Unknowingly dropped my Yamaha R15 V4: Assessing the damage done

The gear lever had bent towards the engine by a small amount. I could feel difficulty reaching the gear shifter than normal.

BHPian sasta_rider recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I dropped my R15 (unknowingly):

This happened today! Today was a special day for me: first day at my new company. After a long commute from Bommasandra to ITPB, Bengaluru, I stopped near the Gate 2 of ITPB because I am new to the tech park. As I entered the gate, the security asked me to provide few basic details and then proceed further. So, as per their advise, I parked my R15 on the side to avoid blocking the incoming vehicles.

Everything was fine: I slowly entered the entrance, parked as per security's advise, kill switch off, ignition off, stand in place and then I got off the bike. As I walked few steps towards the security gate, "Thuddd". I saw back, only to see her lying on the area with the left fairing kissing the ground along with the side step of the footpath!

I trusted the frame slider, immediately went back, lifted the bike and positioned a little better than before. What was my mistake? I parked the bike in a forward incline, in neutral and handle bar away facing towards the slope. Lesson learned.

After I gave the details to the security, came back to proceed to the parking. Ignition on, but wait, fuel pump is lit (amber). I turned the ignition off, switched it on again and the error still exist. I tried giving the self, but the bike failed to start. Embarassment at its peak: all the passersby are looking at an idiot who just messed up with his love. And, amidst all this, I could not spare time to look at the damage that fall had made and did not want to ruin my mood for the entire day!

Instead of waiting for some time & tilting the bike to the left, I took my phone, called one of the service advisors at Vinayak Yamaha, Domlur to ask what can be done temporarily to start the bike? I explained step by step what happened, he then advised me to put the bike in second gear and jump start. I approached the security, they denied because that was not part of their duty. Nevermind. I pulled the bike outside the ITPB gate and asked a stranger to give the bike a slight push from behind so that I can jump start. He was a little hesitant but when he came push, the fule pump light was no longer there and the bike came to life when I self started! Happy me, thanked the stranger and entered the tech park gate again. I was slowly moving with inertia due to slope, the bike stalled again and the fuel pump light popped. This time, I was away from the security gate and towing back all the way back was not best idea. Because, my reporting time on Day 1 was just 20 mins away. I rang the SA again, and he said that wait for some time and self start. Then, go on a small spin for maybe 2-3 km. If everything is good, then nothing should happen. Waited for some time, titled the bike towards the left thinking the fuel supply will be improved! Voila, it did start this time. I never let the bike go idle till I reached the parking spot. Heck, how worse a good day can turn if your beloved machine gives up!!

By EOD, I was returning towards the parking spot with prayers in my mind. If the bike does not start this time, I will have to take it to Domlur and then somehow travel to Bommasandra. But, gracefully, the bike roared with the first self. Before self start, I checked if the error light shows up and it didn't. Happy me.

After reaching to my brother's place, I looked for all possible damages only to find these:

• The left frame slider was bent (towards the sky)
• The left handle bar tip had some mud from the ground.
• The clutch lever's end was a little scraped (no bends thankfully).
• Left pillion footpeg's tip was slightly bent.
• The major one: the gear lever had bent towards the engine by a small amount. I could feel difficulty reaching the gear shifter than normal.

Now, I need to get my bike inspected by the SA at Vinayak Yamaha. And, I really appreciate the way the SA assisted me to troubleshoot at that situation of mine. If it were other Yamaha dealers (whom I know), would have said "Sir, bring the vehicle to our place. We will inspect and inform you!". And, I am planning to replace the gear shifter eventhough the SA had said that the bend can be "corrected" which I don't prefer. Also, I am planning to go back to Kerala this weekend, so I do not want to risk myself with a damaged gear shifter / corrected gear shifter.

Below are some images of the damage that I clicked after I reached home:

I believe the bend can be figured out with this angle but yes, it is not normal at all.

I do not wish to spend money to fix damages like this, unless it compromises my safety!

The frame slider took the major impact. Else, you would have got to see the bent/broken left side fairing!

I had corrected the frame slider position with some downward force as soon as I lifted the bike. So, in the pic above, it is visible in normal position.

But, this is how life is! When you have something good happening, the bad too exist between those moments. And, show must carry on!

Ending this post with a heavy heart!

Ride safe!

Sud.

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