Crashed!

[ChrisCurvyS]

Joined the ranks of the forum members posting from a&e. Van pulled out on me on my way home so ended up getting taken back to the hospital i work in!
Went over the bonnet at about 40 but looks like I've escaped anything serious. Curvy will be a write off though, on the same day that i ordered new chain and sprockets and front pads!

[chris SVK3]

Bikes can always be replaced, glad to hear you escaped injury

[dkid]

Over the bonnet at 40! Your a lucky guy, no question. Hope you're up and about soon dude.

[maviczap]

Bikes can always be replaced, glad to hear you escaped injury

Like he said, glad you're ok mate

[Dunn-y]

Glad to hear your ok.

[Alexander94]

You must have had a decent set of leathers on for that!
I'm glad you're alright, it's good that you're not another "bikes are dangerous!" government statistic.
Sorry to hear about your bike, especially as you just ordered new stuff... But Chris is right, the bike can be replaced but you can't. The van driver's insurance should replace your bike though.

I wish you a swift recovery and hopefully you'll be back on a bike in no time ;)

[DJFridge]

Hope you're back on two wheels again soon.

[garynortheast]

Damn, hope you're not in too much discomfort, and you recover quickly.

[ChrisCurvyS]

Thanks all! Just back from hospital - nothing broken, just pretty bad bruising.
Very lucky in that a nurse from work (who is also a bsb medic)and a guy who services my boiler saw the whole thing, can vouch i was well under the 60 limit, sounded the horn approaching the junction etc.
Have to say i was papping it while flying through the air and immediately afterwards (thought my legs had broke) but i feel like i could get back on a bike now.

[ChrisCurvyS]

NB will shortly be asking advice from others on here who have been there before re insurance process. Police attended and he said he was insured.

[TheRuffellator]

Get well soon mate, hope all not too bad!

[ChrisCurvyS]

Thanks mate - in a bit of pain but v lucky. Was a transit-size van (pug i think) so was v lucky to hit in front of the windscreen, rather than head-first into the side.

[Roberrrrt]

Ouch! Glad to hear injuries ain't too bad. Least you'll get to go new bike shopping :)

[ChrisCurvyS]

Honestly the thought had never crossed my mind!
Do we think 1400 is a reasonable amount to demand from his insurers for a 2000 curvy with about 45k on the clock?

[zippie01]

Sorry to hear that buddy, glad you not too badly injured (you didnt damage them boots did you ???)
You got to look at similar bikes in about a 50 mile radius and get a price guide from those. They will of course try to knock you down. Don't forget to include the costs of replacement gear, helmet gloves leathers/textiles etc
Speak to you soon matey ;-)

[ChrisCurvyS]

Ha ha - thanks mate! The boots held up really well ta - matching scuff on the other one now!
Knew about using other bike ads as evidence but didn't know it had to be within 50 miles - May be tricky finding one with matching mileage.
Is it also worth insisting on a hire bike to give them an incentive to settle sooner rather than later?

[zippie01]

Not sure it is a given figure, but that was what was suggested to me when my car was written off ! Your legal support should help you with things like that.
Regards a hire bike, just make sure that you are fit enough, by that i mean if you were considering a personal accident claim for your injuries, if you had a hire bike straight away it would be an argument for them to lower compensation.
You are going to have to invclude new boots now into the replacement gear, now theyve got a nasty scuff ;)

[Geodude]

Owchie glad you're okay, hope the aches and pains are not to bad today. Gws.

[Alexander94]

I think zippie has a point, you may be able to claim for all your safety equippment seeing as none of it will be warticularly safe after a crash, try and squeeze as much as you can out of tye insurance! Haha because if you can claim that the helmet (obviously!), boots and leathers no longer provide sufficent protection after a crash then the insurance should hopefully cover all that too, in theory at least...

[thefallenangel]

Don't forget, if you can do it yourself, see if the bike is ok to buy back, repair and pocket the difference for a warm holiday to help the body repair

[shiftin_gear98]

Ouch - Get well soon, take it easy.

[Jayneflakes]

Hi there, glad that despite the bruising you are not too badly hurt.

In regards to the insurance, I use a company called McAms, they are specialists in dealing with bike accidents and fight hard to get us the best deal. They got me sorted after I was hit in Bristol last year and they got me to a Doctor for the injury to my leg and lower back.

Check them out.

http://www.mc-ams.co.uk/

[ChrisCurvyS]

Thanks for that Jayne! Was going to ask for bike solicitor recommendations as I wouldn't know where to start (other than not going with the ones your insurance company pass your details to!)
Re buying the bike back - will consider it but looked like it would be a fair bit of work, front end completely smashed in. Plus don't think I'd ever trust a bike I'd rebuilt!

[tj2]

I think zippie has a point, you may be able to claim for all your safety equippment seeing as none of it will be warticularly safe after a crash, try and squeeze as much as you can out of tye insurance! Haha because if you can claim that the helmet (obviously!), boots and leathers no longer provide sufficent protection after a crash then the insurance should hopefully cover all that too, in theory at least...





This is why insurance costs so much. Leathers are not designed to be "disposable" nor are boots. Helmet yes if it has had a significant impact.
Claim all that is permitted yes, but don't take the ****.
Remember your premiums will go up also even tho no fault
Fwiw Terry

[thefallenangel]

This is why insurance costs so much. Leathers are not designed to be "disposable" nor are boots. Helmet yes if it has had a significant impact.
Claim all that is permitted yes, but don't take the ****.
Remember your premiums will go up also even tho no fault
Fwiw Terry

he should claim enough so when he renews and gets shafted for more money even though not at fault he has already claimed the money off them like I did.

[jambo]

Sorry to hear this.

Find out what parts you need and consider buying the bike back. If it's gone into a van at 40mph it may not be worth it, but a lot of the parts may not be all that hard to get hold of (I have quite a few parts that might be of help having converted a red curvy to a track bike for instance). I'd expect the forks to be trashed, but it is worth finding out what they want for it.

Jambo

[ChrisCurvyS]

Cheers Jambo - will bear that in mind. Can see both sides re the insurance argument - wasn't planning on taking the pish but think a claim on the helmet, hein g leather trousers and gloves is fair as all are significantly damaged.
However, it turns out there's an issue with the driver's license which may have invalidated his company insurance. So it might be Motor Insurers Bureau time - anyone got experience of claiming from them?

[ChrisCurvyS]

Ps i think the dog thinks I'm drunk - giving me some very disapproving looks as i stagger and crawl round the house.
she keeps trying to nick my walking stick too.

[timwilky]

This is why insurance costs so much. Leathers are not designed to be "disposable" nor are boots. Helmet yes if it has had a significant impact.
Claim all that is permitted yes, but don't take the ****.
Remember your premiums will go up also even tho no fault
Fwiw Terry

No insurance is there to recover your damages. My off years ago tore through 6 day old leathers, boots and lid. 3rd parties Insurance were quite happy to pay up as it was no different to bits of my bike. Their policy holder had caused me a loss. They pay, end of. But quite easy for me as I still had the receipts.

[zippie01]

Cheers Jambo - will bear that in mind. Can see both sides re the insurance argument - wasn't planning on taking the pish but think a claim on the helmet, hein g leather trousers and gloves is fair as all are significantly damaged.
However, it turns out there's an issue with the driver's license which may have invalidated his company insurance. So it might be Motor Insurers Bureau time - anyone got experience of claiming from them?

As said before, see what they want to buy back the bike, may only be £100 which you easily recoup in selling off the parts that are salvageable !
or keep as spares for your new SV ;)

[ChrisCurvyS]

As said before, see what they want to buy back the bike, may only be £100 which you easily recoup in selling off the parts that are salvageable !
or keep as spares for your new SV ;)
If it was that cheap I couldn't say no!
What I meant was - as it's looking like he wasn't insured, should I expect more or less hassle if it ends up being the Motor Insurers Bureau paying out?
Btw the traffic officer dealing with it seems like a good guy (says driver might be done for driving without due care) and is a keen biker himself. Bluepete perhaps?!

[jambo]

If its a company van claim from the company who must have liability insurance if they have allowed one of their drivers to be uninsured this should not have to be via the MIB as I understand it. I may well be wrong though

Jambo

Sent without a real keyboard

[ChrisCurvyS]

If its a company van claim from the company who must have liability insurance if they have allowed one of their drivers to be uninsured this should not have to be via the MIB as I understand it. I may well be wrong though

Jambo

Sent without a real keyboard
I also thought that while they won't pay for their client's losses, insurers generally paid out to third parties in cases like this (apparently dvla voided his license as he failed to send it to them to take six points for a previous conviction, in turn voiding the cover).
However, the officer involved mentioned the mib so who knows. Looks like the lad will lose his job either way, (his firm works all over the country), which I've got mixed feelings about.

[Tomor]

If you are still looking for legal advice, try white dalton aswell. Very good at what they do, and are all bikers.

[Tomor]

Insurers will pay out and chase the guy for the money afaik. Even if it makes him bankrupt.

[Red Herring]

The wording on insurance policies is usually "providing the driver holds or has held a licence and is not disqualified". In the circumstances you describe, ie: a revoked licence, they will normally cover even though he may well be prosecuted for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. I wouldn't worry unduly until you hear from them.

[ChrisCurvyS]

That's good to know - thanks both. Spoke to the officer at length - sound chap - and he said in his experience it can go either way - some pay out for third parties, some stick to the wording of their policies and say it's not their problem.
Suppose either way the industry pays. Know of white Dalton - May try them if they come recommended.

[Kenzie]

When my missus had someone pull out in front of her a few years ago the driver was uninsured. However they have a fund for cases like that. I did manage to speak to them and the paid out extra for loss of transport to work, ie not having her bike while it was in for repairs. Also a new helmet and jacket.

[Roberrrrt]

Just be prepared for the value of your bike to be less than you might expect and to haggle / prove it's value.

When my 07 pointy (see pic) was written off my someone driving into me in 2012 the most I could get was £1800 for it, even with some tasty extras fitted.

I did however get paid for new gear without quibble. Difference in my case I guess was that even though the driver was Italian visiting the UK on business. It was a hire car so their insurance was robust.

The bizarre thing I found having been injured was being able to claim for mobility assistance - I couldn't cook clean or wash for myself so our lass had to do it, so they classed that as having to have help and the only reason I didn't pay for help was that I am lucky enough to have a partner willing do to those things - doesn't detract from the fact that someone had to be there to help me.

Lots of stuff to think about but without speaking to my insurers at length then I would have been in the dark.

Hope it all gets sorted for you!

[Littlepeahead]

When Mr LPH had swollen knee and mangled hand after his off the legal team claimed for loss of earnings, he's a self employed bricklayer, she also asked if we wanted to claim because it would impair his ability to cook, clean, iron and do other chores. I nearly wet myself laughing asking her how his current injuries were going to stop him piercing 3 holes in the top of a ready meal which was the only cooking he did and any excuse not to vacuum.

[ChrisCurvyS]

Ha! I too am a tack-tack-ding sort of cook but I have had to have er' indoors do most things for me, so that's something to think about.
Re what I'll get for the bike - sure I've read on here that if the accident is fully the other party's fault, then you can insist your bike is repaired rather than written off? If that's true then surely they'll want to make you a good write-off offer as repairing could get very expensive for them?

[Scythe92]

Sorry to hear about the crash Chris, hope it's all sorted out soon and glad you're relatively ok!

[ChrisCurvyS]

Thanks mate - you're the kindly young fella who gave me the screen for nowt aren't you?!

Yeah I'll live. Dreaming of a Kawa for my next bike (ZX9R possibly) - was it a 636 you replaced your SV with?

[JulesW]

Chris, very sorry to hear about your crash, but very glad you're relatively unharmed. Hope you make a super fast recovery and find an awesome replacement for your curvy.

[Heorot]

Ha! I too am a tack-tack-ding sort of cook but I have had to have er' indoors do most things for me, so that's something to think about.
Re what I'll get for the bike - sure I've read on here that if the accident is fully the other party's fault, then you can insist your bike is repaired rather than written off? If that's true then surely they'll want to make you a good write-off offer as repairing could get very expensive for them?

I'm afraid not. The insurer will put a pre-crash value on the bike. They will not pay out more than that value. We write off if the repair costs exceed 70% of that valuation. You can then negotiate around that figure. Don't take thir first offer; most insurers will up their off within reason.

[ChrisCurvyS]

Thanks for that - thought it didn't make sense as repairing in some circumstances could be impossible, not just uneconomical.
Having never dealt with insurance before it's been a steep learning curve. Spoke to a solicitor from White Dalton today who explained a few things, eg as I'm TPF&T, watch out for the company which my insurers put me through to drumming up unnecessary storage costs as these could be disputed from the other insurers and I could end up paying them! Turned down their kind offer of a hire bike for the same reason.

[ChrisCurvyS]

On a positive note, the solicitor said his insurers should pay out, irrespective of the issue with his licence.
I've also just taken some delightfully trippy painkillers which the doc gave me. :-)

[Scythe92]

Thanks mate - you're the kindly young fella who gave me the screen for nowt aren't you?!

Yeah I'll live. Dreaming of a Kawa for my next bike (ZX9R possibly) - was it a 636 you replaced your SV with?

Yeah that's me, I don't come on here very often anymore with no longer having an SV.

Got myself a GSXR600 track bike now too.

The ZX9Rs are meant to be brilliant sports tourers!

[Dunn-y]

The ZX9 are also very cheap to insure and not bad on fuel. I get about 120 miles for £15 - £17 and that's with mine running like crap. With lots of filtering I usually get about 10 miles per litre.

[Red Herring]

Got myself a GSXR600 track bike now too.



Do you mind me asking what model/spec you bought and roughly what you paid...?

(Sorry Chris for the derail.....)


Been PM'd now, cheers.

[ChrisCurvyS]

Quick update - got 1200 for the curvy, which was a cat b. Bought it back for 130 and a pal who builds custom quad bikes is having it for the engine, so it should live on.

Now get to choose a new one - want something significantly bigger and faster than an sv but on a budget of around 2k max. Image not an issue - would prefer sports tourer as they tend to be looked after better and thrashed/messed around with less.

So thinking zx9r, Blackbird, Suzuki rf900, Firestorm, Ducati Sp 2,

Thoughts?

[Red Herring]

How about something like this,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-VFR-750-Sports-Tourer-1997-/191110608701?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item2c7f14773d

[Red Herring]

Or if you don't mind something a bit ugly....this is a lot of pretty good bike for the money.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-Suzuki-GSX-750-F-GSXF-750-CC-Sports-Tourer-/141206371718?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item20e08e3d86

[zippie01]

check this one out...

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn/bikes-for-sale/searchresults/detail/suzuki/gsf1200-bandit/2003/_/R-NXGN-3083117?mfy=51.656782

[zippie01]

or this one...?

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn/bikes-for-sale/searchresults/detail/kawasaki/zx-9r/2001/_/R-NXGN-7612019?mfy=15.333620

[cb1000rsteve]

You could pick up a nice fazer thou in that price range. Best ever do everything bike there is. Bit like the SV with bikini fairing?

[ChrisCurvyS]

You could pick up a nice fazer thou in that price range. Best ever do everything bike there is. Bit like the SV with bikini fairing?
Do like them but the only ones I've seen for that money are very high mileage bikes - circa 60k. The 600s are much more accessible of course.

Cheers for the suggestions - should have said, VFR 800 also a possibility. Think the design has aged really well but thirsty and not that powerful really. Re the gsf 750 - I know I said image isn't an issue but there are limits!

Just showed the Mrs a Blackbird and she said it looked like "a child's drawing of an alien from the 70s".

[zippie01]

VFR 800 have high service costs too if I remember !
Firestorms are very thirsty too and small tanks ! My mate was lucky if he got 90-100 miles out of his before refuelling !
Not the most attractive bikes but see if you can pick up a vstrom 1000 for that price !

[zippie01]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KAWASAKI-ZX9R-E1/221389576854?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222003%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%2 6asc%3D20646%26meid%3D5800350903643270940%26pid%3D 100005%26prg%3D9210%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D2812 92962687&rt=nc

[Heorot]

Just so you are all aware, if you need to claim off the MIB, each claim carries a £300.00 excess that will be deducted from any agreed settlement figure.

[Geordie Mick]

I would seriously consider the VFRs if I were you given the sort of rding you describe. I've had three of various vintages.

OK, so it's not as powerful as a B'Bird/ZX9 or such, but the V4 delivers the power really well and is very usable on normal roads - in fact, I 'd be willing to suggest that on most roads you'd be as quick, if not quicker, on a VFR than on any modern sports bike. It's relatively nimble too assuming the tyres and suspension are good.

Service costs for major services can run up a bit, but the intervals are high and reliability is excellent. If I were in the market for an everyday, sometimes two-up, occasioinally "spirited" bike, I'd struggle to look past the VFR again.

As others have said, the VTR is fun to ride (I've had two) but it's as far from practical as sandals in the Arctic.

MICK..

[21QUEST]

Personally, I go for something like the VFR800 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251470022960?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch% 2Fi.html%3F_sacat%3D0%26_from%3DR40%26_nkw%3D25147 0022960%26_rdc%3D1 .
Or the VTec model. I do prefer the Vtec models myself.

It'd do all you ask it to do. And it's a Honda too...

[ChrisCurvyS]

Just so you are all aware, if you need to claim off the MIB, each claim carries a £300.00 excess that will be deducted from any agreed settlement figure.
Thanks for the info but his insurance paid out thankfully. Waiting on the 250 I've claimed for gear and then the personal injury will follow at some point.

VFR recommendations noted - I probably shouldn't dismiss them without trying one and there's loads to choose from within my budget. It's not that I'm planning on doing 10 second quarter miles everywhere, just want something exciting that never feels lacking on the motorway, overtaking trucks etc.

Plus I'm a fatty so you can lop 20bhp off any bike's output at the back wheel straight away.

[ChrisCurvyS]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KAWASAKI-ZX9R-E1/221389576854?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222003%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%2 6asc%3D20646%26meid%3D5800350903643270940%26pid%3D 100005%26prg%3D9210%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D2812 92962687&rt=nc
Cheers fella - btw is yours back on the road yet?

[ChrisCurvyS]

Btw check out the curvy's little-known safety feature - a frontal crumple zone:

http://forums.sv650.org/picture.php?albumid=922&pictureid=7505

[Grant66]

Is that the 01 curvy with the peal red paint? Or the flat red?

[Red ones]

I'd consider a VFR. Loads of grin factor. I test rode one last year, but then found I couldn't finance it.