Rough day for the dog and I

[KraZJ73]

She kept losing power (throttle, not electric) on the hwy. Had to pull off where there was no shoulder so I lost it on the grass and laid her down. I only noticed that the air filter got smashed, but it "looked" ok other than that. She started right up and seemed well enough to get to the next exit where I could find a place to pull over. I got back on the hwy and she started losing power again, but I made it to the exit. I went to pull into a parking lot and noticed my rear brake pedal was damaged in the fall and I had no rear brake. I used front brake only and hit those painted letters on the road and laid it down in the road at around 35-40mph. Ended up with bruised and bloody palms, road rash on my forearm, both elbows, both knees, sore calf, sore shoulder and a bruise on my ribs. The bike got the worst of it. Headlight , front turn signal, rear turn signal, license plate holder destroyed. Gas tank dented, paint chipped off where the dents are, and scraped along the side, some chrome damage, right peg and rear brake pedal bent and it won't stay running now.

Anybody have experience claiming something like this on insurance and/or recommendations of things to do or not do so that the bike gets fixed properly? This is my first bike and I am a newbie rider so I am clueless right now. I want to get her all better so I can get back on....cautiously.

 

[RCAdd1ct]

First off, make sure you are OK.

Second call the number on your insurance card and report it to the insurance if you have full coverage.

Expect your rates to go up as you tell them that you wrecked twice in one day.

Have you had a safety course, it f not I suggest you do that real soon so you can be with us tomorrow.

 

[KraZJ73]

First off, make sure you are OK.

Second call the number on your insurance card and report it to the insurance if you have full coverage.

Expect your rates to go up as you tell them that you wrecked twice in one day.

Have you had a safety course, it f not I suggest you do that real soon so you can be with us tomorrow.

I'm OK, just scraped and bruised and really sore.

I took the safety course this weekend and ironically we were told about the painted surfaces on the pavement on the first day. I just had to stop too quickly with the front brake when I realized my rear one was damaged. I can chalk that up to ignorance and inexperience.

I'm hoping the insurance people take into consideration that the second wreck was caused by me trying to get it off the road from the first one. I had no shoulder to leave it on. They could probably care less though.

 

[RCAdd1ct]

Their train of thought will be you should have gotten a wrecker after the first issue.

Like I said make sure you are ok. The rest is just a bike.

 

[jimizee028]

Why do you have to tell them you had 2 seperate accidents? if thats the case it will be 2 different claims with 2 deductibles...the only one that looses here is you because your rates will go up and you will have to pay your deductible twice.......

 

[RRRUFF]

First glad you are ok. I would think you insurance would cover the damage, but not knowing what you have.

 

[KraZJ73]

Why do you have to tell them you had 2 seperate accidents? if thats the case it will be 2 different claims with 2 deductibles...the only one that looses here is you because your rates will go up and you will have to pay your deductible twice.......

10-4

 

[bigtrav6442]

I agree with Jimmi...don't mention the first accident...you said the 2nd one caused the major damage...so just stick with that accident. Don't be suprised if the insurance company may just want to total the bike...it seems they know how we are about our bikes and I guess figure it would be easy in the long run to just total it and you get another bike...rather than trying to fix it to your liking.

 

[Trainguy]

Glad your ok:2thumbs: Wow what a day. I'm gunna read this thread everytime i think my day sucks.

 

[erldawg]

Alot of newbies make the front brake mistake. I've seen it with a guy ridng a HD Dyna with 105 miles go down while gasing up the Doggie.

Glad to hear yer ok. :2thumbs:

 

[KraZJ73]

I agree with Jimmi...don't mention the first accident...you said the 2nd one caused the major damage...so just stick with that accident. Don't be suprised if the insurance company may just want to total the bike...it seems they know how we are about our bikes and I guess figure it would be easy in the long run to just total it and you get another bike...rather than trying to fix it to your liking.

Yeah. I only reported the main accident. Waiting on the claims inspector to come out and take a look. Part of me secretly hopes they total it because I have no idea what kind of damage there is that I don't see.

 

[bryant1609]

From what you've stated here I would really consider getting a second smaller bike to get more riding exp before really going out on your Big Dog. This is just my opinion, but I think a Big Dog is tooooo much of a bike for someone who has never really rode before. I'm really glad you're OK, but it could had been worst. Get some exp on a smaller bike before mounting the DOG again.

 

[woodbutcher]

From what you've stated here I would really consider getting a second smaller bike to get more riding exp before really going out on your Big Dog. This is just my opinion, but I think a Big Dog is tooooo much of a bike for someone who has never really rode before. I'm really glad you're OK, but it could had been worst. Get some exp on a smaller bike before mounting the DOG again.

very good advice. no insult intended, just want you to hang around awhile. :2thumbs:

 

[1BADK9]

KraZJ73, definitely claim all the damage was done in one single incident to your insurance company. I would start the story at the exit ramp, slide on the painted road surface, I wouldn't mention that you were experiencing mechanical difficulties either. You simply were exiting the highway and lost it on the painted surface on the ramp. END OF STORY. The more info you provide an insurance company, the more ammunition they have to deny your claim.

Good luck and BE CAREFUL especially if you have to leave the paved road. :2thumbs:

 

[barhopper]

Say a cager cut you off. Makes it look better. Lie. Git er fixed up, take it slow, learn to ride that bike. Hate to say it, but probably rider error. Glad your OK.

 

[Tattooedirish1]

Glad your ok! I don't necessarily think the "Big Dog being tooooo much" for him is the reason it went down.He was losing throttle and pulled over to check it out he said. It wasn't as if the scoot got away from him. You could drop a moped on the side of the road in the sand or grass. But the 2nd crash could have (and should have) been avoided by properly inspecting the scoot after the initial lay down. (although I'm sure it was a mixture a adrenaline and being pissed you dropped it in the 1st place that caused you to get moving again.). You'll know better for next time. Good luck with the repair/ replacement.

 

[bryant1609]

Glad your ok! I don't necessarily think the "Big Dog being tooooo much" for him is the reason it went down.He was losing throttle and pulled over to check it out he said. It wasn't as if the scoot got away from him. You could drop a moped on the side of the road in the sand or grass. But the 2nd crash could have (and should have) been avoided by properly inspecting the scoot after the initial lay down. (although I'm sure it was a mixture a adrenaline and being pissed you dropped it in the 1st place that caused you to get moving again.). You'll know better for next time. Good luck with the repair/ replacement.

I would have to disappear with your statement here. Think about it, how many times have we ridden over painted lines and letters without even think about it? (Unless thier wet) With more ridding exp certain things become second nature to us, and this he does not have at this time. A bike isn't that easy to just get on and ride, unless you have some kind of death wish. It's a learning exp which we have learned over the years. I'm sure if we took a poll, most would say that a Big Dog wasn't there first bike. And it takes some getting use to also.

 

[mark whitrock]

How will you explain damage to both sides of the bike?

 

[erldawg]

Some not all of my basic rules when riding. And being almost the beginning of the year for some of us it's good things to remember.

Watch for cagers

Avoid any painted surfaces

Avoid grass (Is slippery even when dry)

Avoid any gravel

Avoid center of lane while riding and stopping (oil slicks will get ya)

Be sure you know where your going when pulling onto the shoulder. These fat tires don't like height changes in pavement parallel to the the direction of travel. It'll through you over before you know it when moving.

 

[Bmarchant]

Honestly,these bikes are not something a new rider should be learning on. No disrespect here at all. Glad your ok. A smaller bike that handles a little easier would be the answer to learn on. Even if just for a season.

Learning on a Big Dog is no different then the guys who go and buy a Suzuki GSXR750 for their first bike. We've lost two 20-somethings at work over the last 10 years who did exactly that. Both lost control and were killed.

For most, the temptation is too great to get the nicer looking bike. When my sister wanted to ride, and get her own Harley, I signed her up for the 6 week riding course, and found her a Suzuki 650 savage (1/2 a harley) to ride for two seasons. Then I rode with her every time she went out. Once she got to where she knew what she was doing, I took her to the Harley shop and we picked out the bike she wanted.

She sold the 650 savage for the same price she paid, to a guy who wanted to learn to ride. Just my two cents.