Spyder boo boo

[Desert Spyder]

I let a friend test drive my 10 RT because he was interested in buying one. I told him where the footbrake was and all the rest of the safety and operating instructions. He backed up and ran into a tree after going over a curb with all three wheels. This is the bike and this was my reaction. Drive time: 3-5 seconds or about $500 per second. My wifes Infinity had front end damage including the grill, left fender, hood and a complete paint job from a 2-3 mph fender bender in the Cajon Pass during a recent fire and the parts cost less than the BRP scalping. Not only that AAA gave us a rental of a new car for free while the car was in the shop. I think my friend panicked and couldn't remember how to stop it. He is used to a hand brake. I think its safer to teach a non-rider how to ride a Spyder than an experienced one. My friend will make restitution under the radar but what has been anyones experience with their own insurance after making a claim for body damage, etc? I have National General which used to be GMAC.

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: Is he still gonna be your friend? :shocked:

The picture of your reaction might make for a pretty good avatar!

 

[HIspyder]

Oh my!!! :shocked:

Reminds me of when I test drove my first Spyder in OR last year. The salesman was showing me what was what and said he just had a customer who had been riding 2 wheels for years proceed to pull out of the lot on a test drive and crash into a telephone pole because he couldn't find the hand brake. Oops!

 

[ARtraveler]

I have thought about the scenario a lot. Not let anyone "test drive" my :spyder2:. I send them to the dealer, I think they have insurance for that.

 

[Grandpot]

My wife had a problem the first time she backed up HER RT. She came within 1/4" of going through a fence right after she ran over my foot.:lecturef_smilie: I figure the reverse thrust caused her to twist the throttle more. Her increase in speed was exponential. I don't stand behind her anymore.:yikes:

 

[SPYD3R]

oh

OH :cus: :cus: :cus: :cus:........

good excuse to buy a new one......

 

[Desert Spyder]

My wife had a problem the first time she backed up HER RT. She came within 1/4" of going through a fence right after she ran over my foot.:lecturef_smilie: I figure the reverse thrust caused her to twist the throttle more. Her increase in speed was exponential. I don't stand behind her anymore.:yikes:

Oh I don't know. I rather like standing behind my wife. ;-)

 

[Desert Spyder]

:shocked: Is he still gonna be your friend? :shocked:

The picture of your reaction might make for a pretty good avatar!

Oh we'll still be friends. I don't see him but every couple of years. They live in Indiana.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Brian, I'm sorry you had that happen and I hope you get it fixed quickly. There is another CA owner who let his wife test drive his RT and she ran into a block wall. I guess there is something to be said for holding training in an open parking lot. :yikes:

 

[Desert Spyder]

OH :cus: :cus: :cus: :cus:........

good excuse to buy a new one......

Don't think I haven't thought about that. I got that email today about the owners event in Valcourt in 2017. Be nice on a new bike

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Brian, I'm sorry you had that happen and I hope you get it fixed quickly. There is another CA owner who let his wife test drive his RT and she ran into a block wall. I guess there is something to be said for holding training in an open parking lot. :yikes:

It ain't only uninitiated Spyder ryders who do such things. I've heard of first time Goldwing trike riders driving into ditches, poles, and buildings also. :yikes: And those do have hand brakes! :clap:

 

[Desert Spyder]

Don't think I haven't thought about that. I got that email today about the owners event in Valcourt in 2017. Be nice on a new bike

Lou said it will take about a week to get the parts and a day to put them on. I'm really going to miss my TricLed American flag and CD third brake lite. Those things are held on with 3m tape which is pretty tough to take off.

A block wall?

 

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

did he at least tell you he is going to pay for it or did you run him over

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: :trike:

 

[bronzeflex42]

WHOA :yikes::yikes::shocked::shocked:

 

[Desert Spyder]

did he at least tell you he is going to pay for it or did you run him over

YE's he is paying for it although legally he has no obligation to do so since I gave him permission thus it would be on my insurance and not his. Neither of us wants to involve insurance, in this case mine, but I did call them to let them know of the incident but want no claim. In Calif if you have over $1000 damage you are supposed to file a report with the DMV, probably for the benefit of insurance comp to guard against fraud.

 

[Bob Denman]

Since you've already called, and the horses are already "Out of the Barn"; it's too late to mention that it's usually best to NOT tell an insurance company about anything... unless you want them to pay for it. nojoke
My reasoning? In today's Multi-Tiered rating systems; they can use almost anything that happens, as an aide in determining what your rates are going to be... :shocked:

...But somehow; it got mentioned anyway...
But I am glad to hear that he's stepping up to the plate on this one! :clap: Legally or not; he certainly should feel morally compelled to pay for it.

 

[oldguyinTX]

Off topic, but is that a parade flag holder on your trailer hitch, and if so, where did you get it? Also, glad you guys are still friends.

 

[MikeT]

Not let anyone "test drive" my :spyder2:. I send them to the dealer, I think they have insurance for that.

:agree: Friends, family, and the casual observers see trikes on the road and think:
1. How cool is that, and
2. It can't be that hard to drive one, they won't tip over.
Little do they know that piloting either style of trike is an aquired skill which is honed by many miles of riding. Add Murphy's Law into the equation, and disaster is just on the horizon.
Sorry for what you're going thru. I hope your " friend" is stepping up to the plate and paying for his misadventure on your Spyder.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

A friend of mine is going to look at Spyders today. I offered to let her try mine out, but she demurred. Maybe it's just as well, after reading your story here. I hope she gets a test ryde and, after she buys one, we'll go for a ryde together!