R1200RT front end damage

[Francis]

I'm looking into the purchase of a 2006 R1200RT that has front end damage. I have only seen pictures on-line. The lower fork sliders are cracked and the lower front body panels are also cracked. The oil cooler has not sustained any damage. From the pictures the forks do not appear to be bent back but the seller says there is a slight bend in the forks. Seller says there is no damage to the tire or the wheel. In the pictures they look good. The front fender is damaged a bit. Rotors and brakes look undamaged. The upper fairing, turnsignals, mirrors and windshield are good and the windshild motor works to raise and lower the windshield. In general from the pictures it looks like the bike may have slid under something low at not too great a speed before it came to a stop. The bike rolls on its wheels but cannot be driven or have any rider weight when it rolls.

 

In lookiing at this candidate what are the major and minor issues I should be looking at? I know frame damage would be one of them but how can I tell by looking? I would also imagine that tracking and alignment would be a consideration and agian how can I tell by looking? Are there certain parts that provide tell-tail stories about serious damage? Can anything in the rear of the bike give more clues to the extent of damage?

 

Outside of replacing the forks, what other parts should be changed out as a precaution to eliminate any potential problems? Any bearings, etc that should be checked and changed? Any special tools that will be needed to make these changes?

 

This bike is the Can-Bus system with ESA and cruise control. Any electircal or hydraulics oe whatever items and issues that will also need to be checked and possily replaced?

 

I would appreciate any and all help, suggestions and insights to assist in fully eveluating this potential purchase.

 

 

[ShovelStrokeEd]

I would avoid this bike, unless you plan on parting it out. Any impact hard enough to take out the lower fork sliders is going to have damaged almost all the components of the front suspension including the lower A-arm and certainly the ball joint and what passes for a lower triple. Doubtful that the fork tubes are not bent. Frame damage is almost impossible to detect by eye but it may well be cracked/bent. Lower fronts being damaged might be a clue as to the state of the frame.

[blkvelvt]

Did it have engine guards installed? If it went down, the cylinder hit the ground.......

[JayW]

I too would urge caution. The front suspension on the RT has a lot of parts and they are all expensive. If the frame is not bent and you could get some used parts off another RT that has damage elsewhere, that might work, but what a pain that would be. If you decide to go with it, make sure you take the plunge based on more that just some internet pictures.

 

Good luck!

 

Jay

[Satguy]

Where is the bike located?? Try to find someone with knowledge and experience to take a good look at it for you PRIOR to buying it. Pay for the inspection if necessary, as it may save you thousands of $$

 

Good Luck

 

[Francis]

blkvelvet: the pictures show a slight ding on the right side case. It doesn't look like a sliding ding but rather a ding you get when the bike falls over onto the case.

[marcopolo]

With all the bikes out there, why would you even consider this one? Is the seller "giving" it away?

[bt2]

A trained mechanic may have to take the bike apart to figure out the exact damage. I suspect this is an expensive proposition and if you pay for this inspection, it will cost you decent money. If you don't do it, you don't know what you are buying.

 

Is this bike being sold as a "salvaged bike"? Did the original owner have a shop look at the damage? If so, you should look at their report. If not, you should consider buying this only if it is being offered at a price low enough to offset the risk you are taking.