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Post by vstrom2up on Jul 7, 2008 16:30:52 GMT -5
I have been asked several times since I started riding if I have ever dropped the bike moving it or any other time. I had not and the usual response is that I will do it eventually. I had always hoped it would be in the privacy of my garage. It did not work out so nicely yesterday at the start of our ride. I was in the middle of Ravenna in the middle of St. Rt. 59 and "IT" happened. I was in the center turn lane (the kind both direction of traffic share to make a left) with light traffic in the 2 lanes on either side of me. I was there because I was following hubby to an unexpected turn-off. He spotted a Radio Shack and he had a return to make that I didn't know about. I was sitting TOTALLY still wondering where the heck he was going when I FORGOT TO HOLD THE BIKE UP . Over I went. I was pretty free and clear of traffic in the center lane and I attempted to turn around and put the bike behind me to lift with my legs as I was taught to do. However, very nice and well intended people kept interrupting the process asking if I was ok/needed help. I look over and hubby hasn't even noticed! I figure he could do it easier and faster so I yell to him and he got the bike up quickly and no problem. Only damage was a slight scuff on the pipe and my ego.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2008 17:43:44 GMT -5
They are heavy aren't they!
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Post by tamarack on Jul 7, 2008 18:42:51 GMT -5
I've only dropped mine once and that was recently. ABout 5:00 AM in a gas station parking lot. I had just finished fueling and paying and was back on the bike putting on my gloves and hemet. The bike was between my legs, kick stand up.
I was very cold and that's all I was thinking about and then the bike just fell over! I was so embarrased and DIDN'T want anyone to see me so it was back up pretty quick.
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Post by xsyamahadg on Jul 7, 2008 21:09:45 GMT -5
I dropped my V-Star Silverado with only 200 miles on the clock. I was trying to back it up and when I planted my foot on loose gravel, I lost traction and the rest is history.
I dropped it right there in front of God and everyone. ;D
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Post by shoe48 on Jul 7, 2008 21:44:50 GMT -5
I dropped my V-Star Silverado with only 200 miles on the clock. I was trying to back it up and when I planted my foot on loose gravel, I lost traction and the rest is history. I dropped it right there in front of God and everyone. ;D This was the time with the older lady right ?
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Post by mgorman on Jul 7, 2008 22:31:13 GMT -5
Being a dirt bike rider I have dropped everything I had ever owned. However I have been fortunate enough not to drop any of my road bikes.
The worst incident I had was when my Can-Am 560 Sonic was idling away on a crate. This bike had its counter balancer removed at the factory for quick reving. the motor vibrated really bad. bad enough that if you leaned it against the garage while running it would knock stuff off the walls inside.
While is was idling and I was adjusting the airscrew, it vibrated its was off the stand and luckily away from me. I reached up and grabbed the bars to keep it from falling but the 300 lb beast outweighed me a bunch. It fell over anyhow taking me with it. I landed across the very hot exhaust header in shorts. Needless to say I was sizzling like bacon on a griddle. it took a long tme to heal those wounds.
So what ever you do, if you're going to drop it, don't try to cushion the fall with your body parts, it hurts like hell.
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Post by bill on Jul 8, 2008 0:31:55 GMT -5
It happens, but I think if people are sensible the risk of dropping a bike at standstill can be reduced. I remember the 1st time I traveled to the states back in 1977 XS had a buddy who's wife was determined to ride anything on 2 wheels. She was a tad on the short side to say the least and when she sat on a Honda, I think it was a 750 4?, but I am sure XS will put me right on the make of bike if I am wrong. And I am sure he knows who I am talking about, her feet didn't reach the ground without tilting the bike to one side and then she only just managed to get the tips of her toes on the ground. I watched and was dumbstruck by the total lack of common sense both on her part and the role played by her husband who seemed oblivious to the danger?
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Post by Bob on Jul 8, 2008 2:20:39 GMT -5
I dropped mine in my sisters gravel drive once, right after I bought it. I was headed down hill, stopped, put my foot down and it started to slide. I layed it down easily, then attempted to pick it up. At first I thought no freaking way, couldn't move it. Grabbed hold, gave it all I got and stood it up somehow. Fortunately it didn't put a scratch on it.
It does happen. I am now much more aware when I'm stopping to make sure both feet are down and placed firmly.
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Post by mgorman on Jul 8, 2008 8:31:12 GMT -5
From what I hear, gravel, oil & radiator fluid are the biggest reasons. Every now and then I will see someone on the trail put their foot down on the downhill side of a trail and watch them fall over because they can't reach.
I was told on heavy bikes to turn the bars so that the fender pointed to the ground. If the kickstand is on the up side, put it down. Face away from the bike above the seat and grab the bar closest to the ground with one hand and something solid with the other.
Lift and walk backwards towards the bike using your legs. Just don't go too fast and toss it onto its other side!!
Make sure all your controls work before heading off. Hope there isn't a camera around but if there is, take a bow and get the heck out of there.
One guys pulls up to a group, turns white, looks paniced and falls over in the middle of the woods and breaks his collar bone. Everyone was trying to figure out why. It seems this guy was wearing jeans and work shoes. he went over a junp and his feet came off the pegs. Upon landing his kickstarter lever went up his pant leg. When he went to stop he couldn't put his foot down.
This also happens to people who where baggy pants and hook them on the foot pegs so leave your John Travolta Bell Bottoms in the closet!!
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Post by xsyamahadg on Jul 8, 2008 14:14:33 GMT -5
That also happens with shoe laces. Ever stop at a stop sign or stop light and you can't put your foot down because the shoe lace is around the shifter ?
The voice of experience talking here ;D
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Post by couchrocketdave on Jul 8, 2008 19:33:26 GMT -5
I've always heard that there are two kinds of folks who drop their bikes - those that have and those that lie about it! I've done it - was backing out of a parking space at the local BK when some blithering idiot came flying into the parking lot at about 90 mph, and not thinking, I grabbed a handful of front brake with the front wheel at almost full lock. Down it went. I didn't even try to stop it, but tried to lay it down gently. Those d**n Goldwings are heavy! Got it back up myself, using the butt against the seat method and pushing with my legs... hoped no one saw me...
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Post by oldbeemer on Jul 8, 2008 22:15:28 GMT -5
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Post by mgorman on Jul 9, 2008 8:18:28 GMT -5
Luckily I am tall and don't own bikes as heavy as Goldwings!!
The worst I've had to do was pick up a wet, muddy 300 pound dirtbike that was laying with its handlebars a foot or two lower than the tires on the side of a hill while exhausted from hours of racing scrambles.
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Post by bllyhen on Jul 10, 2008 9:14:00 GMT -5
Recipe for disaster - bike facing down a slight gradient, on sidestand, ticking over on partial choke, warming up and getting less smooth. Glance over shoulder at rough sounding engine - witness even rougher sound of plastic, clutch and brake lever caressing concrete as vibrating engine results in sidestand tucking in. Raising the Titanic was easier - and possibly less embarassing. Most valuable accessory that should be standard on most bikes - a centre stand.
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Post by bllyhen on Jul 10, 2008 9:22:08 GMT -5
Sorry - mistake. That should have been "clutch and gear lever" - not "brake lever". What kind of a bike would that be?
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