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Insurance companies and bike shops are both a hassle when getting quotes to fix the bike.

First the bike shop quotes on items not absolutely necessary to repairs -  i.e. the mirror doesn’t need replacing because of a few small scratches on the back, nor does the lower centre fairing section need replacing (I couldn’t see any damage to it), and surely the fuel tank can have a small dent repaired instead of replacing the whole tank @ a cost of $950.00 – but quoting for these items took the repair quote above write-off value despite me advising them of the insured value and that I didn’t want the bike writing off – weren’t they listening?

Next I take the bike into the insurance assessors for them to inspect the damage. They inform me that based on the quote received from the bike shop that they would write-off the bike – what the? I’m still riding it … any bike that can still be ridden shouldn’t even be considered as a write off – it’s just plain wasteful of a good bike and resources. This ‘throw away vehicle’ mentality is out of control!

Then they inform me if written off, I don’t get first offer on the wreck, instead it goes to auction, where I could bid for it along with other people … no way! However, one of the assessors had bikes himself  (turns out I’ve actually ridden with him on a couple of Ulysses rides) advised me of another MC repairer they use, and gave me his address. After phoning and leaving a message, the owner Raymond phoned back and I explained the situation to him. So next week I’m taking the bike to his premises whereby we’ll discuss the repair/replace options so the bike will be fixed and not written-off.  This is a much better outcome.

As for the bike shop; I went in this morning and paid for the brake lever and pedal previously supplied as part of quote they expected to be approved. I’m then told of another repair shop that can fix damaged fairings and do the paintwork as well – so this is another option.

However; after 22 years, and insuring 4 other vehicles with them (including 2 current cars), making my first ever crash claim with the insurance company has not been a good experience. After all this is sorted, I shall be increasing the agreed value of this bike, and seeking an alteration to the policy that sees me given first right of salvage if it is ever written-off in the future -  if they can’t agree to that, then I’ll be changing insurance companies … an inexpensive premium is not good value if the policy doesn’t meet needs.

The TL1000S has a unique character, and after riding around for the past year, I’ve only encountered 2 or 3 others on the road – they were only in production for 4 years and have become a bit of a modern classic, as such they are in short supply and I don’t want to lose this one – on the upside, I just picked up my new custom ‘Ulysses Club’ licence plate from the Department of Transport.