To total or not to total...

[majicmaker]

I agree with the "GO NEW" crowd. Knowing that your butt is the first to sully your seat if priceless!

If your bank account can handle it, You will ride for many years not worrying if there are any secrets lurking that will make you regret your decision!

 

[HotRodZilla]

Im gonna say, go new. The problem with the "Devil you know" is that now it may have problems you don't know about. I know it may be a money issue, but if it were me and I could swing it, I would buy new. At the very least, I would take the total and get away from the wrecked one.

 

[drc32-0]

I saw an '09 at Park Yamaha in Canton for $11,899 in cycletrader.

 

[DaJudge]

Unless it's something you simply cannot readily replace (clearly not the case here), settle for the total loss, get out there, and SHOP. :yahoo:

With the collective brain power of the FJR forum behind you, it should be easy.

 

[Moon Man]

FWIW, I was in a similar situation with an Acura Integra that i once owned. I totaled it for about what it was worth (6k), bought the wreck for 680, sold it for 2800 a day later, and came out with 8200 out of a car I bought for 5500 used. It was a good deal.

There are great used FJR's out there, the bike has a good demographic of owners. I would total it.

 

[gearman]

I'm leaning toward total, buy another 1st gen and the wrecked bike (if it can be had reasonable). Quick question: will gen 1 sidecases fit an '08? A local dealer has a new '08 without cases for 10K + t&t. The covers on mine are scraped up but otherwise they are fine. I can get them fixed for very little $.

 

[luvtoride]

Quick question: will gen 1 sidecases fit an '08?

Absolutely yes!

 

[mdisher]

Related post
Talked to the insurance adjuster today. The FJR is so close on repair cost/value that they left it up to me. If I take the total loss route and buy another bike within 30 days ($500 deductible-they reimburse sales tax and title costs) I will just about break even on the purchase price. In other words, I'll eat the $500+ I paid for tax and title. I'm ok with that, but now I have to buy another bike (yes, it will be another FJR). Buying used bikes is always somewhat of a gamble. I could pony up the extra $, get a new '08 and alleviate the risk of buying used. Or I could go with "the devil that I know" and get the wreck repaired. I'm sure that it will take a month or more for the dealer to get that feat accomplished. And if the waters weren't muddied enough, the guy at the shop says I could take the total loss option and buy the bike from the insurer and fix it myself. I'm assuming it would then be considered salvaged. I dunno...used parts are neither plentiful or inexpensive for these machines. Any thoughts that might nudge me one way or another?

There's parts a plenty on ebay. Seems like a rash of Gen 1's have been getting parted out lately. Granted I suspect *most* have had some front end damage cause you don't see front end parts that often.

the Salvage thing is no big deal. I went through that in the spring with a car that my son 'totaled'. We Took the cash from the insurance company, bought it back and fixed it. They would only use NEW suspension parts and quite frankly, putting a new anything on a 98 Escort just didn't make sense.

The process to go from Salvage to a 'rebuilt' title was simply an inspection. One which was more geared towards making sure we didn't rebuild with stolen parts more than having anything to do with Safety.

I don't know what your balance sheet looks like. If you're at all concerned about the stability of the front or the frame I'd say total it and buy a similar used bike (like Pappy's).

FJR's are good, used should not be an issue on this forum. *Most* are taken care of.

JMHO.

 

[gearman]

Has anyone bought their crashed FJR (or similar value bike) back from the insurance co? I'm just wondering what they might take for it. In my mind, if it's more than $1200 I'm gonna pass.

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

Has anyone bought their crashed FJR (or similar value bike) back from the insurance co? I'm just wondering what they might take for it. In my mind, if it's more than $1200 I'm gonna pass.

Would the rear wheel of your '05 fit my '06? Both are ABS :dntknw:

If you do end up buying back your bike, keep me in mind.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Has anyone bought their crashed FJR (or similar value bike) back from the insurance co? I'm just wondering what they might take for it. In my mind, if it's more than $1200 I'm gonna pass.

It may not be possible (you'll need to check w/agent/adjuster?) -- some Ins. companies have 'contracts' with buyers/re-sellers/builders. It's become quite a little industry since the advent of the internet and ebay -- lots of buyers for "cheap" bikes.

If it is? (possible), the Ins. Co. may want more than you expect? -- they're (now) used to getting premium prices for their salvage.

BTW, nothing wrong with a 'used' FJR -- once they're ridden off the show-room floor, they're all 'used'....

 

[mr.paul]

Go new! Opens up the chance for a bump up to GenII on a "budget". There are deals out there. A dealer near me that is notorious for higher prices is advertising a new FJR for $11,499 for goodness sakes https://www.motoprimo.net as well as in our own classifeds here, an AE with just over 1100 miles and a few farkles for $8,500! They are out there. Go for it!

paul from Minnesota

 

[ahchiu]

I would not fix your wrecked bike, there could be hidden damage that will show up later, there are lots of used Gen2 in great shape for sale, save a few grand for farkels.

Marcus

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Talked to the insurance adjuster today. The FJR is so close on repair cost/value that they left it up to me. Any thoughts that might nudge me one way or another?

A popular sentiment:

I would not fix your wrecked bike, there could be hidden damage that will show up later, there are lots of used Gen2 in great shape for sale, save a few grand for farkels.

From a different, similar, thread:

And at this rate none of us will be able to afford the insurance.

The beauty of insurance -- wreck your bike and get a new one....

 

[Gizmo]

If you decide to total it and the brake pedal is in good shape, I'd like to see if I can get it from you...

 

[gearman]

Sorry, she went to the boneyard. Why do I get the feeling I'll regret not negotiating a lower buyback and keeping it around...just in case?

 

[Wayward_Traveller]

Not a similar valued bike but I still thought I would share my experience. For future reference.

My wife's bike got knocked over recently.

An old 2001 Ninja 250 that was custom painted by the previous owner.

Bike sold new for $3100 in '01.

They gave me $2745 for it minus my $500 deductable --- it only had 947 miles on it.

I bought it back for $545, bought a used tank on ebay for $135 shipped it to Gary, he painted it to match the bike for $175 because it had some dents to fill etc.

Total work put back into the bike was:

$25 turn signal

$305 for the gas tank and paint

$288 for shop labor fees including cleaning the carbs and syncing them, plus several repairs done in the drop, including welding on the turnstops.

$545 buy back

Equals $1163 total price for the bike, paid $2000 for it when I bought it, got back $2245 after my deductable.

So paid $918 for a 2001 Ninja 250 with custom paint and 947 miles on it.

And it doesn't have a salvage title because apparently Idaho doesn't require the insurance companies to report total loss on motorcycles.

So it worked out quite well in the end.