RT vs Deer going to the Rally

[chriso83]

Well it happened. While on our way to the rally, on the back roads to Grants Pass, I hit a yearling deer on my '07 RT doing about 40mph. Needless to say I did not make it to the rally although my riding buddy, Big Dave, stood in for me.

The bike received extensive body damage and is in the shop getting surveyed. I am hoping it is not totaled and I can be back on the road soon.

That is after all the damage to my body mends. I ended up at the local hospital, with assistance from the local emergency services, where I spent 2 days recuperating from surgery on my clavicle and care to 4 broken ribs and various bumps and bruises. Overall I was very fortunate it was not more serious.

I saw a lot of Bm'ers heading up to the rally on my way home and was glad to see everyone of them wearing their full safety gear. It was my safety gear that kept my injuries to moderate instead of serious / major. This was a good lesson to remind all of us to continue to use ALL the gear ALL the time which I am committed to do.

Currently I am waiting on my local shop and my insurance company to give me an estimate on the damage.

Can anyone offer any inside info on situations like this (I have Geico Insurance)?

Damage is to: Cylinder head covers, broken handle bar, damage to lots of tupperware on both sides.
No obvious damage to: suspension, frame, or internal engine components (so far).

The service mgr at my local dealer said, at first glance, that the bike might get totaled due to the expensive cost of parts. I can't see that happening as of yet. But I will find out soon.

Chris O

[wezul]

First, you survived. Kinda important.
I like Bambi and all but man they sure pick the oddest times to cross and when one goes, they all go.

OK, enough of that.

Sounds like you tumbled, things get ugly on a bike when the rubber side isn't the down side, no question.
Any pics?

I have not had any nor have I heard of any claims experience(s) with Geico, keep us up to date.

Oh and heal up quick.

[Theo]

Sorry to hear about your accident, Chris. I think we all have had at least one close call and every one of us wishes you a speedy recovery. I know it's hard to not be worried about the bike, but try to concentrate on mending yourself before you consider mending the bike. You'll have plenty of time while the insurance company futzes around with the appraiser and BMW.

Glad you are whole.

[mpmarty]

Glad you're mending. I too went hunting on the highway and bagged an antelope in May. Didn't go down. Lucky.
If you are sure you want to save the bike talk to the adjuster and clue him/her in about Bobs BMW used parts. The parts are guaranteed and are half the cost of new.

Of course, if you're so inclined you could have it totalled and keep the salvage and fix it yourself. Downside to that is you wind up with a salvage title that is branded as the bike being a rebuilt total loss.

[chriso83]

It looks like it is a very good probability that the RT will be totaled.

After seeing the adjusters numbers and talking with the shop it looks like the repairs will be too costly.

It looks like I can pull off all the farkles I added so it should not be a total loss.
Although it has been a great bike I don't think I will try to salvage it for later use.

I will have to give it some thought as to what I will do next. Should I goes used or look at a new RT. I'm not sure I want a '10 until I do a little more research on them.

I will try to post some pictures but they might be too large for the websites memory.

Chris O

[CATHDEAC]

follow your heart, not your wallet.

You just zeroed your "riding karma" so, if you decide to ride again, follow your heart.

[LENRT1200ST]

You just zeroed your "riding karma" so, if you decide to ride again, follow your heart.

IMHO - Riding karma is trumped by those frixxin, forest rats running, jumping, leaping out in front of you everytime.

Len

[SHERIDESABEEMER]

oh Dear...sorry to hear of your misadventure. good luck with your insurance company, I'm sure others will be interested in learning how that turns out.

[SteveAikens]

Crashes suck. Hearing about yours - from you - is great.

If it was my bike and it's totalled - and it was my decision - I would find another 07 that's well cared for. No wizzie brakes and [normally] none of the assorted electrical problems some other years seem to be reporting. There aren't that many but they're higher on the newer bikes.

I bought my 07 from Iron Horse in Tucson - picking it up on May 14th this year. Still under warranty, then 2 years extended when that's up. The next tank of gas will be 10,000 miles that I've added. It now is over 40,000 miles and it's been flawless. Dropped a left low beam bulb just outside Las Vegas, NV last Thursday. Popped in to LV BMW for a new bulb so I'm now out a whole $20 on parts for this thing since owning it.

The few problems I've seen or heard of from friends on the 12RT have all been on other model years. Other than the switchgear on the new RT - which I hate - I think you're ok with all of them but I'd still opt for another 07 that's clean.

Best of luck with whatever you decide and more importantly, heal well and fast...

[rickyD]

I wish you all the best on your recovery. It really makes you think about how a relatively small deer and low speed and still all that hurt to you and the bike. You've got to be thankful it wasn't worse. From the stories I've heard about how little damage it takes to get these bikes totaled its a wonder that insurers continue to write reasonably priced policies for them.

[ragtoplvr]

best to you and your recovery.

I had a full on panic stop for Bambi in my van this weekend, ABS on 4 wheels is great also. I bumped Bambi, it did not go down and left a few hairs in the grill. Glad I was not on the bike. I had stuff to haul. Hate Bambi.

Get whatever you can afford that makes you smile.

And have fun.

Rod

[Shredder]

Glad it wasn't worse.

I've had a few near-misses with deer.

Or would that be near-hits?

Anyway, hope to see you riding again very soon and thanks for the reminder to always wear protective gear.

[MRSPEED]

I am a 21 year collision shop owner. Geico should take pretty good care of you. Make sure you research what the bike is worth if they total it and also that you have first right to retain the bike for salvage. How this works if the bike is totaled you should get 100% of the bikes value plus the sales tax (depending on your states taxes). If you decide to retain the bike for salvage they will give you the $$ minuse the salvage. HINT / EXAMPLE> Lets say for easy math the bike is worth 10,000.00 and the salvage is 1500.00 you would get 8500.00 and keep the bike. I know on vehicles the salavage is usually a steal of a deal. Something to consider is what the bike is worth if you part it out on e-bay or something. If your bike can be had for cheap then you may be able to net some nice profit parting the bike out increasing your settlement payoff. **MOST IMPORTANT** I have steel plates and screws that now sandwich my clavical as the bone ends grew shut instead of together while I was healing! this sucked as it added to the mend time. Be prepared for the atrophy that will set in while you mend. If your lucky it is a fracture and not a complete break. While you are healing the muscles shrink and a rapid rate but be patient and reaseach therapy to help you recover. I remember when it was a big deal when I was able to get a 1/2 gallon of milk from the fridge with my bad arm. I missed 3 deer on my 5593 mile rally ride but did ride through a gaggle of 4 full sized racoons and hit one bird. I wish you patience as it was my hardest part.

[chriso83]

Thanks everyone for your words of encouragement.

Geico has been very good so far. They have totaled the bike and will give me a little more than $13k for it. I got a screaming deal when I bought the bike for $14k so we are pretty close.

I will not keep the salvaged bike, they want too much for it and, to me, it is not worth the hassle/investment to get my money out of it.

As far as my injuries; I had a plate put in my collar bone because it was broken in 4 pieces. The x-rays looked ugly. The ribs are slow to heal but things are slowly getting better.

I am shopping for another bike but I think I will go for a GS this time. Less plastic to get broken.

Chris O