Tuesday, March 19, 2013

My bike was pushed over

It started out as a glorious morning.  It was cool around 2°c , lightly sprinking but bright, so I decided to ride my bike to work for the first time this year.  Up until now I had only been riding on weekends.  It was nice to slalom my way to work and savor the freshness of the morning


I arrive at work and park in my usual spot outside my office window where I can stare at it all day.   After work I eventually make my way home to see a few piles of dirt


I didn't think anything of it at the time but notice that white truck on the right of my bike.   I usually park in the  back under my carport


but they brought back the Deere machine and added a few inches of sand.


Then I notice that they also moved the Toilet booth under the carport which infringes on the space where I normally park my Vstrom, so I decided to just leave my bike out on the street in front of our house, lock it up with my cables and put my motorcycle cover over it


As I knew that workers would be here the next day to smooth out the sand and topsoil, I was respectful to park my bike at the end of our newly poured sidewalk to keep out of their way


Safe and sound, so I thought.    I didn't ride to work this morning as there was frost on my windshield and I don't ride when there is threat of slippage on the roads.   I commute to work in my commuter car (the Honda in the background) and when I come home after work I glance at my bike and I notice that


There are some scuffs on my bike cover and some dirt on my front wheel.   I decided to remove my bike cover when I notice


a broken left turn signal with bits and pieces of plastic on the ground.  My crash bar is also closer to the bodywork than the other side.   Further inspection reveals some scuff marks on my front fender


I look up and notice that my right signal stalk is also broken


On the ground is my broken RAM Mount


I am a bit confused, how could both signal lights be broken.  My bike cover is also shredded in a few different places on the left side too


I managed to find a few plastic pieces on the ground, along with my broken RAM mount.

It turns out that the white truck was returning with another load of topsoil and parked on the right side of my bike but due to the weight it rolled back and bumped into my bike on the right side where it fell onto the ground on its left/kickstand side.    The tailgate must have hit the right signal light directly and ripped the bike cover at the same time.   When it fell it scrapped the side cases and ripped the bike cover in several places as well as pushing in the crash bar.

After this happened they must have lifted the bike back onto its side stand but I knew the moment I saw it that something was not right

We immediately complained to the Contractor and it appears that it was already reported to them by the landscaper subcontractor.   I suppose that having more battle scars is a badge of honour.  

I wasn't very happy at the time but thankfully there are honest people in this world


55 comments:

  1. I was angry at first when I read this, thinking that somebody pulled a hit-and-run on you. Sorry to hear that your bike has a few battle scars now but I am glad that this was reported in the proper way, and insurance will cover for it. Bummer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sonja:

      I parked my car and then glanced at my bike sitting there on the street and I knew something was not right. My bike cover had holes and rub marks on both sides

      Delete


  2. Ouch!

    Jennifer's Yamaha 125 Vino was similarly disfigured but the party involved didn't report what had happened and I'm left explaining what happened @ Ricky's when I wasn't looking.

    Glad it was only the bike and not a mishap involving the rider. Motorcycles can be fixed & made like new. No so with us humans.

    Keep looking up & pressing forward!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robert:

      so sorry for Jennifer's Vino. Where was your Vespa GTS ? Drivers just don't look where they are going.

      You're right about the fixing part, but it's all the hassle and inconvenience

      Delete
    2. My Vespa was at home. During the off-season, I take Jennifer's scooter (every 3-4 weeks on my day off) to run errands, meet up for coffee and burn off the tank of gas sitting in the tank. Her scoot returns home with fresh gas and battery charged up. I thought I was having a senior moments when I came out of Ricky's and found her scoot on the side stand. I don't use the side stand so I was thinking "what?" Then I notice the broken turn signal stalk, and road rash along the side. I was parked in the middle of an angle parking spot, so I don't know how they managed to hit it but they did.

      Delete
  3. SMIDSY!

    What a nuisance, sorry it happened Bob.

    N

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nikos:

      thankfully it happened to the "disposable" bike and not my precious Nu2Me

      Re: SMIDSY I keep thinking of that video where the Tank Rolls over the Car

      Delete
  4. That sucks Bob! At least you know who did it and can make it their problem to fix.

    She's a V-Strom so it'll survive to fight another day. In fact now that there's a couple of scratches you may as well go and explore some lovely gravel...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew:

      I was worried that this would have been a fight. I had no idea it was the Landscape people but they reported it to the main contractor.

      I rode the bike yesterday and it feels fine, bars feel fine, clutch feels fine and the shifting seems like normal. I just have two broken signal stalks, bent crash bar and more scratches on my sidecases

      Delete
  5. You must have done something terrible in a prior life. You can't catch a break.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mr Conch:

      If you are going to do more Touring this year, come north to Maine and I'll meet you there around July 17th, 2013 around 5:15pm in Mike's driveway. A homemade Italian Gourmet dinner awaits you . . .

      I've now had two incidents from parking on the street due to our construction project.

      You know what they say. "If money can solve the problem, then it's not a problem "

      Delete
  6. Mate that really sucks. I would have been really pissed about it. At least they owned up to it, or did they get doped in by another contractor?

    Hopefully it'll be fixed soon either way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Steve:

      I notice you've mastered the operation of your GoPro. You managed to put it ON and it listened to you, but you probably put it into timelapse mode by accident instead of video mode.

      I was not happy at the time, thinking about what and how it happened. I knew nothing about the Landscaper truck until later.

      Delete
  7. At least they were honest Bob. They could have left you a note or something I guess but it will turn out OK.

    Must have been a bad feeling for you when you first saw the damage, I know I was feeling bad while I was reading it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brend:

      I see you had a glorious weekend of riding and guiding a Group ride. Must make you feel good about yourself for all the arranging and organizing and that it all happened flawlessly

      All I was thinking was that I need my bike repaired so I could go riding this weekend. Cold but Sunny weather forecast for this weekend

      Delete
  8. I would have had a ballistic reaction to that. And it would still just make me mad even if it all got fixed right and well taken care of. But you have to try and remember that "things" can be fixed. I'm not at all good at remembering that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jimbo/cpa3485:

      I don't do well with "broken" things. I get anxious and things have to be repaired (or serviced) right away. I can't wait for it bothers me, so we are like brothers . . . from different mothers

      I am better this morning. At least I am hoping to be a minor repair and I will just leave the scratches. Can't see the point of pushing for a new sidecase. I just want it back so I can ride this weekend

      Delete
  9. That is a shame, but good to hear that they will look after the damages for you and not just walk away without "fessing" up.

    On a lighter note, your front walkway looks very nice! It's coming along...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Suzu:

      Yes, I was lucky that they reported it. I hope they cover the damage but I am not doing it the way they want, so we shall see.

      Insurance here is complicated as I have Government ICBC for the basic, and private insurance for the collision portion for which this repair may be less than my deductible. We have to go to an ICBC inspection station to report a claim but they know nothing about motorcycles, then they will direct me to an authorized Suzuki dealership for which many have closed down in Vancouver. I am not willing to inconvenience myself to do all of this.

      Imagine: I have to phone ICBC for an appointment, ride my bike there and they will tell me to bring to a Suzuki dealer. Of course they may not have a time slot for a few days. Then I have to go to a dealer for an Estimate which they have to send to ICBC. Then I have to go back to ICBC to pick up the authorization forms which I bring to a dealer to be repaired. After all this then my VIN number will show an accident claim on their computer, which I don't want. I do not have collision coverage with ICBC so they will not fight for me

      My private insurer covers my collision. They would most likely tell me to bring it to a Dealer for an estimate, BY PHONE. Then they would verbally give the go ahead to repair and send the bill to them, after I pay my deductible. But this repair will be much less than my deductible anyway so no use in going through all these hoops

      I have already brought my bike to my mechanic and given him the OKay to repair. Just two broken signals and bend my crash bar by hand. I will live with the extra scrapes/scratches

      Can't wait until all this construction is finished and we are back to normal with our regular parking spots

      Delete
  10. Holy Moly I would be livid. I'm with Dom, the should have at least given you a heads up...and not had to find out this way. But it is nice that they have already started the paperwork rolling. Darnit! it's your house, make them move the toilet and get your bike squeezed back into YOUR SPACE!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lori:

      I am feeling happier now but a bit ansi as I have no bike to use.

      Imagine going to work on a nice day and coming home to find you have no where to park, except on the street. It that toilet wasn't there I could have used my space but I didn't want to get in the way of the workers, plus that toilet had to be moved somewhere so they could work on the ground, and smooth out the surface

      Delete
  11. Oh yeah...at least it was NU2ME...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lori:

      I have had issues with Nu2Me too. It is parked right in front of the electrical panel and the workers used to string their electrical cables over my bike and when I came home I would always move them. Now I notice that there is paint on the bike cover. It is also full of sawdust when they were using the carport for their table saws. So I am afraid to remove the bike cover. I am hoping it just needs a wash but I have no where to do this as our yard is still made of sand.

      Delete
  12. Like others have said at least they reported the incident so you'll be covered for repairs. Still it sucks when something like that happens.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Canajun:

      I am lucky they were honest. We shall see what happens as I am repairing it first without reporting to insurance. I have no coverage anyway (below deductible) so it makes no sense for them to have my claim info attached to my VIN number. I don't want it to show up when I sell the bike as buyers can do an ICBC claim search.

      still, an inconvenience to me

      Delete
  13. At least they fessed up to it. Would have been decent to call you though with a heads up. If they aren't familiar with bikes they may have dropped it on the other side when picking it up too if the kickstand retracted and didn't stop it. That would also account for damage on both sides.

    Hopefully they will pay for the damages and make it right. Just be glad it wasn't the BMW.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trobairitz:

      My bike was parked diagonal to the curb on the sidestand. The truck was on the right and it rolled backwards into my bike breaking the signal light and rubbed the front fender (scrape marks) as it kept going and pushed my bike over onto its left side and most likely scraping on the ground sliding before the truck stopped. This is what it appears by looking at the scuff marks on the bike cover. The bike was probably dragged for a few feet and the weight was onto the crash bar, which bent in a bit towards the body and broke the left signal stalk in the process. The angle of "hit" may have rolled/pushed the bike forward a bit so it actually "rolled" off the kickstand so that is why the kickstand did not bend onto itself. The sidecases are wide and protected most of the bike, like the shifter lever. This is what I gather and presume from what I see and my CSI skills

      I am also glad it wasn't Nu2Me too. My mechanic let me bring my bike into his shop at 8pm last night. It was pouring rain but the signal lights both worked, even though they were "dangling". I have already given him the OKay to repair and I hope to be riding by Friday Night, as long as he can get the signals (parts)

      Delete
  14. Dom:

    I found out that this Japanese Landscaper is an honest person. Old/elderly but honest and he did report it to the Contractor.

    I am not fussy. There were already scratches on my cases. I have already brought my bike to my mechanic for inspection for "hidden damage". On first glance all I need are the two turn signal stalks, and my crash bar tweaked another inch or so away from the body, using muscle power

    ReplyDelete
  15. See, if you had ridden your bike to work through the ice and frost, they would have run into your car instead. Probably wouldn't have been enough to tip it over...

    Sorry to hear that this happened but glad it wasn't a hit and run.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Richard:

      I was planning on riding my bike but then there was frost on windshields that morning. I guess if I had a Hack it wouldn't have tipped either

      Delete
  16. Bob, what I don't understand is did they leave a note or did anyone go out of their way to tell you what happened? Are they going to cover the cost of the damage to the bike and repair it? I think I would be more than a wee bit upset, because if they didn't tell you about it and replaced the cover for you to discover the boo boo, it seems a little on the sneaky side to me. Where they hoping you wouldn't notice all the broken bits laying on the ground and it must have been a pretty good thump to the bike for all that damage to occur.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dar:

      No note, nothing. I looked at my bike and just knew something was wrong. The bike cover was tattered on both sides with holes and drag marks. That was a brand new cover I only started using last summer. When construction started I bought a new bike cover when I had to park on the street

      I don't know if they are going to pay me for repairs or not but being our contractors we could deduct it from payments. I'm of the opinion that the bike fell over and was pushed by the truck for a few feet by looking at the scuff marks

      I do not want to start a claim with ICBC as I have collision coverage with Beacon (private insurer). Then this will show up in their computer. I don't want to let Beacon either as this will be below my deductible.

      The Landscaper wants me to report so he gets an accurate repair estimate from ICBC, but then I will be inconvenienced more by taking time off work to go to the Suzuki dealer etc leave the bike and then go back to get it. I decided to just have my mechanic give me an opinion and just replace the turn signals and I will live with the scratches, plus pulling out the crash bar with muscle power. If I have to report it, then I will go for the complete rebuild; new side case, new crash bar, new front fender, everything so this will double the costs

      I'm not sure what to do with this bike anyway. sell it ? Do you want a Vstrom ? I bought it new, no mechanical issues and ready for touring. I would take it to Key West tomorrow . . .

      Delete
    2. Your bike is lovely no matter what the boo boos. I don't think they are going to do anything under the ICBC insurance radar because they will have to justify the cost. I still think it sucks that they didn't leave a note and actually covered the bike up and it seems very dishonest to me.

      Delete
    3. Dar:

      I like the bike that's why I'm not sure what to do with it. It is just waiting to go on a Tour somewhere far away. There is no broken plastic, only scratches on the side case and the crash bar is bolted on so you could install a new one yourself. Nothing is broken except for the two signal lights, so as I think about it, I am lucky.

      if the signals are in stock I can get my bike back on Friday. I am hoping to be riding this weekend

      Delete
  17. Roger:

    I shudder to think what it would have done to your Sprint if it had fallen over with all those plastic panels

    I had one plastic panel pop out, but I just snapped it back in. The bike is in for inspection now with my mechanic and he has eagle eyes. I was surprised to hear that the Landscaper reported it back to the office, but found out later that he was an "honest old guy"

    It's funny that when you don't have possession of your bike that you WANT to ride. I looked at my empty spot this morning thinking about this. It's too expensive to insure my beemer for another month. My beemer cost $1,700. to insure, and my Vstrom is around $1,200.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Bob, I just left a message about my blog and my Google account being suspended because of an error I a made while signing up to Google +. And I don't see that message here anymore...

    My blog is down, my email is no longer. You can reach me at tenneymad@yahoo.com for now. This is crazy. I've spent 2 hours trying to get someone with Google to respond, talk to, email me, help me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Martha:

      I just wrote a lengthy reply to you and now it's gone.

      take a look at this:
      http://support.google.com/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=87065

      I'll do more research . . .

      we don't want to lose you

      Delete
  19. Agree with the others, a little note or phone call might have been nice. I'm glad that it sounds like they are going to be honest and cover their mistake.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kari:

      Look what I did. Now that I don't have my bike, it's Sunny outside and sun is forecast for the next 5 days. You should be thanking me

      There was NO note, nothing. I had no idea what happened but I noticed right away that something was not right

      Delete
  20. Bob,

    Only just picked up on your misfortune - sorry to hear about it mate. Like many others, I was boiling! Nikos is spot on about SMIDSY - so many people simply don't take notice of their surroundings and being notified would have been nice.

    Incidentally, I can't believe how expensive your insurance is! Mine is NZ$570 with full no-claims discount and built-in no fault accident compensation levy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Geoff:

      Actually the damage is not bad, mainly the two signal light stalks. The side case and crash bar took the brunt. Other than that nothing else. If you install another crash bar and buy another side case it would look like new. The bike is unscathed

      Insurance here is expensive and would be more if I didn't use private insurance for the collision portion and I already have 40% discounted rates due to good driving

      Delete
  21. I would keep your Suzuki as your winter and around town bike for 9 months a year. Let the rain and salt do it's thing to that bike. Put the Beemer on the road for our 3 month best riding season from mid July to mid Oct when you will be most likely to rack up the big long distance miles.

    That way you cut your insurance costs and you have a spare ride just in case, which is a good thing to have when you are retired.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David:

      The plan was to sell the Vstrom or leave it on the other side of the Continent to return to it next year to continue my NA tour. I am not sure yet. I still have to insure 2 other vehicles so I am trying to cut down on my insurance expenses

      Delete
  22. I'm glad this had a better ending than I feared it would when I began reading. My little Symba has been blown over twice by the wind. Someone has found it and put it back up, but have told me so I could go make sure it started and so I could make sure it was all right...and, it was mostly. It, like yours does now, has some beauty marks. I've found it a minor temptation to make up a better story of how she gained her scars, but honesty so far has won out.
    ~Keith

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Keith:

      it was the initial shock of someone damaging my bike while I was at work and it was parked outside in front. I wondered how all that damage could have occurred but really there is not much to fix. The bike is nearly untouched and a person could buy a new side case and crash bar to bolt on. I think I need to look for some decals

      That's it . . . "beauty Marks", I like that !

      Delete
  23. I was so frustrated when I saw this the other day that I had to leave and come back. Still confused about a loaded truck rolling and then stopping but I wasn't there. Agree with you Bob that the hassles of a perfect resolution are not; personally I would take the path of least resistance and live a lot more days.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coop:

      I gather that there was no one in the truck while it was parked and being unloaded. The heavy load of dirt, plus weak parking brakes led to the truck rolling backwards on the inclined roadway, and no one was watching until it was too late.

      I think the bike is untouched. only damage to accessories like the crash bar and side case so I will just live with those scratches. I just need the two turn signals. The side cases keep the bike high off the ground so no damage to the shifter lever either. They are like big frame sliders.

      I only wished that someone had left a note, otherwise I may not have noticed until I went for a ride on the weekend. I hope that it will be repaired by them

      Delete
  24. That sucks, but accidents happen. Thank goodness they reported it. Of course, it would have been nicer had someone told you what happened and let you know they reported it. Instead of you having to make that discovery yourself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathy:

      I am very careful with my things. I would have parked in my spot had they not put the toilet booth there, and dumped more sand in my back yard. I was trying to keep out of their way.

      when things are broken I have a compulsion to have them fixed right away or I can't sleep

      Delete
  25. Dear Bobskoot:

    This could have been a real pain in the ass... As it is, you're still going to have to tangle with the insurance company. I suggest you waste no time on this, getting a claim on as fast as possible. You may have a difference to collect from the subcontractor and there will be no better opportunity than while you hold his open invoice.

    Why suffer a single battle scar? Roll that bike into the dealer's and have it made to look like new. Tat truck must have given it some shot to put that crash frame out of kilter. With new paint, I bet you have $2 grand worth of damage. For such a sedate-looking neighborhood, parking in front of your house has it's risks.

    At least you weren't sitting on the bike when it got hit.

    Fondest regards,
    Jack/Reep
    Twisted Roads

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jack:

      No insurance claim for me. I am going to have it repaired and then present my invoices to the Contractor. I will live with the extra scratches and try to buff out the one on the fender. It's plastic anyway so it won't rust. My crash bar and side cases are accessories and the bike is mainly undamaged. The crash bar did it's job and protected the bodywork but it is slightly bent, and a bit of muscle power can bend it back out. I can't see buying another new sidecase, I will buy stickers instead.

      I am easy going. I just want my bike back as it is going to be sunny all weekend

      Delete
  26. Sorry to hear about your bike. I probably wouldn't be taking it as well as you are.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BB:

      I'm okay with it now. I just need the two turn signal indicator stems. My bike is an Adventure bike, it wouldn't look right if it were too new looking. I think the bike itself is okay, I find out later when I go to my mechanic. So far he hasn't phoned me so "no news is good news" and I dropped it off on Tuesday night.

      Delete
  27. Bob,

    Just now seeing this post. I'm glad that YOU were not sitting on the bike when the truck backed into it. It probably took him a minute to hear someone saying "hey! Whoa!!" thus the drag marks and tears. Sounds like minor damage, but really.... they should have left you a note or left one with Mrs Scoot and not let you find out some other way what had happened. I'm glad you are alright though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat:

      I think the truck was parked and rolled backwards and everyone was too busy working on the top soil to notice, until it was too late. I would not have parked there but they moved the toilet booth near where I parked my bike, so I thought to give them more room.

      Yes, minor damage but I was worried about hidden damage. That's why I brought it to my mechanic for a more detailed inspection, Just In Case

      Delete