Minor "off", engine bars waste of time, need new rear subframe!

[Richie N]

I came off a week or two ago. Going into Berkley Square in London, very damp morning, gave it too much juice entering the square, lost rear and then front very quickly. Initially I thought that there was no damage - to me or the bike. The front suffered no damage at all and I do not have engine bars.

Closer inspection when I arrived at work (I couldnt believe there was no damage) revealed the nearside rear foot peg hanger to be bent forward. Hey ho, I thought I got away lightly and left it at that. I could bend it back some other time..

Today I replaced the chain and sprockets. When I finished I had a look over the bike and another look the hanger. Damage was worse than I thought. The impact had not only bent the hanger but pushed the subframe in. Why on earth do they make this part so strong? The hanger should be a separate part and snap in the event of an off. Now, I have a more major job of replacing the subframe and hanger unit - if I can get one. I imagine they are expensive from BMW? Are they easy to fit? I'll keep an eye out on ebay. Perhaps (if they are easy to remove) I should just remove and bend back into shape, although it is a little creased.

Other than that the bike took the fall well.

Rich

 

[Yellow Peril]

Good arguement for panniers they take all the impact. But good you OK.

 

[v8legend]

Damage was worse than I thought. The impact had not only bent the hanger but pushed the subframe in. Why on earth do they make this part so strong? The hanger should be a separate part and snap in the event of an off. Rich

At least it has a subframe. If you look at the Triumph Tiger 800XC it's part of the main frame. So is the fairing mount. Your off would probably have written the bike off!

There have been a few on eBay. There are a lot of 800GS parts on eBay at the moment, it might be worth asking.

 

[Richie N]

Wow, that would be pita! I'll keep an eye out. Cheers guys.

 

[Greggers]

I think Everywhere had a similar problem a while ago...

My rear frames saved my hangers when I ditched it a couple of years ago...

G

 

[Dave Ett]

The subframe is just mild steel isn't it? Should just bend straight again with a bit of heat...

 

[Fanum]

The impact had not only bent the hanger but pushed the subframe in. Why on earth do they make this part so strong?

Because a GSer losing his lardy pillion when a weak hanger broke would be far worse

 

[Dean]

good news it was minor and your OK hope you get the bike sorted soon enough.

 

[Richie N]

Yeah, I probably could take it off and bend it back, but with the crease in it I would probably make a pigs ear of it. If I can get one cheap enough on ebay I'll get one, if not, I'll live with it for now - I very rarely carry pillions

I personally dont think the design is right. Pretty much every other bike I've owned has had separate (usually alloy) hangers. Hey ho.

Cheers

Rich

 

[v8legend]

I personally dont think the design is right. Pretty much every other bike I've owned has had separate (usually alloy) hangers. Rich

Whilst I can see your point of view, I think you need to understand modern manufacturing. To reduce costs, you reduce the number of parts that have to be assembled. It's a compromise that I think BMW has just about got right. Integral peg mounts etc are a feature on many modern bikes.

If you search on here, there are a few threads re the rear subframe. I don't think they are actually that expensive from BMW (by BMW standards!).

 

[Bury_Dave]

Sorry to hear of your 'off' but good that you escaped unscathed and the bike only lightly marked.

I'm suprised though that you seem to be blaming the ENGINE crash bars ( and their makers) for damage to the rear of your bike. ENGINE bars are just that - engine protectors. You have to look at how your bike will lie on the ground if it should go down. It certainly won't rest entirely on the crash bars at the front to mid of the bike.

Also, the makers do say not to believe that the bars will make your bike undamageable if you have a crash.

I see them more for engine protection, possibly a bit of extra side protection for me if i get hit from the side and to protect my legs if i end up sliding down the road still astride my steed. Nothing more, nothing less. They aer designed to absorb some of the forces in a crash rather than to absorb them all and your bike to come away totally unmarked apart from damage to the bars themselves.

You might have been expecting too much from them Or I might be completely wrong !

Dave

 

[Richie N]

Sorry Dave, slight misunderstanding - I do not have crash bars! And I was pointing out that the front end came away completely unscathed - without them. Another plus point was that I have the muffs fitted (from fella off the forum) and they are unmarked - despite coming down on them

 

[Bury_Dave]

My mis-reading completely. A case of my eyes seeing what my mind expects.

Not the first I've done that and no doubt not the last time .... It would be easy to go back and change the post but why hide being a twat ? !

I wonder if a pannier rack might have taken the force - albeit sacrificially - and would that be cheaper or more expensive to replace ?

I'm still not convinced though that crash bars are unnecessary

Dave

 

[Richie N]

Haha! Yeah, someone else mentioned panier racks, but as you say that may be just as expensive!

You're probably right


Rich

 

[Greggers]

Haha! Yeah, someone else mentioned panier racks, but as you say that may be just as expensive!

You're probably right


Rich

Haha - yes, I had a £5.00 composite ammo box mounted on mine and it acted like a big fat crash bung

 

[john_aero]

well other issue with panniers and racks is it you hit hard you can do even more damage. saw ktm adventure that had a fall, the pannier got dented but as it hits the ground before the rest of the bike you get a lot of force throught he rear end and twisted the whole back end, and that was nto a huge fall either he had.