Hardiness of GS500F to falls

[moonwalker]

So I live in central London which basically means I have no option other than to park my GS500F on the street. Sadly, there are some inconsiderate car drivers out there who through their cack-handedness at maneuvering in or out of parking spaces have, on several occasions now, knocked over my bike. Weirdly it didn't happen the first 4 or 5 years of parking, but it started a couple of years back and recently has happened 3 times in 3 months... 

There's nothing like seeing your bike on its side in the road on a Monday morning to kill your mood for the week. 

Seems to me the GS500F is pretty hardy at least. I've lost my right hand mirror a few times, and the handlebars inevitably get jolted out of position. But other than that and some scratches on the crank case cover, indicator and the exhaust, its held up pretty well. Well, one time half the oil leaked out, and that was a pain. I've been lucky with the fairing though, it seems to avoid the brunt of the impact.

I'm moving apartment soon, so hopefully it won't happen again. I just wondered what other Forumites have experienced in terms of car drivers knocking over their parked bikes, and the extent of damage you've had to deal with. I'm not too mechanically minded and I'm a bit worried there might be stress fractures or similar hard to spot problems building up from the multiple knocks, and would rather not be surprised by them when I'm caning it down the motorway at some point in the future.

Cheers all.

[Malfruen]

Happened to me on Saturday, actually. First time on the GS for 3 weeks after starting my new job, and some inconsiderate prick slams into my ride. I'd only just gotten off it and began wandering into a takeaway joint for a hamburger.

Apparently I parked in a car park, not a bike park, and he's entitled to "shunt" offending vehicles out of the way if he sees fit, as he is in a iron coffin. The police, however, don't believe him for a moment. Adding insult to injury, the prick has no insurance and the car wasn't registered, so I'm basically screwed.

Shattered the right hand fairing (which I repaired 2 weeks ago with Plastix, and had plans to respray and clearcoat next week when I get the bike shipped to me), broke the right hand bar end off (sheared the bolt), dented the exhaust, and cracked the rear fairing.

On the plus side, my Ventura rack is finally straight.

[dry_humor]

Apparently I parked in a car park, not a bike park, and he's entitled to "shunt" offending vehicles out of the way if he sees fit, as he is in a iron coffin.

good lord if that really was the case there would be motorcycles on their sides and shoved out of the way all over the place. people will do whatever they can these days to not have to walk that extra 20 feet. its a shame.

[moonwalker]

On the plus side, my Ventura rack is finally straight.

Very harsh mate, but good to see you kept your sense of humour about it.
What is it about these car drivers who seem to think knocking over bikes is no big deal???

[Higgins13]

Apparently I parked in a car park, not a bike park, and he's entitled to "shunt" offending vehicles out of the way if he sees fit, as he is in a iron coffin. The police, however, don't believe him for a moment. Adding insult to injury, the prick has no insurance and the car wasn't registered, so I'm basically screwed.

Dont know what the fine is there but in Ontario No insurance is a $5000 fine. He is most likely unlicensed and prohibited to drive which means he will face criminal charges as well.

[ThatOtherGuy]

On the plus side, my Ventura rack is finally straight.

Very harsh mate, but good to see you kept your sense of humour about it.
What is it about these car drivers who seem to think knocking over bikes is no big deal???

The same ones that thinking that hitting a cyclist and driving away is okay, even better when they are married to a cop and get away with it.  Ask how I know?

[rharding91]

I havent had to deal with that yet but there is this guy at my work who always parks in the designated motorcycle parking in his little mazda and it drives me crazy. Nothing I can do about it since he is someone up top from corporate but really feels to me like why even have a designated spot.

[ThatOtherGuy]

I havent had to deal with that yet but there is this guy at my work who always parks in the designated motorcycle parking in his little mazda and it drives me crazy. Nothing I can do about it since he is someone up top from corporate but really feels to me like why even have a designated spot.

come in early one day and park in the spot to block him out.

[Higgins13]

I havent had to deal with that yet but there is this guy at my work who always parks in the designated motorcycle parking in his little mazda and it drives me crazy. Nothing I can do about it since he is someone up top from corporate but really feels to me like why even have a designated spot.

Key is paint, slash his tires. Shoot out windows with pellet gun (no noise)

[rharding91]

haha id love to mess up his little mazda but I really wouldnt wanna get in any trouble, and I keep trying to take up as much space as possible but its a spot for multiple bikes and he always squeezes in between me and this red harley who leaves him just enough room

[Higgins13]

I'm sure you could figure something out lol

[iclrag]

In seattle they had to make a law specifying that you CAN-NOT move a moped out of a parking space onto the sidewalk, people were doing this and the mopedders were getting tickets for it lol, but seriously if anybody hit my bike they would wish they'd never seen that bike before in their life

[ThatOtherGuy]

In seattle they had to make a law specifying that you CAN-NOT move a moped out of a parking space onto the sidewalk, people were doing this and the mopedders were getting tickets for it lol, but seriously if anybody hit my bike they would wish they'd never seen that bike before in their life

It happens a lot in Brisbane CBD motorcycle parking areas, to the point where the police are leaving advisory notes on bikes/scooters about the criminal charges that can apply.  Trouble is a lot of the scooter riders bring it on themselves by squeezing into spots between bikes.  So when you try to stand your bike up you end up tipping the scooter into the next bike.  So people just move the scooter out of the way and end up getting into trouble themselves.  Stucking fupid scooter riders.

[Malfruen]

Apparently I parked in a car park, not a bike park, and he's entitled to "shunt" offending vehicles out of the way if he sees fit, as he is in a iron coffin. The police, however, don't believe him for a moment. Adding insult to injury, the prick has no insurance and the car wasn't registered, so I'm basically screwed.

Dont know what the fine is there but in Ontario No insurance is a $5000 fine. He is most likely unlicensed and prohibited to drive which means he will face criminal charges as well.

1200 for driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle, negligent driving charge 1100. I could sue him for the costs of repairs, but thats just more stuffing around with this moron than he's worth, if I'm honest. It should be law he be shot at everytime he breathes...or maybe I'm biased?

Honestly, I want this arsehole to pay too get my bike fixed, and I'd be happy with that. Chances are though, I'm not going to see a cent out of this prick unless I go to court. And a cent is probably all the lowlife scum could afford.

--

And don't get me started on Scooter riders. Some people ride them around like fuggin' bumper cars, not stopping for anything. I saw one lady ride her damn scooter up the disabled access ramp at work today, park it at the front door, and went off to do her shopping. The look on her face was priceless when she found out it had been towed.