Just back from an 'end of year' trip to the Costas - Malaga area. Got a four(yes 4) berth cabin for little money from Portsmouth to Santander and spent a week in the sun in hotels at 20 Euros a night incuding safe parking. Brill roads,weather hospitality etc - and a great ride back up the A4 to the boat on Sunday evening.
Got on the boat on Monday afternoon and had the roughest passage ever arriving in Portsmouth on Sunday pm.
Got called to the bike early to find it had been tipped over and thrown about in the storm.
Busted fairing , panniers , snapped off mirror , scratches everywhere.
Bike is a month old only and looks very sad.
Brittany Ferries have put their hands up and offered to pay for everthing including car/bike hire , retrieve costs . Recognition of my distress (whatever that is).
Should have the damage report in a week and my guess is £5 to 6 k , although we might discover more stuff when the panels are pulled.
Anyone else gone through this ???
nb. the bike went superbly and if it is beyond repair I WANT ANOTHER ONE !!!!
Fortunately no.
What a bugger.
Good they offered to make good though.
I'd be devastated if that would happen to me.
But at least you get generously compensated and don't get stuck with repair bills or loss of claims-free bonus.
I always thought that ferry companies make you secure your bike yourself so they won't be liable if something like that happens.
After all if you secured it it isn't their fault if you didn't do it properly and the bike falls over.
Damn sorry to hear that, as mecki has said I'd be gutted too if that happened to my 4 year old GTR never mind a new one. I think you are lucky that they didnt put the damage down to an act of God, i.e. with the rough sea crossing. Hope everything gets sorted and quickly for you. I'm not sure what the cut off point is with costings for damage, if you have 6k+ worth of damage it could be written off. ???
shit, !!!!!!!,i was gritting my teeth reading that mate,id be wanting to kill some bugger if it happened to me :(,
Not a great end to your trip ... sorry to hear that. Glad I wasn't on that crossing - last time I did it felt sick as a dog but the sea was really flat!
Did you have it on the centre-stand or side stand? Hope you get it all sorted ...
I feel your pain. Hope you get it all resolved
Argh, how frustrating. So glad to hear they have said they'll sort it though. Did they secure it (well, you know what I mean), or did you have to do it? I'm guessing they must have done if they are paying up?
Mine was the only bike on the boat although I quickly hooked up with other passengers with a bike at home . On arrival I had offers to get me and broken bike bits home. Lovely people.
The bike was tied down by a Brittany Ferries matelot and when I suggested a more secure method I was told "clear off , we do this all the time" !!!
Like others on here I cross La Manche a few times a year and never had a problem on either the train or the boats before.
The ships first officer , nice young man called James , was most sympathetic and made a full report with lots of photos which he emailed to customer services in Plymouth before we even arrived . Importantly he also accepted full liability to me and my new friends.
Bit more -- Customer services told me their insurance arrangements for fixing things until I reminded them that I was expecting Brittany Ferries to see me right and if they wanted to recoup the cost then they should
talk to their insurers. I want nothing to do with the insurance company although I will naturally cooperate with the assessors.
Sorry to bore you all but final point, the photos show my helmet locked on to the tail rack . Hence new Schubert on order shortly as they told me I can't use a helmet that has been dropped.
P&O North Sea Ferries will not secure bikes for passage. They provide ropes/towels etc. but leave the customer to secure the machine to avoid claims.
Nice that Brittany Ferries have taken liability.
Sad to read this, hope all goes well with your claim, although with the ammount of damage you say, i would think its a write off. I know this because i too had misfortune in february 2010. Some scum broke into my garage and nicked most of my tools, i did not care about that, what i did care about was my black beauty covered in white gloss paint!!!!. The scum had opened a tin and literally threw paint all over the bike and anything else that got on the way. I called the police etc and also my local dealer who came and took the bike away, after a week or so i got a call from the dealer to say the assessor had been and had written the bike off and would be collecting the bike 2 days later. I had to act quickly because i needed to swap the screen , seat, autocom, heated grips. I got there and saw the mess in all its glory, i was gutted even more, until i happened to peel a small piece of paint from the tank and it came off in one piece and left no marks ( it had started to harden like rubber) so i began peeling other bits and they came off the same, O.M.G i thought this maybe salvegeable. I made a call to the assessors office spoke to them and i was given a ridiculous price to buy it back, needless to say i bought it back, it took me 2 days to clean it up to showroom condition. A friend who is a spray painter told me because i polish the bike to death this is why the paint could not get a hold because of all the wax on the surfaces. OK i know what you are saying i now have a CAT D ( Malicious damage, not accident damage ) but i have had it from new and know its full history runs like a dream first time every time, and it is still worth 2 thirds of a non CAT bike.
Now i can tell you plastics etc are not cheap my bike was quoted at £5350 for repair PLUS LABOUR!!!, Here are a few prices Tank - £1100 - clocks - £800 - All plastics inc pannier lids -- £2500 - other bits £950.
The moral of this story is
1) DO NOT store any paint products in your garage / shed etc unless you want an instant colour change
2) Polish your bike every minute of the day, stops any crap sticking to it ( except mud and flies ) and makes it look good.
Out of curiosity how much was the buy back price? Was this the ZZR or GTR?
No i dont mind telling you at all Kwik, this way the forum should have a rough guideline should the unspeakable happen. This was the GTR, basically its worth 1x third of the value at the time of the incident if you want to buy it back, mine was valued at £9k at the time, so i paid 3k to buy it back, i had a £250 xs and storage at £7 per day ( 10 days), so effectively i bought it back for £3320. Now as said it is now worth two thirds of a normal bike in the same condition / mileage.
I plan to keep it for a while ( unless i get a reasonable offer ) its still in immaculate condition ( 09). I did take it to several dealers to see what they would give me against a new trade - in, i told them it was CAT D and the best was £4800 the worst £4200, bearing in mind they would put a 25 - 30 % mark -up on the bike making it nearer £6000 in the shop.
Recently i saw a 10 reg CAT D ( new shape ) on autotrader in blue for £7500 and it sold quickly, so there must be a market somewhere. Really when you think it has not been in an accident etc, its not bad for a straight bike.
I would consider swapping it for the 1440 when it comes out though.`
As long as it was fairing damage (and it could be proved that it was) I would buy a CAT D. I did inquire about the one listed on eBay, asking for pictures prior to the repair. They never got back.
Not quite a write off. And I'm happy about that - not sure of the 2012 colours.
Assessors had a quick glance and said replace all damaged and marked parts , including fairing,mirror and brackets , endcan and kickplate (£800 gulp) and right side pannier complete except the lock which I can transfer to keep the keys right. New lock assy is £250 but comes with an unmatched key. Few other bits and bobs bring the parts cost up to £4k and there's a complete days labour on top.
I've warned them I will be inspecting the repaired stuff super carefully and not signing off on anything till I'm happy.
Nothing is going to happen for a couple of weeks though with Christmas and stuff but won't be needing it for a while so no probs.
Also if played nicey nicey hoping for another ferry crossing or two.
Happy Christmas everyone :)
How does the repair though affect the value of your bike and it's potential resale value?
Glad you've got it sorted though.
wiltsguy, sorry to hear about the damage to your bike. I would be very >:( if it was mine. it depends what part of europe your going of course! but I prefer the eurotunnel :) you stay with your bike and 30 mins later your in cali, don't think I would go any other way now have tried the chunnel. infact we had been moving 5 mins before we noticed the train was in motion :)
Sorry I am late in giving my condolences ... really bad news, sorry to hear it in the first place.
I am a "Chunnel" man myself but last year came back on the ferry simply to save time in riding north up to the French end .. it is a great piece of engineering, very quiet and very efficient.
let us know how the repairs go.
Happy NY :)
Thanks for all the sympathy folks - much appreciated.
Most of the Europe trips are through the tunnel as well, but for Spain I'm happy to sit on a boat for 24 hours and miss out France. And Spain is well worth it.
The bike repairs and new helmet have been approved and if the bits arrive this week I should pick the bike up before the weekend. Apparently the rebuild will take an entire day , whereupon I get to ride around for a while before signing off that I'm happy.
There was some 'discussion' about what should be replaced but Caroline at Brittany Ferries has been first class and I've even been told to expect a voucher to compensate for the stress and counselling I had to go through. Dunno what I'll do with a bloody big boat but maybe they mean just some tickets.
Post more when it's back.
Well, for me the tunnel is no option really even if I would travel all the way down to Dover, which takes nearly all day and is a really boring trip to boot.
Crossing the Channel on the ferry is also cheaper (usually half the price of the train) and more comfortable too. And you have the chance to meet some nice people on the boat.
I would need to stay overnight in Calais or Dunkerque (hotels and B&Bs are cheaper in France and Belgium so staying in Dover again is out of the question) so the couple of minutes longer it takes on the ferry don't matter.
I checked that option for my next trip to the mainland in June and even though I may save a few quid I'd loose a whole day that way.
And since I would have to pay toll on the motorway to Dijon and fill up in France one more time that would probably reduce the saving to nothing.
So for me it's the ferry from Hull to Rotterdam every time.
I can leave on a Friday after work, sleep and eat on the boat, fill up in Luxemburg (cheapest petrol in Western Europe), don't have to pay toll until I reach Dijon and see my folks in the south of France on Saturday night in time for dinner.
Well, and if I want to go North to Germany or Scandinavia Rotterdam is closer than Calais anyway.
The Peage starts just south of Nancy if you go via Luxembourg.
Have done it many times as my Dad lives in Luxembourg and we have a fixed caravan near the Paul Ricard circuit (Circuit de Castellet)
Personally, I'd take the ferry from Hull to Zebrugge and avoid Rotterdam completely.
Either way you will need to circumnavigate Brussels but this way you get to avoid Antwerp and Breda and fighting your way out of Rotterdam Europort.
The run from Zeebrugge is dual/single carriageway to Brugge and then motorway to Brussels.
Outside the rush hour none of it is very busy although on the Brugge to Brussels stretch you WILL be overtaken by fast Audi/BMW/Mercedes. I like to play head games with them by letting them past and then following at a safe distance.
They get very nervous and pull over after a while. ;)
Oh, don't be tempted to go round the south of Brussels on the ring road.
You will end up halfway to Paris before you realise you missed it.
North route is busier but easy to navigate.
Of course you are right Boomer, the peage start somewhere south of Nancy.
I usually go via Eindhoven, Maastricht and Liege to Luxemburg.
And since I arrive on Saturday morning Rotterdam is no problem at all.
That early in the morning there is usually hardly any traffic at all.
On the way back I usually take the scenic route and stop over at B&B in Nancy.
I've done the Zeebrugge ferry too, but it leaves too early for me and I try to avoid Brussels and Antwerp at all costs.
Has anyone ever been or even heard of Kerkrade & Brunssum in Holland? I used to live in Kerkrade and go to the NATO school in Brunssum, http://www.afnorth-is.com/index-1.html (http://www.afnorth-is.com/index-1.html)
Strange, meaningless but true. ;D
Okay - deep breath - got the call yesterday that the bike was fixed and new helmet in.
Went down to the shop this morning and discovered that the liquidator had moved in and everything has been locked up.
I explained that as soon as I collected the bike George White Superbikes could send out their invoice for £5,000 to the ferry insurance company , so "gimee my bike back" !!!
No dice and I'm going to have to wait a day or two.
At least it will be in the warm and dry.
And I have another bike ;)
Ouch, that's bad news.
Take your V5 with you. They can't keep your bike if you're the legal owner. The issue of the payment is between the insurance company and George White (I think).
Shame that a bike retailer has gone under
wow that is bad news. hope it all works out ok.
GW where my mate got his zzr from, maybe he got too good a deal???
So have ALL George Whites shops gone bust? Hope you get your bike back soon. :'(
My understanding of matters such as this is that once a company has called in the receivers, thats it! Anything and everything inside those premises stays put.
You have no legal right whatsoever to remove your own property from within. This was the case many years ago when I once went to collect something from a customer of mine when they called in the receivers and the company hadnt yet paid for the goods. :(
It could be a long wait. :'(
Nah, if you can prove the property is yours then the receiver has to give it back.
Just take the v5 with you.
Quote from: Kwikasfuki on January 19, 2012, 06:13:15 PM
Nah, if you can prove the property is yours then the receiver has to give it back.
Just take the v5 with you.
I hope it is that easy, hopefully they wont get daft over the repair bill though and demand immediate payment.
I'm I reading right! george white as gone under? bought mine from them, they also took over my favorit bike dealer in plymouth :( bought a quite few bikes from "gt motorcycles" over the years, allways got a excellent p/x and a better deal :) and you get to ride your new bike all the way home :D
Oh Dear ... their website simply says "Sorry, but George White is unavailable" .... doesn't look good :(
Quote from: Rusty on January 21, 2012, 12:30:20 AM
Oh Dear ... their website simply says "Sorry, but George White is unavailable" .... doesn't look good :(
"unavailable" must be the new term for bust...and as you say Rusty..it doesn't look good
Picked the repaired bike this morning ;D
Missing the chrome stick-on Kawasaki letters on the new fairing but I can fix that. Otherwise fine and now tucked up till decent weather arrives.
GW's premises are locked but some folks wandering around the car park looking for their stuff/bikes ??
Very sad and I will need to find the nearest big K dealer for future needs.
it is a sad sign of the times, but on a personal note its good news that you got your bike back :)
Quote from: wiltsguy on January 23, 2012, 02:53:26 PM
Very sad and I will need to find the nearest big K dealer for future needs.
Glad to hear you have your bike back. I bought my bike from, and continue to have it serviced by, Bristol Kawasaki and I would recommend them if their location is an option for you.
Martin.
Quote from: wiltsguy on January 23, 2012, 02:53:26 PM
Picked the repaired bike this morning ;D
Missing the chrome stick-on Kawasaki letters on the new fairing but I can fix that. Otherwise fine and now tucked up till decent weather arrives.
GW's premises are locked but some folks wandering around the car park looking for their stuff/bikes ??
Very sad and I will need to find the nearest big K dealer for future needs.
Blimey am I glad to see that news, I had visions of them keeping the bike for months. Good result I'm really chuffed for you. :)
+1 ... thank goodness you have the GTR back ... TBH I thought it was going to be gone a while. :(
Bikes running fine - I've been back and forth to the local hospital several times for tests (on me not the bike :smiley:)in the last couple of weeks and car parking is so bad using the bike is the only option.
Brittany Ferries paid for everything , £4,800 , bought me a new Schuberth C3 (brill) and sent me a voucher for £75.
The receivers at George Whites also returned to me the scratched bits for disposal. So ... I have a complete 'hardly marked' end can and right side green pannier (excl.the lock) and other bits and bobs.
Let me know if you can use then.
That's a great result, and I'm glad it all came good in the end ...good luck with selling the 'spare' bits