Crashed...New parts advice

[JigaroKano]

So I was run off the road on beautiful Skyline Drive in Virginia and I need some repairs. I am looking at SW Motech Crash Bars or AltRider Crash bars as well as a Bark Buster made specifically for the Multistrada 1200 to protect our hand guards. Does anyone have any input on those? The AltRider looks like it would do a much better job.

Additionally I have never really considered getting aftermarket brake or clutch levers or brake/clutch fluid reservoirs but now that I need new ones any advice? I am thinking of getting reservoirs that are black solely for cosmetic reasons. ASV clutch and brake levers are appealing due to their "unbreakable" nature, I have had to replace more levers than anything else in all my motorcycle incidents.

I appreciate and encourage your comments, advice and criticism.

[LaRossa]

Have you tried flip up levers? You can find a good amount on Ebay without braking the bank, I have the ones from "Adjustable levers" on mt SFS and even though (I'll get flamed for this) they're made in China, they are as good if not better than a couple of sets I had in the past made in Europe.

Good luck!
Check Ebay for parts too, it seems there is a large amount of parts of MTS1200 there lately.
Frame sliders are also cheap insurance, T-Rex on EBay for $65

[Yuu]

Looks like Colemans did you estimate?

Here's a thread on handguard, guards
MTS1200 Bark Busters fitted with std handguards bolted on

And BarkBusters is making bolt on guards now
Barkbusters Handguard Protector (Ducati Multistrada '10-) - BB.BLG-12 : TwistedThrottle.com

As far as your reservoirs - Rizoma makes billed replacements in a variety of sizes and colors. Very nice, but like any Rizoma piece they are not inexpensive. Top tier quality, but you pay for that.

ASV levers are nice, but also costly. You could look at 'shorty' levers from Pazzo, CRG etc etc. Though they don't feature the hinge that 'unbreakable' levers do, their shorter length affords them a good bit of a passive protection.

- If you plan to do the fixes yourself - get to know Gary in parts. Good guy and once he knows you as a regular he'll help out a bike with the small items when he's able.

[mduc]

I just saw your bill, OUCH!!!

[2wheeljunkie]

Was that 141.00 just for the estimate??

[Dr. Greg]

Originally Posted by mduc

I just saw your bill, OUCH!!!

After my string of perhaps 6-8 laydowns in my SILT episode, the repair bill was over $6,000.

I replaced selected parts myself for well under that. As the SM said, "Ducatis don't crash well..."

--Doc

[CamDLux]

$633 labor? Ouch!

I have the altrider bars and I HOPE they will do well in a crash or a drop. There was a post recently that the altrider bars didn't crash well but, I am already invested.

I am a big fan of the ASV levers and the 5 year warranty is fantastic!

Otherwise, get comprehensive and collision insurance coverage - and hope for the best!

[JigaroKano]

Originally Posted by 2wheeljunkie

Was that 141.00 just for the estimate??

Yes. I have pretty good insurance and someone else caused the accident so everything is covered including my riding gear and bags. I am only paying $500 out of pocket for the deductible but I am actually going to break even in the end. They are giving me money for "partial replacement" for my jacket, boots, gloves and saddlebags. I am keeping and continuing to wear them but I the check should just about cover them all. The helmet will be fully replaced at even though I do not need a new one.

My head never hit the ground but after the crash I was pinned under my bike (not as bad as it sounds, I am fine) and the helmet was sufficiently scuffed and scraped for the insurance to be willing to call it a total loss while allowing me to keep it.

My advice is to keep receipts for all your safety gear. In a collision they are covered the same way a seat belt or air bag is covered in a car. If you are going to pay for good insurance you should be prepared to recoup all your costs.

[JigaroKano]

Originally Posted by Yuu

Looks like Colemans did you estimate?


- If you plan to do the fixes yourself - get to know Gary in parts. Good guy and once he knows you as a regular he'll help out a bike with the small items when he's able.

Yep Coleman. Raffaele actually helps me out when he can and he is a very good mechanic. He has done tons of work on my bike for warranty and recall and will take care of minor things then as well. I would buy another bike from Coleman based only on his service.

[Sock Monkey]

Sorry to hear about your accident, but it's always good to be able to walk away.

Re. comments about "it doesn't crash well", I will restate that NO bike "crashes well" if unprotected.....

That said, it appears the AltRider bars LOOK better IMO than the SW Motech bars, but they don't protect as well. Since their primary job is protection, I'd suggest the SW Motech kit, or if your frame is new enough to fit them, check out the DP crash bars (I have a 2010, so no DP crash bars for me ).

Also, you now know to purchase a water pump cover guard (RG, AltRider, etc) as that it a contact point and will leave you stranded if it cracks.

Re. hand guards, I have the Touratech guards because they protect both the levers AND the lever mounts, both of which are quite vulnerable on our bike. Rather than use the included turn signals, I opted for the DP mirror/turn signal combo and love them. They are rock solid vs. the fuzzy/blurry image that the stock mirrors provide at highway (+) speeds. Be warned, the install of the DP mirrors is a PITA as the tank needs to come off, but I have that down to a 2hr process now after installing my heated grips, hands free gas cap, then removing the hands free gas cap......

Beyond that, get front/rear axle sliders and try to keep the shiny bits up...

-SM