Well, I got cut off by a truck last week and took some major damage to my bike (and to myself). The forks, wheel and a few other front end items are bent. The frame and the rest of the bike are perfectly fine. The good news is that both the police and insurance company have found me not at fault. In fact, the driver of the other vehicle is being charged. The bad news is the insurance adjuster has deemed the bike a write off.

The insurance company has presented me with two options: A pretty decent settlement that would actually give me a lump sum that I'd have to add very little too in order to buy another 599. In this case, THEY keep the bike. The second option is that they give me 30% less and I keep the bike, and I'd of course have the bike fixed. The downside is it would cost me about $1500. Now, not to sound like a jerk, but I can easily afford the extra cost fix it, but maybe I'm just being too sentimental.

What would you do?

I love my 599 but the used bike market is insane right now. I'd check out other 599's but there are alot of really nice used bikes out there. I'm kinda big on karma as well, if my bike got really damaged I'd look to replace it. Get rid of bad memories and all even if it's just metal.

The second option is that they give me 30% less and I keep the bike, and I'd of course have the bike fixed. The downside is it would cost me about $1500.

1. Sorry to hear about this. It is rough hearing that another 599 might be wiped off the planet, but good to know you're okay and wanting to ride again.

2. Are you saying that even after the settlement money, you'd have to pay $1500 out of pocket to fix the bike if you bought it back from the insurance company??? That doesn't sound right. What about money for injuries?

I once would've said to skip the whole riding-a-wrecked-bike thing, but so many people around here have bought back their totalled bikes to new glory... I dunno, it might be a good idea. OTOH, if you ever wanted to try something else, now would be the time. I see the dilemma.

I love my 599 but the used bike market is insane right now.

Dude. The new bike market is insane right now. I just bought a VFR for more than $4000 off MSRP. Honda_Freak got an even better deal on a CBR1000RR. Not to mention Motorico paying half-price that obsolete piece o' crap he has... :mrgreen:

It's a good time to be able to buy a bike new or used, that's all I'm sayin'. :wink:

I'm glad you are OK.

- If you keep the bike would it be considered totaled? If yes, then don't do it. In California it's a hassle to sell, to register and to insure. It's like the Tiki that Greg dug up... bad voodoo. But maybe Canada is different.

- If the bike will not be considered totaled and you really love the 599, now may be a good time to upgrade the forks to adjustable CBR spec deals and all the pluses that go with that. But those mods don't really add value to your bike. You might loose money when you sell it. Most people want stock bikes and stock geometry.

- Or you could go get a Street triple and make me green with jealousy.

I don't know for sure, but I don't think the bike would be considered 'totalled'. The term "Write Off" has been bandied about by the insurance company. I asked what exactly they meant by that and they said that according to their formula, the cost of repair exceeds more than half the cost of replacement. I asked if I repaired the bike would my rates go up or would they even insure it and they said they'd gladly insure it and because I wasn't at fault, and my rates wouldn't go up. Hell, I don't even have to pay a deductible because of some provincial law for drivers/riders not at fault. So, no tiki. Besides, I always figured I'd keep the bike, even when I upgraded to another one.

I also spoke to the mechanic himself (a Honda Dealership) and he said it was completely fixable, albeit expensive. I also made sure to ask if it would be safe, any damage to the frame, etc.? He said the frame is fine and they wouldn't fix it if they weren't sure it would pass inspection - which they were.

this is a tough one... I was recently in a situation a lot like this, except the wreck was said to my fault, I was given the option to take what the INS company would pay to fix it, or let them total it. I took the check and fixed. What the local honda shop said was over 10k in damage I fixed for just over 2k... :) but it may be worth taking the big check, adding a little to it over the winter, and look for something new/not wrecked in the spring

Is it an 04 or 06? If it were me and I were considering repairing it, there is no way I'd put stock 599 forks on it. 370 Steve and Ebay could point the way to 599 glory. You could have a ripping street fighter for what it would probably cost to get it back to stock. A stock 599 has, a great motor, good brakes and awful suspension. A New front end addresses a good portion of the latter two...

It depends on how you feel about the bike? Is there anything else out there that you want to try?

Dude. The new bike market is insane right now. I just bought a VFR for more than $4000 off MSRP. Honda_Freak got an even better deal on a CBR1000RR. Not to mention Motorico paying half-price that obsolete piece o' crap he has... :mrgreen:

That's "classic". I forgot to ask, did your "lasso of truth" come in the mail yet?

This is always a tough one. You'll find people here on both ends of the spectrum that ended up very happy.

Mine got totaled out last year by an accident where I wasn't at fault. I got $4800 for the bike plus $610 in incidentals and an injury settlement.

The thing was, there was a cracked engine mount and minor crap after that. My total repair bill was $700 plus my aftermarket replacements. I paid off what I owed on the bike, and after salvage buyback I still had tons of money for mods and the injury settlement was enough for an FHA down payment on a house.

Worked out ok for me.

Yes, it's a salvage bike. Went from this:

http://www.honda599.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=33&pictureid=120


Now looks like this (rearsets added last weekend):

http://www.honda599.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=40&pictureid=166


All I need now is forks and an Ohlins rear shock and I'm... done. Probably not going to bother with it now, though.

So - point is - resurrection is possible. As long as the major stuff is viable, the rest just takes patience.

It depends on how you feel about the bike? Is there anything else out there that you want to try?

I can't express how much I love that g#ddamned bike, but I must admit I've taken a shine to a brand new Triumph Bonneville that I've seen in the neighbourhood lately. I don't know much about them (yet), but the look of that bike is right in my wheel house. Trouble is, I've got about 14 days to decide.

I think the truth is probably that I don't want to admit to myself that I should scrap the bike and move on. There. I said it. But, I'm experiencing some sort of spineless loyalty to my beloved hornet that I'm having a hard time getting over. I also have a bag of after market parts that were going to be installed when I took her out of storage.

Here's my take on it. I was in the same boat as you almost exactly one year ago. However, the insurance company only took 20% off of the payout. If they're taking 30% then I say you're not getting your money's worth. Take the whole check and just buy a new/used bike. Get whatever you want, be it Hornet, Bonneville, or CBR. You'll be better off financially any way you slice it.

Good luck!

That's "classic". I forgot to ask, did your "lasso of truth" come in the mail yet?

Yeah. You got a problem with that, little fella?

http://mydisguises.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/wonder-woman-costume-pattern.jpg

:lol2:

Your mastery of Google images is fierce, Chaztastic Cheeseholio.

:lol2:

Your mastery of Google images is fierce, Chaztastic Cheeseholio.

Yeah, she takes the term "brick house" to a whole 'nuther level. But you shoulda seen my second-choice pic... :shock:

http://www.mydisguises.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/funny_wonder-woman.jpg

I think I peed a little.

If I could just hijack the thread back for a moment, I've been reading through the forum and I gather those in favor of resurrection would advise ohlins front and rear shocks?

If I coulf just hijack the thread back for a moment, I've been reading through the forum and I gather those in favor of resurrection would advise ohlins front and rear shocks?
If you have $1000 sitting around for suspension... sure.

And it's not just a matter of getting an Ohlins "front shock". You're talking about fork internals and all that jazz. You'll need to match up spring rates and and a bunch of crap I don't know enough about yet. It's pretty complicated.

The thing about adjustable suspensions is that you need to take your bike to a track and have a pro sort it all out for you. Maybe someone with in-depth knowledge of suspension characteristics could help but usually you need a pro to get it right. There are probably stock settings you could use to get you going but it's kind of like buying a really expensive TV and then not bothering to calibrate it. Only instead of a DVD and some adjustments you need to race down a track and understand how the different characteristics of handling are impacted by the settings. It's quite involved and complex. I'm sure the upgrade and the standard settings will be OK, especially for street riding.

I guess you could try to fit Ohlins forks on it but I'd think something off of a CBR could be made to work. 370Steve is the oracle of the 599 in that regard.

And it's not just a matter of getting an Ohlins "front shock". You're talking about fork internals and all that jazz. You'll need to match up spring rates and and a bunch of crap I don't know enough about yet. It's pretty complicated.

Well as far as I was concerned, the bike rode and handled fine with all the stock suspension. But, reading posts daily and hearing a lot of your opinions I just started thinking -"Must be one of those things you don't notice until you change" And a lot of you guys have expertise and knowledge that far exceeds mine.

Now, the question is, do you guys have any recommendations for suspension or other upgrades not involving any tinkering? I admit it, I'd rather just have stuff installed, start 'er up and go. I think its pretty obvious that I'd be getting in over my head with the ohlins stuff at this point.

Well as far as I was concerned, the bike rode and handled fine with all the stock suspension. But, reading posts daily and hearing a lot of your opinions I just started thinking -"Must be one of those things you don't notice until you change" And a lot of you guys have expertise and knowledge that far exceeds mine.

Now, the question is, do you guys have any recommendations for suspension or other upgrades not involving any tinkering? I admit it, I'd rather just have stuff installed, start 'er up and go. I think its pretty obvious that I'd be getting in over my head with the ohlins stuff at this point.

I was in the the "satisfied with the stock suspension on my 599" camp myself. I read the complaints about the diving forks and the soft shock and took them in stride. When I bought my XB and rode it on my closest "fun" road, the difference amazed me. Suddenly all the complaints people had made sense.

I think with some steel braided brakelines and an upgraded suspension the 599 would kick some butt. Problem is, Honda couldn't sell them for the high price with the budget suspension, there was no way anyone was paying a premium for better suspension on such a "little" bike.

Splootch, you can fix your bike up quite easily from E-bay, you will almost always find very good condition second hand parts for a steal.
but if you are looking to do a fork/shock up grade it would be best to fit some internals into some OEM forks and fit any after market rear shock ( thats because any of them is better than the OEM unit!!)
It would cost $$$$$$$$$$ to fit some Ohlins forks, but for a far smaller price you could get some far better than stock adjustable forks from another bike off E-bay and have some custom triples made to hold them.
It realy depends on how much work you are prepaired to put into it, and also if to you it is worth the hassle rather than just take the money and get another bike.

UPDATE:

Well, I had myself a little meeting with the mechanic yesterday who was looking after my bike. He got the list of recommended replacements out and then started showing me how several of them are things like minor scratches to the motor (no cracks), scuffs here and there including the clutch and bar ends which I'm replacing anyway). He said they have so many people coming in with accident bikes that point out little things like this, that their policy is - if its got a scuff or scratch, we report it to the appraiser as something that needs to be replaced. I said, I can live with those scuffs, etc, I just want the bike in safe, working order. He agreed and by the time we finished talking he said the repairs that are really necessary would cost so much less, I'd end up pocketing money from the insurance company. So he's going to take the front end off next week, inspect it thoroughly and then give me a call. I walked out of that place as giddy as a little girl.

Not only that, I found every single receipt for every after market part, submitted it to the appraiser and my settlement cheque went up a few hundred bucks. Boy, it pays to be anal sometimes - well, you know what I mean.

As far as the shocks go, I think I'm just go with the stock ones. Unless someone has another suggestion, I'm fine with the way the bike handles. Most of my riding is in the city, so a stiffer suspension doesn't come in handy when you're stuck in stop and go traffic all the time.

I'll keep you posted, but thanks to everyone who gave me their advice (except the Wonder Woman pics)

Update the 2nd:

Well, the bike is fixed and I made $2500 between the insurance settlement and actual repair costs. I haven't had a chance to ride it yet (my arm's still in a sling), but the mechanic seems pretty happy with the results. Its gone straight into winter storage, so I won't be getting back on her till the spring.

Overall, I think I was pretty lucky. The insurance company was a dream to work with - friendly, helpful and empathetic. And the mechanic at the Honda dealership didn't try to screw me - he actually saved me almost $3000. The only headache I had was dealing with my union for short term wages compensation while my broken finger and collarbone heal. But I finally got news yesterday that my claim was approved. So, aside from missing an extra month of riding because of the great weather here in Toronto, everything worked out great.

Thanks again to all who helped :)

Yeah I made out like a bandit on mine too. Comparable numbers. I'm down to liability only now though - so if it happens again by someone uninsured or my own fault, I'm screwed.

where your forks bent? and if so what did they do? straighten or replace? could you post some pics of the rebuilt hornet?

i had a similar thing happen to back in july 2007 after buying the bike brand new and only having it since january or 2007. what i did was, kept the bike and put it into storage and took the money and bought another bike. the 2003 cbr i bought was stollen from me:cry: just a mounth ago and it wasn't insured:cry:. so now with the off season here i am bringing the hornet out of storage and rebuilding her! going to set it up for the track and stunting!

The trees had to be replaced but everything else was straight. Can't get a pic, because its in storage - I'll post one when I get her out.

I've also had the European 'Hornet' decals put on. The shop has a painter who's going to put a clear coat over them while in storage. I also gave them my new pazzo levers, rizoma grips and crankcase cover as well as my replacement Givi windscreen. (BTW, that original windscreen got busted into a few pieces but probably saved the instrument cowl) all of which they generously offered to lump in with the other repair work for no charge! Crazy but true. I've thrown a few customers their way, so I guess it's their way of throwing me a bone.

It'll be like getting a brand new bike in the spring :)