Close call and subsequent damage to bike

[sk8mutie]

I was involved in what was the luckiest evening of my life about a month ago. Two couples on holiday said their GPS didn't show the crossroads, so they ran a 'give way' sign....at a fair old speed (see video). Apparently none of them saw the give way sign and no brakes were used on their part!!

As you approach a junction, you are wary of any car sat waiting to pull out. I saw the two oncoming cars and saw nothing at the junction. When I eventually saw the car approach the junction at speed, I actually thought, 'game over' and was so glad I said a proper goodbye to my wife of 4 days and my 23 month old son!! The police attended the incident even though there was no injury, saw the video and shook my hand and said 'glad you're still with us'!!

Anyway, the bike was repaired with a new sub-frame, exhaust, pannier bracket, left hand rocker cover and rear light and bracket....basically everything under my left leg!!!! I road the bike home from the dealers after it was repaired and got flashed a few times by oncoming cars. The bike felt ok and I had no luggage on, so wondered why I was getting flashed....I thought, I'll check the headlight angle when I get home. Anyway, I have jumped on the bike today with no lid on and no engine running and heard an aerated sound from the rear shock. I have wound up the preload, but no difference. When you sit on the seat and bounce on it, you can hear what sounds like air in the shock. I have not seen any obvious oil leak, but it could have happened on the ride back from the accident prior to be taken to the dealership. It has 9k miles on it. On watching the video, do you think there could have been damage done to the rear shock (that doesn't involve oil loss) as I am calling my insurance company in the morning to say the bike, although it looks like it is fully repaired, it isn't.

Regards in advance.

 

[Smug]

Frightening. You was lucky not to go down the road.

 

[sk8mutie]

Smug, it had nothing to do with rider skill whatsoever. The police said speed saved me from going down.

Not sure if the pic will be attached, but this was the front end if the car. A fraction of a second slower and I was a dead man.... Had a proper old meltdown when I got home and it started to sink in!!!!


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[er-minio]

Two couples on holiday said their GPS didn't show the crossroads, so they ran a 'give way' sign....at a fair old speed (see video).

FFS, that was a junction, do they watch the road or the GPS screen?

Happy you're ok.
Does the bike bounce back "freely" when you compress the back?

 

[Auwyn]

Frightening. You was lucky not to go down the road.

^ That.

Glad you werent hurt.

 

[sk8mutie]

Er-minio, it does. I went for a ride on out earlier, and to be honest, you wouldn't notice it until you're stationary and then you notice how low it goes when you bounce on it.

The only thing that 'looks' wrong is the crack through the brown looking ring in the centre of the spring!


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[sk8mutie]

It's definitely not right as I can wind the preload fully shut and it makes no difference. If the insurance company says 'feck off', are the OEM shocks on a 2011 GS easily, and cheaply repaired??


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[steophilis]

scary stuff alright, watching the gps for junctions ??? how dumb is that

 

[jjjnr]

Scary stuff glad your ok, just never know a second hear or there and could of been a different story. Lucky guy

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

FFS, that was a junction, do they watch the road or the GPS screen? .?

This ^^^^^

What were they thinking ?

 

[MikeO]

Didn't see the Give Way?. They were most of the way into a right turn when they hit you. Weird.
Approach your insurance company - the shock is in the exact area of impact and they should replace it as part of the post accident repairs. Explain that it has only come to light after an extensive road test - a confirmation of the damage from your dealer will help...

 

[Slipperyeel]

Wow. Does it get any closer than that?!

"Watching the sat nav" is a pretty lame excuse. They're appeared to be enough activity ahead of them to take notice (junction, two other cars, you...). Who knows what they were doing. But thankfully you're OK.

Heading out on the bike right now. I'll try to put your video out of my mind



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[iftikartaxis]

Sat nav can't believe it
There like iPhones I watch people all the time driving and texting or making calls
Most are in a different world
Glad your ok and your bike gets sorted

 

[Nutty]

Glad you're ok, that was too close for comfort.

 

[er-minio]

Il tipo sulle prime pare un pelo sbrigativo, ma per come lo conosco non è un tira-pacchi. Magari davvero non ha letto la mail: io gli darei il beneficio del dubbio e proverei a mandargliene un'altra...

They can be fixed. You can also find spare ones relatively cheaply.
I'd have it replaced (by the insurance of course).

 

[Monty]

Dude that was far too close. So pleased you are here to tell the tale.

So many people seem to drive to their nav screens rather than looking out of the window. Really scary.

Matt

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[Toddmeister]

Unbelievable lack of attention by the driver of the car!!
Was any further action taken by the Police against him/her?

Glad you're ok fella and hope you have no problems getting the shock replaced by your insurance.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

When you see the amount of movement there was in the handlebars at point of impact I'd say you did very well to keep control of that

 

[Slipperyeel]

It's definitely not right as I can wind the preload fully shut and it makes no difference. If the insurance company says 'feck off', are the OEM shocks on a 2011 GS easily, and cheaply repaired??


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I think Mike gave good advice. Get the dealer to confirm there is further damage, in writing, then take it up with the insurance... That way you have some bona fide support to your demand to get the work finished properly.

I keep thinking of your video! Argh!


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[trebor]

........... Two couples on holiday said their GPS didn't show the crossroads, so they ran a 'give way' sign....at a fair old speed (see video).......

If that was what the driver actually said, and if there was real justice in this country for people who drive without care or as a danger to others, the driver would have their licence taken off them and forced to retake their test (at the very least!).