Pavement-1.........................................ChiTown-0

[Lost Rider]

I actually rode today. Test rode a Suzuki Savage 650 around the block. That was as far as I could go.


Call me, beatch!

Lucky you!
Even though my foot is better, I'm not ready to hang with you, you wildman!

[MJB]

Joe

That's a terrible cost....
Any ideas what you are going to do?
If you have to get a new bike, will it be an "R", or would you move into something different?

[Lost Rider]

Joe

That's a terrible cost....
Any ideas what you are going to do?
If you have to get a new bike, will it be an "R", or would you move into something different?

Never, I don't even really want a different R, let alone a different model.
I'm really hoping that the insurance doesn't total it, and since the adjuster hasn't been there yet, I don't want to speculate in public quite yet...
Soon I will know what's going to happen...

[MJB]

Joe

I thought I would ask, and see how things are going.
Any updates on the foot / bike?

[Lost Rider]

Thanks for asking, this week has been a big week for me. I am now able to use my left leg to balance myself, a big deal for me.... amazing what a person can take for granted.
I also saw my doctor today, he removed the stitches, and gave me a Exogen Ultrasound Bone Healing System. I put this small thing on my foot and it stimulates the bone, increasing blood flow and helping it heal much faster, at least thats what they said. I would do just about anything to make this be over with.
I go back two weeks from now to have the pins removed at which time I can put weight on it and start to walk.
It's really cutting it close because I've signed up for a long touring job starting in LA July 3rd ending in January, so I wont be riding the rest of the year. The reason it's cutting it close is I'm planning on leaving within days after they remove the pins to ride my bike to LA, going the Long Way Up, then down for 2+ weeks. I have to get at least one proper trip in this year...
I'm storing my bike in LA (anyone have a space for rent to store it around LA?) so when I'm done January 10 I can go wander the SouthWest for a month or so... Sacrificing 6 months will guarantee that I can make up for lost miles next year...
This is all dependent on my foot healing well, which it is so far. I'm doing everything possible to live healthy and be well.
It's going to be hard to do a 4500+ mile ride with my foot, but I'm up to the challenge. I'd imagine I'm going to have to take it back a few notches, not doing many crazy off road adventures... I CAN'T stress the foot.... Just a long leisurely ride.
At least now the end is near and I'm able to occupy myself with getting my things in order for an extended absence, and planning this trip.


The Bike.
Things are equally going well with the repairs, everything is ordered and it should be home in a week.

Thanks again for all the nice comments, and putting up with my online persona at times during this roller coaster I've been on.


-Joe Finn

[tobes]

Hey Joe,

I have a garage which is just housing my bike at the moment. If you need a place to store your bike your welcome to it - plenty of space. Or, if you get out here with some time to spare perhaps the LA contingent could arrange a local mountain ride? Something to ponder

Mike...

[Lost Rider]

Hey Joe,

I have a garage which is just housing my bike at the moment. If you need a place to store your bike your welcome to it - plenty of space. Or, if you get out here with some time to spare perhaps the LA contingent could arrange a local mountain ride? Something to ponder

Mike...

Thanks, we can chat about the space.
As for the ride, I could easily come a day or two early for a gathering. Sounds like fun, as soon as I get a specific date for my job to start I'll be able to plan something. First week of July is all I have right now.
I was already going to be in LA for at least 2 days before I started, giving me time to sort out my luggage I'm shipping, bike storage, and maybe a little surfing. OK, not surfing, not a good idea... that's dangerous.
I will PM you as soon as I get the dates nailed.
I was thinking of get a self store place, but I wouldn't be able to keep it plugged in and gassed up so thats why I ask.
BTW, I lived in LA for a few years, but never had a bike while I was there.... mmmm legal lane splitting

Joe

[ShinySideUp]

Joe,

With your foot so fresh out of rehab and looking at sitting on a peg for 4500 miles, you MIGHT want to consider allocating some of your farkle budget on engine guard bars and highway pegs.

I find the forward pegs make a big difference on a long run. Not only is it nice to unwind the thigh/lower leg angle a bit, but the variety of feet forward and tucked back is good for my leg health and mental happiness.

Also, you're likely to hit some really hot weather at that time of year, and having the legs untucked and out in the breeze is very welcome.

I'm so glad to hear everything's healing well. Your altitude helps a lot, and I'm not only talking about the drugs!

[Lost Rider]

Thanks Bill, yes.... nice thick air helping, 605 feet...
I Haven't actually taken any pain meds for a week or more... no pain.

I've thought about the bars, I'm sure it would help, it's just not possible right now.
I'm going to be on a tight budget for the trip - with a super fly bike. Plus I just throw my leg over the cylinders to stretch out. Probably not quite as comfy but has really helped on some of my Iron Butt rides in the past. I probably look pretty silly riding down the rod like that...

The doc has confidence that I'll be ready, stiff, but mobile. he's saying I should bounce back rather quickly once the pins are removed.

[tobes]

Thanks, we can chat about the space.
As for the ride, I could easily come a day or two early for a gathering. Sounds like fun, as soon as I get a specific date for my job to start I'll be able to plan something. First week of July is all I have right now.
I was already going to be in LA for at least 2 days before I started, giving me time to sort out my luggage I'm shipping, bike storage, and maybe a little surfing. OK, not surfing, not a good idea... that's dangerous.
I will PM you as soon as I get the dates nailed.
I was thinking of get a self store place, but I wouldn't be able to keep it plugged in and gassed up so thats why I ask.
BTW, I lived in LA for a few years, but never had a bike while I was there.... mmmm legal lane splitting

Joe

Sounds good, I'll send you my info as well.

[tobes]

Hey Joe,

I'm wondering what your experience with Geico was. I crashed my bike this past weekend and it is now at my local dealer. The dealer is appraising the damage and wants to replace anything damaged with new. Geico gave me a call and said the damage is close to totaling the bike though. They're going to get a final estimate from my dealer tomorrow and let me know. It's amazing as the damage didn't look that bad to me. I really don't want this bike totaled. I'm wondering if I can negotiate with Geico or the dealer to simply have some of the cosmetic damage simply repaired to keep costs down and let the bike live. At first glance it seems to me to be right valve cover, windscreen and mount, scratched/slightly dented gas tank, and maybe scratches on the final drive. Anyway I was wondering what your negotiating process was. Thanks!
Mike...

[ziobato]

After having saw what happened to final drive in ChiTown's pavement bad experience, I started thinking about a slider capable of keeping final drive safe incase of crash (expecially while riding with no pannier).

I designed and made the prototype you can see attached and nowadays, after optimizing, it's under construction a new version of it, black colour and a little bit better style-wise...



The stuff, made with delrin material, it's easy to fit: it just takes to remove the original black plastic cover, slide the slider in and thighten a screw to secure it. Absolutely NO modification to paralever.

[celticus]

Wunderlich has nothing on you Ziobato.
Mark

[Lost Rider]

Hey Joe,

I'm wondering what your experience with Geico was. I crashed my bike this past weekend and it is now at my local dealer. The dealer is appraising the damage and wants to replace anything damaged with new. Geico gave me a call and said the damage is close to totaling the bike though. They're going to get a final estimate from my dealer tomorrow and let me know. It's amazing as the damage didn't look that bad to me. I really don't want this bike totaled. I'm wondering if I can negotiate with Geico or the dealer to simply have some of the cosmetic damage simply repaired to keep costs down and let the bike live. At first glance it seems to me to be right valve cover, windscreen and mount, scratched/slightly dented gas tank, and maybe scratches on the final drive. Anyway I was wondering what your negotiating process was. Thanks!
Mike...

Sorry to hear that!
My experience was good. SInce it's done, and the checks cashed I don't mind sharing...
I called and made the claim, there was a few weeks before the adjuster came to the dealer because the bike wasn't there, as I dealt with my health first.
The dealer made up a estimate, putting in ANYTHING that had so much as a scratch, totaling about $9000. The adjuster came, went over everything with the dealer, then called me. He wanted me to have them not replace the headers because there was a small scratch on the bottom were it wasn't visible, and not replace the seat that has a tiny scratch on it, in turn they knocked $500 off my $1000 deductible.
I said fine, no problem since I wasn't going to replace the seat, and I wasn't positive the damage on the header was even from this accident. ( think crossing the Mojave' or raging rivers....)
They covered everything else, and sent me a check ( made out to me and the dealer, since I'm financed).
After I received the check and Geico's estimate, I noticed that they had the valve covers and centerstand in the estimate, but had not paid for it. After calling my adjuster he said it was a mistake, and they have another check in the mail for me paying the difference.
It was a good experience, just be sure to add up the $$ and see if it's correct.
The other thing that's good about it, is I had changed insurance and this policy expired 8 days after the accident, so geico still came through even though I wasn't even a paying customer any longer. I know they have to cover things, but still....



ziobato, That is Awesome!
Let me know when you're ready to export the final product to the US!

[tobes]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm nervously awaiting a call from the Geico with the final estimate.

What a sharp bike Ziobato!

[ziobato]

Thanks to everybody...

Slider will be available soon: I will post when ready.

About my bike, I'm very busy these days, since the next weekend we have the first annual meeting* of the users of Quellidellelica's forum, that like to modify their Beemers (as I do), so I MUST be ready!

I will post new pictures when I'll be finished: you will find my baby a little bit changed...


* Meeting is named "Eretiken Treffen" because peoples believe that who modify a BMW is an eretic... and I am.

[Lost Rider]

Thanks to everybody...

Slider will be available soon: I will post when ready.

About my bike, I'm very busy these days, since the next weekend we have the first annual meeting* of the users of Quellidellelica's forum, that like to modify their Beemers (as I do), so I MUST be ready!

I will post new pictures when I'll be finished: you will find my baby a little bit changed...


* Meeting is named "Eretiken Treffen" because peoples believe that who modify a BMW is an eretic... and I am.

Your bike is a work of art and very inspiring, be sure to start your own thread so it gets the exposure it deserves!

[Lost Rider]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm nervously awaiting a call from the Geico with the final estimate.

What a sharp bike Ziobato!

I'm sure that Geico would love to pay you less if you'll live with the damage, it just depends on if you own the bike or it is financed. If you have the title, then YOU get the money and could save quite a bit of loot buying aftermarket, ebay parts, or just repairing vs. replacing.
I wouldn't worry too much them totaling it, with the damage you describe. My dealer said I was close to totaling it too, but that wasn't even close to being the case.


The most important thing, are YOU OK?





Good luck.

[tobes]

Yes I'm hoping there is room for negotiation. The bike is financed and I'd rather not go through a payoff and repurchase of another bike. Too expensive! Plus I'm attached to this bike now. I got away pretty good from this spill - just a little sore. Thanks for asking. Helmet jacket and gloves took the impact.

[Lost Rider]

Yes I'm hoping there is room for negotiation. \ Helmet jacket and gloves took the impact.

Good to hear you're OK, another ATGATT story....
You should be able to claim the helmet and jacket too.