Crashed the Bandit

[Slider]

Sorry to hear about your mishap, Ray. At least you're on the mend and will be back reasonably soon. I don't like drugs, since one's quality of life sucks.

It's a good thing you had a full face helmet. Many years ago I bit the dust, 'er pavement, at slow speed. Broke one tooth off and badly chipped two more along with bloody cut up lips. I wouln't wear anything else but a full face now. Too many people on cruisers with high windshields think they don't need 'em, but we know. You always have to be prepared to go down... it will happen.

Bandits are pretty tough and you weren't going very fast. Beyond cosmetic scrapes, there may not be much damage. I put Suzi engine guards on mine, though, and both are marked a bit from low speed flops on sand. It's dam hard to see road crud with speckled sunlight coming thru the trees in the early morning.

I don't know about your case, but here they charge a fair bit per day for a vehicle in an impoundment yard. Is there anyone you know who could pick it up ASAP?

I hope you're feeling better sooner.

[Ray Mooney]

Thanks for the well wishes. It's been almost three weeks now and I'm well on my way to healing. No crutches today and I spent several hours on my feet shopping. The ankle is aching now, but it's a good ache. The limp is almost gone, but I'm still a long way away from renewing my marathon training. The knee only pains me when I get up from a crouch, so I try to avoid that.

The bike remains in the shop untouched. Not very impressed with Geico or my dealer so far. It took four days to get the bike to the dealer, and it just sat there for another eight days until they finally got the check from Geico, which was almost $1000 less than the dealer estimate. Until today when I called them, the dealer was just waiting for the supplemental check to come in after Geico required them to fax them their own estimate of the damages. I went ahead and authorized work for the full amount (which I would have done from the beginning had I known the dealer would just sit on the bike until they had the money from Geico).

In truth, I haven't been aggressive about getting the work done because I don't trust the ankle enough to ride yet anyway. And while I acknowledge that I'm an idiot for not asking them, I can't believe the dealer didn't tell me up front they would start right away if I authorized for the full amount. Christ.

When I had State Farm insurance, I had almost the exact same accident (minus the injuries) with my Vmax. Simple cosmetic damage amounting to about $2500. Same dealer, but different service manager and different insurance. Had the bike back in a week.

Geico has been my auto insurance carrier for 15 years. One claim against my Mustang for a fender scrape was resolved in a matter of days, and numerous windshield dings have been repaired in hours without any hassle.

Motorcycle insurance is relatively new to Geico, so perhaps they're still learning the business. The service manager said he frequently gets low-ball estimates from Geico, so he certainly should have expected this. Still, I blame myself for not asking if there was a way to start the repairs immediately. Stupid. At least I'll know next time  -- and there will be a next time, right? 

On the upside, my new helmet came in today. I ordered it online from motorcyclecloseouts.com and faxed the e-receipt to my insurance adjuster. I actually got the reimbursement check two days before I got the helmet. The old helmet was the HJC CS-12, but it's been discontinued. The new one is the HJC FS-10 with the integrated sunscreen that slides down from the top. I like the design and I think the sunscreen looks very fighter-pilot-like, but I'm wondering how long the spring mechanism will keep the sunscreen where it's supposed to, especially when I'll have to raise it every time I go on base. We'll see.

More updates when I get the bike back.

Ray

[Slider]

FYI: I saw the survey results for various insc. companies posted.

On satisfaction, Geico was in the bottom 20%. I believe State Farm and Alstate were in or close to being in this bracket, also. I remember an incident with one of the latter two of the above mentioned companies. I was on an H2 Kawasaki 750 two stroke stopped in traffic. A guy driving an ancient Internation Scout arse ended the bike and totaled it. I walked without a scratch... just shook up. I waited weeks for the other parties insurance check. Finally, I went to their sales office and buttonholed them. I guess I musta looked pretty pissed off -they gave it to me on the spot. They did cover the entire amount, however.

I rank some of these guys with used car salesmen.

I loved that bike. Very light and a white knuckle skyrocket. I was at a large bike night near here and 5 of them showed up including the lghtest and fastest of the line. The year I had, 1972 -the first year, (blue), with original graphics. The guy had restored it and it looked like new. How he did such a great job, I don't know.

I don't see why they won't pay the whole amount. I think they are just being chislers and think you won't sue. In Canada, there is one option. The law society will give you a free half hour of advice with the appropriate lawyer. He could advise you what sort of letter to write to the insurance Co. threatening suit. The next step would be for him to write a letter threatening same... but this fee you likely won't get back if they just give you $1m more. The key would be be whether you can also recover the lawyers fees if you actually did sue. Insurance companies don't like to go before a judge.

There may be something similar where you are.