang a claim for damage to yourself
glad your ok maybe it was a good job you were riding a two wheeled tractor the jap stuff may have bent in two

 

[Dellis]

Gets my vote for most dramatic first post On a more serious note glad you're ok and welcome to the forum.

Dave

An unfortunate first post - I picked up an '09 GSA recently and had only lasted a month weeks before I got wiped out. An idiot decided to pull out of a layby to do a 3-point turn right in front of me on an unsighted bend/brow on an NSL limit road. He stalled in the middle of the road due to a massive diesel leak and rolled back into the gap against the kerb to cut off any chance I had to avoid him. Fortunately I wasn't going too fast and the ABS kicked in but it wasn't enough and I hit square into the driver's door - better to go in square...

I was thrown over the car and somehow escaped breaking anything (I used to race motocross professionally so I have plenty of previous experience!), so got up straight away to turn the engine off. I have some big bruises on my arms and legs and tweaked my knee slightly. My helmet has some scrapes but the rest of my kit is fine.

The bike did not look too bad at first glance - bent forks, snapped top yoke and a broken fog light, plus light scrapes on the engine bars and covers, and the rear pannier. The more I looked whilst waiting for recovery, the more looked to be out of shape. Bahnstormer's estimate today confirmed it - £6220! That excludes a new front tyre and a few other bits I see missing, so it looks likely to be write-off.

The good news is the driver was insured and his insurers are so far helpful ,so hoping to get it decided on ASAP and get it repaired or replaced. There were also 6 witnesses working on a fence who saw it all, so it makes things easier. I will report progress - I may even go for the salvage as it is not a complex rebuild and it will take a beating anyway with the use i have planned for it.

 

[Pukmeister]

My bike had a wee prang in 2009 and got a bent fork slider, nothing else needed straightening or changing. Fork slider tubes are easily bent, and easily replaced.

Glad to hear you are ok, ever thought of joining the circus with acrobatic skills like that?