Crash own fault in Bristol - damage advice?

Hi guys

I'm a new(ish) rider, been riding since august. Binned my beloved SV650 today coming out of work at Frenchay hospital in bristol (safest place in south west to crash!). I'm ok, bruised hip and odd feeling shoulder joint, very sore pride. I just overcooked it on a mini roundabout, learnt that gritted damp winter roads aren't quite as grippy as summer roads! Slid across until kerb stopped me and bike. I'm most concerned about the damage to the bike, it's an '04 naked. Damage is:

-Bent front brake lever
-Snapped rear brake lever
-knackered crash bungs (did their job, frame and tank unscathed i think)
-Coolant leaked, i think just because the cap got hit off - no apparent crack in radiator itself.
-Most worrying, oil waring light on, won't start but oil level seems fine, no leaks (anyone have any idea why this could be? Maybe upset ECU?). The engine seems unscathed so can't see why oil is effected.
-Most hearbreaking, I have a full arrow exhaust system, the can in scuffed/dented pretty bad and I would want it replacing.

Should I contact my insurance first and claim all repairs through them at the cost of my no claims next year? Or, keep it quiet, get it up the road and look to pay myself? I fear it whill be costly, esp. to replace my beloved exhaust. Is my next premium likely to rocket or just simply not reduce? I'm fully comp with H&R with excess cover btw. Thanks for any advice, sorry if this is a tired old subject to post up. Just have no idea about these things, been driving for years without an incident.

Luke

hi, how old are you & how many years NCB do you have, & do the insurance know about the aftermarket exhaust system,?

it sounds like it wont cost that much to repair on the cheap (ie 2nd hand system)
dont know about the engine though? could it be the tip sensor?)

[fizzwheel]

If it were me I'd take it somewhere I trusted and get them to give you a quote to get it put right and also a proper inspection to make sure theres no hidden damage that you arent aware of / wont be able to spot.

Glad you're OK, these things happen sometimes and at the end of the day thats what insurance is for.

If you do claim it will I suspect increase your premium when you come to renew especially if you loose your no claims bonus.

It might be that the clutch lever is dinged or twisted round and the clutch interlock switch has been damaged and thats why it wont start, similarly could also be the side stand switch. If you dont have much spannering experience ( like me ) then I'd go down the route of taking it somewhere and getting it looked at properly and getting a proper estimate done of the damage. I dont know how long though you would be able to put off informing your insurance company if you wished to make a claim.

I wouldnt have thought with the damage as you describe its not going to cost mega money to put right, but again get it checked properly and make sure the forks / front wheel etc etc havent been damaged or twisted. Better to be safe than sorry IMHO.

[Lissa]

How much is your excess?

And have you seen this thread for a cheap fix for your brake lever?



http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=101388

Hi Hovis,

I'm 24, been riding since august so first year of bike ownership. In the car, I've had 3 years riding no claims. 3 points on licence. Not sure about the oil tip, not even sure what it is. No apparent damage to engine casing. Think the exhaust is going to be costly (can't stomach the thought of a cheap alternative or the - urgh - original sewing machine sounding thing). The insurance company do know about the exhaust and that it is a race system. Weren't fussed about it when I told them, said it isn't a problem. I figure no matter what, I have to get it in somewhere as it won't start, and I want the frame checking just to be sure (think it was about a 25mph-30mph spill).

Oh, also, I need to get the front caliper and disc checked as i put my disc lock on whilst back in work waiting for recovery. When they arrived, still in a state of shock, I wheeled the poor thing forward. The lock (piece of rubbish) snapped instantly! Unsure of damage to brake. Was very slow so i expect minimal. Still shaken, mainly depressed about cost

Lissa - thankfully I added on excess insurance for about £30 so I don't think I have to pay excess, as that is also covered (hopefully!!!!). Not relishing the idea of browsing policy small print.

i doubt if there is any damage done by the disc lock, if just pushing it

i dunno much about pointys, but i think there is a tip sensor, if you drop the bike it activates? i may be wrong?

is it totally dead, as fizz said could just be the wires have come off the clutch switch

The electrics start up, oil symbol stays on, says "check". Anyway of resetting the sensor?

[squirrel_hunter]

Because of your age and no claims I wouldn't tell anyone about it.

Like Fizz said take it to a shop to be looked at if your not the spannering type and want it checked, in Bristol I recommend Speedwell Motorcycles (top of Fishponds Road, been using them for years). By the sounds of it the damage sounds minimal, but replace the bent lever. I bent a front brake leaver and after pulling a number of stoppies it finally came off in my hand as I was reversing down the drive dragging a little brake.

As for the oil light can't help you there as I ride a curvy.

Originally Posted by lukewalton

The electrics start up, oil symbol stays on, says "check". Anyway of resetting the sensor?

It's definitely not the kill switch is it? Can you here the fuel pump prime when you turn on the ignition?

Tip over sensor is mounted to the front of the battery box - just above the toolkit on a k4. I seem to remember it is held on by a simple clip so you should be able to see if it is still mounted correctly.