Bike accident

Hi

I recently had an accident on my Triumph where a car driver came and hit me from behind while I was waiting at the traffic lights. As a result my rear frame, tyre, rear mudguard and pillion foot rest hanger were damaged. My insurer has said that the bike is repairable but I'm not sure whether the repairs will have any affect on the bikes handling and balance. Can somebody please advise how can I satisfy myself that the bike will be road worthy and as good as new after the repairs?

I am attaching a few pictures of the accident and damage.

 

I am a Chartered Engineer and would not ride the bike unless it is repaired correctly.

A total stripdown, engine out, frame on a jig to ensure it is not twisted or bent, new rear bushes and new rear end, again jigged and alignment checked.

Suspension bushes replaced and fitments checked for alignment, new chain, sprockets, disc, calipers, etc

Rebuild.

The insurers are trying it on the bike is trash

 

Thats a right off to me, I wouldnt want it back, get your insurance to look at it again. If no joy go to an independant claims company.

 

Would guess the car driver's insurance company should be paying and your insurance should be helping get you the right deal although I would never trust an insurance company.
I've seen bikes written off for less damage. How can a visual inspection know the swing arm is not twisted from the impact?
That looks like a nearly new Street, but sadly I would not want it back repaired unless as Col says its fully stripped and frame checked.
As its the other party paying (I presume) refuse the repair and insist it is written off, someone will probably buy it from the insurance company and repair it but at least then it goes on the insurance register as having been written off and repaired
Sorry to hear of your misfortune and hope you can get it sorted.

 

Hi

Many thanks to all who replied. Not sure how can I insist on a write-off when the engineers have concluded otherwise? Any suggestions?

 

Ask them if they can prove the impact has not damaged anything else you cannot see ie internals to engine etc without a total strip,
& can they guarantee that under another impact in the same position you would still be safe?
Tell them you want that in writing & proved, or they have to right the bike off

 

Whilst this next set if advice will not immediately help you it might help others and you in the future.

HOW DO YOU MINIMISE THE RISK OF THIS HAPPENING?

Have an escape plan.

Stop well short of the vehicle in front.

Keep eyes on mirrors to make sure if the driver behind has seen you and stops short.

If the driver has not seen you move forward to a safe side of the vehicle in front of you or move forward.

In other words, observation and planning.

Sign up for an IAM advanced rider course, its cheaper than having to buy a new bike

 

I'm in the motor trade and over the years seen many damaged vehicles, so I would just tell them take the bike as I don't want it anymore and pay me out. Tell them it's not up for negotiations!

 

With respect colLamb, it appears he was at the front of the queue and got hit from behind, Nothing the Iam teaches you will prevent that!

as for the repair, Im afraid you cannot insit on a write off, but you can get a second opinion.

 

Wow that's some trike in the third pic lol. I had an accident three months ago, I rode an invisible FJR1300, just set of from lights, and a car slapped his foot down to turn right. Front end damage, but it was written of, £8000 worth of damage, and it didn't look as bad as yours. Accept it back and your stuck with it.

 

I agree with the other guys the bike needs to be checked to see if it is safe to ride and also Megga said if you take it back then your will be stuck with a Cat C bike which will be very hard to sell.

 

Is it sorted yet shumail?:upyeah:

 

Rupert, you are wrong, it was avoidable.

You do not sit at the front of any queue on a bike without keeping a watch on your mirrors and you plan to move out of the way until the guy coming at you from behind has stopped.

 

Col

I think that with all the best intentions and training there are times when all this will not stop something like this happening. What you have said is good advice but sometimes in the real world these things just happen as there are a great deal of complete muppet drivers out there, (times that by ten when you get into London)

The main thing is no one was seriously hurt and that we try and help a guy out who may end up with a bike that is not fit for purpose or safe to ride as insurance companies will pull a fast one on you as soon as look at you.

 

Even the the most assertive observation and planning will not always be good enough to avoid collisions. IAM & ROSPA are both very good and can, not will, improve someones riding as this is a subjective matter on behalf of the rider being taught and then continuing the application once exposed to the 'system'. As for Shumail's 'nudge', it may have been avoidable and maybe not,if escape options were not available in order to re-position safely at the time. I am sure that Shumail will consider any advice offered in good faith once he is back on the road. Thankfully as he was not seriously hurt so I hope this will be quite soon once the insurance company comes through. Good luck Shumail and hope you are back riding very soon.

 

Hi

Well the bike is not a write-off and will be repaired. Thank you all for your advice.

 

That's mental looks write off to me, I had a fixer which was written off due to a scratch on the frame, (2007 bike in 2009) and a broken foot peg, insurance stated they would not take the risk on any damage to a bike frame. That's far more than a scratch, I'd be questioning the straightness of the frame/swingarm