Last Friday, that is...riding to work. Got my bike back on Tuesday afternoon and had been scooting down backroads as most of my commuting is done peak commuting time and traffic is not for me. Friday I had some AM appt's to take care of and decided the highway was the better route to take.
Pulled out to pass a truck (sped up to about 80-85 or so) and the GS wagged a bit. At the same time I felt some intense pain on my leg. I look down and see the front left 'cover panel' wrapped over my leg, and in my hand. The rear two dzus fasteners being the only things that are holding it on and it's flapping about as much as a big plastic wing can while attached to an aluminum body panel can.
Thanks to my MSF training my hand was on the piece before it got a chance to 'tear' the aluminum piece up too badly, but the total damage is the aluminum plate by the tank, and a steel bracket piece that is part of the fuel tank mounting assembly...and some of those dzus clips.
The pics below are after the event btw. Sorry I didn't get any with the cool 'wing' effect on the bike, I was too busy adding $$ in my head and got the big cheap plastic panel out of the way to survey the damage.
I sat at my desk weighing whether to call the dealership or not, one part of me faulted them for not putting in the front plastic clip piece that holds the 'wing' on, and one part faulted me for not checking it when I got it back. After a perusal of maxbmw's online fiche, and a grand total of just over 575$ in damaged goods I didn't have to call, she did.
The only thing I didn't want to happen is the tech. to get leaned on for this which is why I was on the fence about calling in the first place. The tech. has worked on my bike before and he is pretty meticulous/anal, so I'm really not sure how/why this occured. I do know the panel had to come off for the service(s) I just had done so anything is possible.
Dealership denied responsibility (stating their tech's attn. to detail) but said if I brought the parts/bike in they'd see what they could do, and whatever the cause - it shouldn't have occured, wow...cool . It is under BMWNA warranty still but it sounds like they're footing the bill.
I brought them in earlier this week and am going back tomorrow to hopefully pick up my toasty parts while the new ones are on order still. Thats the only thing that sucks...parts that aren't commonly replaced on these bikes are a bit of a long lead time, so I predict some metal-fabbery will occur in my garage tomorrow. Normally I wouldn't care except that aluminum piece (you cannot really tell) was severely stressed (it grew a bit) and the clearcoat has crazed/creased across the entire piece from the initial impact. The 'wing' part has a little tiny bit of damage, but I actually told them not to replace it that I'd be fine. I'd rather be the guy that didn't try to nickle and dime them the next time something obscure occurs to my bike (which I am sure...will occur).
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Blue circles - the two mount points that let go. One is really just a rubber piece that friction fits a plastic bung. The other is a metal clip that a drawn plastic fastener goes into and it clamps on.
Green circles - two 1/2 turn dzus fastener clips.
Dark green - one of the dzus fasteners that kept it on the bike.
Come find yourself - GPS Discussion Forums
Time is the ultimate currency.
The Seamii are awesome.
NH - thats included in the package, you believe it?
DUX - What do you have then? I was checking a GSA yesterday up close and looks vy similar (?), am I hallucinating or are you telling me you shaved the bodywork off to save weight?
I tried searching advrider and didn't find anything on it, strangely. I figured someone must have had this occur before.
I got the old parts back so I can ride once I am off call (Monday) and I will call back next week to see if the new stuffs be in. Also took the liberty of adding a topcase relocation kit (removes the rear seat and allows the topcase to snap into it's mount) to the order.
They are having a sale on the K bikes too, 2500$ off msrp...damn me.
Come find yourself - GPS Discussion Forums
Time is the ultimate currency.
The Seamii are awesome.
DUX - What do you have then? I was checking a GSA yesterday up close and looks vy similar (?), am I hallucinating or are you telling me you shaved the bodywork off to save weight?
I tried searching advrider and didn't find anything on it, strangely. I figured someone must have had this occur before.
They are having a sale on the K bikes too, 2500$ off msrp...damn me.
Mines all gas tank in that area. There are some smaller covers up front, but one of the reasons I went with the bike is WX protection. The tank has pockets that fit around my knees.
That's not a stock saddle on your bike. Judging by the stripes, it looks like a Sargent. How do you like it? Wanting to pull the trigger on one, but still don't have leathers for the track next year..............
$2500 off? Mine does have over 13k on it now..... Then again, I've learned that what they say is true. These motors really smooth out after 10k.
If you think that loud pipes save lives, imagine what learning to really ride that thing could do.
I didn't realize the gas tank filled up that area entirely, thought there were still some covers . Makes sense though, you should have no concern over losing one.
Mine is just getting into the noisy stage at 4k, what kind of oil do you run?
Come find yourself - GPS Discussion Forums
Time is the ultimate currency.
The Seamii are awesome.
I didn't realize the gas tank filled up that area entirely, thought there were still some covers . Makes sense though, you should have no concern over losing one.
Mine is just getting into the noisy stage at 4k, what kind of oil do you run?
I usually only run 5 gallons at a time. If I know there's a lot of super-slab then I'll go ahead and fill it up.
So far it's been Castrol, as recommended on the back of the BMW manual. A switch to synthetic blend may be in order for the next one.
If you think that loud pipes save lives, imagine what learning to really ride that thing could do.
Heh, I was thinking 'do I really want that much weight?' with the ADV tank and its 8.9 gallons, never thinking I didn't have to FILL it every time . Donkey that I am.
I've been running Castrol GTX 20w-50. If I could find the high mileage 20w-50 I'd go with that (was told it's better for the boxer config?).
I'm not planning on going to synth on this machine till at least 15-20k myself, and when I do it will likely be Amsoil. I'm not so concerned about the FD lube because I'm sure I'll have a new one by then
Come find yourself - GPS Discussion Forums
Time is the ultimate currency.
The Seamii are awesome.
Heh, I was thinking 'do I really want that much weight?' with the ADV tank and its 8.9 gallons, never thinking I didn't have to FILL it every time . Donkey that I am.
Don't feel bad. It was self-critiquing the first time I tried to ride along some railroad tracks in the rocks with about 7 gallons of fuel on board.
If you think that loud pipes save lives, imagine what learning to really ride that thing could do.
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my hand was on the piece before it got a chance to 'tear' the aluminum piece up too badly, but the total damage is the aluminum plate by the tank, and a steel bracket piece that is part of the fuel tank mounting assembly...and some of those dzus clips. 
I didn't have to call, she did. 
. It is under BMWNA warranty still but it sounds like they're footing the bill. 
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Originally Posted by SomeStrangeGuy
Then again, I've learned that what they say is true. These motors really smooth out after 10k.
. Makes sense though, you should have no concern over losing one. 
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