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Kevin Ash's fatal January 2013 accident on a Wethead R1200GS - Any report from BMW??

1

141987

Member
Just wondering if BMW ever released, to the public, their report\findings regarding the above fatality?

Also, are wethead R1200GSs, then, or now, fitted with steering dampers?

Thanks for any insights\info,

Dave McDougall
2011 BMW R1200GS
 
BMW conducted an investigation and remained silent. A settlement was reached with Kevin Ash's widow. Production was delayed and delivered units came with a steering damper that was not fitted on the press intro bikes. The accident occurred on a gravel road section at a moderately brisk pace.

Kevin Duke from motorcycle.com, in his report from the press launch, stated:

However, the GS did disappoint me during a casual ride down an open dirt road. I was standing up to get cool air through my riding gear, traveling about 45 mph, when I encountered a washboard section. In an instant and with seemingly no provocation, the bike went into a wild tankslapper that threatened to throw me from the bike. It was a very panicked second before the steering regained its composure.
Click to expand...

I doubt anything further will be released or known regarding the accident.
 
KarlG said:
Production was delayed and delivered units came with a steering damper that was not fitted on the press intro bikes.
Click to expand...

I don't think that is correct... in fact, I am sure it's not.

2013 GSWs DID not have a steering damper (a friend of mind has one and it does not have it). 2014 GSWs DO HAVE them now. My RT has one, I think it was decided for whatever reason after the 2013 model year that the new Waterheads needed one.
 
roadwolf said:
I don't think that is correct... in fact, I am sure it's not.

2013 GSWs DID not have a steering damper (a friend of mind has one and it does not have it). 2014 GSWs DO HAVE them now. My RT has one, I think it was decided for whatever reason after the 2013 model year that the new Waterheads needed one.
Click to expand...

Agreed. :thumb
 
Curious how it is anyone would think any manufacturer would release such a report.

"Entitlement" is running amok, no?
 
lkchris said:
Curious how it is anyone would think any manufacturer would release such a report.

"Entitlement" is running amok, no?
Click to expand...

Agree. It is remarkable that corporations tend to keep secrets (with some notable exceptions) better than governments.
 
roadwolf said:
I don't think that is correct... in fact, I am sure it's not.

2013 GSWs DID not have a steering damper (a friend of mind has one and it does not have it). 2014 GSWs DO HAVE them now. My RT has one, I think it was decided for whatever reason after the 2013 model year that the new Waterheads needed one.
Click to expand...
I was chimping what I had read, sorry if I had picked a bad source :blush
http://idratherberiding.com/2013/01/24/kevin-ash-dies-in-accident-at-the-2013-bmw-r1200gs-press-launch/
 
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