Sunday Times jumps on the bandwagon

[Callard]

It is a piss poorly constructed article looking to reach a flimsy conclusion. The crash happened on a rough dusty road, the GS is a big bike and if you let it get out of shape it will bite. Kevin Ash died in a motorcycle accident, very sad for all those who knew and loved him. But that is all it was and like many before him his death was because speed and physics combined and were beyond his control.

Having said that a mate of mine was down the pub and he was speaking to a bloke who works with someone who knew someone who had a massive slapper on his 1150 that threw the rider off and it careered into…………

 

[Jumblemo]

I'd suggest the 1150 is the ideal bike to carry a massive slapper...

 

[roundincircles]

Kevin Ash tragically died leaving behind three daughters and a loving wife. He was acknowledged as a leading motorcycling journalist , possibly one of the best objective bike reviewer, world wide.

The circumstances of his accident have yet to be determined. BMW refuse to publish their findings which leads to speculation and suspicion. There is a lack of transparency .

His journalist colleagues and friends will, understandably , try to establish the facts. Whilst BMW continue to close ranks then speculation will inevitably be used in an attempt to shame them into transparency.

It is a shame that some posts make light of Kevin's death.

 

[Jumblemo]

Light humour at a time of great tragedy is a very British trait. And can be a means of assimilating the information and soldiering on. It isn't necessarily disrespectful. Though of course if you happen to be a septic you wouldn't understand that.

 

[roundincircles]

Whatever.

 

[APE]

The circumstances of his accident have yet to be determined. BMW refuse to publish their findings which leads to speculation and suspicion. There is a lack of transparency .

His journalist colleagues and friends will, understandably , try to establish the facts. Whilst BMW continue to close ranks then speculation will inevitably be used in an attempt to shame them into transparency.

Do you really think BMW would hide a technical failing that caused this accident ?

It seem pretty clear that nobody saw the accident and it's unlikely anyone will ever know what really happened.

It's easy to blame the bike but in these circumstances I'm afraid rider error is the most likely explanation.

A witch-hunt won't help and won't bring him back.

 

[Steptoe]

At what point is BMW allowed to seek recompense for unsubstantiated claims that could/do affect sales?

Look at it from the newspapers view. At what point do they stop seeking recompense from bmw for the deceaseds family

I think there is a slight confusion over the word `Tank Slapper`.
Firstly the tank slapper experienced by older riders of us on British bikes of the 60`s was down to poor front end geometry . Dare I say things have moved on and a tank slapper on a modern bike is a thing of the past thank goodness.
Secondly so called tank slappers on modern bikes are probably due to over correction of a violent sudden oversteer from the rear. This is not an `old fashioned` Tank Slapper but by many riders would refer to it as such.
Just my pennies worth.......

BMW's used to be renowned for their bikes tank slappers back in the day.

The circumstances of his accident have yet to be determined. BMW refuse to publish their findings which leads to speculation and suspicion. There is a lack of transparency .

.

In one.

Why won't BMW release their findings ?. It'd stop all the conjecture from all the internet experts on both sides.

 

[karlp]

Kevin Ash tragically died leaving behind three daughters and a loving wife. He was acknowledged as a leading motorcycling journalist , possibly one of the best objective bike reviewer, world wide.

The circumstances of his accident have yet to be determined. BMW refuse to publish their findings which leads to speculation and suspicion. There is a lack of transparency .

His journalist colleagues and friends will, understandably , try to establish the facts. Whilst BMW continue to close ranks then speculation will inevitably be used in an attempt to shame them into transparency.

It is a shame that some posts make light of Kevin's death.

Why do you say - BMW refuse to publish their findings.

In my view BMW are not saying anything due to possible legal action.

Anyone in their right mind would not say anything -

Still seems to be the best selling bike

 

[Little-Brit]

Do you really think BMW would hide a technical failing that caused this accident ?

It seem pretty clear that nobody saw the accident and it's unlikely anyone will ever know what really happened.

It's easy to blame the bike but in these circumstances I'm afraid rider error is the most likely explanation.

A witch-hunt won't help and won't bring him back.

Sadly I think you are spot on. Just a tragic accident.

Derek

 

[Engineer]

Why do you say - BMW refuse to publish their findings.

In my view BMW are not saying anything due to possible legal action.

Anyone in their right mind would not say anything -

Still seems to be the best selling bike

Exactly it would be foolish to release any information - if there is any to release to anyone other than to the authorities that are investigating the incident, in fact legally they may constrained anyway - I dunno about the law - anyway has an inquest been held yet?

 

[karlp]

Do you really think BMW would hide a technical failing that caused this accident ?

It seem pretty clear that nobody saw the accident and it's unlikely anyone will ever know what really happened.

It's easy to blame the bike but in these circumstances I'm afraid rider error is the most likely explanation.

A witch-hunt won't help and won't bring him back.

Yes and all the bikes now being ridden worldwide are gathering evidence in their favour.

Here is a summation of gleened info (note not saying facts)

One accident by a Journalist (that was probably messing about) and who's mates do not want to say he was acting like a prat.

Incident has not been repeated or reported by anyone

Bike has now been ridden many 1000's of miles by many 100's of different people.

BMW just gathering hard evidence each day as another inexperienced person purchases the bike but cannot repeat the incident.

Conclusion - A one off incident due to rider error.

 

[alp]

Bike has now been ridden many 1000's of miles by many 100's of different people.

On my other thread I've said BMW have this year sold 10,883 of the new GSs to end April worldwide and, if you say an average 500 miles each (pick any number you want), that makes over 5million miles ridden so far. Statistically there would have been many many such journo type crashes by Joe Public by now. If there had been there would be hell raised throughout the worid by now, but all I hear is 'my gear change clunks' and 'my legs get dirty' etc etc.
My sympathy goes out to the family of Kevin for their loss and when including financial aspects of losing Kevin from the family it's a double disaster. They should do what they can to compensate for their future and I don't blame them for leaving no stone unturned. However, my feelings are that BMW should sit with the family and provide some financial help since they wanted, and will continue to want, these journos to test their bikes. Do journos sign a 'I accept all risks etc etc' before these tests?
Maybe I'm being naive.

 

[roundincircles]

Kevin Ash left behind three daughters all needing to get through higher education. His eldest is at Oxford and the youngest in her early teens.

Journalists do not earn a great deal and certainly unlikely to have a pension pot worth much so Kevin's wife faces a pretty difficult time financially.

What we do know is that BMW crimped the fork sliders retrospectively on bikes built prior to launch and , subsequently , altered production procedure to secure the forks integrity. We do not know what other changes were made .....to software, ESP or other items.

BMW have a case to answer but clearly have closed ranks which protects their commercial interests and possible liabilities if culpable homicide is established by the SA Police.

This issue is not about the merits of the Wasserboxer. It is about establishing the facts relating to Kevin Ash's demise.

We all know or suspect the bike is a fine motorcycle. I hope that remains the case.

But I also hope Kevin's family receive consideration if third party negligence occurred .

 

[cusi]

Do you really think BMW would hide a technical failing that caused this accident ?

Why not? They have done it before.

 

[Nutty]

Why is everyone assuming that BMW hasn't already financially compensated the family? We will NEVER know if they have or haven't. We will NEVER find out what happened or what caused the accident.

Although there has been lots of press and scaremongery amongst the media people obviously aren't taking much notice of the media opinion, as the bike has sold in record numbers (so far).

 

[AndrewS]

As the bike has a fair bit of technology bolted to it. Would it be possible for BMW to look at the telemetry (is that the correct term) or the black box recorder (if fitted) to see what was going on just before the accident?

 

[GC6269]

Reckon Nutty has hit the nail on the head. If, and its a big if, BMW make any kind of compensatory award, you can bet that the Ash family will be asked to sign a non disclosure agreement.

Whatever happens, I doubt we'll ever hear anything about it.

 

[Giles]

Reckon Nutty has hit the nail on the head. If, and its a big if, BMW make any kind of compensatory award, you can bet that the Ash family will be asked to sign a non disclosure agreement.

They wouldn't do it. Unless there is clear proof of a problem, the manufacturer won't admit any form of liability and most certainly wouldn't give out a compensatory award ....

 

[GC6269]

Good will gesture. Without prejudice.

I know what you're saying and who knows, we could both be right.

 

[trickday]

thats because our 1150s are so feckin heavy nothing could make them tank slap

....