Daves Blog

Sorry for being so quiet lately (again). Work took over my life for a few weeks which is just as well really as you’ll see when you read the following sorry tale…

Four weeks ago to the day I took my K1300S to North Oxford Garage and I haven’t seen it since. No, it wasn’t stolen, they still have it. The previous Wednesday we’d gone to the Oliver Cromwell with Roundway Riders as usual. It was one of the quietest nights of the year so far and when we got there, there was only one other bike in the car park. He’d parked under the trees which I don’t like doing because of the tree sap, and so I chose to park in an open area of the car park where we usually park all the bikes, and where I could keep an eye on it. I was a good 8 to 10 feet behind a parked car and had of course looked to make sure I wasn’t going to block him. As it was the car was parked, I assumed deliberately, in such a way that he could leave when he wanted to by simply driving forwards. So, we sat outside with our friends having a natter as you do.

Later in the evening I saw a guy that we all know from the pub walking towards the parked car to leave. As I noticed it was the car in front of my bike, it was on the tip of my tongue to say “Hey, you’ve seen my bike right?”. But I also thought, don’t be stupid, of course he has. It’s bright orange, it’s not hidden, it’s off set to the right of his car and basically couldn’t be missed. So I thought no more of it. 1 minute later I hear a sharp intake of breath and an “Oh my God” from one of my friends, only to look up and see numpty of the year, pushing my bike backwards with his car. What the hell? I guess he felt something because after he’d pushed it backwards for about a foot he stopped and got out. Apart from the profuse apologising, I’ll never forget what he said next. “I don’t understand. I always check in my mirrors before reversing and I didn’t this time. I didn’t even look.”!!!! I think I may have questioned the quality of his eye sight in no uncertain terms before taking a look at the bike. The front mudguard had a gouge in it but my biggest concern was the alignment. I’d parked it with the steering on the left lock, and so of course any force he’d just exerted on it, would have to be taken up by something, so I took it for a ride.

Much to my dismay, of course, something was very evidently bent with the bars now 2 to 3 degrees right when travelling straight - very noticeable. After my experience with my first K1200S I couldn’t believe it of course. Anyway, he gave me his insurance details and so that evening I set about registering the claim etc. I’m insured with BMW Motorrad insurance, who are actually Devitts, a brokers and so my insurance is with NIG. I can’t fault the service they’ve given me so far, although it was harder than it needed to be getting them to agree to allow North Oxford to do the repairs. They’ve already written to me letting me know that under the circumstances of the accident, I am blameless, I will not have to pay any excess and my NCB will not be affected. They will be seeking 100% settlement of any claim from numpty’s insurance company.

Providing he sticks to the same “I didn’t even look” story this will be no problem of course, however if in the cold light of day he decides to try and change his story, he’ll come seriously unstuck. I have at least 4 independent witnesses who not only saw him reverse into my bike when he had no need to reverse, but also saw him drink at least a pint and a half in the pub before getting into his car!!!!!

So, the bike went into North Oxford for repairs on the Saturday. Now, you have to remember this has BMW’s Duolever suspension so the following might only make sense to those who understand this…

The steering was on the left lock, and amazingly the steering stop is right up on the handlebar carrier, this means that absolutely any of the components downwards from the handlebars could have been bent and maybe not just one, but probably a combination.

To date, NOG have replaced:

1. The steering shaft.

2. The upper wishbone.

3. The steering/wheel carrier connector hinged bracket.

It’s still bent!

They now have the front wheel carrier (the forks) on order and we expect them to arrive any day. I’m hopeful, but not optimistic this will fix it. Firstly because there’s not a lot left after them and secondly because BMW made much of the fact they’re made from much lighter (does that mean weaker?) material on the K13’s. If these don’t fix it, then it’s most likely they’ll have to start looking at the frame and even though the bill is currently around the £2000 mark, NOG reckon they still have about £8000 available before the insurance company will look to write it off.

All down the line, from the legal protection company, my insurance and now even NOG I’ve been offered loan bikes, but of course I’ve felt and said I didn’t need one because I can always ride Meike’s Divvy. The truth is, because I’ve been so busy, I’ve not really missed riding, but I am missing having my bike. Don’t know if that makes sense, but I’d like it back sooner rather than later now. If the repairs are going to take longer and NOG offer me a K1300S I’ll most likely take them up on it now.

The one thing that has and still amazes me in this experience is the apparent lack of help for NOG from BMW UK. You’d think that there would be a deliberate week spot built into the front suspension arrangement somewhere, but apparently there isn’t. From what I’ve heard, BMW UK are as much in the dark as anyone with suggestions on what to change next. I do find this amazing.

Anyway, that’s where I’ve been and what’s been happening and why I’ve missed some of the best biking weather we’ve had for ages. No amount of screaming can change the situation of course and it is what it is, but I wish it wasn’t.

I’ll update when I know more.