To buy back and repair or not?

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by H_K_V, Jan 19, 2018.

  1. H_K_V

    H_K_V New Member

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    Hello everyone!

    So Unfortunately I got into a bit of an accident about 2 weeks ago. Going left at an intersection when a car jumped a green and hit me. Thankfully I was wearing really good gear but I still ended up with a broken leg. And unfortunately Aurora, my 1998 VFR800, is totaled. The car hit the left side of her, totally destroying the headlight and left radiator. All the front and side fairings are smashed and she slid on her right side down the street also scratching the left side fairing/engine cover. Her front forks are also messed up too, and I have no idea about the fairing mounting brackets.

    So! I wanted to get some opinions here if I should buy her back and repair her or not? I love the bike, but I'm about 50/50 on buying her back to repair. I've spent a LOT of time (literally checked and adjusted her valves a week before I was hit) and a LOT of money (HEL brake lines, Daughtery rear shock, Staintune exhaust, Corbin seat, Hurricane Handlebars, Givi Wingrack and new Pilot 4/5 tires) on her so I think it would be a waste just to let her be scrapped down.

    On the other hand, the cost to repair her fully would easily be more then her value as a salvage title bike. I could go streetfighter with her too but still have to get a new front end, headlight, turn signals, radiator and fan. And of course, it's always tempting to get a new bike (Mmmm..... Moto Guzzi V11 Le Mans; maybe a Norge)

    What are you opinions? Should I buy her back and repair her? Fairings and everything or streetfigher? Or should I take any insurance money I get, let her get towed away, and get something new?

    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    no - don't do it...

    It will never be the same again & the time / effort will never pay itself back..

    Take the money & find another...
     
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  3. Lint

    Lint Member

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    What is the damage? That determines whether it's fixable or not. Older bikes get declared a total loss for a paint chip.

    Source: I've been in accidents and I was an insurance broker.
     
  4. H_K_V

    H_K_V New Member

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    Some of the damage
    Aurora 1.jpg

    Aurora 2.jpg
     
  5. Lint

    Lint Member

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    Where do you live??

    I ask because in the United States, you are not required to take the insurance company's first settlement offer. Or their second or third. They are required by law to make you whole, i.e. bring you to the condition you were in before the loss. However, they are for profit and as such, they will try and offer low at first, because they know that 90% of the people don't know what I just told you.

    I was an insurance broker and State Farm tried to low ball me when I crashed my PRISTINE 2005 VFR. They tried to use "comparable" bikes from across the US to determine value for my bike, but I made them give me the names of the companies selling the bikes, and each bike was inferior. I went back and forth three times with them and they finally came back with an agreeable settlement.

    Do not try and screw them over. That is fraud on the level of a felony. You don't want that!

    But, only settle when you feel it is a fair and just settlement. That is what you pay for each month.
     
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  6. Lint

    Lint Member

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    Street fighter require new headlights, front blinkers, speedometer and wiring work. It's up to you to decide if you are comfortable with that.

    New fairings see a thing for sure. You need to make sure that your front upper fairing stay (metal frame that holds the fairing and headlight) is straight. A new headlight for sure for you, mirror (s), upper front fairing and right side etc. The right side fairing looks salvageable, not sure about the front.

    How did you crash? That too helps in damage assessment.
     
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  7. H_K_V

    H_K_V New Member

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    Live in California.

    Not looking to get rich but I do want to be made whole as you said. Not only the bike and accessories but the gear I was wearing that prevented further injury (Thank you Motoport and TCX) and compensation for the 8 weeks of medial leave I need to take from work.
     
  8. H_K_V

    H_K_V New Member

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    I didn't crash. I was hit.

    Making a left on a 4-way intersection when the other person basically ran a red light and hit me head on. I can't take a picture of it, but the left side radiator and fan is smashed. Friends have told me the forks are wonky too and maybe the left rotor and caliper
     
  9. VFR4Lee

    VFR4Lee Member

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    Hope the leg heals up good and quick.
    Looks and sounds like the bike is too far gone.
    If you liked it that much, look for a used one of the same model.
    Probably cheaper and less trouble than fixing a wrecked bike.
     
  10. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    what is the buy-back cost ? you might consider keeping the bike and parting it out, then buying a new VFR. they should cover the replacement cost of any gear damaged too.
     
    duccmann likes this.
  11. GreginDenver

    GreginDenver New Member

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    was your 5th Gen a California model, does it have the number "1" after the "RC46" in it's VIN number? if it is a Cali bike let it go to the crusher and look around for a non-Cali replacement 5th Gen. There are some well preserved 5th Gens out there to be found.
     
  12. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    My heart tells me that considering the collision was direct to the side of the bike, there is a pretty good likelihood that there is damage there you can't readily see. Unless you are really interested in salvaging that particular bike, I would let it go. Follow Lint's advice. He would have some inside experience that we could all take advantage of.

    You have three issues to deal with involving the insurance company. I really despise insurance companies. They rape you in your premiums and do everything in their power to short change you on a settlement. But I guess that is business. I really feel bad for those who work the front lines there and take all the abuses from their dissatisfied clients.

    The three issues are 1: value of your bike. They may want to sell you on the idea that they only consider black book values. WRONG WRONG WRONG. When you buy a replacement, you go by market value. Black book is wholesale.

    2: Loss of wages and medical expenses. You are not responsible for your injuries so make them pay. Even any expenses that may be paid for by extended health care coverage you may have. What very few people are aware of, Extended Health Care Benefits usually have a life time maximum. I know mine has a maximum of $200K. That may seem like a lo, but say in a few years down the line, you get diabetes or even more serious of an illness. Medications, and services are expensive and eat away at your lifetime maximum quite fast.

    3: Pain and suffering. You should not be too quick to settle on this. Just because your leg has healed and you feel fine after a couple months of Physio Therapy, does not mean something may re-surface in a couple years or even years down the line. Be very aware of the possibility of future issues before you sign any kind of medical release.

    Deal with these three issues separately. Don't let the insurance company hold up restitution for your bike, wage loss and medical expenses becasue of not reaching an agreement on pain and suffering.

    What ever you decide to do, good luck. And glad you did not suffer more serious injuries not that a broken leg is not serious enough.
     
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  13. James Bond

    James Bond Member

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    No, I wouldn't fix it. I'd spring for an 8th gen. after having owned both.

    As Randy said, if the driver didn't run, you have the option of a pretty heavy duty civil suit.
     
  14. Samuel

    Samuel Member

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    Another vote for new bike. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery!
     
  15. GatorGreg

    GatorGreg Honda Fanboy/LitiGator

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    Lint likes this.
  16. H_K_V

    H_K_V New Member

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    Thanks for the advice and well wishes everyone! I think I'll just let her go, considering all the damage that might be lurking beneath her busted fairings. But not before pulling as many trick parts off as I can! (I'll have to see what the buy back is. Be a shame to waste the Daughtery rear shock and HEL brake lines)

    The other group's insurance seems to fairly co-operative so far, but I imagine it's only a matter of time before they try and pull a fast one. They already sent an adjuster out to inspect the bike. I have no intention of getting screwed over though, and I will hire an attorney if need be.
    I'm NOT an expert by any means, but do have some experience dealing with insurance companies. Plus I have a lot of friends who have been round the block, so to speak, when it comes to dealing with crashes and insurance.
    Of course any and all advice is greatly appreciated and will be taken!

    At least I was able to get almost 30,000 miles from her. Was just hoping it would be a lot longer; didn't even have her for a year...
     
  17. Thumbs

    Thumbs Member

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    Let it go, I've been there and wished I wasn't

    A VFR that age is a appreciating asset, make sure the insurance company know that
     
  18. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    Sorry to come late to this thread.

    You obviously still see that VFR as more than just a heap of wrecked parts and have invested a fair amount of time to get it just like you want.

    However I am with Randy when it comes to how you proceed - with a side swipe there may be a heap of hidden damaqe which would make getting that back bike on the road stupidly costly.

    I guess that like quite a few folks on here, you would still prefer to ride a 5th Gen that they have spent years getting just right for them, than moving on to an "off the peg" 7th or 8th Gen model.

    So perhaps there is a middle road - let the bike go but instead of asking the insurer to name a price to buy back the bike, just offer the insurers the typical scrap value for a motorbike. A few calls to local breaker yards .. "I just wrecked my 1998 bike so what will you pay me if I delivered the wreck to you?" .. should give you an idea of what the insurers would really get paid for the wreck after deductions like recovery costs. Then hit Craigs List and the likes to track down a similar 5th gen and after you have had fun swapping over anything of value from the wreck, you can still get a few dollars from a breakers for whatever is left.

    Just my 2p - Good luck whatever you do.

    SkiMad
     
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  19. thtanner

    thtanner New Member

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    As someone who loves my 5th gen and will never sell it, just buy a 2014 on discount somewhere if you can find one (if a VFR800 is still what you are after.) After riding my 14 and getting back on the 98 it is clear the 14 is a worthy successor. As a bonus... it comes new, without any previous owners or immediate maintenance to worry about. The upgraded regulator also brings peace of mind.
     
    Brian Boyer likes this.
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