Unfortunately, I got in an accident on I-70 this weekend on my way to St. Louis with a friend. I was riding in the right lane going about 60 mph at the time, because it was raining. There was a car in front of me and a semi in front of them. A car came flying by me in the left lane, and then up ahead tried to cut over to the right lane to pass another vehicle in the left that wasn't "going fast enough. " The result was that they cut-off the semi causing it to slam on the brakes, and then the car in front of me followed suit. Next, I applied my brakes. Except, I locked up my rear brake and was unable to regain control once it started skidding around on the wet road. I ended up laying it down on the LH side. It is still mechanically fine...but suffered a lot of cosmetic damage. Fortunately, I was completely geared up and only suffered minor scabs on my knees. Here is a picture of the damage.
(http://a2.l3-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/125/70080f0413de42438fce3a9cf8d413ca/l.jpg)
I have a post in the wanted section of the forum for all the parts that I am looking to replace. If anyone has anything I am looking for please let me know. If anyone has any ideas or knows of any ways to repair a dented tank(other than replacing it) I would appreciate the input. Thanks.
Streetfighter it!
I hope (knock on wood) that I never wreck in my GS. But with how easy it is to streetfighter/cafe racer a GS500 I wouldn't even remotely want to spend the money to replace fairing damage when I could get a badass personalized streetfighter for half the cost.
As for the tank you can get it professionally done. The problem is motorcycle tanks are designed to hold gas and they're often made with multiple layers because of it. This makes it really hard to just "pop" the dent out like you would a car. From what I've seen and read it requires a special tool to do work on. What I'm trying to say is you'll probably save money in the long run buying a tank off of a parted out GS500.
God was with you friend
post pics of the damage, also is insurance helping you?
also good luck finding parts
Time to go NAKED!!!
I have been toying with the idea of going naked...but I still can't make up my mind. There are benefits to both, which is why it has been a tough decision. I am still leaning toward keeping the fairings. Honestly, the GS really held up like a champ considering what it went through. I rode it another 50 miles after the crash to my destination. I have also still had it out a few times this week, and beside the slightly bent handlebars she runs and rides exactly as she did.
As far as my insurance goes...I have everything but collision coverage. So everything repair will be out of pocket. However, I calculated it, and by the time I paid the deductible and a much higher initial rate; I will have just about broken even.
Oh well, I am just trying to maintain a positive attitude and press forward.
What did you learn from the crash?
Michael
Quote from: mlutz9004 on September 14, 2011, 11:44:45 PM
I have been toying with the idea of going naked...but I still can't make up my mind. There are benefits to both, which is why it has been a tough decision. I am still leaning toward keeping the fairings. Honestly, the GS really held up like a champ considering what it went through. I rode it another 50 miles after the crash to my destination. I have also still had it out a few times this week, and beside the slightly bent handlebars she runs and rides exactly as she did.
As far as my insurance goes...I have everything but collision coverage. So everything repair will be out of pocket. However, I calculated it, and by the time I paid the deductible and a much higher initial rate; I will have just about broken even.
Oh well, I am just trying to maintain a positive attitude and press forward.
I used to be obsessed with fairings as well. Some bikes I absolutely HAVE to have fairings for (CBR600RR for example - any race bike with headlights), but the GS500 is a notable exception. Bikes like the GS500 are designed around being naked. It's part of the charm of the bike. The other part is everything the bike is built around is "beginner friendly". It's crash proof since you can drop the fairings and slap a new headlight on it for cheap when you wreck it, and the engine design is very well supported through the years and designed around reliable commuting. My friend's Ninja 500 is finicky on a lot. The Gs500 isn't finicky about anything. For all intensive purposes it's virtually indestructible.
Naked bikes are an acquired taste though. Just know that the naked option will always be cheaper (and more hardcore!) looking one.
The main thing I would say I learned is that distance is your friend when on a motorcycle. Whatever you think is a good space cushion...give yourself more. I wish I had just a little more distance that day, and then I wouldn't have had to get on the brakes so hard, and the crash would more than likely have been avoidable.
You could fix the tank by using a filler (bondo) but that would require a re-paint. It takes time and is very messy but I have done it on my GS when I bought it with a severely dented tank, and the results turned out better than I had expected.
glad your ok.
i recommend fixing the essentials such as the handlebars and tank first then take your time with the fairings unless they are about to fall off.
insurance is essentially a deposit box plus yearly fees. they always collect back what they give you and then some.
Glad to hear you are okay...my accident on Sunday did more damage to my bike, but your's was probably scarier...I was going half the speed and didn't slide far...you probably skidded down the wet road a ways before stopping...did you hit anything while you slid?
Mine was rider error, yours was just situational...yes, you could probably have avoided the crash with more caution/experience under your belt as well...but that is probably true to most "incidents"...plus that's why we are riding...to get more experience and become better riders, is it not?
Anyway, it's up to you which direction to go with the bike...if you like the faring, look on ebay or craigs list for someone that is selling their parts...I'm sure there is someone selling left side farings that dropped theirs on the right side...or just customize it to your liking... :thumb:
Good Luck!!
:cheers:
Later.
Quote from: mlutz9004 on September 15, 2011, 05:22:56 AM
The main thing I would say I learned is that distance is your friend when on a motorcycle. Whatever you think is a good space cushion...give yourself more. I wish I had just a little more distance that day, and then I wouldn't have had to get on the brakes so hard, and the crash would more than likely have been avoidable.
Distance is a very good friend to a rider. Also, understanding that braking is not the only or always the best option... a sharp, quick lane change works good too. And perhaps your very bestest friend... reading traffic and thus developing that "rider's 6th sense" thing...
Those in cars have a tendency to Switch Off. Riders NEED to be ever vigilant and cannot Switch Off like drivers do. We must Always be scanning the road way way ahead, monitoring the speed of other vehicles in relation to us and any gaps around us, always repositioning ourselves so we have an avenue of escape. In other words we need to Think while they do as little of that as they can.
Michael
You might also consider what I did, and just take off the "lower" fairings:
(http://i56.tinypic.com/15rnqqc.jpg)
(sorry for the oversize pic. same one i posted in the projects forum)
^^^ first time I recall seeing that.
its actually pretty nice, alot better then with the rest of the fairings.
Has that bandit 1250s look...
(http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200810/suzuki-bandit-1250s--2_460x0w.jpg)
Michael
Quote from: mlutz9004 on September 14, 2011, 08:59:04 PM
If anyone has any ideas or knows of any ways to repair a dented tank(other than replacing it) I would appreciate the input. Thanks.
A stud welder is the easiest way to pull a dent in a tank. It can't be used though if the tank has been coated on the inside (POR 15, Redkote, Kreem) without damaging the coating. If you were close to Baltimore I would let you use mine. A cheap stud welder is about $100 so unless you really want the experience of using one you are better off buying a good used tank :thumb:
(http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_12016.jpg)
Quote from: mlutz9004 on September 14, 2011, 08:59:04 PM
Some bikes I absolutely HAVE to have fairings for (CBR600RR for example - any race bike with headlights),
The mounting brackets and headlights for sport bikes can be unbelievably expensive (even used) in addition to the cost of fairings which makes the streetfighter or stunt bike option very appealing despite the harsh looks. After a run in with a deer, the stunt bike route was the option of choice for this F4i ;)
-Jessie
(http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww360/jessiedoran/stunt2.jpg)
(http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww360/jessiedoran/stunt1.jpg)