Sad day.

[Dochands]

My beautiful 2009 GS SE5 was dropped off the moving truck by Bekins. All I could see was a smashed tail light and some damage to the rear end but it landed on the hard edge of the truck right under the engine.

They bent the frame and the bike is totaled. I have full replacement cost insurance but doubt they will be fair. This was pure negligence and gross incompetence on their part.

I really loved that bike and put a lot into it as we all did in the days when there was only aftermarket. Very sad.

 

[Bfromla]

:gaah::sour: so sorry to her as if 2020 hasn’t been bad enough :banghead::banghead were you considering looking at the 2020’s before hopefully things can turn around for you.

 

[askitee]

Ouch! My sympathies from down under, hope the mob who did this make amends

 

[bikerbillone]

That really sucks, how could Bekins make such a horrible mistake? Thy should pay 'full restitution', pain and suffering as well. Egads!

 

[Luvs2Ride]

My condolences for the loss of a special bike. And now... with replacement insurance and hopefully payment from Belkin... it will be time to look forward to starting over with a new bike. It won't be the same, but hopefully, it will still be great.

Gina J

 

[oh400ex]

Wonder what the bike's fate is from here... insurance auction?

Can you buy the bike from the insurance company?

Would come get it and give the parts a great home at the right price. Hopefully it doesn't end up in the crusher.
Got to be a lot of usable stuff there... sorry for your loss

 

[ARtraveler]

My beautiful 2009 GS SE5 was dropped off the moving truck by Bekins. All I could see was a smashed tail light and some damage to the rear end but it landed on the hard edge of the truck right under the engine.

They bent the frame and the bike is totaled. I have full replacement cost insurance but doubt they will be fair. This was pure negligence and gross incompetence on their part.

I really loved that bike and put a lot into it as we all did in the days when there was only aftermarket. Very sad.

Sorry to hear of the unfortunate accident. Welcome back though after such a long time. We have missed you. Hopefully, the "full replacement cost" insurance will be a helpful factor for you.

 

[Saluda]

Sorry to hear.

 

[Mo Lee]

I think I remember that bike and you as well, sorry to hear about your bike!

 

[Dochands]

I got the settlement letter from the moving company today. Not enough to replace the bike.

I talked to the service manager though and he claimed I could replace the frame for about $1600 plus labor which is about $4500. This is news to me. I was not aware a frame could be replaced. Can anyone advise me if this is a safe and sensible thing to do? I thought a bent frame on any vehicle was that vehicles demise. Of course the service manager also said they had not evaluated anything else on the bike so no telling what else is wrong.

Advice appreciated.

And also hello to old friends. I know it’s been awhile.

 

[oh400ex]

A frame can certainly be replaced!

There are some possible pitfalls that potentially have not been mentioned...

Wiring Harness would be a large concern for me.
When you transfer this component between frames it may suffer some damage even if everything is done right due to work-hardened wires.
It can be incredibly expensive to find and fix if something gets shorted.

Other bent components...
There is likely damage to a-arms, swingarm, steering stem, handlebars etc. I would assume the rest of the project at that labor rate would make it cost prohibitive.

How well set for a shop are you?
This is something a competent and well equipped non-spyder mechanic would be able to figure out.
I am new to the forum so have likely missed if you already mentioned.

Wish you the best with whatever route you decide to take!

Edit: CCP does not have the frame listed as available (705201987)... are you sure the dealer can get new part?
Also just wanted to add that a frame being bent does not mean the bike will never be safe to ride again. It could theoretically be repaired and reinforced in a way that makes it stronger than stock.

 

[Deanna777]

Sorry to hear!

Deanna

 

[Dochands]

You bring up a number of good points. This is way beyond my expertise. Your comment about a non Spyder mechanic confuses me a bit. Why would a non Spyder mechanic be of value? Currently it is at Tulsa Supersports and that is the only resource I know.

It sounds like there are a number of pitfalls and I am not sure how to avoid them though it does appear the bike is mine plus the funds they are sending me.

 

[oh400ex]

You bring up a number of good points. This is way beyond my expertise. Your comment about a non Spyder mechanic confuses me a bit. Why would a non Spyder mechanic be of value? Currently it is at Tulsa Supersports and that is the only resource I know.

It sounds like there are a number of pitfalls and I am not sure how to avoid them though it does appear the bike is mine plus the funds they are sending me.

Well that part is good. Silver lining.

My comment was of the mindset of someone who is a competent and well equipped mechanic who is used to working on small engines could perform the swap for you. This is not the type of thing you would have to be familiar with a Spyder to be able to complete. What I am saying is that an independent non-brp mechanic could do a frame swap and potentially save a lot of money.

Edit: IMO you will either find an independent to fix it, or it really is totalled. Sounds to me that you will be in it at least 5k and likely closer to 10k at that labor rate. $4500 for a frame swap is actual robbery...

 

[Michael211_2000]

My 2000 GMC C-3500 SLE Dually pickup truck was totaled in a head-on wreck (not my fault, other driver coming my way made a sudden illegal left-hand turn not 20 feet in front of me with a pickup almost as large as my own!)... I bought my truck back from insurance for salvage even though the passenger's side frame was accordioned at the transmission mount and un-repairable, then had a reputable shop replace the entire frame and put a new front clip on and paint to match. Best decision I ever made, I still own and drive this truck TODAY and at over 20 years old (the truck, not me) people still think it's a brand new pickup truck.

You have an emotional investment in that bike, don't discount what that costs to replace (impossible to replace!).... if it can be reasonably rebuilt go ahead and do so IMHO! You will be so happy to have YOUR bike back!

- Michael

 

[ThreeWheels]

That's a tough position to be in.
A frame can be replaced on a Spyder (or other motorcycle)
The frames are separate structures and not built like a car with unibody construction.
Still, it's no mean feat and I'd be concerned that something wasn't screwed up in the rebuild.
The question is, how much do you have invested emotionally into the bike ?
From a technical standpoint, I think you might enjoy an ST from 2013 or so.
Or consider an F3 or an RT to upgrade to the new 1330 engine.

I'm just thinking that, if you were able to do the work for love, and pay nothing for the labor like they do on those DIY TV shows, you might make out OK.
If you need to pay someone for their work, you're probably better off just getting another vehicle.

As always, my free advice comes with a double your money back guarantee.

 

[trikermutha]

Take the money and buy something else if you like. You dont know what hidden damage has been done besides the frame.
Its probably going to cost a lot more than your willing to spend on it.

Take off what you can and sell it off.

The new 1330's are pretty nice these days.

 

[MONK]

Dochands---Bear in mind that the insurance companys 1st offer is just that. An offer. It's the start of negotiations. You tell the claim examiner that this was a one of a kind bike that held sentimental value for you due to xxxxxx. Tell them that the offer they made cannot replace this. Mention some of the comments here and your own research. You'd found a place that can replace the frame but there may be other components damaged that you can't see. Wear them down. They're going to tell you their offer is final. Unless you HAVE TO HAVE the money RIGHT NOW (like you would if this was your only mode of transportation), you have time to negotiate. It's winter. There would have been less riding right now anyway. Again, don't accept their 1st offer. Wear them down. Let them know you're not in a hurry to settle and you have no problem waiting until.....forever to get what you want. Decide what amount you think is reasonable then when they get close to that amount, take it and never look back.

 

[Timan]

Keep in mind it will almost certainly have a salvage/reconstruction title even with new frame.

 

[jnt]

So sorry to hear. They really can get to be OLD FRIENDs. Hope your insurance works out.
Sometimes a lawyer can be of help. I agree with MONK - their first response is just that. A starting place for negotiations.
Good luck.