Head On

[Dave 2]

Yesterday was a beautiful day, warm bright sun, and I had just finished getting my bike set from the charging light issue I had. I was so happy to be riding my LS again up until the toyota pickup began to turn left in front of me as I came downhill around a bend in the road. He stopped and then started again untill he stopped diagonally across the center of the the rural road. I had no possible option other than to grab my front brake lever as hard as I could. The impact ,much to my surprise, did not send me flying. I stayed on the bike and the only physical contact I had with the truck was that my chin came down hard on the hood. I jumped off the bike in a rage and was not very tactful in what I had to say to the driver. The front end of my LS did not do as well as I did. The headlight fairing, head light, and brackets are trashed. I don't know about the shocks. I hope the picture shows the damage. Any suggestions any of you may have about dealing with the insurance company would be welcome. I'm just concerned that they will not value my 1983 65LS as much as I think that it is worth. On this morning of 9/11 I realize that my plight is insignificant. I am alive and well, my best wishes to all of you, Dave

[Bob_Roller]

Glad to hear you got away relstively unscathed.

A problem with having an old motor vehicle, is that unless you have insurance that will pay an agreed upon value like collectors insurance, the bike is only worth current market value .

Which in the US, is around $2500-2600 for an LS and around $2100 for a standard twin shock R65, according to Kelly Blue Book, your location makes a bit of a difference, east coast has lower valuation, western US has a higher valuation, no matter how much you have put into the bike .


http://www.kbb.com/motorcycle/retail/1983/bmw/r65ls/65046/

My suggestion to the US members here, is to find an insurance company that will write a policy with an agreed upon value, before you do a restoration, or to put it quite bluntly, 'pound money down a hole, that you'll never see again'.

[scottyintex]

Damn...that is a bummer.....but at least your still here!!! Could have been a lot worse. Will be interesting to see how you come out with the insurance company.  Some of us have sunk a lot of time and dollars into our machines... a lot more than the insurance companies are going to be willing to pay out. I was always adding to mine... a windshield..LED lights...charging system. I am not much of a mechanic....was once told the only problem with my R65 was that I liked to tinker on it.  But I had a blast doing it all...hard to put a value on fun. Let us know how ya come out. I hate to say it but from my dealings with insurance companies.... always felt like they were saying drop your drawers and bend over.

[Dave 2]

Thanks for both of your words of support and thoughts about the insurance companies [smiley=wall.gif]. The bending over part is pretty much what I expect. It is helpful to have that Kelly Book reference for the market value. Scotty you sound as if your talking about your beautiful rig in the past tence, do you still have it? Thats funny about your being the only problem your R65 has. I will probaly be in that catagory as I go about fixing mine up. I think this will be a good time to begin the process of taking it all apart for a restoration. Maybe I'll end up with a stock LS or maybe a bit of a cafe look I will keep you posted on the insurance outcome. "Damm the trucks, full steam ahead"

[scottyintex]

Yep...I sold my R65...it’s on it’s way up to Vermont....just in time for Winter.  I am waiting for Perry’s motorcycle and sidecars up in Ft. Worth to finish my new rig. Has been a long wait... He rebuilt a R90/6 ...from the frame up. Waiting to get a Hollandia sidecar back from the painters...so he can put on it. Hollandia was a small Dutch company that took over production of the German Steib TR500 back in the 60's and 70's.. All my folks are old...or under 10 years of age...and had trouble getting in and out of the little Steib LS200. That and I just wanted a little bit more power. I already have a bunch of stuff collected to go on the new one. I told my wife it was her job to keep me from going too red neck on the machine.

[Dave 2]

What fun, I would be totally disrtracted waiting for your for your new beemer and Steid. It sounds like it will be as clean and good looking as your old one. I don't know where the new owner of your R65 plans to drive it, I thought Vermont did'nt have any roads left [smiley=drowning.gif]. Will you stay with this forum when your 90/6 arrives, it will be interesting to hear just how much Redneck tinkering you can get away with [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]

[montmil]

What a crappy way to spend a pleasant Sunday, Dave. Certainly glad you're OK.

Were the local police involved? An accident report would be helpful if you choose to contact an attorney. You stated your head / chin struck the vehicle. It might be a few days, but there is the potential for a neck injury to manifest itself.

Don't just bend over and take it, amigo. You have choices within the legal system.

Monte

[nhmaf]

Hi Dave!
My goodness!  I'm glad to hear that at least YOU are relatively unscathed (but DO head what monte and the others have said - often it takes a day for injuries to manifest themselves, especially with necks)

The bike can be repaired/put right again - I hope that they had insurance and do file an accident report to facilitate things.

[Air4Life]

The situation you describe is almost always about to happen around here in the NY/NJ Metro area.

I may consider a modulating headlight if I stay in this area.  I definitely don't ride as much here.  Just to many hassles...  

Glad you are alright.  

[Dave 2]

Hello, After the accident I refused to have anything moved until the police arrived. So there was a police report filed. The young officer in charge of the sceen rides a motorcycle so he was particularly sensative to the situation. Here on Mt Desert Island an "out of stater" is like a Yankees fan in Boston, they are tolerated  but usually not overly welcomed. So being local was also a good thing for me. When I set off for my ride I was so happy to get my bike back on the road that I completely forgot to put the tray for the tool kit back...So I keep my insurance card and registration in the tray.. so when the officer asked for my paperwork I reached for my wallet which has my license...No wallet! Nothing, I had no documentationat all! Not a problem the officer tells me and offers to give me a ride home (15 minutes away), to get the paperwork. He didn't even want to see my license, I guess he confirmed that over the radio. I love living in a small community I will study my options carefully when I hear from the insurance co. Today, Monday I continue to feel fine with no aches or pains developing. Thanks all for your support, Dave

[dav]

Damm sorry to hear about your 'fun' Sunday ride mate, hope it all works out for you mate.

[Dave 2]

Hi Dav, Thanks for the kind words. I'm sure that it work out. The police report has stated that the other driver "Failed to yield the right of way" and found no fault with my actions [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]

[k_enn]

<snip>A problem with having an old motor vehicle, is that unless you have insurance that will pay an agreed upon value like collectors insurance, the bike is only worth current market value .
<snip>
My suggestion to the US members here, is to find an insurance company that will write a policy with an agreed upon value, before you do a restoration, or to put it quite bluntly, 'pound money down a hole, that you'll never see again'.

FWIW, Progressive does offer agreed upon value policies.  But that is only on your collision.  That does not apply when it is the other guy's insurance that is responsible.  I am not sure if you can get from your own company the difference between what the other guy pays and your agreed upon value.

(Also, I was shocked to learn that some of the major motorcycle insurers would not even write collision on anything small than a 750 cc machine.  It pays to shop around on you collision coverage.)