Came off my bike tonight :(

Well as some of you might know I passed my test just over a month ago, and I have been enjoying my SV since then.

Unfortunately though, tonight I put it on its side

I was leaving work at about midnight, (its literally a 3 minute ride back home) and was coming up the lane, approx 25 mph, when a rabbit darted out across in front of me, so I braked and then tried to dodge it and the next thing I remember is doing a few commando rolls across the tarmac and seeing my beloved bike sliding ahead of me creating a huge shower of sparks.

Firstly, I'm fine, I had work boots and heavy work trousers on, and only a light jacket but despite several holes in all my clothes I have only a few cuts and grazes on my knees and elbows, and a sore right thigh which I obviously landed on.

Now to the bad part, the bikes not good. I managed to lift it up but it didn't want to roll forward at all. I restarted the engine and put it into gear and it moved fine. The road was very poorly lit so I cannot tell the full extent until tomorrow, but I think its going to be bad. I do not have any crash bungs, (was due to get some for my b'day next month!) and from what I can tell at the moment, i've lost the right front indicator, the exhaust and radiator (cover at least) and damaged, the front brake lever is snapped, the mirrors broken.
In all honesty if that was all I got away lightly but I think there will be a lot more cosmetic damage and maybe even something more serious.

Im concerned that i couldn't push the bike forward but it did move when in gear? Also there's a large red light on the dash, which I assume has something to do with the engine?

After collecting myself I managed to ride it home, very gingerly, where its resting in the garage, and I'm almost frightened to look at it tomorrow morning in the daylight.

Now as my fiance was just telling me the most important thing is that I'm Ok, and I know that is true, but I feel absolutely gutted at the moment and I'm just so disappointed in spoiling my pride and joy.

I also am not sure where I go from here? Obviously the first thing is to get it out tomorrow and see the full extent of the damage in the daylight, but if it turns out to be bad, do I just lose that? Can I claim anything from insurance? Is it best to do the repairs myself? I really don't know and its just the last thing I was hoping to be going through!

Sorry to hear that mate, but like your fiancé said, the most important thing is that you're OK.
Hope the damage isn't too bad
Try to repair it yourself if you can, otherwise your insurance company with hit you with a premium increase when you come to renew

Originally Posted by shorn

Now as my fiance was just telling me the most important thing is that I'm Ok, and I know that is true, but I feel absolutely gutted at the moment and I'm just so disappointed in spoiling my pride and joy.

At least your basically okay.
It could be a lot worse!!
The bike can be fixed/replaced!! Plus you said you have insurance, right?

Well thats unlucky. Next time dont react to them too harsh, just run them down. I have to dodge bunnies too often too. Why is it that they run in the way!?

The reason you couldnt push it is more than likley that it was still in gear from the fall. If thats not it then

Red light... That im not sure about but it doesnt sound good, the oil light is that colour!!! So just make sure it hasnt dumped its oil before you run it! That should go out almost the instant you start it.

Ebay is your friend when it comes to fixing it. Firstly figure out what you need to make it ridable then do the cosmetic stuff. Try to see what the damage is like and figure out and approx cost then see about how much your insurance might go up if you claim. It may effect your car as well though im not sure. If you are fully comp on the bike you can claim if you want to.

Im glad to hear your OK! Hope your Steed isnt so bad!

sorry to hear about your off

In all likelihood you won't have done any serious damage (apart from cosmetics), unless the bike actually hit something (kerb/tree/etc). Check it over carefully in the morning, and get a mate who knows about bikes/local dealer to look at it with you as well.

+1 re the 'bike not moving ofrward because it's still in gear' assessment - try it again today when you're thinking more clearly

and good luck sourcing parts from ebay, etc and getting back on the road!

Gutting! But if you were lying in hospital (easily done) looking at the situation you were in; you'd see yourself as lucky.

Personally I'd mount a shotgun on the bike. Rabbits?

Good to hear that you're OK. The bike can be fixed, I just hope that the red light wasn't oil pressure. Check that you've not dropped a load of oil from the engine.

The in gear thing for moving the bike sounds about right as after a crash your brain doesn't work very well for a while.

eBay is great for parts as is the sales and wants board on here, plastics are hard/expensive at times but they won't affect how the bike rides. My SV has damaged plastics and they don't bother me any more. It's just scars which give it character.

Sorry to hear about the off, and as you know it could have been worse for you and the important bit is you are ok. When it comes to looking at the bike take it slow and give it thorough look over, do it in daylight too. The important thing to remember is a scratch is just a scratch, replace the neccessary bits first and get back on the road.

Right well I took the fearful walk to the garage this morning to see what's what. I was dreading opening up the door and discovering what damage had been done, but to my surprise it doesn't look too bad!

I'm pretty sure its all cosmetic, the bikes seems to have laid on the exhaust, nose fairing and rad grill.
In total from what I can see the damage is:

1. Side of nose fairing damaged
2. Right Indicator broken
3. Brake Lever snapped
4. Right Bar end bent (I've unscrewed it)
5. Slight tear to the right grip
6. Rear brake pedal worn
7. Radiator grill scratched
8. Exhaust dented/scratched

The right indicator (on the rear and dash now flash very fast, presumably this is because the front is not working? as they flash at normal rate when working as hazards) The radiator was twisted, but that seems as though it had come off a mounting point on the left side, and is now back in place.

With regards to the red light, I think it was just the oil warning light as when I started the bike this morning it went straight out, and not being able to push it forward ? Yep it was in gear

All in all, I don't think thats too bad, true it is a pain in the backside that the fairing will need replacing, not sure how much that will cost, but all other parts can be sourced fairly cheaply from eBay.

Also helmet took a bash so I guess that will need to be replaced as well!

Overall I'm feeling a lot better about it now, and I'm going to get on th ehunt for the parts I need. Does anyone know how I can find my paint code, or can anyone tell the colour from the pictures? From what I gather there are a few different blues. (bikes a K3 btw)

Heres some pics!

You are OK that's the most important thing. Bike is fixable and does not look that bad!