As one of the parts of TW560’s rebuild strategy after my catastrophic total loss accident with TW560, procuring a new TWIKE was a cornerstone of making it happen within the means available. As always, Karma somehow handed me the solution on a silver tablet: TW524. The serial number of the TWIKE providing the parts for mine may not be too far off, as there were major changes during every single production series making many parts incompatible. An acceptable price for TW524 was found and within 2 weeks of getting the go-ahead from my insurer I am now the proud owner […]
TWIKE pilot community – compassion and camaraderie
News of my accident traveled through the grapevines of the TWIKE community at light speed – TW560’s absence was noticed by many during TWIKE Klub’s 2018 general assembly in Berne. I was asked a lot of questions what happened and how TW560 was doing. Out of nowhere I got multiple offers to borrow and drive TWIKE’s for short to longer periods of time – which I gladly accepted as I was in need of an independent mode of transport. Driving various TWIKEs proved to me – yet again – one very important point: There is not one TWIKE like another! […]
TW560 – rebuild strategy
I have CHF 15,000 to spend. What needs to be replaced? Space Frame Hood Plexiglas front windshield Luran outer skin How do I get the parts … and from where? Buying new parts is expensive. Used parts are the way to go. However, finding larger used Luran components is near-impossible, because they are usually attached to a TWIKE….hmmm. Quite a few people suggested I just buy a used TWIKE and transfer everything of value over to it. This wasn’t an option for me, as it wouldn’t be TW560 anymore. After some deliberation and lots of phone calls TW560’s rebuild strategy […]
My insurance company got back to me!
After a few days back and forth, my insurance guy agreed to my suggestion of keeping the case as an accident and me signing a waiver! This is very good news – this means: TW560 will not be auctioned. TW560 stays with me. TW560 will be repaired. TW560 will live on as my partner on many future adventures. I’m extremely happy! Now comes the difficult task: What needs to be replaced … and can we stay within the 15k available?
TW560…a total loss
After registering my accident – Just a few days later, I get a call from my insurance (I really like Swiss efficiency!) The appraisal had led to the conclusion that my vehicle was a total loss. Given all the money I had invested into the vehicle during the last 11 years, they were ready to pay more than they would usually do for a vehicle of this age and mileage. Before I go any further, here some context: Prior to this conversation, I called a few of Switzerland’s TWIKE service centre owners (very happy know them all) and got their […]
Let’s talk to my insurer…
We pick up with me having gotten a first estimate from Andreas from Ksenotek for the repairs resulting from my recent accident. As one of the first steps, I had to register my accident with my insurance. Usually, there comes the moment where they ask which type of vehicle I own, how many kilometres I’ve already driven and how old it is. (TWIKE, ~250,000, 18 years) The agent on the other end of the line audibly exhaled as I told her that this was an accident that came about because I had swerved to avoid an animal. Probably she assumed […]
TWIKE-less comforting by an i8…a semi-green option
Another unexpected friendly gesture (besides many others) after my total-loss accident with TW560 came from my neighbor. A car buff (he owns a beetle and an original Jaguar E-Type and drives a luxury version of a Range Rover for his daily commute) he has always been interested in the EV’s and prototypes I’ve been driving during the last 11 years. He even tried a Tesla for a few days … but wasn’t convinced it would be a ‘proper’ car for him. One Friday evening, I spied an i8 in his driveway just across my house and thought: It really looks […]
TW560 accident damage assessment
My accident was on a late evening driving back home from an event. I flipped TW560 whilst avoiding a neighbor’s cat, then crossed my neighbor’s front garden suspended in a flipped-over TWIKE and came to a shuddering stop at her house’s wall – all whilst suspended at 130° sideways. Since the distance back home wasn’t too far, after performing some basic self-checks and extracting myself from the vehicle, I put TW560 back on its wheels and just pushed it back the last few 100 metres. Back home, feeling shaken and slightly under shock, I initially didn’t care too much about […]
Is this the end of TW560?
I haven’t been blogging too much lately – because I’ve been too shell-shocked by an accident I had with TW560. The good news is: I didn’t sustain any major injuries. The bad news is: TW560 wasn’t as lucky. Major structural issues with most of the vehicle – close to everything has to be replaced. Repairs will run up a 5-figure (CHF) bill. More news to follow. (And some other entries that I haven’t had the time to finish)
A hard-top for TWIKE’s?
Driving a TWIKE in summer is grand – take off the Targa canopy and you get the same outside feeling you would get with a convertible car. This is why TW560’s canopy is off for most of any summer. Winter is much less fun. The dark canopy makes the interior a rather cramped and dark place… Well, not so long ago, purely by chance, I met a former pilot who had sold his TWIKE over 15 years ago and told me he had recently discovered a hard-top for his TWIKE in his cellar… If I was interested in having […]