How I ended up with my R12GS

[Uncle Murray]

Well, the title of this thread is "crashes" and that is how I came to own my R1200GS. I have been riding a 2005 F650GS Dakar for daily transpo since I bought it new in Oct. 2004 (also the result of a crash) On Friday Oct. 3rd I was headed to my house in San Marcos, CA and happened to get to the Elementary school just 2 blocks from my house just as the kids were getting out (timing is everything) I turned left to go back into my neighborhood, the SUV in front of me pulled over to the curb. I figured she was picking up her kids, and as I moved past her, probably all of 20 MPH, she pealed out from the curb into a U-turn and smacked me down. She hit the right side of the bike, and it went down onto its left side. I went onto mostly my head and left side, my helmet had deep gouges all down the front left from from forehead through shield to chinguard. If I would have had a shorty Harley shitpot (as we call them around here) I would have been in the ambulance and headed for facial surgery. I also ended up with a cracked rib and a smashed (not broken) right foot where it got caught between her car and the bike. Needless to say, I was plenty shaken up but I told her not to call the paramedics. I was bleeding from my knee and my wrist, but could tell it was just road rash.

This whole thing was witnessed by dozens of school kids and parents, and within 5 minutes two of them (including an off duty cop) came up to me with their names and phone #'s saying, Wow, we saw the whole thing and she just smacked you down, she was totally at fault. Wow, can you imagine how mortified that woman was. You're picking up your kid at school and you smash down a motorcyclist. Not cool! Needless to say, I didn't have much trouble with her insurance company, thank God. So, long story short, I got my Aerostich jacket and pants, helmet and a few other things paid off at full replacement value, and got a very good settlement on the bike.

I went into my local dealership (who I've dealt with over 9 years and three owners) and looked at a new 2009 blue R1200GS with everything I wanted (spoke wheels, ABS and heated grips) and nothing that I didn't want (ESC and ASC) I may very well have bought it, I had a huge downpayment, but Phil said, hey look at this, a guy just traded it in yesterday. It was amazing! It was an '08 blue GS with spoke wheels, ABS, heated grips, no ESC or ASC AND it had Vario bags, PIAA lights, upgraded pegs, new Michelin Anakees, AND only 2500 miles. They guy who owned it had traded it in on an Adventure, after putting all that stuff on it. It was my lucky day, and was about $2500 less than new with all the goodies. Well, there's my story. I had a crash but came out of it better than I could have imagined. I'm totally happy with the bike, am riding it to work every day, and just took my first long trip on it 2 weekends ago. Looking forward to communticating with other R12GS owners, thanks for your time.
Uncle Murray

[f86sabjf]

GLAD to hear it turned out good for you.

[biggums]

Riding my Harley back in 06 I had a guy in a van I was following go into the center turning lane as to make a left turn but instead made a huge hard right turn and wiped me out. My left foot was between my bike and the van and got toasted. I wasn't wearing a helmet and going through his passenger glass was the only thing that saved my skull. After 6 hours of surgery I am left with a dead foot. No feeling, can't move the toes etc.

No one saw the accident so I lost my bike and the cost of the accident medical costs.

Win some lose some!

I'm glad you are OK and had witnesses.

Ride safe!

[Rustynuts]

Hey Biggums, that's totally sh*t what happened to you mate.
What realy peaves me off is that someone can do that to you and still sleep at night. What is it about people when they cause an accident? Are they more worried about thier insurance premium?
Why can't they just hold up thier hands and admit to what they have done instead of going on the deffence and also into denial?
Like the other guy said, we have to give 110% focus but that's not always enough is it? I think we all ride as if every driver is a dick head.
Anyone in the uk will have noticed that that the drivers of Audi, BMW, Ranger Rover and maybe a few other makes are arrogant and pushy as hell road bullies.
Ah well that's my rant of the day so I can enjoy my pot of tea now eh? Haha.