To Harley Or Not To Harley, That Is The Question?

[la szum]

The outcome could have been much worse
Thankfully you’re here to tell us about your experience

Yup. That's not lost on me one little bit. Just sharing the deets, @duzie .

Oh, and there were no skidmarks in that other place, if you know what I mean.

 

[la szum]

I wasn't having any of it, because I knew the bike would be fine at the test speeds it would see, but may not have survived what I wanted to do with the bike, which at the time was to take that bitch out and run it as fast as it would possibly go, just once, to set my own personal land speed record. (Which I did end up doing later on, at 155 mph. But that's another story.)

So you cut an Deer "in half" and then went out hunting a Mastodon to do the same thing to.

 

[TSJMajesty]

Deer, especially when in rut, are the stupidest fucking animals! They have one thing, and only one thing on their minds, and it ain't looking both ways before crossing the road.

I've hit 4- 3 in the truck, 1 on the bike. And been in a van coming back from a group ski trip where we hit 2 at once! Well, to be fair, we hit one, and the 2nd one (probably a buck in pursuit of a doe) slammed into the side of the van. Un-freaking-real! Dented the sliding door so bad it wouldn't open completely!

 

[la szum]

When I hit my deer, the parts and labor estimate added up to about 95% of the 'totalled' value.

I ran into 2 problems with the estimate: This fucking douchebag of a mechanic had told the adjuster he could straighten the forks, and re-shape the fairing sub-frame. I was like, "NO FUCKING WAY DUDE! You DON'T bend metal back into shape; It fatigues the metal."

The only thing the adjuster would say was, "Well, we're going with the mechanic's recommendations, at which point he'll do the repairs, test-ride the bike, and then if he feels any of the parts aren't performing correctly, we'll then pay to have those parts replaced as well."

I wasn't having any of it, because I knew the bike would be fine at the test speeds it would see, but may not have survived what I wanted to do with the bike, which at the time was to take that bitch out and run it as fast as it would possibly go, just once, to set my own personal land speed record. (Which I did end up doing later on, at 155 mph. But that's another story.)

So we were at odds, and he offered me the full estimate of the parts, plus the shop labor at half their rate, and said I could take that money and fix it myself. So that's what I did. And I had enough money to buy new forks/triple clamps, and the sub-frame.

My understanding is, unless you have gap insurance, you're gonna be shelling out to replace your vehicle. And knowing how insurance companies operate, you may still have to shell out money.


The only time I ever scored against an insurance company was when I bought that bike. I shopped insurance before I bought it, because it was probably going to be expensive..., insuring a >100 Hp sport bike for a 24 year-old. The quote came back within my comfort zone, so I bought it. But when the bill came, it was double what they'd quoted me!!

After arguing with the insurance company, someone told me to write a letter to the Insurance Commission. I did, and they settled it in my favor.

My frame and forks have experienced the fuckery you mention. I would not have spotted it.
The adjuster pointed it out and I was like, "That's why sideview mirrors and handlebars are
at my knees now."

I don't think I can trust a compromised frame at this point. And I probably can't insure it.
It's a shame because the bike is cherry from the tank back. Damn near want to cry when
I think about it. What a waste.

The engine mount tabs are bent, and the paint has cracked on the frame in a few places.
Being 56 and having a Son and Mom who count on me to be around I am just going to
play it all as safe as I can going forward. If this was a Mulligan and Warning Shot across the
Bow I am definitely paying attention to the message.

#Geezer

 

[FuzzyAce]

Oh, and there were no skidmarks in that other place, if you know what I mean.

All in all, best possible outcome considering the impact you described.

 

[TSJMajesty]

So you cut an Deer "in half" and then went out hunting a Mastodon to do the same thing to.

There are certain things you just "have to do" when you're in your 20's, riding a sport bike!

I did pick a special road, straight and long, and very open on both sides so I could see any animals approaching. Hardly any traffic, and as soon as I felt the bike not accelerating any further, I shut it right down. After I took a really-fast glance at the speedo, of course!

 

[la szum]

There are certain things you just "have to do" when you're in your 20's, riding a sport bike!

I did pick a special road, straight and long, and very open on both sides so I could see any animals approaching. Hardly any traffic, and as soon as I felt the bike not accelerating any further, I shut it right down. After I took a really-fast glance at the speedo, of course!

You make it all sound so reasonable. Like anyone would do it.

 

[TSJMajesty]

You make it all sound so reasonable. Like anyone would do it.

I was pretty out-of-control in my 20's.

 

[la szum]

Can I ask if you miss having a motorcycle and riding now, Tom? Will you end up
doing so again someday?

 

[likitlikeyoulikeit]

Dude ......this!!!!! It's the way!!!!

 

[TSJMajesty]

Me and my buddy who owned the 86 GSXR 1100 would go out to this empty church parking lot, and make it into our own road-race circuit. Fastest speed was probably 50 mph on a straight section, and pretty slow in the turns.

But that damn Ninja tracked SO good in corners, it felt like it was on rails! And I regularly dragged the footpegs in the corners.

So I'm in this one turn, I can hear the metal scraping the asphalt, but it felt so good that what did I do? I leaned it EVEN FURTHER, not understanding at the time that that meant levering the back tire up OFF the pavement!! I wiped out at about 15 mph, and broke off the end of the handlebar. But other than that, I was fine.

Pure stupidity and adrenaline.

 

[duzie]

I was pretty out-of-control in my 20's.

If I had a road bike in my 20’s there’s a good chance that I wouldn’t have survived.
I was extremely wreckless

 

[TSJMajesty]

Can I ask if you miss having a motorcycle and riding now, Tom? Will you end up
doing so again someday?

If I could get my shit together, I'd go out to my shop and get my 97 Kawasaki Concours back on the road. I still have it.

I don't "miss it" per se, but if someone came by for example, and said, "Here, take my bike for the weekend," I wouldn't hesitate to ride straight to the mountains of VA.

 

[likitlikeyoulikeit]

If I could get my shit together, I'd go out to my shop and get my 97 Kawasaki Concours back on the road. I still have it.

I don't "miss it" per se, but if someone came by for example, and said, "Here, take my bike for the weekend," I wouldn't hesitate to ride straight to the mountains of VA.

View attachment 30211

Have the same exact bike in my barn.....but Hunter green.....with a stupid tank bra on it.....not my install...... could use a new fairing.... Previous owner.

 

[TSJMajesty]

Have the same exact bike in my barn.....but Hunter green.....with a stupid tank bra on it.....not my install...... could use a new fairing.... Previous owner.

Mine's that same green!

 

[likitlikeyoulikeit]

Mine's that same green!

That's crazy ....I know we've discussed having the same bike ...just didn't know it was the same color. Ha!

 

[TSJMajesty]

That's crazy ....I know we've discussed having the same bike ...just didn't know it was the same color. Ha!

What year is yours?

 

[likitlikeyoulikeit]

What year is yours?

Same year

 

[TSJMajesty]

Same year
View attachment 30216

Do we dare compare serial numbers?

 

[ᛗᛜᛜᚺDᛜᎶ Ꮤᛨᚳᚴ]

When I put my Deuce down on Highway 1 in Cali, during repair the HD dealership said I did not need the frame replaced. I pointed out that the mount plate for the engine guard was bend, obviously because the two down tubes had bent (I proved it by showing them the measurements of my frame and the frame of a deuce they had in stock, it was thinner by over an inch on my frame). They ultimately acquiesced and ordered new frame. I took possession of the old frame, but they were required to cut out the fork mounting tube with serial number. I was going to turn it into a piece of artwork, but ended up moving and did not want to port it with me. I tried giving it away to some friends in a local MC, but no takers! Oh well. Long and short is, if I can detect anything in frame or forks that is not 100% spot on, I am fighting for replacement of that part!!

@la szum , glad you are typing again. With the prognosis and details you have laid out so far, I would definitely at least talk to an attorney about your next steps and don't agree to anything from the insurance company until you have done a consultation. I would suggest not even communicating with the insurance company anymore until you have talked to an attorney. Best wishes on being made whole again at all levels (financial, mental, health, soul) ;~))