Question for those that have wrecked an R1200R.

[Faylo]

On April 1st I went for a ride with a group of folks through the back-roads of East Central Missouri and I crashed my bike. In 36 years of road riding, I've never had an accident. I'm not counting off-road racing/riding, I've crashed plenty doing that. But on the street, never.

I was on a rough, patched two lane highway and entered a sweeping 90 degree left hander. Since I was riding in the fourth position, I was staggered to the right side of the road and the pavement there was very rough. I kept leaning and turning trying to get to the left side of the lane while being as smooth as possible and slowing down. I recognized that I was in a little trouble. Well, the bike just stuttered and skidded right off of the side of the road and dropped into the ditch and pitched me over the handle bars. I reckon I was going about 45-50 MPH leaving the roadway.

End result, three broken ribs and a possibly totaled R1200R.

I thank the BMW Street Guard 3 suit for limiting the injuries. The paramedics couldn't believe that I only had broken ribs given the distance I was from the motorcycle. In fact it looks the ribs got broken when I impacted a 4" stump after flipping over the handle bars. I actually uprooted the stump and I think it helped to launch me up because I remember flipping at least once before hitting the ground and rolling a couple of times.

The bike is at the dealer and the estimate shows it to be totaled, or very nearly so. $10000+ in hardware and $1500 in labor. Depending on how the insurance company values it, it is probably totaled. That is the biggest bummer for me since I LOVE this bike. It has never felt unstable and when I have hit slippery or rough pavement, the response has been stable and predictable. Well, except for this last time, but I'm not blaming the bike. I was clearly too hot for the road conditions.

I have a couple of questions for others that have been in similar situations with these bikes. The majority of the damage looks to be in the front end with the Telelever, fork tubes and front frame. How repairable is the front end? I am most concerned with the reliability of the front end and achieving the handling I have come to enjoy. I didn't think the front end impacted anything, but that the left jug dug in to the hillside and stopped the bike, but evidently it also hit the bottom of the ditch.

Also, the engine was running after the crash until my friends came back and switched it off. The bike was on the left side and I am told that the oil pickup is on that side, so the engine should be good. What do you all think?

Thanks and good riding!
-Jim

[Tarmac]

Crashing sucks.

Glad your "ok"

Ask the insurance company what the buy-back cost is on the bike if they total it. Since it's already wreaked, you should turn it into a cafe racer, or maybe even a track bike.

[hjsbmw]

Jim,
I am very sorry to hear that. I wish you a good recovery in every sense. I don't have good insights into your insurance and repair questions. You may have to see what the insurance says and take it from there. I think that anything can be fixed. My biggest question would be if I can be happy and comfortable with it, regain trust and all that subjective stuff, or if a new start with a new bike would prevent that baggage from the accident.

[roger l]

Jim:
Sorry to hear about your crash. The good thing is that you are OK. A friend of mine wrecked on a Triumph Rocket 3 last fall. I was a similar crash of going into the ditch. His bike was repaired and he was very gun shy of the bike. He was hearing noises and feeling vibrations that he said were not there before the crash. He traded in the bike for a new Rocket 3. Now he is happy.

Just my 2 cents

Roger L

[karamazov2]

I had my first RR totaled by the insurance company. Aesthetically, there didn't appear to be much damage, but parts add up quick. I ended up getting a pretty good price for it. I agree with Roger on this one. My buddy had an ugly low-sider on his F650GS. The front end was tweaked pretty good when it slid into a curb. The bike - though repaired - was never really the same, and he was never really the same on it. He rode it for another year, but never really got his confidence back. He traded it in for a new bike (F800GS) and is back to form.

Either way, I'm glad you came out in one piece - good gear really is a life saver.

Nathan

[websterize]

In your boots, I'd interpret the incident as a fateful crash that allows for an upgrade to the 2011+ R12R. It's what insurance is for, and you can still get it in white. Sander Abernathy, a rider on the forum, has crashed two or three R12Rs, and I think gets a new color each time. You've learned from your mistake, so get busy riding with a fresh, DOHC start.

(Knocking on wood as I type.)

[fleuger99]

Glad to hear you walked away relatively unscathed. A bike can always be fixed or replaced but a person not so much. Like others have said, we all pay a lot for insurance so go get a new bike instead of dealing with potential issues on a repaired bike. Good luck either way.

[Faylo]

Thanks for the kind replies. I am happy overall about the injury outcome of this incident given that there was a stump to the right of the one I hit that would not have given at all and would surely have resulted in more serious injury. However, on the opposite side was nothing but grass, so, it could have been worse or it could have been better. I'll take what I got.

I did talk to the service manager today and he pointed out some damage that may have long term consequences that have me leaning towards a new bike. It seems that the left valve cover was punctured and packed with mud and the stud that attaches it to the head was bent too. So the possibility of dirt in the engine and a weakened head casting are giving me pause about trying to continue with this bike.

The only problem is.... The dealer only has a Classic in stock. I love the Classic, just not too crazy about tubed tires and my intended use of the bike. Although, I've ridden on tubed tires for many years without issue. Maybe I'll be talking a deal this next week. I really don't think I want a GS. I like them but there are just too many posers.

Maybe a new DOHC is in my future?
Thanks!
-Jim

[karamazov2]

The only problem is.... The dealer only has a Classic in stock. I love the Classic, just not too crazy about tubed tires and my intended use of the bike.

I had similar reservations. After reflection, I decided it just didn't matter much. My first bike was a Triumph Bonneville with tubes - no issues. Prior to my new Classic, I was on a G650X with tubes - 21k miles, no issues. The one bike I had with tubeless (my first R1200R) was the only bike that ever had a flat. Considering the miles I put on annually and the infrequency of tire punctures (knock on wood) I came to the conclusion that the issue is so marginal, it's virtually nonexistent. I figure a puncture is gonna ruin my day either way, I'm not about to let a few hours difference change my mind about an otherwise flawless - and I do mean flawless - machine.

I recall somebody talking about swapping wheels at the dealer off the non-Classic R. Perhaps you can arrange to have the wheels swapped out under the table at the dealership before they turn the salvage bike over to the insurance company... Just a thought.

[Faylo]

I recall somebody talking about swapping wheels at the dealer off the non-Classic R. Perhaps you can arrange to have the wheels swapped out under the table at the dealership before they turn the salvage bike over to the insurance company... Just a thought.

I considered something like swapping wheels, but I did damage the front wheel. If I had to have a solid wheel, I think I'd go for a wheel from a R1200S or something else. Maybe keep 2 sets? I have always liked spoked wheels and would be cool to have 2 forms of the same bike. Sport and cool?
-Jim

[GBag]

Glad to hear you are still among us and relatively ok. Forget the bike. Get a new one. It will never feel or sound the same and you will just be depressed about it. Over 10k in damage on a 15k bike.... that's totaled in my book. Just have them order you a new one. BMW has a constant stream coming to the prep center in NJ. Just have the dealer look up whats coming over on the boat and claim it. That's how I bought mine. It took 2 weeks to get. One at sea and one at the prep center. If insurance wont total it, then sell it or trade it immediately.

[dbrick]

Over 10k in damage on a 15k bike.... that's totaled in my book.

That's totaled in anybody's book. Insurance will pay for that repair when pigs fly.
Glad you're OK. Order up what you want.

[deilenberger]

If it was me.. I'd take the money and see what is available used in R12R's.. there are enough of them out there now that there are always a few low mileage examples available. Besides crap in the engine, the way the front telelever and frame attach to the engine would give me pause - if the engine casing is tweeked.. the engine is junk.

Or if you're single, or have the money - take the money and use it toward a brandy new one (with DSC this time..)

Also FWIW (and please don't consider it a slam at you..): Club rides that I lead I try to impress on people that if you have to ride staggered positions - you're riding too close to each other. Back in the winter one of the club members proved that when he took out my right side bag due to not stopping in time, when I stopped. That was costly for him. He now stays further back. Riding in staggered formation does force one into riding lines that are not optimal - as was the case in this incident. The only time for staggered positions is at a stop IMHO, and once you're moving again, a minimum of a 2 second following distance avoids possible position conflicts.

YMMV, but not a whole bunch..

[Faylo]

Don, you are absolutely right. I was following with plenty of space between myself and the rider in front of me, I just should have been in the left side of the lane. Being in the right side just didn't give me enough room to correct for the rough stuff I encountered.

I visited the dealer yesterday and took a closer look at the bike and it looks like it flipped up on to the left side and got the sport screen, instrument cluster, pelican top case and twisted the front end hard. I'm sure it's totaled. Especially considering the possible damage to the engine. Now it is wait and see what insurance has to say.

Thanks for the input and I'll take your words to heart.
-Jim

[lynnboyd]

Jim,

A friend of mine put the front wheel of his 2010 White R1200R off the road last fall and, after bouncing his head off the pavement pretty hard, slid down a grassy slope. He was a little groggy (and would have been a lot worse without a full-face helmet) and the bike didn't look too bad, although it also seemed to have flipped up on its side and ripped the windshield and instrument cluster off. There was no apparent engine damage but the estimate was just under $10,000, including the Telever arm and front fork. The biggest single item was the tank, which came to about $2,000 altogether. The insurance company offered him the bike plus about $6,000, or a settlement of $10,500 if I recall correctly. He took the settlement and found a nice 2009 with low miles a couple hours away for $8,500 and he's happy.

Lynn

[Mike Figielski]

Jim,
I bought my R12R from a guy who had a minor 10mph fender bender (he ran into the back of a car at a light after starting off from a dead stop). It looked very minor, thought I'd get away with maybe one upper fork leg at the worst..... Wrong! Both fork uppers and lowers were tweaked as was the A-arm and the front frame/steering head. I sent it all off to the Frame man in Sacramento and he was able to straighten it all for around $500. My point is that these new bikes are made to be light which is great but everything bends much easier than on the old 1100 and 1150 bikes. If you did buy it back from the insurance company be prepared to straighten or replace almost everything on the front of the bike and take a real close look at the motor cases and transmission cases. I've seen several Hexheads in the shop that had cracked cases from seemingly minor impacts. Good luck whichever way you go!
Mike

[Faylo]

Jim,
I bought my R12R from a guy who had a minor 10mph fender bender (he ran into the back of a car at a light after starting off from a dead stop). It looked very minor, thought I'd get away with maybe one upper fork leg at the worst..... Wrong! Both fork uppers and lowers were tweaked as was the A-arm and the front frame/steering head. I sent it all off to the Frame man in Sacramento and he was able to straighten it all for around $500. My point is that these new bikes are made to be light which is great but everything bends much easier than on the old 1100 and 1150 bikes. If you did buy it back from the insurance company be prepared to straighten or replace almost everything on the front of the bike and take a real close look at the motor cases and transmission cases. I've seen several Hexheads in the shop that had cracked cases from seemingly minor impacts. Good luck whichever way you go!
Mike

I did check with the insurance company about a buy back, but it would have come with a salvage title and they wanted over 10 grand for the wreck! The remaining money would not have been enough to get the bike rolling again, much less take care of any of the other damages. So, I've got my eye on a couple of R's, one used 2011 with higher miles, or a brand new classic. I'm leaning towards the classic.
-Jim

[Mike Figielski]

Jim,
I bought my R12R from a guy who had a minor 10mph fender bender (he ran into the back of a car at a light after starting off from a dead stop). It looked very minor, thought I'd get away with maybe one upper fork leg at the worst..... Wrong! Both fork uppers and lowers were tweaked as was the A-arm and the front frame/steering head. I sent it all off to the Frame man in Sacramento and he was able to straighten it all for around $500. My point is that these new bikes are made to be light which is great but everything bends much easier than on the old 1100 and 1150 bikes. If you did buy it back from the insurance company be prepared to straighten or replace almost everything on the front of the bike and take a real close look at the motor cases and transmission cases. I've seen several Hexheads in the shop that had cracked cases from seemingly minor impacts. Good luck whichever way you go!
Mike

I did check with the insurance company about a buy back, but it would have come with a salvage title and they wanted over 10 grand for the wreck! The remaining money would not have been enough to get the bike rolling again, much less take care of any of the other damages. So, I've got my eye on a couple of R's, one used 2011 with higher miles, or a brand new classic. I'm leaning towards the classic.
-Jim

WOW, that is crazy. Hopefully they gave you a good payout then. Good luck with your next bike!
Mke

[karamazov2]

You're definitely gonna want that Classic. Reduced wind drag over the white Rally strip significantly improves performance.