Ducati Monster Forum

Have been posting as much of late, but could use some help from the forum.

My bike has been parked in my driveway due to construction of a new garage.  Yesterday some tree guys came in to do some related work.  Apparently their trailer cliped my bike and knocked it over  [bang]

They told my wife it was "no big deal" and stood it back up.  Gee thanks.

Damage wise there really is not much visible.  The very tip of the brake level broke off cleanly (brake appears to still function).  The bar end is a bit scratched up as well (which doesn't bother me).  I did note that the bars, which used to contact the tank on the left side (adjuster is out of whack and tank expanded) now hits the stop.  Would indicate something did bend slightly.
Some scratches on the beer tray as well (i know, i know) but that's also not the end of the world.

So here is my question:

1. Is it possible for a bike to fall over, break a level, and otherwise have no real damage cosmetic or otherwise?

2. Do i just let it go, buy some new levers, and so long as it rides ok forget about it?  Or should i be making an insurance claim and getting it to a dealer somehow to get the whole thing checked out.

I have full insurance and frankly time is as important to me as money.

thoughts??

thanks!

Your comprehensive or even homeowners should cover it. Have the dealer make it new. Just my $0.02 of course.  ;)

I've dropped my bike a couple times and it's only caused cosmetic damage broken levers.  I would probably just talk to the company about paying for the levers or discounting your bill.

Either the handle bar is bent or your forks turned a bit in the triples.  They knocked it over.  Hand them the bill.

I agree.  Following this further... if they would have backed into your car and broke the mirror or dented the rear quarter I would expect the same thing... or dropped a limb through the roof of your garage.  You can give them the opportunity to pay for it outright, or they should have business (liability) insurance.  The burden of compensation is on them, not you.  Personally, knowing how these things go (having worked for a tree company, and having my own pool service business currently) I would come up with a dollar amount to repair the bike yourself, including having the front end checked, and present it to them, telling them it's probably the best deal they are going to get.  Depending on the state, there are other avenues you can pursue (i.e. are they a licensed contractor with the state?)  If they are operating in the grey, that's something they really don't want to fool with.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but they damaged your motorcycle... it should be fixed.  Good luck.

All good points.

Also, once you price everything out, show that to your wife so she understands how much these things cost  ;D

and then the wife asks you to have a 1:1 relationship? for every $1 spent on bike, spend the same amount on her

That is my constant nightmare.

Mark

So an update here.

Brought the bike to a local dealer and they and the insurance adjuster have given a quote of over $3,800 to basically repair a brake lever and a couple lightly scratch parts.

So they have totaled the bike and want to take it to a salvage yard.

Looks like my options are (1) go get my perfectly fine bike and fix it out-of-pocket, or (2) let them total it - get a couple thousand dollars BUT then have a bike with a salvage title.

It's kind of killing me that this is spiraling out of control.  The bike has 7,000 miles on it - runs perfectly - has BRAND new rubber - JUST had valves done - has more $$ of carbon fiber on it than they are valuing it at, etc., etc.

Advice?

Do this.

And send the tree/landscape company the bill. Just make sure nothing is tweaked.