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Tourer
Posts: 400
| I need some serious advice. I was riding my 2008 Vision to my parents house to check on my dad since he had surgery. On the way there, my rear tire went flat from running over something. I had a quarter inch punture in the tire. I called VRA roadside assistance for towing and my troubles started. They = VRA Roadside, started giving me auto repair places as options to have the bike towed. VRA did not have any Victory dealerships in the data base. I had to give them my dealers name and location as an option for a towing location. I did, and since the distance was short enough, the towing would be free since it was less than $200. I had the towing company meet me the following morning since it was too late in the afternoon, through VRA Roadside assistance. The truck showed up and it was a standard flatbed, no wheel chuck or anything for bikes. The towing company stapped the bike down, using the handle bars for the front, and the passenger arm rest for the back. The straps on the back were resting on the saddlebags, and they didn't have any towels, so I took some from my parents house to use to cover the straps. When my bike arrived at the dealership, it had fallen on the left side tip over protection, and the towing people gave the towels to a worker at the dealer. The towels were inside the cabin. It was obvious that the bike fell over, and the tow guys left it that way and kept driving to the dealership. I called VRA Roadside and said I would be submitting a claim since the bike was damaged. I knew in advance I could submit a claim because I asked.
Damaged to the bike so far is to the tip over protections on the front and back, and a rub mark on the right side fairing from the strap. The bike hasn't been looked at in detail yet.
My concern is the unknown damage caused from the bike bouncing up and down on the trailer while resting on the tip over protection. I'm sure the Vision wasn't designed to have the tip over protection absorb 10-50 miles of bouncing on a flatbed. I seriously doubt the bike is as good now as it was before the towing. I don't feel the bike will be as reliable in the long haul. I cannot believe all this came about using VRA for assistance. VRA roadside couldn't even pronounce Victory Vision correctly. Advice? Comments? | |
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Rockwall, TX United States | Makes me ill just thinking about it. | |
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Tourer
Posts: 412
Fargo, ND | Hi IndyVision, First Off...sorry to hear of your towing issues. You deserve to be torqued as I'm sure I would be. That being said... Take three deep breaths and deal with the flat tire. Damage to the tip overs is probably limited to some minor scuffs (don't forget you have a well designed and built bike). I would then have the dealership give the bike a 'good lookover' and ask them to note 'any' damage that even vaguely appears as 'damage'. Have them write an estimate of those repairs. Then personally inspect and ride the bike yourself and take some 'good' digital photos of all of the damage. Then submit it to the towing company along with your cover letter outlining your expectations of them. Fax this to them so you have record of the date and time sent. Also, document any discussion you have had with them (or anyone else) including name, date, time and content of the discussion. Keep a file on all your notes in the rare event you need to contact the 'Department of Commerce' in your state to request their assistance if needed. I'm sure everything will work out OK...Good Luck! | |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Northeastern Penna. | A lesson learned here would be for all of us to make sure, in a similar situation, to let it be known to the towing people or whoever the the liaison is, that they will be towing a motorcycle.In other words, have the appropriate equipment. I feel bad that this happened to you. I would be pissed,as I'm sure you are. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 266
Hartland, , WI | I'm not to happy reading about this story....VRA sounds like it blows!
Boy am I happy I get it for a year free...and then can pay for a further subscription...Polaris & Victory....WTF!!!!!!!!!
I'm betting your battery laying on it's side bouncing along is just fine....NOT!
Sorry dude...I'm pissed for you!
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Man, what a bummer, gotta make you feel heartbroken. This is a good reminder that we all need to look in the manual to see how the bike is suppose to be trailered. Unless I'm laying in the ambulance, I'm going to be telling the towing jockey what to do, or the bike won't move. Those guys don't much give a flip, seen a lot of bikes get damaged from towing wrong.
On the flat tire, I carry a small air compressor and some sealant on the bike all the time. It may not have helped in your case, but I know it may help me sometime down the road on a nail in the tire.
I'm suprised the person you talked to did not know where the Victory dealers were. I know I've called the service when I've been on the road to find a dealer and they pointed me right to them. I would be interested in what the dealer had to say about your issue. Good luck on getting back on the road. | |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | You'll always have someone that doesn't seem to have much sympathy, but I'm sorry that your bike got damaged. I don't think you necessarily can blame it on VRA as they use what they think to be trusted tow companies. So, do VRA and us a favor and complain to VRA so they can be taken off the list. It is good they have a claim process and that you should get some compensation. I agree with Flatsix, unless there was pressure other than the raw weight of the bike and bouncing, i doubt very serously there is any structural damage to the bike. I would ride as I always have and if it runs like a dog down the road, then I would be concerned. After that though, I'm going to see if I can get a spare tire mount for my Bentley. Funnin' aside, a good tire plug and an air compressor got me home from Texas last year on my Wing and I rode the tire to the wear bars. Of course, it was only a sheet metal screw that puntured it on the rear, but it never gave me a lick of trouble. | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | I use AAA, prior to hanging up the phone with them, TELL THEM you expect them to come prepared to lift and properly haul a motorcycle
which includes a wheel chock and proper tie downs. You are paying them for the service, so remember that they work for you, so require that THEY WORK FOR YOU. Have them contact however many towing companies they need to on their list until they find one that can properly manage your bike. personally i keep tie downs in my saddle bag for just such a reason. I dont care if Bubba Redneck
is in a hurry when he gets there to pick up my bike, he will do it to MY paying satisfaction. Honestly, most towing guys are decent guys, and dont mind if you show them things to protect your bike. Bottom line, if an asshole shows up, refuse him and have them send someone you and your property are comfortable with . I agree with the guys above that your bike is a beast and designed to
withstand a lot. I think it will fair better then your emotions currently might feel it will. take some deep breaths, let the system work for you, be a good customer, if things still dont go properly then man up, but dont go in both barrels blazing, it never gets anyone anywhere. good luck buddy, we all feel your pain keep us informed. | |
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Tourer
Posts: 400
| I talked with VRA and told them I wanted to file a claim. I was given a phone # to talk to claims directly. I was also given a fax # and email address to send in pictures. I am also going to have my dealer write a small report on how the bike showed up. I asked VRA about unseen damage and was told to have the mechanics check for damage. So, I told my dealer to take photos and either perform a detailed maintenance check, or include the check in the estimate and note the estimate is pending based on the results of service. I also talked with my insurance company and they said they would get involved if I'm not satisfied. I've also asked for my dealer to talk with the district Rep and explain what happened and see if the Rep can do anything as far as additional checks on the bike. It is a strange situation since a Vic rider used the VRA to tow his bike to a Vic dealer for service and the bike was damaged. I'll give an update when I see the bike. | |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | Have your shop go over the body mounting bolts and nuts REAL good. There are many little plastic mounting tabs that could have been broken. | |
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Tourer
Posts: 548
Mount Vernon, WA United States | I realize this doesn't help now, but it may help others in the future. Much like knowing how to change ones own oil, even if you never do it, find out from your dealer the best way to strap down/secure your bike to a trailer. I have hauled many bikes, and it can be done, even on a flat bed (not preferred) if you know how to tie it down. Because they tries to secure it with the handlebars and rear rests, the first decent bump the bikes shocks compressed, the straps went slack, and over she went.
The good news is, as several have said.... they are a tough bike. Unless the guy was hauling down the road, I doubt it bounced much at all once it was on the tipover points. I would have been more worried about fluid leaks or getting air in the brake lines than than anything else.. Of course, there are a lot of plastic bits, so check it over real well.
The last time I had to have one of my bikes towed, they showed up with a flatbed. The guy knew what he was getting into, but he let me help and it was safe and secure. | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 935
Rockford, IL | I prepared this post earlier prior to your last post stating an update with what was happening. I was going to edit it....but figured...why..... WOW........pretty traumatizing event !!! However its time to set aside any pissed off feelings and think this through a bit. Not that I can't blame you for being very pissed and worried. What could have been damaged that could possibly cause any long term issues? IMHO....nothing. I mean think about it, the bike is engineered for thousands upon thousands of miles of abuse from riding. The testing these bikes go thru is way beyond extreme. A few miles bouncing around on its side is nothing compared to what Victory engineers have already put our bikes thru. And ever check the wieght of a Vision? It sure ain't going to "bounce" very much if at all. Next thing is what is about the damage that could be caused by this "accident" by this idiot? Well using the handlebars as a tie-down anchor is a no-no, would not suprise me if they are somehow twisted. While they are fairly stout the wieght of the bike is WAY too much for the handlebars to handle solely by themselves. What about the forks? Probably ok, what could damage them? If the bike is on the tipovers the front wheel doesn't touch the ground....I think, its been a while since I've tipped mine. How about the front tipovers? Obviously they are scratched/gouged and need to be replaced. But what about where they attach to the bike? Any twist or crack or anything at the mounting points where they attach to the bike? The mount area is pretty chunky and can take a load of wieght. But I wouldn't assume nothing, I'd demand the mounting area be looked at in depth. Rear tipovers? Again some obvious cosmetic damage. But they attach directly to the rear frame, which is cast aluminum and stronger than hell. I think cast aluminum actually "breaks" rather than crack or twist. However I'm not positive of this and would do some research on it. Would think a good inspection with a bright light would uncover any issues here. As mentioned previously....battery? Needs to be pulled and checked for any leakage. Probably isn't any but it only takes a few minutes to pull and inspect. Fuel system? Could any problem with the float arise? Doubt it. Floats are usually pretty rugged, they have to take the abuse of gallons of fuel sloshing around a tank. Engine oil? Hmmm....again I'm gonna lean towards probably not an issue. Where could it go that would cause any issue? Rear grab handles? Since he used these for a primary tie-down, again a BIG no-no, I'd have them removed and inspected and also inspect the mounting plate they bolt to. Heck, the handles are plastic, doubtful they didn't crack a bit. What about the saddlebag lids? You said that you grabbed towells to protect your paint from getting scratched. Well at some point quite a bit or the whole wieght of the bike was on one of these straps that was stretched across one of these bags. Wouldn't be the least bit suprised if there was stress cracks in the lid. I'm sure I'm missing a few things to consider. I guess my primary concern would be the handlebars, they are not designed for a primary tie-down of such a heavy bike and at some point ALL of the wieght of the bike was on only ONE of the handlebars untill it finally tipped. I'd also like to say something and I hope you don't get upset by this. True, the tow truck operator was somewhat clueless and if he didn't know or wasn't sure how to properly secure your bike he should have called the Vic dealer and asked where & how to properly secure the bike to his flatbed. However a small amount of this is your fault, you are the person who owns the bike so you should know the owners manual and you should know the proper way to tie-down your bike. I'm a bit sorry to say this but you missed a few "triggers" here and some "wait a minute" type thinking on your part would have dramtically decreased the chances from this nightmare ever occuring. Again, I hope you don't take this the wrong way and get upset. Believe me...I (and many others here) do feel some of your frustration.
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| Sorry to hear of your problems. I feel bad when I read things like this. As always we can never tell who will show up to tow the bike. Most operators I know, know how to set the bike up to be properly towed with a flatbed or have the common sense to cal the shop and tell them they need help.
It sounds like things will get straightened out but it's too bad it happened in the first place. I remember the stories of tow trucks hooking a bike on the back without a restraining bar and the bike swung on the back and smashed into the back of the truck as it was towed. 
For the future, talk to the operator and find out if they have a clue. If you doubt their ability call VRA tow and tell them to find another company. | |
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Tourer
Posts: 562
SC, Bluffton | I'd worry about cosmetic damamge the most. It is a damn shame the tower doesn't love machines enough to have care & concern. Maybe his heart was into answering phones somewhere? Your experience has taught me to DEMAND the person on the phone to explain to whomever they call to explain there needs to be a chock aboard anything arriving. It is NOT a car.
We just had a bad experience with a new wash machine being delivered, and I know you are pained 10 times more. Wishing you the best.
Herb | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 74
MN. | I used the VRA to tow my '02 TCD last year. They sent out a local tow using a flat bed. It did have a lift, but the guy had never towed a bike. We had a hell of a time getting the bike up, then he sat there while I strapped it in. Seemed to go ok, but I was surprise that when you get this, they don't have an experienced bike towing company do it. Does anyone have any tow service that they recommend? | |
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Tourer
Posts: 562
SC, Bluffton | BATMAN - 2009-03-12 5:42 AM
I used the VRA to tow my '02 TCD last year. They sent out a local tow using a flat bed. It did have a lift, but the guy had never towed a bike.
Okay, this makes me ask the question, why aren't they calling MC shops? My local dealership, for my Japanese bikes, is all set up to go capture MCs. When I got rear ended at an intersection, which totaled my VTX, the MC shop was my first call. I even called them before my wife :lol: I didn't want the cops to call a flat bed car picker upper. | |
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Tourer
Posts: 400
| The latest update is $520.00 for repairs. This covers a 2+ hour inspection of the bike. The tip overs on the left side are damaged for sure, but the scratch on the fairing can be buffed out. I sent the claim in and it is suppose to take 7-10 business days for processing. The estimate explains the cost could increase pending the full inspection of the bike. | |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Good to hear you are getting some resolution on this IV. Curious, what is the damage on the tip overs? scratches, bent, cracked, none which is good, just want to know the extent. I would want them to double check the framing if the tip overs are bent or cracked though. | |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Just imagine if it hadn't had the tipovers! | |
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VRA towing = Damaged Bike NEED ADVICE! READ FOR YOUR BENEFIT