New plastic is here!!!

[wfooshee]

Those who read every word of every post of every topic in every forum may recall my lowside about 3 weeks ago, where I managed to damage every plastic panel in front of the seat (including the windshield and fender), at less than 15 miles per hour, by allowing the bike to slide under an armco barrier when my nearly-crushed ankle failed to stop it. Pavement took the left side, armco took the right and center.

Progressive was awesome about going over the bike and ticking off stuff to buy, and even sent another check when I found more damage under the front cowl when I tore it down to fix the mirror mount.

Most of the new plastic is here, it looks awesome, but . . . . . . . .

What if I tear it up again???!??!?!? That's be kind of a waste, huh?

I've got half a mind to just hold onto the new bits against the day the thing might go up on the market.

And another thing. The new sidebag they sent me has a side reflector on it, which mine didn't have. Now I've got the redneck hubcap syndrome: they don't match, but you can only see one side at a time anyway. Can you remove the reflector without destroying the paint, or do I just need to order the one for the other bag?

 

[rocketdoc]

Heat up that reflector with a hair dryer and then slip some fishing line carefully on the edge and slide it under and the whole thing comes off, slick as ****.

Good luck on the repairs, just do it.

 

[Bob Hughes]

Money is only paper until you spend it and turn it into something real that you can enjoy. Go for it bro. The FJR is to nice of a ride not to get the new paint.

 

[uctofeej]

Did Progressive say they won't replace it if you drop it again? I say go for it.

 

[trimmantom]

The hardest thing to replace will be the front cowl,the rest is a piece of cake.

If you're worried about dropping it again don't worry about it,ride it like you stole it.

 

[Toecutter]

If you're thinking of selling the bike, why not do it now and get a newer one?

 

[Deej]

Don't bobble, put it on, your question is like asking if you should buy another bike because you are afraid of dropping it and scratching it up. It happens, like some others have said/

uctofeej Posted Today, 07:51 AM

Did Progressive say they won't replace it if you drop it again? I say go for it.

And I agree, replace it.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

I agree with all of the above, and add you may find more wrong (hope not) in the process and it is easier to get money out of Progressive now, rather than later. Also, what else do you have to do until your ankle heals up (hope soon)? Then when she is pretty again you can decide to keep her or sell her, as your heart says...........

 

[SR-71]

I'd say if you're gut feeling is "you might" drop it again; due to being new to the bike, new to riding in general, confidence issue, whatever, leave the old parts on for awhile. As long as everything works on your bike, the only thing that will suffer will be your ego. Then upgrade to the new parts when you get more comfortable with the bike. One advantage of leaving it as is, odds are, no one will steal it!

As for the reflector issue. I know a lot of people pry their reflectors off as soon as they get their bike home. Not me! Hell, I figure we're invisible enough out there, so why increase the chances of getting side-smacked? Consider ordering a reflector for the missing side. Ya never know... that one little reflector just might save you from being smacked by some cell-phone wheelin' soccer mom driving her 3-ton Ford Excursion. Always stack the odds in your favor and remember, "There are old pilots and bold pilots, but no old bold pilots."

SR-71

 

[madmike2]

1) Replace the plastic.

2) Sent the old palstic to the paint shop and have that custom paint job you've always wanted but didn't care to stop riding. :yahoo:

Stripes? Patterns? Flames? Graphics? Fade? Scene? Go for it!!!!!

 

[SR-71]

As for the poll, I'm going along with the minority on this one. It seems no one has asked the obvious question. What is your experience level with a FJR, (or similar bike)? Are you moving up from a smaller bike, or maybe a cruiser? Does the FJR's power level, handling characteristics, and/or weight make you a bit nervous? If so, I'd say if you're gut feeling is "you might" drop it again; you probably will. Having a lack of confidence with your machine can easily increase your chances of making a bad decision.

I see 5 advantages to leaving your FJR as-is, at least for the short term:

1) Time to gain confidence.

2) If you fix it now, then drop it again, you chance increasing your insurance rates, or maybe being dropped.

3) If you do drop it again, you may not notice any further damage.

4) Assuming the bike is safe to drive (no loose parts and such), the only thing that will suffer will be your ego.

5) Odds are, no one will steal it!

As for the reflector issue. I know some people like to take their reflectors off as soon as they get their bike home. Not me! Hell, I figure we're invisible enough out there. Why increase the chances of getting side-smacked? Consider ordering a reflector for the missing side. Ya never know... that one little reflector just might save you from being smacked by some cell-phone wheelin' soccer mom driving her 3-ton Ford Excursion.

There are old pilots and bold pilots, but no old bold pilots.

SR-71

 

[wfooshee]

Ooh, I like Madmike's idea, have the old parts painted up custom! Go terrorize the town in the custom paint, come home and swap it back.

For that to work, I need a whole 'nother set of gear, too, though. Damn $$$$$.

Maybe just a subtle color change, like Corvette's Atomic Orange. . . .

Tupperware party, my house, when the center cover comes.

 

[madmike2]

Ooh, I like Madmike's idea, have the old parts painted up custom! Maybe just a subtle color change, like Corvette's Atomic Orange. . . .
Tupperware party, my house, when the center cover comes.

How about a Pearl solid color with ghost flames? Since yours is a 2003, you could bet the body palstic painted "close" to the original color so when when you attach the side cases.....

Jist tryin tuh hep!

 

[7xray]

If you're thinking of selling the bike, why not do it now and get a newer one?

Yeah, and you could keep the old parts and put them on the new one and then not have to worry about dropping it!