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What to do after a crash

5K views 36 replies 12 participants last post by  hitmanninja 
#1 · (Edited)
So crashed my bike today... all serviced running like a dream... going along some twisties just getting into it and then loose gravel on a killer corner.... and there I went straight into a barrier.... Dam !!!!! Funny thing is the rider behind me has it all on cam.... insured I am... have a swollen arm and huge bruise on my thigh... luckily only cosmetic damage to the bike.. 05 zx6r my red 636 needs attention
 
#6 · (Edited)
So had the assessor and the mechanic check the bike out.. the quote could be more than the value of the bike... so most likely a right off.. considering the bike has no structural damage it is a pity that have to lose the bike.... panels are expensive and my mechanic suggested that if I really wanted to keep it I could compromise and have the scratches and scuff marks on the shock absorbers, handlebar ends etc painted and perhaps even have some of the smaller panels replaced with aftermarket ones rather than OEM parts... I am not too sure if I want to do that any suggestions?
 
#7 · (Edited)
o man, sure glad you are ok and walked away with some swelling and bruses,

If it were me, i would salvage it, collect the insurance money and then buy it back salvaged and turn it into a track or twisties whore and not give a darn about dropping it again, sense you said theres only cosmetic damage.

unless you dont want to take the insurance hit, in that case dont claim it and turn it into a street fighter out a cage around the enigine like the stunters do and go carve up the twisties.

Thats what I did, i have a beater 636 that i ride 33 with all the time and have droped it several times, and then have a 650 & s1k thats all pertty for fartsin around town with

pardon my spelling
 
#8 ·
Ivanko ... thanx mate good advice, I have been contemplating That and I guess that's what my mechanic hinted. Get the best or maximum insurance the insurer would approve swap OEM panels for customs even some carbon fibre. Patch the rest up and there you go, it is a financial right off but mechanically and in engineering terms the damage is just on the panels. No broken head lights, blinkers, instruments, engine parts, wheel, suspension, seat and levers are a 100% so definitely like the idea of a street cafe fighter a genre I might claim soon cheers to you :)
 
#9 ·
Don't automatically assume it'll be a total loss based on just fairing damage. Wait for the adjuster to tell you what's what. Putting a bike back together is a pain in the ass, and it's pricey, so good thing you're insured.

Just so you know you can collect the insurance check and repair the bike yourself. If you take it to a dealer and the damage was estimated at $3000 (for example) then the dealer will collect $3000.....OR you can find the parts and replace them yourself for likely less than half of the adjusted amount. I crashed my GSXR 1000, got $4400 to fix it, spent about $1500 on parts for it and my Kawi, then pocketed the rest.
 
#10 ·
Thanks Larry J.... the dealer quoted the motorcycle to be $5000.00+ in repairs the assessor agrees. The bike is insured for 6000.00. Yes I totally agree with you about taking the maximum the insurance company should payout and repair it myself and pocketing the balance on the savings would be awesome as we all know that parts can be sourced for a Bargain price these days with the net and all. Will know in the next couple will post any progress this might turnout to be a build thread soon.....
 
#12 ·
Thanx guys..very sad!! They wouldn't do a deal with me but write it off because the fairings are a lot more expensive than the agreed insured value... I can believe I have lost my bike to this... I loved her a trusted steed that never let me down even on the last instance it gave up its own to save mind:(
 
#15 ·
Doubtful. It's cheaper for them to write the bike off once repair costs exceed approximately 75% of the bike's value than to pay for the repairs.

Say the bike's value is $5,000. Repair exceeds 75% of the bike's value. They'll cut you a check for $5,000 (the bike's value), then sell the bike for salvage and get maybe $3,000.

So it's either they lose $2,000 writing off your bike, or $5,000 paying for the repair.

-Will
 
#17 ·
What you could do is have them take the bike and use the money they give you to buy it back from them. Use what's left over to repair it.

Keep in mind, shop time and OEM parts are expensive. There are cheaper aftermarket options available for parts.

-Will
 
#18 ·
If it was last year that would work... unfortunately in Australia the legislation changed last year and there aren't any economical write offs hence everything written off is strictly statutory write off and is sold for parts only. Good news from my mechanic though he reckons that the mechanical repairs are the mirrors and pedal costing a total of $140.00, & I will do the panels myself and found abs moulded plastic panels for $500.00. So with some luck I should maybe it back in action under $700.00 :)
 
#34 ·
To OP, glad you walked away from the crash. Bike parts can always be replaced, but until such time as biotic limbs and light sabers become common place and free on the NHS (not that I would trust the NHS to carry out such an op); body parts cannot.

Real shame about the bike. I've bought quite a few parts from ebay recently from the same seller bitz for bikes MOTORCYLE SPARES, MOTORBIKE SPARES items in BITZFORBIKES store on eBay! they got a lot of kawi gear, theyre a top rated seller and the prices are reasonable. Also they have replied to every e-mail I have sent them on the same day, they are very helpful and very friendly, I highly recommend them.

Hope that helps.
 
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