Kawasaki 1400 GTR

Off Topic => General Discussion => Topic started by: Burchy on November 01, 2018, 06:56:09 PM

Title: Death and re-birth of a GTR
Post by: Burchy on November 01, 2018, 06:56:09 PM
Well, my old trusty 2013 is no more.
A month ago it got shortened when the car in front of me did an emergency stop to avoid a pheasant on an otherwise deserted dual carriageway.  I did try to imitate the pheasant when I went over the bars and screen, but sadly made a bit of a poor landing.  The staff in Frimley hospital are very nice as were the ambulance crew...

There is case law suggesting that I was not at fault, but the insureres won't listen.  If you rear-end someone its your fault.  End of.

At the end of the day, I've got fully comprehensive insurance, a protected NCB and my excess is also insured, so even if its my fault I won't be out of pocket substantially. The bike had just turned 27000 miles, so considered higher mileage that some would like.  The bike was recovered to a local pound and a couple of days later they kindly let me remove the satnav, topbox and panniers.  I just didn't trust that they would remain on the bike for any length of time.  I also insisted that repairs/estimate be done by my local dealer, who picked it up a few days later

The dealers are good to me and once I was up and about they let me spend a couiple of hours there with my spanners removing all the bits that are worth money to me, but would not alter the writeoff value.  So, off with the satnav mount, radiator guard, topbox plate, R&G crashbars, footrest lowers and the Beowulf exhaust.  I had the original one in the roof at home.  God, its heavy refitting that by noneself

It soon became apparent that it was a writeoff.  Parts alone came tp obver £6000 and the loss adjuster confirmed this a few days ago.  We settled on a value of £7000 which I think is very fair. The bike has been collected by a breaker and I hope to get a cheque within a few days

On a brighter note, I've already bought a dark green 2012 GTR with just 10000 miles on it.  Its been neglected for a while and has lived outside without a cover for some months.  Got it cheap, with an MoT and I've spend several hundred £s on new parts to bring it up to the standard I want.  new mirrors, infill panels, switchgear and loads of screws, bolts and rivets.  It now looks as good as gold.  insured and taxed today and 50 miles of fun this afternoon!
Title: Re: Death and re-birth of a GTR
Post by: Rusty on November 01, 2018, 07:57:21 PM
Glad to hear that you are unharmed after your bird impersonating episode ! You seem to have done "ok" while dealing with the insurance and the recovery etc. Any photos ?
Good luck with the new bike .. sounds good to me  :yes:
Title: Re: Death and re-birth of a GTR
Post by: O.C. on November 01, 2018, 08:06:40 PM
I agree with Rusty, .....it's good to hear that you survived relatively unscathed,  I always understood that if you tail ended any vehicle that it was your fault, and its a shame that your bike has now been written off, but as they say it is you that is more important.

It sounds like you have found a good replacement and again as Rusty says let's see some pictures......have you any of the damaged bike too ?
Title: Re: Death and re-birth of a GTR
Post by: Burchy on November 01, 2018, 09:39:12 PM
https://photos.app.goo.gl/8FT4F4MMnMKRJP8s7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/qafPa4mt4q7sV79U8

The bike didn't even fall over, so well was it embedded

The new one
https://photos.app.goo.gl/U7ojBRzPTenFjPb18
Title: Re: Death and re-birth of a GTR
Post by: Burchy on November 01, 2018, 09:43:45 PM
Forks, wheel, tyre, headlight, fairings, mudguard...

I was rather lucky.  I did a complete somersault and landed flat on my back with my feet pointing forwards down the road.  Didn't even damage my leathers or even scratch my helmet.  I'm sure that if I had landed fractionally head or toe first I would have done my back in again
Title: Re: Death and re-birth of a GTR
Post by: Burchy on November 01, 2018, 09:48:58 PM
If anyone wants a Givi monokey plate assembly....
Title: Re: Death and re-birth of a GTR
Post by: Brizzlerob on November 02, 2018, 07:19:52 AM
Great to hear that you're ok. Replacement looks stunning
Title: Re: Death and re-birth of a GTR
Post by: O.C. on November 02, 2018, 07:50:38 AM
Blimey Burchy, that must have been some bump, again it's good to hear that you got away lightly.

The new 'un looks just like that "new", and it's in the fastest colour....Enjoy  :clap:   
Title: Re: Death and re-birth of a GTR
Post by: PRD on November 02, 2018, 08:04:40 AM
Glad you are ok. Bike not important. You are!
Title: Re: Death and re-birth of a GTR
Post by: Robbieben on November 02, 2018, 03:10:16 PM
Pleased you've come out of it fit and well,  :grin: the new bike looks very nice too, "every cloud" and all that... :clap:
Title: Re: Death and re-birth of a GTR
Post by: pross on November 03, 2018, 10:30:50 AM
Glad you are ok.
I have had this misfortune.
but you are fit and able to carry on as you have done replacing metal and plastic is easy with another one it's hard losing a bike you have looked after 👌
Title: Re: Death and re-birth of a GTR
Post by: Boomer on November 04, 2018, 08:23:57 PM
Glad yer OK and back to riding.
Hope it didn't hurt too much.
Title: Re: Death and re-birth of a GTR
Post by: Burchy on November 05, 2018, 08:16:00 PM
Interestingly, the new one, at 10000 miles already had replacement EBC discs at the front, and I have to say, they are crap.  Already warped, I reckon.  I'mm going to fit a new set of pads but I don't think that will really help, so replacement discs are on the horizon. A few hundred quid I could do without spending
Title: Re: Death and re-birth of a GTR
Post by: ChrisB on November 06, 2018, 06:27:21 PM
Glad you are OK. The insurers are wrong. There was an article on this subject last year in either MCN or other magazine written by one of the legal solicitors which specialise in bike crashes and ongoing battles. Do not take the insurers word or accept their representative. Go to a legal specialist of your own choice, it is your right and if your insurers insist you cannot use outside solicitors that is bollocks and denying you your legal rights. See a specialist such as SMIDSY or other MOTOR CYCLE specialist solicitor.
Title: Re: Death and re-birth of a GTR
Post by: Burchy on November 07, 2018, 12:13:36 PM
@ChrisB  I know they are in the wrong, but at the end of the day, I've been paid out, got my excess back and made a small profit on the whole deal.  I have a protected NCB for what its worth, so next year's premium wont be that much different. i'm on good terms with Andrew Dalton and a chat with him confirms that chasing it is not worth the hassle
Title: Re: Death and re-birth of a GTR
Post by: Rusty on November 08, 2018, 05:07:53 PM
Lucky you landed as you did ! Amazing how much repairs are these days ... thousands of pounds for not a big smash  :pinch:
Title: Re: Death and re-birth of a GTR
Post by: Burchy on November 23, 2018, 12:41:02 PM
Quick update.  the new GTR is up and running.  Replaced the scratched mirrors with new ones, ditto the infill panels.  The panniers were badly kicked about, but they have come up like new with paint from RS Bike Paints and my local bodyshop doing the work.
New Arashi discs at the front and a new EBC one at the back

anyone have an idea as to the worth of a complete pannier set in Midnight metallic spark blue 2012 ish?  Managed to rescue these before the breakers turned up.  In excellent condition