Rocket Down... '06 Classic

[rocketjohn]

You've got that bike up and riding like three times now, I'd say she's a keeper.....I still have the boots and riding suit I was wearing when I went over a cliff. I know how it is.

 

[TURBO200R4]

You've got that bike up and riding like three times now, I'd say she's a keeper.....I still have the boots and riding suit I was wearing when I went over a cliff. I know how it is.

i started to put a like on there but i did not want u to think i liked u going over the cliff

 

[CvSisinthehouse]

I also have an 06 Classic.

First year - laid it down misreading a turn (I don't ride listening to Slayer anymore). Totaled, Geico wrote me a check for $6,000 and dropped me. Baxter Cycles helped me get all the essential parts (gas tank took the longest to get), did the work myself so was able to pocket labor costs. Nothing medical.

Second year - snow just melted, first long ride of the Spring. Spun out on leftover rocksalt and highsided. Totaled, Progressive wrote me a check for $10,000. Once again, Baxter helped me gather all the parts I needed (gas tank took 2 months this time), no labor, no medical.

Sigh...

Last week - coming up to a stoplight, young lady in a parking lot to my right prepares to enter the road, make eye contact with me, pulls right out into the lane. Had a semi to my left, stood up a bit to brace myself, slammed the front end right into her driver's side door. Lay down my ride, throws me backward. Thankfully the gent behind me saw the whole thing, helped me put 'er on the kickstand. She reentered the parking lot and tried to ask if I was ok, I was too ticked to talk. Cops showed up (one on a bike ), found her at fault for failing to yeild AND driving w/o a license! Besides obviously front fender damage, my right headlamp is bent, right turn busted, right petzl light crushed. The fork brackets may be twisted a bit, not sure. Definitely all easily repairable based off my experience. No medical issues.

Guess I just wanted to reflect a bit on my story, due to our similar ride and incident. But mainly to point out how difficult it is for some riders to break their bond with their bike. Apparently I'm cursed with this condition, after laydown #1 I was seriously looking at getting a new R3. I had just picked up my dream bike, knew I'd be riding rockets my entire life, but how I acquired THIS bike was one of the best experiences of my life. If there was anyway I could hold onto that a bit longer, I was gonna. Putting her back together was the most straight forward and cheapest route to keep riding a blood and bones R3 Classic. By total #2 I was even more bonded to this bike and more experienced piecing the rocket puzzle back together. Last week, as time slows down and I watch my front tyre touch her door, I immediately start calculating how I'll handle this one if I live through it.

Many of my friends and family think I'm insane to keep this bike much less keep riding at this point, perhaps with the money I've made, many of you on here feel the same way. Nothing wrong with that. But perhaps someone reading this can relate. If so and if my ramblings had a point it'd be this - only you can decide when to give up your ride. Even if everyone and everything points to the smart decision being to move on, including the insurance check. Cheers!

Wow Spike, your bike is like a dog you just cant put down. I had been planning to Plastidip my R3 Flex Blue, chop the rear fender slightly, and put the black head cover back on, and paint some other bits.. glad I didnt. Also, 3 weeks later and my windshield would have been on there and likely lost as well. We all have our pet peeves about our bikes, mine is covering up as much chrome as I can, blue and black is what I like.

 

[Paul Bryant]

Just remember, success is getting up just one more time than you fail/fall over

 

[EasTexRIII]

Wow Spike, your bike is like a dog you just cant put down. I had been planning to Plastidip my R3 Flex Blue, chop the rear fender slightly, and put the black head cover back on, and paint some other bits.. glad I didnt. Also, 3 weeks later and my windshield would have been on there and likely lost as well. We all have our pet peeves about our bikes, mine is covering up as much chrome as I can, blue and black is what I like.

From your list of "parts needed" cost $$$$$$$$$$$ , along with your statement:

The guy said the frame was not bent.

The freaking adjuster does not know if the frame is bent or not - Why the h<ll do they say something that they have no idea what they are talking about - That frame would need to be cross measured out!
Anyway, sounds like you made a good choice

 

[rocketpockets05]

Glad to hear you guys are alive and well.
A local fella here who has owned a small Harley shop for at least 40 years and rides year round ( not easily done here in New England ) hit deer number 8 last week. Second one this year, I think he has 4 kills.He must be pushing 70 years of age by now. Anyway I passed him on the road two days later on his third bike of the year . He went to a sportster and sidecar for the winters a couple years ago.

 

[Spike]

Glad to hear you guys are alive and well.
A local fella here who has owned a small Harley shop for at least 40 years and rides year round ( not easily done here in New England ) hit deer number 8 last week. Second one this year, I think he has 4 kills.He must be pushing 70 years of age by now. Anyway I passed him on the road two days later on his third bike of the year . He went to a sportster and sidecar for the winters a couple years ago.

That's a hardcore old timer. Riding in the winter can be very therapeutic. Get some decent gloves, layer up, and let everything numb out. The air is so much clearer and cleaner in the cold months. My bro-inlaw actually throws on his knobbie tyres so he can even ride in the snow, up in Missouri. But 8 deer?! Bet his insurance LOVES him!

 

[HansO]

Well that all sounds awesome. I always thought 3 exhaust pipes were like 3 boobs, kinda weird...

Oiii the non symmetrical look of the Rocket's Mufflers was one of the things that appealed to me, it would have been to easy for Triumph to not "Go Your Own Way" but the fact that they stuck this bloody great 3cylinder motor in long ways with double headlights and big Fat Rear End were the bright light that drew this moth to it, I was so determined to keep the 3 mufflers that when I got my CES header system I had him custom build at transition pipe to connect to the modified StainTune mufflers which due to OD of the pipe meant almost no restriction till the exhaust gases hit the baffles, she is make more than enough noise and goes like scalded cat, in my opinion the standard Roadster Bazooka size twin mufflers were a step backwards in the individualitic styling of the Rocket ....... rant over ... Cheers

 

[1K9]

It finally happened, my 19 year streak of no major accidents is over. This lady pulled in front of me and her car stalled (I think) and I couldnt swerve around her in time. Just found out today the bike is totaled. So I have a decision to make. This is her insurance company's email from this morning cut and pasted:

"If you do not want to retain salvage
ACV $6,308.00
Tax $378.48 (6%)
Tag/Title Fee $110.00

Total Settlement Offer $6,796.48

If you want to retain salvage
ACV $6,308.00
Salvage Value: $2,150.00
Tax $378.48
Tag/Title Fee $110.00

Total Settlement Offer $4,646.48"


I didnt get a parts needed list but I know it is at least:

Front fork, wheel and tire
Gas tank
1 mirror
Jardine exhaust was pretty scraped up, so that too I guess.
Right footpeg broke off

I asked for a parts needed list, will post any more info I get. The guy said the frame was not bent. I will talk to my bike shop tomorrow, they are closed today. I am not really a project guy, but parts are somewhat easy to install if they are the right parts right?

Any ideas, thanks in advance.

How much for bodily injury?

 

[EasTexRIII]

How much for bodily injury?

LOL - So, youra personal injury lawyer????