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First Crash in 50 years - Could have been much worse! ATGATT for the win!

… sure appears that the bike went under a substantial, solid object. Front wheel not deformed, crush-zone higher than wheel diameter, handle-bars not bent while still straight ahead but, barely visible below them, fork tubes are crimped. Sudden stoppage threw rider and tank bag forward and front suspension’s “back” got broken.

Ran out of time, distance in panic stop however, luck held on while ATGATT saved the day ?!

How’s Scott doing ?

Rider will ride again !
 
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Wow. Very glad you were not hurt worse. Hopefully in the days ahead you might be able to get a better idea of what happened. Meanwhile rest up and keep ahead of the pain with your meds!
 
Hi John,
I posted this in the other sandbox too..
Since you won’t be watching any prOn for a while…here are some short videos to entertain you, and get you used to the sound of your new 1300 GS..

Day 1:

Day 2:

Day 3:

Day 8: Heading home after 4 days in Liverpool

I’m currently working on the rest of the trip..
 
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Wow, really glad you're (somewhat) OK, John. Heal up and hope to see ya later on down the road!
Best Wishes,
Paul
(survivor of two lefts-in-front-of-me and one rear-ended, not to mention ice, oil, & wet leaves)
 
olironrider said:
… sure appears that the bike went under a substantial, solid object. Front wheel not deformed, crush-zone higher than wheel diameter, handle-bars not bent while still straight ahead but, barely visible below them, fork tubes are crimped. Sudden stoppage threw rider and tank bag forward and front suspension’s “back” got broken.
Click to expand...
It’s difficult to tell from the photo, but I still wonder if the telelever stanchion top crimps failed. If not, is it possible the lower ball joint separated or fell out? I can’t think of anything else that might result in the front wheel pivoting forward like that.

Anyone have an idea what that small part is laying on the ground?
 
I have seen damage identical to that pictured, only on an R1100RS that rear ended a car at a slightly higher speed- 40 or 45. The lower ball joint broke and dropped the bike on its engine case, leaving the front ended splayed out like John’s. By the time the wrecker finished loading the bike, it was a two-piece motorcycle.

And no, that won’t buff right out!

Best,
DeVern
 
lee said:
Might be the end of the broken steering damper.
I have not seen the ball joints from a Wethead. The part on the ground looks smaller than a K bike ball joint.
Click to expand...
I don't know what it is, but the headlight surround is completely shattered, so it could be a piece of that, or the steering damper mount, or...
 
brownie0486 said:
So is there any more intel on the who, what, when, where, why and how this happened yet? Glad to read the OP is okay, we're all wondering if there's any more news on details of the crash.

Heal well and soon
Click to expand...
I was out of this world from just before until 20 minutes after.
We were both riding in the right lane, Scott says he slowed and announced pedestrian over the Cardo.
I have a flash of a recall of an image just before my front wheel hit his rear wheel.
I am told I came to rest in the right lane on my face 90 degrees to the right side of the bike with my left foot just under the right pannier rack. A passerby assisted me to my feet, whereupon I removed my helmet, removed my Klim Latitude Jacket, and again attempted to answer some of the EMT questions. Year, President, date etc - I didn't do well.
The next thing I recall is talking to the EMTs.
From our timing, it appears that I was not cognizant of what was going on for 20 minutes or so.

Home now and still hurting.
 
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bigjohnsd said:
I was out of this world from just before until 20 minutes after.
We were both riding in the right lane, Scott says he slowed and announced pedestrian over the Cardo.
I have a flash of a recall of an image just before my front wheel hit his rear wheel.
I am told I came to rest in the right lane on my face 90 degrees to the right side of the bike with my left foot just under the right pannier rack. A passerby assisted me to my feet, whereupon I removed my helmet, removed my Klim Latitude Jacket, and again attempted to answer some of the EMT questions. Year, President, date etc - I didn't do well.
The next thing I recall is talking to the EMTs.
From our timing, it appears that I was not cognizant of what was going on for 20 minutes or so.

Home now and still hurting.
Click to expand...
Concussion I'd imagine. Glad you're home and sound.
 
I was released Saturday morning and am now recuperating at home. I can sleep pretty well on my left(uninjured) side. My recliner chair is comfortable and will likely get a workout. I'm still taking a few Oxycodone 5mg but hope to wean off those soon. Also, Tylenol a Muscle relaxer and some topical stuff on bruises and contusions.

The motorcycle is at the dealers and the Insurance Adjuster will get with them on Wednesday. It will likely be a total loss which will please me as I'll get a new one. What that new bike will be is yet to be determined. I planned on riding this one until the unlimited mileage warranty ran out in June 2028.

Thanks for all the well wishes. Now I need to work on recovery and not lose muscle mass or flexibility.

The VA offers a pretty good Pain Management, PT/OT program of which I will avail myself.

I'm still hoping to ride New England and the Canadian Maritime provinces (if Canada will let me in).

Cheers
 
I'm feeling much better, stopped all drugs, ribs hurt when I move wrong, coughing or sneezing is particularly painful.

Progressive totaled the bike and were quite fair with their settlement, NADA retail value plus replacement cost of the Accessories. Riding gear at replacement cost.

Now to find a replacement motorcycle. I've been thinking about going a little smaller and lighter.

I have four criteria:
- Cruise Control
-Tubless Tires
- Dealer within 100 miles
- Factory Service Manual available

Unfortunately, item 4 precludes another BMW.
I'm looking at a Triumph Tiger 900GT Pro and the Rally Pro.
 
I have a Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro (2022) and a Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE (2023). Some use the Scrambler as a touring bike, but for me it is for local (few hundred mile radius) travel. The Tiger can be a nice touring bike. I had a 99 Tiger 900 that I toured on, but traded it in on a BMW R1200RTw. I missed the Tiger so got another. In my opinion the display screen on the newer (24 & 25) Tigers is nicer than that which was on the 22.

Triumph does not sell a service manual, but they offer access to the same service data as available to the dealership for a monthly subscription (I think that it is around $14 USD/month for both Triumphs). The on-line service data is quite nice as there are hyperlinks that make it easy to find all steps in a service procedure. I keep a laptop in the garage for use with the Triumph and BMW service stuff. [I got one of the last service DVDs for my R1200RTw!]. A link follows for the Triumph Technical Info website (this is where the subscription is needed for full access; some limited access is available without a subscription.)

Rocuments

Rocuments
triumphtechnicalinformation.com triumphtechnicalinformation.com

I use a product called "Dealer Tool" to look at codes, reset service reminder, etc. It is necessary to purchase their ECU reader device and download their software; I use this on a Windows laptop. Link follows -

Home | DealerTool

DealerTool Usage DealerTool is a software and interface package that gives you the ability to maintain your own bike for less than the price of visiting your dealer! Note: Not every model supports every feature. Our Products Complete DealerTool kit Everything you need to unlock your motorcycles...
dealertoolcouk.ipage.com

The video link below illustrates the "Dealer Tool" program -
 
bigjohnsd said:
I'm feeling much better, stopped all drugs, ribs hurt when I move wrong, coughing or sneezing is particularly painful.

Progressive totaled the bike and were quite fair with their settlement, NADA retail value plus replacement cost of the Accessories. Riding gear at replacement cost.

Now to find a replacement motorcycle. I've been thinking about going a little smaller and lighter.

I have four criteria:
- Cruise Control
-Tubless Tires
- Dealer within 100 miles
- Factory Service Manual available

Unfortunately, item 4 precludes another BMW.
I'm looking at a Triumph Tiger 900GT Pro and the Rally Pro.
Click to expand...
Not to derail the thread……..
I like Bigjohnsd’s list. I have dealers in the 100 mile range, still not real convenient.
I would really like tubeless tires. Even though I can patch a tube, not interested in doing it on the road.
Never had cruise control and don’t really use whatever the buttons do on the ‘09 F800GS. :scratch
Hadn’t thought about this manual deal since the last big thread on the lack of service manuals.

This made me think me think of asking-
“Why has BMW discontinued service manuals for their motorcycles?”

AI Overview
Learn more

BMW has reportedly discontinued selling physical service manuals for their motorcycles due to the increasing complexity of their modern bikes, which they believe necessitates repairs being handled only by trained technicians at authorized BMW dealerships, rather than by individual owners attempting repairs themselves; this decision is often cited as a way to maintain quality and compliance with legal requirements, while also potentially reducing the cost of printing and distributing physical manuals.

Key points about this decision:
  • Technical complexity:
    BMW argues that their newer motorcycles have become too technically advanced for basic owner maintenance, requiring specialized tools and knowledge only available at dealerships.

  • Dealer reliance:
    By limiting access to full service manuals, BMW aims to encourage riders to bring their bikes to authorized dealers for repairs, ensuring proper maintenance and potentially generating more revenue for the company.

  • Digital transition:
    Some speculate that BMW is transitioning to a fully digital service manual system accessible only to authorized technicians through dealership computer systems.

Criticisms of this decision:
  • Limited owner repair capability:
    Many motorcycle enthusiasts are concerned that not having access to complete service manuals will significantly restrict their ability to perform basic maintenance on their own bikes.

  • Cost implications:
    Some argue that the move could lead to higher repair costs for owners who are now forced to rely solely on dealership services.

  • OM
 
bigjohnsd said:
I'm feeling much better, stopped all drugs, ribs hurt when I move wrong, coughing or sneezing is particularly painful.

Progressive totaled the bike and were quite fair with their settlement, NADA retail value plus replacement cost of the Accessories. Riding gear at replacement cost.

Now to find a replacement motorcycle. I've been thinking about going a little smaller and lighter.

I have four criteria:
- Cruise Control
-Tubless Tires
- Dealer within 100 miles
- Factory Service Manual available

Unfortunately, item 4 precludes another BMW.
I'm looking at a Triumph Tiger 900GT Pro and the Rally Pro.
Click to expand...
I think you just described a HD or Indian full dresser.
 
akbeemer said:
I think you just described a HD or Indian full dresser.
Click to expand...
Well, close— my local H-D dealer said he’d sell me a factory service manual for any bike I bought from them. At the time, I was eyeing the PanAmerica, which also hits all the other punch list items on BigJohnSD’s list. If it just didn’t have that ugly snout…

Best,
DeVern
 
52184 said:
Well, close— my local H-D dealer said he’d sell me a factory service manual for any bike I bought from them. At the time, I was eyeing the PanAmerica, which also hits all the other punch list items on BigJohnSD’s list. If it just didn’t have that ugly snout…

Best,
DeVern
Click to expand...
We were stopped at an overlook on the River Road today (look up "Fandango DOM Rock" on Google Maps) and a group of four HD Pan America bikes went past. They didn't look that horrible.
 
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