Well, my season's over now

[buddah]

Got to do a quick 120 miles this morning.......trails were virtually perfect north of me around Munising/Wetmore.......so I get home and sled is really warm from running little bumpy trail to get to the Midway and of course my drive is fairly bare.........rather than drive straight into the garage I turned sled around and went to back it in.......with all my gear still on which means I can't really see all that well behind me.

This is where the fun starts.........trying to stay away from my Suburban I backed over a 45 degree ice ridge which promptly threw me off to the left side and upset the sled......whereupon the bitch proceeded to catch on fire........oil spilled onto the header and was flaming pretty good even though the sled was off.......got right side panel off and threw double handfuls of snow on it.......to no real effect.........ran and told my wife to call fire dept. thinking whole thing was going to go.......then I got the idea to use the side panel like a shovel.......that got it out........and then, of course, the fire dept. shows up.

Bottom line is probably did a couple grand damage to the sled........two right side panels are somewhat melted......the black one the right front cover hooks into and lower white panel on the right side (that's the side that was in the air)........broke the left side of the windkini (can't tell if broken or just came loose)........bent the handguard all to H*ll..........and on, and on........Oh, I forgot, ruined a $100 pair of Klim gloves but at least I saved the carcass..........

Going to need a couple of panels........also going to need at least 2 panels re-wrapped........apparently it burned some wiring too........instrument panel is dead but sled runs......which was also a significant mistake on my part.........fire dept guys offered to help drag it up in the trailer but I figured too long to hook up and turn it around.......besides, we made sure it started......so they leave and I hook up the trailer........in 40' to load it the sled damn near caught fire again........had to thrown more snow on it........NOT my finest hour........

Oh Well..........it's a machine, it can be fixed...........AND my 1st ever insurance claim...........

 

[cannondale27]

XXXX ! Sorry to hear that Buddah. Glad you werent hurt.

 

[yamadoo]

Glad you are OK....

But say it ain't so?

Really tough way to end the year, again glad your OK.

I was done when I left you in Munisung a couple of weeks ago. Did get my seat warmer installed. Thankfully no excitement like you've had.

 

[bleedyamaha]

You might be on to something. 2017 Vipers might have a back up camera. Glad you and your suburban are ok!!

 

[pro116]

Buddah Good thing your alright at least you can say your season went out with a bang!

 

[yamadoo]

Buddah I still can't believe it, a wrap, a clutch now a fire, that is a special VIPER. Glad your OK

 

[MrSled]

Thats a real bitch... sorry bud. At least you are ok... thats all the matters.

 

[drumz11]

Should have let it burn and end up with a new one. I'm surprised it went up in flames. We have had ours tipped over numerous times and some for an extended period and it's never leaked a drop of oil.

Too bad you didn't get it on video. That would have been a gut buster to watch. Lol

 

[buddah]

....... now a fire, ............

I don't want to bitch too much cause it was me being a moron.........but the design of the oil tank and placement leaves a LOT to be desired........I do plan on having a roll over valve before next season........although I REALLY don't plan on rolling the biotch over too much.........I hope..........

 

[buddah]

Thats a real bitch... sorry bud. At least you are ok... thats all the matters.

The only thing hurt will be the old pride........and maybe the left hip where I hit the ice..........



Edit: definitely the left hip..........NICE bruise..........

 

[buddah]

..Too bad you didn't get it on video. That would have been a gut buster to watch. Lol

The fire part or the me busting my arse part?

 

[SnoNinja]

Wow Buddha......

Why does it always seem that the worst things happen to the best people.

 

[buddah]

I had a thought ( I know, a rarity for me) while driving to Escanaba this morning.........curious to get some feedback.........has anybody considered a class action lawsuit against Yamaha/Cat over the design/placement of the oil reservoir? There's no way in H*ll a person should lose their sled to a simple rollover that barely went past 90 degrees unless it's a SERIOUS design flaw........and trust me, but for some scrambling on my part it would have been a total burn up......

Now before anybody accuses me of being a money-grabber (a charge which I really couldn't refute) I'm not looking for any damages but rather feel Yamaha/Cat should be FORCED to supply rollover valves with the sled if they insist on keeping this configuration..........

Opinions?

 

[yamadoo]

If a simple roll over valve would fix the situation I certainly would hope they would up date us ALL just for safety. Weather it would be worth the legal action is another (?) I cant answer.

Hope your feeling ok.

 

[cannondale27]

I dont know Buddah every 4st Yamaha I have owned leaked oil on its side till the Rollover Valve was installed. I would think someone must have sued already and that they just havent come up with a way of stopping it short of the Rollover valve and having people actually use the tether.