Coworker Totals 2012 R1200GS

[Bob_Roller]

A supervisor in the parts department at work, has/had a 2012 R1200GS, was taking 5 weeks of vacation and was going to ride the Continental Divide Trail .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Divide_Trail

Only got about 200 miles from home and had an incident around Safford, AZ, on Monday of this week .

He was attempting to pass a slower truck on a two lane road .

Pulled out into the opposite direction traffic to pass the truck, got up to  around 65 mph and got a severe front wobble and lost control of the bike .

Bike cartwheeled for about 200 feet, he slid off to the side of the road, was wearing the proper gear and got bruised up pretty good, but no injuries .

He admitted the bike was over loaded and just had a new front tire installed, a tire not recommended for the bike, a 'knobby' type that shoudn't been used on the street, let alone highway use at the speeds he was doing, 65-75 mph .

The whole front end of the bike broke off at the engine, the rear of the bike broke off at the transmission .

He had about $30,000US into the bike, farkled to the maximum !!!!!

[Ed Miller]

Was it paid for?

I want to tour that trail on my Salsa Fargo.  I think it's the same trail, anyway.

http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/great-divide-mountain-bike-route/

[Bob_Roller]

No, the bike was nowhere near paid for !!!!!

If he's lucky, the insurance settlement may pay for the outstanding amount on the loan .

He didn't have all of the accessory add ons to the bike on file with the insurance company, I think the maximum they will pay without this, is $1000, I think he had $8000 in accessories/upgrades on the bike .

I believe that's the same trail Ed .

[marcmax]

As much as it hurts to lose a bike, it is much worse to lose a friend. I am glad he came out with just some bumps and bruises.

[Luca]

As much as it hurts to lose a bike, it is much worse to lose a friend. I am glad he came out with just some bumps and bruises.

Absolutely.  Money lost is one thing, but people lost are another.  I'm glad Bob's friend is OK

At the same time, let's consider this a moment of free wisdom that we not push a motorcycle beyond its specifications.  And if we do so, with thorough testing involved, under controlled circumstances (i.e. not a few miles on a new set of improper tires).

[Semper Gumby]

Hi Bob,

Glad you still have the friend.  If he is still interested in riding tell him to look at the BMW 1200GSA.  That way he can have the knobbies and still ride on the road!

The moral of this story is test, test, test before you head out on a road trip.  I cannot tell you how much testing I did on the BSA before I took off on this latest trip.

C'ya.

[Bob_Roller]

He's a somewhat new rider, has 4 years of riding experience .

He doesn't know right now, if he'll get another bike in the foreseeable future .

It was his only transportation, hasn't owned a 4 wheeler in 4 years .

Looking for a small used car right now .

[Bengt_Phorqs]

A lucky man indeed to survive that crash.  A GSA will do 100mph+, but not with knobbies.  And with the big (huge) panniers that we like to put on them there is a definite tendency to over load them.  Sorry to hear about the accident but very glad to know he will be fine.  

[nhmaf]

I am glad to hear that he will be OK - it seems that he had several important lessons about motorcycling all in this one incident.