Sadly my beautiful white 2014 got nicked from outside my house the night before last. I hadn't realised the steering lock was so easy to break. Won't be making that mistake again. :o(
Frustratingly, a neighbour witnessed the thieves wheeling the bike away, but in her half-asleep state she thought it must be the owner and a mate taking it away to start it somewhere less built up so they wouldn't wake anyone!! I guess that makes sense ...
what a shit trick, hopefully it will be found not too damaged but would you want it back after some scrote has had it away, bastards
That sucks big time; brings me back to 1989....... :mad:
If not done already READ through your insurance policy details to make sure you donot make ANY statement that can make the insurers not pay out...
Mate got his stolen as well on Monday. He is Just North of the Big smoke tho. Bummer
Thanks guys.
Not sure what to do about this. The insurers' claims team wants me to send in all the keys. I still have the panniers which use the same key. What should I do? Is it best to send in just one key, say I lost the other, and risk a lower market valuation? (Assuming it will affect that.) If I tell them the situation, what are they likely to say? Anyone know?
ETA: I guess, since it won't need the immobiliser, I can just get a copy cut for the pannier locks?
Presumably the keys for the panniers doesn’t need to be HISS chipped so getting a regular type key cut would seem to be a solution
1 minute ago, ThumbsPresumably the keys for the panniers doesn’t need to be HISS chipped so getting a regular type key cut would seem to be a solution
Cheers, I don't know if you saw the ETA I added to my last post? I had the same idea.
Send both keys as it "proves" you didnot just give the key to the tea leaves....
Take note of the numbers on the key as this will allow getting new ones methink. Or buy a set of locks with the key number of your new bike.
1 hour ago, DutchyTake note of the numbers on the key
I can't find a number on the key, or anything that looks like a key number in the documentation. Where would it be? (Though hopefully Thumbs's suggestion will work.)
IF YOU STILL HAD THE BIKE:
after you remove the top triple clamp along with the ign switch, you can find the key # stamped on fork lock piece. also on both filler cap and seat release locks.
(sorry if this isn't correct on your bike. it's info from a different honda)
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Yes on getting new keys cut for the bags before you send them to insurance.
Or, tell them the deal with the keys, just don't try to claim the bags are gone. Of course.
With all due respect, your neighbor sounds like an idiot... Isn't it wildly known that motorcycle thefts is an epidemic?
Well, if the insurance company really needs this second key, AT LEAST make sure you OPEN both panniers BEFORE sending both keys. Because then, you can always re-adapt both lock(s) to another key. This may be attractive if someone else is interested in buying them second hand. And even for you, if you intend to buy another such VFR.
This is all in the assumption that you still have the complete inner lock sets for adapting to other keys. If you don't, you can buy (2) new (inner lock) sets of these for about (twice) 23€ (I have the reference numbers to order, if you want, I just bought 2 such sets). I am as good as completely sure that even then, spending 46€ costs less than another ignition key !!!
It might even be possible to claim these 2 lock sets from your insurance company ? If they don't pay the lock sets back, you might claim your panniers are completely worthless otherwise, without the original keys. If they would have to chose between paying you back 2 side panniers, or only the inner lock cylinders, I think they will have chosen quite quickly !
12 hours ago, HareBrainI can't find a number on the key, or anything that looks like a key number in the documentation. Where would it be? (Though hopefully Thumbs's suggestion will work.)
Mine was a letter and 3 numbers if that is any help to you. It was printed on a rectangular piece of card about 20mm x 50mm, barcode with the code underneath.
I was also going to suggest getting a copy cut. Timpsons or any locksmith should be able to copy as you don't need Chip.
11 hours ago, squirrelmanIF YOU STILL HAD THE BIKE:
after you remove the top triple clamp along with the ign switch, you can find the key # stamped on fork lock piece. also on both filler cap and seat release locks.
(sorry if this isn't correct on your bike. it's info from a different honda)
[image: august_15--2019_007.thumb.JPG.efca842185e1e628b47da06d81994d0f.JPG]
This is 8th gen totally different key.
2 hours ago, sudoleaWell, if the insurance company really needs this second key, AT LEAST make sure you OPEN both panniers BEFORE sending both keys. Because then, you can always re-adapt both lock(s) to another key.
+1
5 hours ago, flya750With all due respect, your neighbor sounds like an idiot... Isn't it wildly known that motorcycle thefts is an epidemic?
This is a pretty low crime area, and she sounded embarrassed about it later. But yeah frustrating that the whole thing might have been avoided by her shouting out of the window.
4 hours ago, sudoleaWell, if the insurance company really needs this second key, AT LEAST make sure you OPEN both panniers BEFORE sending both keys. Because then, you can always re-adapt both lock(s) to another key. This may be attractive if someone else is interested in buying them second hand. And even for you, if you intend to buy another such VFR.
Thanks for advice about opening the panniers. I am hoping to get another VFR, as I loved it so much. The local Honda is having a think about what the best option is re the locks. (ETA: they reckon best option is to get new barrels fitted anyway.)
2 hours ago, finkTimpsons or any locksmith should be able to copy as you don't need Chip.
I've tried them this morning, but they can't get a blank. Can't even find one on eBay.
If your VFR gets stolen and you have decent insurance, they will pay you more than book value for it. I kind of hope mine gets stolen........
8 minutes ago, BentIf your VFR gets stolen and you have decent insurance, they will pay you more than book value for it. I kind of hope mine gets stolen........
Don't know exactly what you call a decent insurance, but around here, a decent bike theft insurance costs you an arm and a leg ... each year 😅
My insurance was cheap. Whether it's decent, I guess I'm about to find out. (Though they have said I should be able to get a key back for the side cases.)
BTW, I've at least got back the licence plate and what I think is the immobiliser -- someone handed them in to the police after finding them in their garden. So I guess my bike is now going around with a duplicate plate of someone else's VFR.
3 hours ago, HareBrainMy insurance was cheap. Whether it's decent, I guess I'm about to find out. (Though they have said I should be able to get a key back for the side cases.)
BTW, I've at least got back the licence plate and what I think is the immobiliser -- someone handed them in to the police after finding them in their garden. So I guess my bike is now going around with a duplicate plate of someone else's VFR.
Sorry to hear, thieves are the absolute worst. I ride a black VFR, don't see too many white VFRs in the wild here, will keep an eye out if I see any in London
I cannot add to anything said above but you have my complete sympathy. I hope you are made whole by your insurance company, and hope you find another VFR to continue your VFR riding experience.
You have my sympathy too. I had my Fireblade SP stolen from outside work, one of my colleagues was on their phone but didn’t intervene or raise the alarm !
The insurance company needs the two keys from you to prove there wasn’t one left in ignition- I was insured with MCE, they were very good and fair. I am no longer with MCE because their recovery company fried the electrics on the Fireblade’s replacement and lied about what they had done.
Both incidents on CCTV, EEC GDPR rules mean that CCTV footage could not be released to me to help with either problem.
I hope your claim is settled quickly and in full. I now carry an Abus u lock with me, the steering locks can be broken by a well placed kick to the handlebar. Honda’s HISS can apparently be overridden using a $10 circuit board available online.
bob38, 9/16/2019 at 8:14 PMBoth incidents on CCTV, EEC GDPR rules mean that CCTV footage could not be released to me to help with either problem.
That is not true. Someone just didn't want to help. Legal proceedings/crime are exceptions to both the UK's Data Protection Act 2018 as well as to the GDPR.
Given that HareBrain has a third party witness to the theft, there is no rational need to "prove" that the key was not left in the bike by producing both original keys (nor does it preclude the possibility that a copy was left in the ignition!); if the insurer refused/reduced coverage on that basis they would risk being penalised/slapped down by the Insurance regulator.
Ciao,
JZH
I've found a replacement bike I like the look of, but it already comes with the side cases, which is reflected in the price. Assuming I get a key back for mine (which the insurers reckon will be no problem) does anyone think my old ones will be easy to sell for a few hundred quid? That might be the clincher.
This bike also has Dunlop Sportmax tyres. I know little about them except that no one on here seems to rate them. But at 7500 miles, they can't be the originals, so the previous owner must have liked them? Or maybe just decided to replace like for like.
(My bike came with BT23s, which I thought were OK. I replaced the rear with a T30 which I thought was much better.)
sudolea, 8/27/2019 at 10:19 AMDon't know exactly what you call a decent insurance, but around here, a decent bike theft insurance costs you an arm and a leg ... each year 😅
This is what decent insurance is, again. "If your VFR gets stolen and you have decent insurance, they will pay you more than book value for it. I kind of hope mine gets stolen........"
Bent, 9/21/2019 at 11:01 PMThis is what decent insurance is, again. "If your VFR gets stolen and you have decent insurance, they will pay you more than book value for it. I kind of hope mine gets stolen........"
Got the settlement a couple of days ago. Despite my insurance being cheap, I think they have paid slightly more than book value. And they were as good as their word in sending back one of the keys for the side-cases. So I'm happy with them. (Big difference from my car insurance payout a few years back.)
Insurance is one of those "damned if you do and damned if you don't" propositions. I'm not lucky enough to not have it.
Bent, 9/28/2019 at 2:31 PMInsurance is one of those "damned if you do and damned if you don't" propositions. I'm not lucky enough to not have it.
A minimum of third-party insurance is compulsory in the UK so you're covered for damage you may do to other people who then claim against you, and it's extremely rare to find a company that will ensure you 'third-party only' instead of 'third-party, fire and theft' so most people in the UK would be covered if their bike is stolen, like the unfortunate HareBrain, or spontaneously bursts into flames.
24 minutes ago, fatshoutyblokeA minimum of third-party insurance is compulsory in the UK so you're covered for damage you may do to other people who then claim against you, and it's extremely rare to find a company that will ensure you 'third-party only' instead of 'third-party, fire and theft' so most people in the UK would be covered if their bike is stolen, like the unfortunate HareBrain, or spontaneously bursts into flames.
Same where I live. I think insurance is like government too. They waste too much money. Money corrupts.
If one is going to get a bike totaled, be sure to hit an animal, or have a tree fall on it. I do not carry colision (physical damage) coverage on my machines saving some money, but do carry comp. That covers "acts of God". So I got two bikes paid for, minus $500 deductable, at blue book prices.
Off topic: While coming back from a camping trip to WY and ID I hit a coyote with my '08 Civic in ND on Oct. 1. Another amimal control event. :mad:
You have terrible luck with animals, Max. Trees too?
I don't think I have ever hit any critter bigger than a gopher.
Knock wood.
gopher's lives matter !
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Kill it, grill it........
Bon appétit! :goofy:
2 hours ago, DutchyKill it, grill it........
Bon appétit! :goofy:
Yes ! We found him ! The Dutch speaking French ! :goofy:
I've run through a rising flock of wild turkeys twice. It's a miracle one didn't hit me in the head. Quite a surprise when they're hidden in the shoulder grass and you surprise them and they fly right into you. I ride slower through that area now.
17 hours ago, squirrelmangopher's lives matter !
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For a target rich environment 👍😜
2 hours ago, MohawkFor a target rich environment 👍😜
so you're an uber-macho sicko who enjoys killing harmless animals ?😱
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I don't want to run over the cute little disease bags. But will not make a sudden swerve and risk crashing to avoid them dancing in front of me.
Usually they dance out of the way on their own.
I guess I have run over a snake or 2, come to think of it.
Pheasants are the big problem round here. Every year gamekeepers release millions of the brain-free pie-fillings into the countryside so half can be shot and half can be run over. They're big enough to do a bit of damage too.
Picking my new bike up next week -- another 2014, this time in black, and with an Akro exhaust. (The white panniers will look a bit weird on it, but distinctive, I guess!)
Thinking about security after this unpleasant experience. There's nothing I can really chain it to, and I can't rely on parking it in the same spot so a ground tie in the kerb is out. I'm hoping a good D-lock through each wheel will be enough of a deterrent. Don't think I want to go with an alarm, as there are some very bassy exhausts round here and it might get set off.
3 hours ago, HareBrainPheasants are the big problem round here. Every year gamekeepers release millions of the brain-free pie-fillings into the countryside so half can be shot and half can be run over. They're big enough to do a bit of damage too.
Picking my new bike up next week -- another 2014, this time in black, and with an Akro exhaust. (The white panniers will look a bit weird on it, but distinctive, I guess!)
Thinking about security after this unpleasant experience. There's nothing I can really chain it to, and I can't rely on parking it in the same spot so a ground tie in the kerb is out. I'm hoping a good D-lock through each wheel will be enough of a deterrent. Don't think I want to go with an alarm, as there are some very bassy exhausts round here and it might get set off.
Here in Essex too, especially this time of year. I saw a video of someone who hit one at speed on his Fireblade, split his visor, gave him vertebral whiplash damage and totalled his bike when it ended up in a ditch.
PS, I love "brain-free pie-fillings", stealing that!
VFR4Lee, 10/15/2019 at 7:34 PMYou have terrible luck with animals, Max. Trees too?
I don't think I have ever hit any critter bigger than a gopher.
Knock wood.
Never a tree or other solid object (I do not consider hitting the ground a solid object). I have to admit to bouncing off of a barbedwire fence though. Good thing it was not "solid". (blush)
Back on topic: Over 200,000 miles, with much of it camping along the way, with the bike out in the elements and at risk to dispicable bike thieves and vandals, I've never seen evidence of tampering with the machines.
Another knock wood here
HareBrain, 10/18/2019 at 7:45 AMPheasants are the big problem round here. Every year gamekeepers release millions of the brain-free pie-fillings into the countryside so half can be shot and half can be run over. They're big enough to do a bit of damage too.
Picking my new bike up next week -- another 2014, this time in black, and with an Akro exhaust. (The white panniers will look a bit weird on it, but distinctive, I guess!)
Thinking about security after this unpleasant experience. There's nothing I can really chain it to, and I can't rely on parking it in the same spot so a ground tie in the kerb is out. I'm hoping a good D-lock through each wheel will be enough of a deterrent. Don't think I want to go with an alarm, as there are some very bassy exhausts round here and it might get set off.
There’s at least one disc lock with a built in motion alarm that actually needs the bike to move to actuate, so won’t be sent off by the wind ....piercing 114db screech
Black ...the best colour