Bike wasn't where I left it

[Bbennett]

I parked my V11 (legally) in downtown Seattle yesterday, and was rather surprised to not find my shiny black/red bike there after my meeting. I am standing there in my leathers contemplating what might have happened. My 1st thought was it had been stolen and I regretted not affixing the disk lock. Then I pondered the obvious fact that every other vehicle on the street was gone. The machine that issued my parking sticker had allowed me to get 2 hours (and taken my money) and the city towed me exactly 1.5 hours later. OK, I had originally failed to notice a hand-written sign on the parking kiosk (from some other misforunate) said "your car will be towed promptly at 3pm." A few calls on my cel phone revealed that a local towing company had indeed taken my bike due to the City wanting the street clear for buses at 3pm. I was unaware of this risk in parking downtown in Seattle.

 

I tried to find a motorcyclist to hop a ride with but ended up in a taxi. After a $10 ride, I walked up to a very sketchy looking building where the towing company "operates" from, a woman saw me and said "oh my God I just saw a beautiful black motorcycle on hanging from the back of a two truck and thought - I didn't know they even did that!". So much for my scant hope that they had used a flatbed.

 

I sat down in the dust and waited for them to "process" my bike. During the 25 minute wait, a lone cyclist drove by and gave me a hand wave. The guy was on an old round head Guzzi and he had no idea he was waving to a fellow Guzzi rider!

 

$160 was the total. The impoundment lot guard directed me to a Kawasaki when I handed him the receipt. No, I said, it is that one over there. Adding injury to insult, they marked up (rubbed off the clear coat) on a side panel with their fancy sling. The mark is very very subtle but I can see it.

 

Well, at least it wasn't illegally stolen.

 

Bob

[jrt]

Sad story, but I'm glad it's not far worse. I've seen towtrucks pick up bikes with the forklift attachment in back, bike on it's side. So much for THAT bodywork.

What upsets me about this in general is that the company isn't liable for damage they do. At least that's what I've been told.

[antonio carroccio]

 

$160 was the total. 

58020[/snapback]

That's what I call, legal steeling...