hut1
Member
A year ago I bought a '12 RS SM5. After enjoying it for several months (when my daughter would let me) I gave it to her for a graduation-from-college present. She loved her "Spydie", and had no trouble making the transition from 2-wheels to 3. But unfortunately, one moment of inattentiveness and a partially obscured stop sign at a 4-way stop intersection has led to Spydie's premature demise.
The good news, and really the ONLY thing that matters is that my daughter escaped practically unharmed: no broken bones, no road rash, not a scratch. Just a couple of "bumps" on her knees and one foot. She was in full gear; full face helmet, armored jacket, gloves, heavy jeans, and boots. Although she went over the handlebars on the glancing collision with the car, her head never hit the pavement. We couldn't find even a scratch on her helment! Her boots suffered the most damage, but did their job.
The insurance company (Progressive) initially planned to repair the :spyder2:, but after further inspection by my dealer revealed more damage, they decided to total it. We'll probably replace it with another RS (my daughter's preference), but it won't be until next year. That gives me time to try to talk her into an F3!
As a side note, I'm not sure what it's like in other areas, but if you have the misfortune to be involved in an accident in Philadelphia, do all you can to take care of your own tow or transport of your damaged vehicle. I was more than an hour away when the accident happened, and by the time my daughter could contact me and I could get there, the :spyder2: had already been picked up and towed to a repair shop only 4.4 miles from the scene. Progressive was able to send someone to the shop the following day and we made arrangements to have it towed to my dealer 25 miles away. However, the repair shop stalled on producing an invoice for the initial tow and storage, so it took Progressive a couple more days to issue payment and have the bike released. The bottom line; for the initial tow, 3-4 days storage, and "other assorted shop fees", the charge was more than $1100.00!!! Maybe this partially explains the high insurance rates in this area!
Although this whole process isn't completely over, we're grateful and very blessed because it could have been much worse.
Be careful out there, Piano Man! (Hill Street Blues reference for those old enough to remember)
The good news, and really the ONLY thing that matters is that my daughter escaped practically unharmed: no broken bones, no road rash, not a scratch. Just a couple of "bumps" on her knees and one foot. She was in full gear; full face helmet, armored jacket, gloves, heavy jeans, and boots. Although she went over the handlebars on the glancing collision with the car, her head never hit the pavement. We couldn't find even a scratch on her helment! Her boots suffered the most damage, but did their job.
The insurance company (Progressive) initially planned to repair the :spyder2:, but after further inspection by my dealer revealed more damage, they decided to total it. We'll probably replace it with another RS (my daughter's preference), but it won't be until next year. That gives me time to try to talk her into an F3!
As a side note, I'm not sure what it's like in other areas, but if you have the misfortune to be involved in an accident in Philadelphia, do all you can to take care of your own tow or transport of your damaged vehicle. I was more than an hour away when the accident happened, and by the time my daughter could contact me and I could get there, the :spyder2: had already been picked up and towed to a repair shop only 4.4 miles from the scene. Progressive was able to send someone to the shop the following day and we made arrangements to have it towed to my dealer 25 miles away. However, the repair shop stalled on producing an invoice for the initial tow and storage, so it took Progressive a couple more days to issue payment and have the bike released. The bottom line; for the initial tow, 3-4 days storage, and "other assorted shop fees", the charge was more than $1100.00!!! Maybe this partially explains the high insurance rates in this area!
Although this whole process isn't completely over, we're grateful and very blessed because it could have been much worse.
Be careful out there, Piano Man! (Hill Street Blues reference for those old enough to remember)
pps: Thanks!
