The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
General Category => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: nhmaf on April 16, 2009, 09:41:20 AM
-
Quite a few of the folks here know our dear little Sue, and know that she had quite an unfortunate turn last autumn with a terrible crash on a lonely road in western Canada. Despite her small stature, Sue's heart is huge, and her passion for motorcycling is tremendous, so she is planning to be out again this summer on a bike after spending these past months in a painful recuperation.
Sue did not want to post these pics of her bike earlier, as she didn't want to get our online family overly upset over her ordeal. But, she asked me to put these up now so that we all might see them if you choose to do so. IT isn't intended to be a sobering reminder of what can happen when things go wrong, but if it does help even 1 member here to take the extra minute to put on that helmet or gloves, etc. before taking that quick trip to the store then that could also be a good thing.
Sue's bike caught fire and rather completely burned as it continued to run while it was tipped over and fuel was spilled all around. Fortunately Sue was lying far enough from the bike to not get caught up in the flames - it was a close call !
I am very happy that we still have Sue with us and I really look forward to seeing her on the road this summer and at the national rally in Tennessee !
Following are pics:
scene of the accident:
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi159.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ft138%2Fnhmaf%2FF650GS_AtRest.jpg&hash=e02b44f8e54101fe1748334698eda39de5cbe526)
The "ash-grey" version of the 2008 F650 GS:
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi159.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ft138%2Fnhmaf%2FF650GS_CHASSIS.jpg&hash=e7747a2813ded93f8a3ed33ffa8c5bc22d69931e)
The bike must have flipped a few times before coming to a stop as you can see the degree to which the handlebars are bent, and one of the fork tubes is broken and ripped out of the triple clamp.
Please, Be careful out there, everyone !
:)
-
It's amazing that Sue got out 'relatively' unscathed, compared to what could have happened !!
Just curious, was there any 'official' incident report from law enforcement, as to what the probable cause of the incident was ??
Looking at the pictures, I see two exhaust pipes coming out of the engine, wasn't Sue's bike, a F800ST, not an F650 ???
Remember the saying, 'dress for the crash, not for the ride', as the beginning of another riding season starts in the northern hemisphere.
-
The "new" F800 and F650 are essentially the same twin cylinder engine - the F650 is just a detuned version of the F800 with, I think, milder cams, remapped FI, and different stroke. It is still really quite powerful for a 650.
Sue will chime in soon with her details and the official report on this incident - I don't know if we'll fully know for sure.
-
To add to the confusion, the F650 also has an 800cc engine as does the F800, just de-tuned a bit as Mike says, from 85 to 71 hp. It's also lower, a bit lighter, has cast wheels, etc. Some of us saw Sue and her beautiful new bike at the Gathering of the Clans here in NC, just a week or so before the crash.
I knew her bike had burned, but I had no idea that it burned up! Jeez! :o
-
Damn - I knew it was bad, but I had no idea that the fire was as bad as the picture shows.
Has to make you think - and yes - suit up prior to any ride.
Most accidents occur within 5kms of home.
-
Yikes, I get shivers just looking at those photos!! :o
-
Holy Crap!!!! Sue, you are definitely more durable than a lot of folks.
-
Hi there everyone! I needed to share these photos but have only just got to the stage where I've looked at them so much that they don't cause an apoplectic fit anymore :o I shamelessly asked Mike if he'd help me out by getting this on the forum and I thank him profusely! Some day and it may be sooner rather than later, I will get the photos on the Advrider.com site where lots of F800 and F650GS riders post. With all the recalls these bikes have gotten, someone needs to be alerted to the possibility things can go very wrong. At the very least, the fatigue factor in riding long distances needs airing.
The police version is what is had to be..they had no choice but to call it a single vehicle accident, 100 percent the rider's fault....most probable cause was the rider lost control on the gravel section of the road. So off that goes to the insurance company and voila a 53 percent increase in insurance cost...now it's $652.00. No matter whether the accident was caused by me falling asleep or the bike have a catastrophic failure...in the end I lost control.
Now, here's my lesson to me. Assume you'll be tired after attending a rally; don't ride day after day coming home...take a break say every 4 days and take a day to do laundry or sightsee (I rode 9 days after the rally and felt I was having fun!) Oh well. Stop every 2 hours to walk around the bike; drink your Gatorade even if you are not thirsty because it is a cool day; suck on tart sour candies to perk ya up; watch yourself even more in those flat boring prairies or anywhere else that the landscape is not stimulating; don't assume you'll be yawning or getting some hint you're tired because it won't necessarily happen...just fall down and go boom without warning. This last one is something I would never have suspected!!!
What happened was I had missed the road that Chris from BC had suggested I take south to hook up with the TransCanada hwy in Saskatchewan. Continued in the next post!!!
-
When I realized I had missed the right road south I asked about the closest road to where I had stopped to ask. The two teenagers said that road was good to get south. What they didn't say was that about an hour south some of the spinoff roads had gravel sections. I checked my map and there were 2 Provincial Parks on Lake Diefenbaker, so they sounded like a good destination and I would stop and camp for the night at one of them. I got to the first Park at 4:00 pm and just decided to continue to the next one about 3/4 hour away..then I'd stop and camp for the night. I remember vividly seeing the flags of the first campsite and making the decision to carry on.
1 1/4 miles down the road, after 2 curves in the road, there was a sign saying pavement changes to gravel. Maybe I saw this or not but I can only assume I got successfully around the second curve then got on the gravel and crashed...I fell off or the bike broke. I landed 15 feet from that burning bike carcass! I was unconscious for 1.25 hours lying face down at the edge of the road. Gee, with all that soft prairie grass you'd have thought I could at least have landed in that! No houses, road signs, driveways, other cars, ditches, guardrails..nothing but grass and gravel rural road. So that was the lucky part. If I had fallen asleep, how in the world did the bike get around the 2nd curve and not go straight and fall over in the grass???? If the bike flipped, as the cops think, the pics show a very hard impact with the road, how did I land only 15 feet away...am I a bronco rider and didn't know it???
So a car came by about 15 minutes later or so and called 911. Those guys I guess didn't think to shut off the bike but probably it was too late anyway to save it. The right sidecase was off and far enough from the fire to not burn and I got it back safely with my gear in it but it was totally crunched and cracked.
Continued
-
The "gear" in that sidecase included my toiletries and shoes which proved really handy and LRB's tools were saved. All the clothes and all camping gear and stuff for 3 weeks got burned or cut off by the EMT guys. LRB will not lend anything of his to another bike ever again!!!
The recalls so far on this bike and its sister bike the F800GS include: front rotor bolts too short and could come out; rear sprocket bolts the same; axle material not up to spec and could break; sidecase mounting could fail, front brake caliper bolts bad and could come off (Derek suspects this one); maybe some others. Stalling issue too. As you can see they are serious blunders not just the usual nitpicky stuff.
They took my helmet off at the scene and back-boarded me to the Outlook Hospital 45 minutes away. And, I got a CAT scan the next evening but that could've been too late if Natasha Richardson death is any guide. I am so lucky. CAT scan showed all OK. It checks out the physical condition of our brains/heads for bleeding and cracks. The damage caused by the brain being bounced around by impact is different...shearing and neuron damage. I am due for an EEG next week! Yeah! I still have a spacey head feeling but it gets better with time and some days are better than others. Helmet cracked opposite the temporal lobe which is just at ear level.
Enough from me...so I have exorcised myself...thanks Mike!!!
-
I'm going to have to agree with you on the fatigue issue, I was driving from Chicago to see my parents in St. Petersburg, FL., I was going to do the entire 1200 mile drive without stopping for the night.
I was feeling quite tired just north of the Florida/Georgia border on Interstate 75, so I was going to stop at the 'Welcome Station' at the Florida border to get a few hours of rest.
Next thing I remember is seeing an exit sign for a small town 30 miles south of the Welcome Station, no memory of that 30 + mile drive, and this was at the time of the 55 mph speed limit.
I don't think that fatigue is given as serious a thought as it should be when driving long distances.
It's tempered my enthusiasm for trying a 1000 mile day on the R65, just to say I did it.
-
Sue, Glad you are on the road to recovery.
For some reason I can't see the photos! Maybe I shouldn't.
As to falling asleep on the bike - I have a story:
Back in 1967 I was in the army stationed outside of Harrisberg PA. I got a weekend pass and wanted to drive home to NYC. After packing the bike and checking out I finally got on the road about midnight. (consider - I was in basic training - usually lights out about 10:00 and first call at 6:00 or earlier - and a VERY active and physically tiring day).
I remember crossing the Delaware river bridge outside of Easton on old Rt22 - my next memory is of the rear end of the bike jerking as I crossed the slight drop from the road to the shoulder about 20 miles further on. Physically tired, the drone of the bike (JAWA 250) put me to sleep! Fortunately no damage - the bike stayed upright and the adrenalin started flowing.
Unfortunately, when you are tired judgement is not as good as it should be which contributes to the problem. I hope I'm wiser now.
-
Drewboid... yup, judgement is virtually zilch! Here is one thought that I know is true..... All the way through Sask. I was feeling that the people were not really friendly and I decided that taking a very remote route was better than taking a city but busier, more direct route. The traffic would have been stimulus! Very stupid and slanted thinking which indicates in retrospect that one's judgement is shot. I was feeling more irritated at small things and thinking the USA is much better, the people are nicer...now that's a good thought!!!!!
So you are right...watch for bad judgement and irritability with tiny things that normally wouldn't bother you.
-
I just thought of something....the bike was bought and I picked it up May16th...the accident was July 28th....it was a brand new F650 2008 twin GS. So just a bit over 2 months of riding and I loved it for its light weight, seat height and hp...all except...sorta top heavy compared to the R65LS..stupid sidestand which made the bike lean way over so I had to carry a 3/4 inch sidestand support. Really jerky first gear response. All for now.
-
I'd have to say looks like you were thrown more than fell. The mechanical failures you mention seem suspect. We'll never know tho.
Just to add to others, yes it is possible to fall asleep on a bike. There is a stretch of Rt 95 in Maine I've traveled on two wheels but never seen.
rich
-
So Sue, are you thinking of coming back to see us this summer? Are you up to that lengthy of a ride again yet?
Have you decided yet what to replace the GS with?
Still thinking about the V7 Classic, or the Bonneville?
Have you seen the new V7 Classic Cafe yet? Although I don't think it'll be in the U.S. until next Fall, you Canadians might get an earlier preview, like you did on the F650 and 800s...
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr261%2Fsteve2371%2Fscooter%2520pics%2FV7ClassicCafe.jpg&hash=98a1ccb47f1efd72abd98ef47e9e21022596507d)
-
Sue, thanks for sharing. I hate things that happen when we'll never know why. But they do.
I am with Bob though: no Iron Butt rides for me.
Well, maybe if my wish comes true and speed limits are repealed.
-
Ed, if you can ride fast enough maybe the fuzz will think it too much of a PITA to turn around and go after ya! ;D
-
Drew, is there something about GIs and falling asleep? I had the same thing happen to me going through New Mexico at about 01:00. I remember waking up goingt about 20 mph 15-20 feet off the road. Luckily it was desert and nothing of consequence to run into so I just stopped, laid down, and went to sleep!
-
Hey Steve,
If all goes well I AM planning the trip to the National to see you all. Stew Wallace will be riding with me just like last year to the Gathering. He rides more secondary roads and likes the Blue Ridge more than David who is my Iron Butt friend. David intends to ride to the 4 corners of the USA right after the National. To the Florida Keys first, then CA, WA, then over to Maine. His 81 yr. old lady friend Jean who David has helped out immensely to want to live after her husband died is actually thinking of joining him on the back of his RT for the leg from WA. to Maine!!!! She has macular degeneration in her eyes and can't see forward but she loves riding on the bike. You outta see the neighbors peering out when they ride off!! David started off just walking her dog for her as that is what he does to make money. Now they are good friends. David is deaf; Jean can't see, so together they add up to one perfect person!! A symbiotic relationship if there ever was one!
My future bike: either the 2009 Triumph FI Bonneville OR the Moto Guzzi V7 or that MG cafe model!!! Only thing about the cafe is the cafe styled seat which is hard to put the duffel on. I had redesigned LRB's seat to look similar to the cafe style and now I ended up buying the flatter original OEM one from not-so-fast Ed's friend for travelling. That seat is higher but my Herman Munster boots get me heels-flat on the ground without even any heavy luggage onboard. That's a good thing.
-
So Sue, are you thinking of coming back to see us this summer? Are you up to that lengthy of a ride again yet?
Have you decided yet what to replace the GS with?
Still thinking about the V7 Classic, or the Bonneville?
Have you seen the new V7 Classic Cafe yet? Although I don't think it'll be in the U.S. until next Fall, you Canadians might get an earlier preview, like you did on the F650 and 800s...
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr261%2Fsteve2371%2Fscooter%2520pics%2FV7ClassicCafe.jpg&hash=98a1ccb47f1efd72abd98ef47e9e21022596507d)
I've checked Cycle Trader on line, and I see a few Moto Guzzi dealers have them for sale for $8490US, plus all of the other charges that are added on.
Not a particularly bad price for the bike .
-
Maybe I'll have some change left in my pocket just like Melena and her new boots! One MG shop here says they will not pump up the PDI/freight etc charges...just what they have to pay and they also say...make an offer for the MG. Never found my BMW dealer inviting an offer....take it or leave it attitude.
-
I figured out what happened to your bike ...... it overheated!
On a serious note, I understand your frustration.
I was in a major car accident in Portugal and to this day I don't know how, what, where etc .....I wasn't even driving. I don't remember a month of my life or even flying back to South Africa.
Now I feel safer on a bike than in a car and it was the accident that put me back on two wheels!!
-
So Sue, are you thinking of coming back to see us this summer? Are you up to that lengthy of a ride again yet?
Have you decided yet what to replace the GS with?
Still thinking about the V7 Classic, or the Bonneville?
Have you seen the new V7 Classic Cafe yet? Although I don't think it'll be in the U.S. until next Fall, you Canadians might get an earlier preview, like you did on the F650 and 800s...
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr261%2Fsteve2371%2Fscooter%2520pics%2FV7ClassicCafe.jpg&hash=98a1ccb47f1efd72abd98ef47e9e21022596507d)
I've checked Cycle Trader on line, and I see a few Moto Guzzi dealers have them for sale for $8490US, plus all of the other charges that are added on.
Not a particularly bad price for the bike .
That's the regular V7 Classic, whcih has been available since late last summer, usually in white only. Guzzi also made a black version with gold trim that really looks nice, but I don't know if any made it to the U.S., or will.
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr261%2Fsteve2371%2Fonlineposting%2FV7Classicbabe.jpg&hash=b43b427b0145859fc11f25283ab28cff171e6614)
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr261%2Fsteve2371%2Fscooter%2520pics%2FV7_Classic_black_2008.jpg&hash=3c30d7e04161a8edef7b07e072613ee464af9d7a)
This standard V7 would be easier to attach luggage to, an probably be more comfortable over distances as well.
Personally, I still really dig this Bonneville cafe myself... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr261%2Fsteve2371%2Fscooter%2520pics%2Fretrobonnie.jpg&hash=24fcf25890329126109759c0b7f4a52f27cf53a6)
-
Gotta love the Bonnie, Thruxton makes me look too. Gimmie any of 'em on mad Sunday on that little Isle in the Irish sea!
rich
-
I really like the looks of the V7, but I have a feeling that for me I'd have a bit of a problem with my knees and their proximity to the cylinder head even more than the issue I have with my feet and the carbs on the airhead. Sue would probably be fine on either, depending on seat height/width.
The thruxton is very nice, but for me I'd keep my R65LS as the "cafe" style bike and go for a more standard style Bonneville for longer distance comfort and carrying capacity.
-
I am just a tad swaying towards the Bonnie. For the extra hp (67-70), the seat height is a very low 29.5 inches this year and with that height I would hope that the extra 50 lbs. and a good C of G would make the Bonnie (Bonnie Black $8699.; SE $9399; T100 $9799). Sat on the Bonnieville and love it. The dealer is 45 minutes away.
The MG has the mechanical (valves and shaft) advantage but 50hp, lowish torque at a low rpm-good, and a 31.9 seat height, ($9995.00 CDN) I just wonder how different the MG would be in comparison to the R65LS? I have not sat on the MG for C of G feeling for me.
Dealer is in the big city 2.5 hours away.
With a slight unsteadiness remaining from the accident, the 29.5 inch seat height is major. BUT, the 51 pounds lighter stat of the MG may be perfect with a "carving knife job on the seat"
Gee, just deliver one or the other and surprise me!!!!
-
Get both and give me the one you don't like!! ;D
-
Sue, to add a few more things to your list to ponder, the Triumph lineup sells for $1000 MSRP less, across the board, than the prices you listed above. I'd bet Aida might could do you even a bit better. ;)
And, the V7 retails for a whopping $1500 less here in the lower 48, at $8499. There's a excellent dealer in Ohio that'll even buy your airline ticket, up to $500, if you wanted to do a fly 'n' ride trip. And then, to further complicate matters, there are the leftover '06 and '07 Breva 1100s that can be found for around $8K...
Of course, you'd have much better knowledge that I about what's involved in getting a U.S. bike back across the border, both politically and financially...
-
:o Gasp! Literally...Those pictures took my breath away!!! WOW!!! Oh my, Sue - you were so lucky to come out as well as you did!!
Another lesson - ride with someone that you trust and have similar riding styles. Just think, if Stew had been with you, there would be someone that could tell you what had actually happened. Plus you have more input for decision making, something else to keep your attention, someone to remind you to take breaks, drink, etc.
As far as bikes, I really love the look of the Bonnie. Don't think we've had one of those on the floor, though. Although I usually keep my head buried in the books in the back office and don't even look at what's on the showroom. I need to change that bad habit! I couldn't tell you what we had in stock right now if I had to (except for those police bikes). I put a lot of weight on the lightness as well as the height. I think how it feels for you is what counts. I like both MG and Triumph - they make great products. Don't know about working on any of them. I just know I HATE working on my Italian bike - don't know how it would be for a Guzzi, though. They're not the typical Italian... :P
-
Prices can be deceiving. Got the exchange rate to consider...multiply the USA price by approx. 1.25 right now...add 17 percent federal and provincial tax, plus about $210.00 Registrar of Imported vehicles fee and if I was riding it back, some high upfront cost for State insurance then try to get some money back from cancelling the State insurance once back in canada. I picked up the first F650GS in NC and I have a friend there who works in Insurance. She helped me get the bike insured so it could get the temporary plate to ride it home. My Canadian bike insurance for the bike didn't count. Then she cancelled the insurance and got all but $50.00 back which I recompensed her for.
So the deal in the USA must be darned good to make it a feasible option.
Isn't that Belstaff commentrative Trumph somethng else? That's a Bonnie black base to start with and a few accessories and pinstriping. Still needs a tach in my opinion. I like a tach! They are readily available from the factory accessory lineup!
-
I recall back in the late 70s-early 80s many of us along the US-side of the border found it very financially advantageous to buy bikes in Canada and bring them across to the US. The prices were slightly less, and we had a generally ~ 120% exchange rate. Even dealing with the import duty it worked out as a savings, provided that one had a truck to bring it across . The canada models often had better paint options that what we had to choose from. How things have changed !