HOW OFTEN DO YOU DROP YOUR MOTORCYCLE? I don’t mean crash it, although that would certainly be a pertinent answer. In this instance, I simply mean dropping it while you’ve stopped, or while riding very slowly. One example would be pulling up to a stop sign and putting your foot down on some loose sand, or wet leaves, or in some way losing traction under your foot, and then losing the bike as it falls over.
Another example would be putting down the kickstand while dismounting the bike only to find that the side stand wasn’t fully extended into its locked position, which leaves the bike unsupported as it falls over.
Or, as in the example in the photo above and in the video below, a friend (Lance) dropping his bike when the front tire got hung up in some soft sand, while riding slowly. We were on a 1600 mile, 5-day, Central and Northern California ride and were on our way to a National Forest campsite when the dirt road turned into soft sand.
He was not injured, nor was the bike damaged. And he demonstrated the attitude of a true professional: “Oh well, I’ll handle this better next time.” And when we headed back out of the forest the next morning, he had no problem with the same difficult spot in the dirt road.
I mentioned to Lance that it happens to many riders and it’s not a big deal (he considers himself a relatively new rider). It certainly has happened to me a number of times over the years and it usually just results in some momentary embarrassment, with no personal injury, although sometimes bike damage does occur.
But it left me wondering: How often does it really happen to other riders? And how many riders are willing to confess to momentary lapses of good control, in an otherwise non-threatening situation?
It doesn’t seem to take long for some beginning motorcyclists to consider themselves competent riders. I know I thought I was reasonable good within my first few thousand miles or so, back in the 70’s. But after several hundred thousand miles under my belt, and the recognition that I still consider I’m learning, I sometimes wonder how I survived those first years.
The point is that many riders consider themselves to be in good control of their bikes at all times. But the concept of letting it fall over while stopped, or nearly stopped, seems to belie such a notion – even if only for an instant.
Regardless, if you are willing to share such hapless moments on your own bike, please add your experiences below regarding how often you have found yourself picking up your motorbike after it tipped over when you were stopped, or almost stopped, or even just getting going….
First day on brand new 2011 Ninja 1000. Pulled up to a stop sign on rural road close to home. No traffic behind or in either direction. Picked up my right foot to turn right, didn’t get moving soon enough and over I went. Scratches on fairing and engine case, broken foot peg and snapped right hand mirror. Humiliating to say the least. Small comfort that I was out there by myself.
I just last week dropped my top- heavy Sportster as I was just about to pull out of the Harley Davidson parking lot! It crashed to the ground and sent me sprawling! I do remember I had turned the front wheel to a sharp left to make my u-turn, which I know now I shouldn’t have done. I should have just started off the U-turn from where I was parked. Thankfully, my saddle bags were great protection and no harm to the bike, just to my pride.
As I was falling…I thought…this can NOT be happening, not HERE at H-D!…then I found myself on the ground screaming for my boyfriend…screaming because he had already started his engine and was ready to pull out.
Of course I was embarrassed but looking back on it now…it was DAMNED FUNNY! Fortunately, it was closing time, so there were not a lot of spectators to enjoy the show. Every time I do something stupid like that, I learn! In 3 years, that was the 3rd time I dropped the bike and thank God, each time my b.f. was there to pick it up. He patted me on the back after my fall and said, “Good job Honey!!” Gotta laugh.
I think we have all done it at some time or another . I was returning home after a top of PA ride , kinda weary , turned into the driveway and got sloppy going into the grass, then being a dumbass , I hit the front brake , thank god for crash bars which now have a deep gouge in them to remind me of my lack of attn.
I feel better already. Dropped my Ultra Classic today at a stop sign with my wife on the back. Still don’t know why. I started riding in 1976, but mayb start looking for a driving course too.
Dropped my bike in slow motion at a red light on road that canted on a steep angle. . .lesson 1. . .stop in the middle of the lane, not the edge.
Same thing when parking in a lot. . . .was absolutely certain the spring loaded kickstand was on the ground. . .not. . .lesson 2: always look down and check to make sure the kickstand is *really down. . .
Great video. I enjoyed seeing parts of the West coast again. I dropped my Honda Hurricane once. I was driving through a graveled lot looking for a safe place to turn around. Well I gave it a little too much gas and down I went. I was still young and strong enough to lift the bike, incorrectly, up off the ground. The bike suffered a few minor scratches to the lower left side body panel. Fortunately my friends that I was meeting didn’t see it happen or else I would never have heard the end of it.
Yamaha Boulevard 800, headed up Mt. San Jacinto in SoCal. Several boxes of nails spilled on the road. Wife got off and we slow walked the bike through the mess (LONG line of cars on both sides). Stopped on canted-to-the-left, uphill section of the road. Told the wife to get on, she says,” Better get on a level spot.” I say. “This is fine, just get on…”
You can guess what happened next. A few scratches on the windshield and the headlight ring. Lots of willing helpers from the lineup of cars. Been really careful ever since. AND she never once said, “Told you so.” She’s a keeper.
this new years daytona fl. ny day ride…the fools in front changed the route and pulled over on sand, around a turn..after going 120 mph. so when every one who was within the limit came up on the blind turn fast… off into the sand they had to go wondering why the stop, where to go,what happened, man down ? cars behind them ,the stop was not on the ride route sheet. so now every one is scrambleing for a place to slow down and get off the road , and not hit each other… so into the inclined soft sand. i go. front wheel goes in , all stops,leans to right, foot down but ground slopes down right , foot finds nothing and keeps going ,past the lean recovery angle ,and slow motion side way down..i steped clear hit the kill switch.. 3 people to pick up in sand and off level incline to level off on center stand.. wait for oil and gas to level ,fired up, cleared carbs and off we went….so now i know do not trust the fools in front to be able to read the route sheet, do not stop unless its where you want to.and screw them if they do not like it.go past and stop at the real one. p.s. some said it was a piss break but reg. stop was 5 min down road others said it was to smoke a joint. any way screw them next year what ever it was..
I started riding again 3 years ago after not riding for about 30 years. Cost of a bike was important. I didn’t want to nor could I with 2 kids in college buy something new for several thousand $$. Found a nice GL1100 Gold Wing that had been sitting for 8 years that just needed lots of elbow grease and relatively minor maintenance. The weight of the bike didn’t initially phase me but then it fell over a few times right in my driveway or garage when I was trying ot maneuver it. Wow, I thought maybe I’m too old, too fat, and too weak for this bike. I started to be very vigilant while I was in slow maneuvering mode just as if I was on the road looking for problems. I can’t remember if I dropped it at all this year, maybe once but from that first year I went on line and found a You tube video of a lady pick up a big bike so I have practiced that and at least now know how to do it. I don’t know that all Gold Wing size bikes are as top heavy as my GL is but I’m very cautious now when I’m pulling into a parking space or tight area, ever observing the surroundings and thinking, “what is the best way to get out of here when I leave?†I also took an Expert Rider Course this year and it helped in some areas, at least to be ever thinking about the situation and what to do.
I have only been riding again for 4 years, in that time I have logged over 100,000 miles. I am not a biker, a rider nor an enthusiast. I consider myself a student of the art of motorcycling. For those that don’t consider it an art really need to sit back and study it a little more. … I say that to say this … I practice slow speed maneuvering all the time. As a result of this practice I drop my bike fairly regularly. Only twice so far this year but it’s not over yet. I ride an 07 GL1800 goldwing. This is a 900 lb + machine. I have always been able to pick it up from the slow speed stuff on my own. The trick to picking up any bike is to back up to it, If it is down on it’s right side put the side stand in the down position prior to lifting. Back up to it putting your ass to the seat, grab a handle bar grip (down side) and under the rear fender or passenger handle if equipped, Starting in a deep knee bend start standing up and or walking backward lifting the bike at the same time. You will be surprised how quick and easy they come up. My petite 14 year old daughter can pick up my wing. It is all about mechanics vs. strength.
If you are not dropping your bike on occasion you are not practicing, you should definitely be practicing. I highly recommend the “ride like a pro” dvd set (I am not affiliated with RLP in any way). If you have not taken a basic rider course it is strongly recommended too along with an experienced riders course if you have over 1000 miles or a year riding. Taking the ERC every couple of years is a good idea also. You would be surprised how many riders with multiple years riding experience still ride like a newb because they have never learned to ride a bike properly.
As mentioned above, if the bike starts falling over just step away from it and let it go. You will hurt yourself a lot worse trying to catch/lift it while straddling the machine than picking it up after the fact. The price of chrome is a lot cheaper than back injury or surgery.
Enjoy the ride
See you out there
Smokey
I’m with the goldwing 1500 rider. They are heavy and if it starts to go don’t fight it. Probably have dropped it at least once a year since I’ve had it. Managed to get it up twice by myself.Rest of the time it took some help. Slow speeds will get you every time but I’ve learned that in slow turns to drag the rear brake a little and it seems to help. Leave the front brake alone unless you are going straight at slow speeds. Worst thing that has happened to be is a very brused ego. Still love that goldwing.
Just started riding this summer. A BMW G650gs. I learned that if you are stopped at an intersection at a light, with the right hand turn going downhill, you DON’T stop at the far right of the road. . .where the hill cants the road down.
I stopped at the red light, put my feet down, and in s l o w motion, felt the bike decide that the angle of the road was gravity calling its name. Very embarrassing and now I make that stop right in the middle of the road, where it’s relatively straight.
Have never droped the V-Star, but one almost. Some very fine sand must have spilled out of a truck bed at an intersection. It was so fine you could not see it on the road. As I cornered the bike slipped hard to the the left and for some reason I stuck my leg out and it was jammed pretty hard into the hip socket. Might have brused the bone. Will find out with exrays next week. Funny how fast it all happens. Dropped the 750 a few times due to brain fart, but I don’t think I could get the Star back up up. Crazy thing is, I always look for road crap at intersections, as I live in a wind swept part of Montana, and there is an abnormal about of dirt and left over road sand from winter at intersections.
Yes, dropped my 98 Shadow 626lbs dry. Isn’t it amazing how much strength you can muster when you are hanging onto it from the right and just can’t visualize damaging the left on a drop. Now , the stretched muscle feeling will last a week but by golly barely a scratch !
I expected a few incidences when I first started riding 6 years ago, but not recently. This past year I managed to slip on some gravel when slowly turning around on a highway, not to mention (attempting) to park on a slanted driveway in the wrong direction. Minor damages to the ride, but major blow to one’s pride! Maybe these are good reminders never to relax when it comes to paying attention to safety.
Dropping a Honda ST1100 is not something one wants to do. At around 300kgs it is not easy to pick up on your own.
For memory I’ve dropped mine three times myself and on two other occaisions by another person.
One of these times was when my partner leant on the bike and it fell over and cracked the right hand mirror plasric surround.
The other time I was entering a highway from a bush track and the wind from a four trailer road train pushed the bike over. The first two trailers were ok but by the time the fourth one had passed the bike was pushed to a lean that I could not prevent the bike falling from. Just as well a couple guys in a car saw what happenend and help me right the bike.
For myself, a similar thing as to the event that happened in the picture of the red ST. On the bitumen I can’t fault my bike, but take it of the black stuff and onto dirt/gravel roads and it’s a totally different machine. Anything over 40kph is impossible and if the dirt is not much more than tread depth then it’s down to a crawl and feet on the ground to prevent a fall.
Now, unless I can’t avoid it I don’t ride on dirt/gravel roads. As the old saying says “Prevention is far better than cure.”
I dropped my Ninja 250 FIVE times while learning to ride – two were on the first day I had it (I wanted to cry – the bike was brand new). My last drop was at 180 miles, and I clearly remember seriously wondering if I should give it up. Luckily I didn’t – I’m now at 15K miles on my bike and another 1 or 2K on my husband’s BMW 650GS, although I still worry about dropping both! I still have the hole in my fairing under the turn signal to remind me to be careful. I rode for my first 5K with rubber bands holding both turning signals together – I didn’t want to buy new ones if I was going to crush them again!
08 Ultra, 80k miles. In the parking lot at work after 14 days straight waiting for my riding partner. Lifted my foot to get comfortable-side stand still in up position! I was laughing before it reached the ground 🙂 Gotta love the dumb moments!
If you’re in a low speed turn, DO NOT hit your front brake! If you do, it will pull you to the ground like you were stuck by lighting(learned from that mistake once)! For big cruiser bikes, If you drop your bike on the right side, extend the kickstand first, reach down and pull your handlebars to a full lock position to the right. Put your butt against the seat, reach down as low as possible on your bike and grab ahold of a side crash bar. Then using only your legs, walk the bike back over onto the kickstand. Left side: With the handlebars at Left full lock position, put your right hip up against the left side of the seat and push the bike upward with your legs only. Turn your handlebars toward the center. When you have the bike vertical, drop down the kickstand.
Like a lot of others. Get that used to pulling up and kicking the stand out. On my VFR and pulled up at one of the biggest meets around locally. ( 300-400 bikes ) You seem to get in the habit of kicking the stand out while starting to let the bike go over and then take your left hand off the bars automatically as it goes down. “Idiot here” catches his foot in amongst the footrest for some reason, but having already let go of the left handlebar, it was too late to rescue it as the weight was already going down. As a fellow rider had pulled up at the side of me, I had to do a sort of Elephantine leap forwards or I would have taken him out as well. What is marvellous about the biking fraternity is that nobody laughs, everybody comes to assist and make sure that bike and rider are o.k. Doesn’t help with the embarrassment factor, but most have done the same, or nearly have.
I’ve dropped my Softail a couple of times by stopping with my front brake in the driveway as I was in the process of a slow turn. Stupid technique, but I’ve only been riding a couple of years. I stepped off and my wife, riding bitch, tumbled out and hurt her elbow. My first reaction…MY BIKE!! Did the same damn thing once again while turning around in gravel. I saw the gravel, knew the care I needed to take and hit the came to a stop with my front brake. Down she tipped. Wound up trading my softail for an Electra Glide Ultra Limited. Did it for the third time…front brake, stop, tilt. No damage to either bike but I came to the conclusion that I was not supposed to use my front brake in a slow turn stop. Then I saw some videos called Ride Like A Pro and started practicing their techniques. Now that’s a course I really want to take. Three times really makes me feel like a ra-tard!! Ha! I’ll just blame it on the plaque I have in my arteries. Ride safe, keep learning!
Once, I was making a sharp U-turn along a narrow road. Before I made the U-turn, I was trying to guage if I could make it. It seemed I could just make it on my BMW 1100RT. Going into half of the U-turn, I realised that it was too tight for me to make it. I had to brake to avoid hitting the kerb and in doing so, my bike came to a sudden stand-still. As it was at an angle, I just couldnt hold it upright (It weighs about 300kg) and it went down as I had to release it slowly. It landed on one side . I was not hurt and the bike suffered no damage either. It was a lesson learnt.
Drop 1 of 2: Drove my roadliner from the the dealer to my best friend’s house only to drop it while he is coming out the front door to greet me in the driveway and neglected to employe the kick stand. Two weeks latter, Drop 2 of 2.: Slowing down to make a right at a red light and noticed there was no gap in traffic so I slammed on the brakes while my front wheel was all the way right. Lesson learned: Use the kick stand to shut of the bike and always come to a complete stop no matter how much in a hurry you think you may be in.
Yup! Have made almost all the mistakes discussed here. Glad few of us have damaged ourselves or our bikes-have done the same thing as Verne- taking my bike off the centerstand
but only got a jolt and did not require the hardware. Thankful you are now okay.
Very interesting comments here, and a lot of common misunderstandings. High center of gravity on your VFR? Doesn’t matter. Front suspension recoil after your stop? Shouldn’t matter. (Usually not a suspension recoil issue, more of a focus and balance issue) The foot stomp is almost always a lack of focus and not stopping straight. Anyways. 900lb motorcycle? Shouldn’t matter, either. All of these slow speed issues (that happen while riding the bike) indicate a lack of understanding of low speed bike control.
And no offense riding brother, but low siding a motorcycle to avoid a collision is just about the worst thing you can do, and has a good chance of landing you in the hospital or worse. A low side in an emergency situation like that also indicates a dangerous lack of motorcycle control.
Controlling a 500, 700 or 900lb bike involves far more than just looking where you are going.
Advanced rider skills training can cure these problems and all but eliminate low speed control and stopping issues. It will also give the rider tools to properly deal with emergencies that do NOT invovle “laying the motorcycle down” (i.e. crashing!) I won’t pretend to teach it here. To really learn, take a course at a reputable school. Even a beginner course, but an advanced skills course is MUCH better. Learning and practicing and understanding correct technique – under expert supervision – is where it’s at.
Learning on the internet and practicing on your own is far less effective.
Back in 1977 I had a beautiful Suzuki GS 750. I rode it up on the local ferry and slipped on the metal floor and down we went. No injuries, just surprise. More recently, the Old HOGs were riding the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. We turned into an overlook and as I was approaching the curb on my 2005 Softail Deluxe, I turned the wheel and applied the brakes and over I went. A few scrapes on the crash bars but no injuries.
Finally, a year of so ago, I had pulled up to a stop sign on a downhill grade. My buddy came up behind me a little too fast. He hit his brakes but because of moisture on the road, he skidded into my 2008 Road King just fast enough to nudge me over. The front and rear crash bars took the brunt of it.
BTW, how about a video of how to safely get a bike up off the ground,
I have been riding on and off (literally) since 1964 and this was never a problem until I bought my VFR. The bike’s high CofG has meant that it has had to survive 5 standing drops including my first one that happened just 60kms after I rode it away from the dealer. So far I have had to replace the right-side mirror twice and the left-side, once. The fiberglass on both sides has been scuffed of course and the clutch cover has been scratched.
Despite my bad handling of her we still get along great and I plan to keep riding her for many years to come.
Let me elaborate a bit about the handle bar position. This is something I learned and was like . . . why did I not realize this sooner? Maybe some of you will have the same revelation.
First of all, the reason your motorcycle steering lock is set with the handle bars turned to the left is because:
Turning the handle bars to the left actually changes the center of gravity of the bike due to the rake and offset of the front suspension leaning the bike to the left sending MORE WEIGHT to go to the kickstand. This makes the bike more resistant to tipping by taking on more of a a three point stance than if you put the handle bars in any other position.
For the same reason this is why you should not brake with your handlebars in a sharp turned position even at a very low speed. The center of gravity will be offset towards the direction you have the handle bars turned i and DOWN YOU GO. Even more to if you touch your front brake ! Less so if only using the rear brake only but still somewhat off center.
One the same note. Braking with BOTH brakes is recommended for best stopping performance. I have found that front suspension recoil can toss you off balance as you come to the full stop at times. That’s when you find that you have to catch the bike hard with your foot from time to time and wonder why. Is it the pavement? etc. etc. etc. You just go on your way only to have it happen sometimes but never really know why.
More than likely here is what happens: You brake with both brakes as you should. The brakes pitch the center of gravity forward on the front wheel. That why you use your front brakes heavier. It has about 70% of the stopping power and that’s why. As the bike stops at the intersection the Springs in the front forks expand as the center of gravity returns to normal and this pitching can toss you and the bike a little off balance. Wa La !
Your foot stomps the pavement as you frantically save yourself from an embarrassing drop! I call that a STOMP STOP! It ranks right in there with people that duck walk there bikes instead of putting their feet on the pegs from the git go!
So to prevent the toss just lighten up on your front brake as you come to your stopping area to let the forks return to normal position before you reach the full stop using much more of the rear brake. I am just talking the last 20 feet or so to the stopping point. Takes a little practice but once you have it down pat YOU WILL LOVE IT! and if you happen to have your handle bars turned just a bit its not as big of a deal anymore either !!!!!!!!!!
Now get out there and ride !
Indeed! KLR-650…on the right side…third time…pushing the beasty into the garage fro the right side. Passed a garbage bag full of leaves. I did not notice that the bag pushed the stand up. I got to where I wanted to park the bike and over onto the left side it went. I started to pull back on the throttle and remembered that last time I did that! I was content to slow the decent! First time was in a Post Office parking lot…stepped in oil! Second was a green neutral light on…started the bike from the right side and it lurched….I don’t do that either! Be safe…be seen…the embarassment will fade!
I been riding since 1969. I have a Kawasaki KLR650 Dual Sport. The bike has a high center of gravity and a tall seat height for my 5’9″ size person. Dropped it a lot of times. At stops on uneven ground, Kickstand down and dug into soft terrain, and turns to tight. That’s why I have crash bars. LOL
Only once in 100,000 miles, Knock on wood. 30,000 is when I leaned first hand that knowing what to do, and what not to do with the front and rear brakes is very important at low speeds. Combine that with friction zone slow riding techniques and you will likely never drop your bike again.
What got my attention to learn more back then was when I stopped with the handle bars turned full lock on a steep driveway at a 45 degree angle with both brakes. Everything was OK as I sat there until I felt the bike tipping slightly to the right causing me to have to take my foot off the rear brake to catch the bike. Even with the front brake totally locked the curvature of the front wheel at that position will not prevent the bike from continuing on over. Plus, at that time I didn’t realized that the steering position also pitches the weight of the bike to that side. I sure know that NOW ! LOL Also, the throttle being up next to the tank gives you NO leverage to recover the bike either. Even with only a 500 lbs bike it was impossible to hold so I had to let if down as easy as possible. It pivoted on the saddle bags and half height highway bar ending up almost totally upside down due to the steep driveway. It came to rest on the mirror and windshield edge at the front and the top edge of the rear turn signal and the sissy bar pad in the rear. Then I picked it back up using methods taught for up-righting even biker bikes.
Lucky I let it down slow enough that it only pivoted the mirror around at the adjustment point with no damage but the rear turn signal housing had a few scratches in the top outside area of the plastic chrome finish. That’s the area that actually slid against the driveway concrete. The windshield broke within about a year, possibly from stress fractures that may have occurred at the mounting holes during the incident.
Since this adventure I have learned a lot about slow riding handling techniques. I now ride a 800 lbs bike with no trouble including snow, sand, dirt, rain and have never had such a problem again. Like I said, the real secrete is know what to do, and not do with your front and rear brakes and when.
One more time. Years ago, on Nighthawk 450 set up as a tourer with hard bags, windshield, highway pegs, crash bars front and rear, Progressive sprung forks, Koni damped rears, etc. Came to a stop sign on a country road and stopped with left foot down. A brisk gust blew the lightweight 430 pound bike over to the right side, so I reached down with my right foot as the bike teetered–nothing. No shoulder, no line marking edge of road. Over the bike and I went. I added a driving light to prevent that ever happening again.
Much too often. With short legs and a 900 lb. GL1800 GoldWing, it happens too often. Any little mistake can result in a drop.
1. Moving out from parking lot, a woman comes out from between cars and surprises me. Drop resulted from cocked handlebars and road dirt in lot.
2. Parked in reverse on sidestand at gas station. After filling up and while standing beside bike, put it into neutral to start as I’m strapping on helmet, bike moves forward due to grade. Nearly knocks me into fuel pump as it falls.
3. At stop sign on an intersection of an uphill stop and high crowns on both roads. About to make left as speeding school van cuts me off. High crown prevents “stand up and walk back” technique from working ue to my short legs and incline. Require assistance of motorists following me–twice. Once to get bike up. Second time to get bike up after I am sitting on it.
4. Dropped multiple times until I figured out that a habit of turning the handlebars right as I stop to make sure my Ninja leans left, makes the GoldWing fall left. Bikes should come with outriggers. http://www.trikealternative.com/
5. Dropped Ninja 650R on uneven parking lot once. Just starting out with cold engine, and I stalled it out as front and rear tires were on bumps and my feet were hovering inches over hollows. This one cost me more than all the GoldWing drops. Almost $100 to replace brake lever. Rear brake pedal hammered back to almost straight, scratches on bodywork not repaired.
In 30 years of riding only two “drops” come to mind.
1) Just moving my 800 Vulcan on the carport , I lost my balance, letting the bike get too far over and down she went. Damage; a bruised ego and a broken brake lever.
2) This past spring, out for a ride on my Road Star, I went down to the Missouri River to see how high the water was, due to spring flooding. The road approaching the ferry crossing (into Illinois) was wet but still passable. Slowing down to approx. 10-15 mph to make a hard 90 degree turn to my left, I made it through the turn but the road appeared to turn to mud. (It wasn’t though; it was just mud-covered. More like slime-covered!!!) At that point I’m not sure exactly what happened, but suddenly the back tire started coming around to my right. So I pulled in the clutch and before I knew it, I was going backwards!!! The bike did a complete 180 and down we went, facing the direction I’d just come from!!! I hit the kill switch, got myself out from under the bike, looked around, hoping no one had just witnessed what had happened and picked up the bike. Then burst into laughter, thinking about how funny that had to have looked. Damage; Again, a slightly bruised ego and a muddy saddlebag, chaps and glove. All on the left side…….
Many, many years ago I used to make the trip from New Jersey to Laconia each year. Putting on many highway miles coming off the highway and catching the first stop sign or traffic light I would forget to put a foot down.
Never any damage or injury but a lot of laughter from fellow riders and myself.
That was in my 20’s, now 75 still riding but not many if any long highway trips.
1. McDonald – kickstand up got off the bike down she went. Lucky for me it was early in the AM.
2. Out of state run came up on a high hill with a small turn had to stop taped the front break and in slow motion down she went.
3. No footing down again.
I have become very good a picking up my bike. I don’t even think about it now.. if it falls I just pick it up feeling good I can do it without help.. ultra classic. Embarrassing yes, but there are alot of pepole who cant pick thire 800 lb bikes up as easy as I do… LMAO
I have had a few bikes in the last 8 years. Dropped a few. I have a Harley V-rod that I have had for 3 years and I have never dropped it. That is the good news..
Some experiences with other bikes.
My Buell 1125 last year..I keep it in the back there is not much room in the place where I keep it and I have to scoot the rear wheel over to get it in place. Standing on the high side of the bike with the kickstand down and pulling on the rear wheel I have found is a bad idea. The kickstand sprung up at me leaving and bike went down breaking the left mirror.. Now if I am going to scoot the rear wheel over I push from the left side so that I can hold the bike up..
Buell Lightning. Came into a round about a bit fast a couple of years ago .. No problem except for the guy entering from my right. He was supposed to give way but he didn’t so I put the bike down rather than T-bone him, Scuffed up the frame and needed new pegs and gear shifter. Also found it hard walking for a few weeks since my knees scraped the road goorf.
In 2006 I had a Vmax, I was coming up the ramp from the basement carpark. There was a sharp right turn at the top, I hit the front brake and went down as there was a puddle of water and slippery floor. Picked the bike up as if nothing happened just damaged pride.. Since then I don’t use front brake when turning on low friction surface at low speeds.
I have a KTM 950 SM. I was at a sand desert location and I thought I would try riding it in the sand with lower pressure in the tires. Even with low pressure a 400+lb bike on 17 in wheels is very hard to handle in whoops and I went down a couple of times but I got to the point where I could ride in and out oK.
I ride in the desert almost weekly on either my KTM530 EXC or my KTM 690 ER. These are offroad bikes so they are meant for this but if I am not coming off I figure I am not riding hard enough.. I come off a lot.
I myself have tipped over once at a stop in the last 5 years or so. My pantleg got caught and I was unable to take my foot off the footpeg. Down I went. The fact is, MOST riders avoid slow speed situations because of the fear of tipping their bike over at slow speed or at a stop. Especially the big heavy cruisers and touring bikes. And on a large bike, the chances of getting injured in a fall like that is higher than you think.
I teach an advanced riding skills course when we help riders learn to control their bikes – large and small – with greater understanding, skill & finesse. It improves rider safety and can help avoid incidents like tip-overs and other possible crashes.
i am an experienced rider but it doesn’t matter when a lapse in focus/concentration yields the “uh oh, wreck.”
i sat on my bike to take it off of the center stand and just as it started rolling forward, i realized i forgot to put the kickstand down. can you say tri-maleolar fracture? a few titanium screws, pins, and propofol later, i was good to go.
other dropping lowlights:
when i first started riding, i looked down when pulling in to a parking spot,.
didn’t have proper footwear on when moving the bike and slipped on sand,
grabbed too hard for the brake lever.
My softail several times, always on the grass next to my shop. No damage other than readjusting mirrors, etc. Pride takes a big hit,but it was never something stupid i did. Now my ultra classic is a different story. I had it on the lift for maintenance and some how forgot the tie down strap on the right side. I heaved it out of the cantilever chock, no small feat, to find the bike leaning very heavily to the right. It was all I could do to keep it upright. Being the resourceful guy I am I whipped out my pocketknife and cut the strap. The bike immediately rebounded form the compressed fork, and jumped up and sideways, completely out from under me. I was left standing on the lift and the bike crashed heavily to the shop floor. I had one of those slow motion moments where you see the future, but there is nothing you can do. I had to put my pride aside and ask my wife to help me pick it up, I could not manage on my own. The result, no real damage other than a slightly tweaked luggage rack, bent kickstand tab, and scratches on the left fairing, that disappeared under touch up paint. The transmission leaked a little out of the vent. The bike fired right up and ran as well as it ever had. A real testimony about the durability of today’s Harley Davidson. I put my pride aside and went out and put some miles on with no issues. I am truly impressed with my bikes. I absolutely am enamored of them both.
Don’t you just HATE IT whan that happens? I had not been riding in over 30+ years when I took the MSF course and at the end of my final “test” ride, I hopped off all excited and fogot to put the kickstand down. 🙁 Embarassed? Yup.
So I got my license again, went home and took my 1st ride on my new ’06 VTX 1300C. Wow what a blast; pulled into the garage and promptly laid it over WITHOUT the kickstand!!! Duh!
It stopped at 45degrees, supported by the Peg Feeler 🙂 Needless to say that has not happened since, almost 5 years..
I manage to drop my bike at least once per year. It is a GL1500 Goldwing..a ponderous heavy beast when riding very slow. Each time is has been because of something I have done.
Let me list a few –
1) Pull up to a gas stop and casually kick down the sidestand. While getting off I notice the stand wasn’t properly in position. I noticed because the bike was falling against me and pinning me to the gas pump! I turned around and heaved the big girl back up.
2) Pull up to a convencience store for a “comfort” break. A small group was already there and I came late to the lineup. As I pulled up I was looking at the group in line and thinking this will never do…So I stopped, and put my foot down to consider my options. The foot never hit solid pavement- just loose pebbles and sand- a sure sign the big girl was going to lay down again. I tried for a brief moment to stop the 900lbs from tipping over but inertia and gravity quickly got the best of me and I simply stepped off and let her fall. Standing next to a dropped bike with a crowd of fellow bikers nearby is a humbling experience.
3) Slow speed turn in a parking lot. I wanted to turn around and park. As I began my turn I made the rookie mistake of looking at the ground near my front wheel. Of course that is where I ended up too… That one hurt as I sprained my wrist and banged my helmeted head pretty good. It is surprising how hard one hits the ground when 1/2 a ton decides to throw you there.
No damages from any of these drops. The crash bars are pretty good on my old Wing (although scratched up now). But a bruised ego…sure…
There are 2 kinds of bikers – Ones who have dropped their bikes; and ones who will…
Does knocking it over while washing it count?? This is the first year (of 3 yrs riding my own) that I was going to be so proud NOT to have one drop…..then, it happened, washing it in the driveway, I turned the front wheel all the way to the right to get to the white wall, and i just ‘touched’ it and it fell! I say it doesn’t count and my year is still ‘clean’. Others disagree with me! I was soooooooo ticked! Some major scratches too. Over the three years riding I’ve probably dropped it in slow maneuvers about 6 times! Softail.
I have an ’09 Victory Vision and have dropped it at least 5 times in 15,000 miles. Always in parking lots, turning around (w/foot power) to avoid a dirt road, etc. The bike is very easy to handle but when your bars are all the way left or right it is easy to get off balance and one arm isn’t going to hold it up.
Luckily the Vision has “tip overs” which catch it at a 45 degree angle! I can pick it up by myself, which I could not do with my 1300 VTX that was 250 lbs lighter.
Did this twice once my fault once not. First time road dropped off to the right, when I went to put my foot down at the stop sign me, my wife and my bike all kept going. Only damage was to my pride. Second time told my wife I was ready for her to get on and as she was getting on I left go of the handlebars to light a cigarette. Totally my fault, LOOKED STUPID in front of all my friends and wife was PISSED!
I was at a local Harley dealer one Saturday, and they were having a bikini bike wash. Well, the hose they were using was in front of me as I left. I rode over it ok with my front wheel, but when my back wheel went over it, the hose started rolling under my wheel, and I was trying to keep the bike upright. But it went over, nearly hitting the bike next to me. Lots of people watching, very embarrassing. Fortunately, no harm done other than to my ego.
Last time I dropped my ST1100 was 2 years ago when I was taking it to the road from it’s home in the 3rd garage which does not have a driveway. There is some grade to navigate and I put my foot down to make an adjustment – and there was a hole my foot went into.
Bike dropped. No damage except to my ego. As noted, slow speed or stopped makes the beast much more likely to try and take a nap.
Best,
-Geo
One of my bikes is a KLR 650 which can be difficult to mount, depending on your height, what’s loaded on the back for a trip etc. I have twice made the mistake of not leaning the bike toward me while swinging the right leg over the seat. If your weight gets on the bike before that right foot meets the ground and your momentum is away from you to the right, the bike will go down to the right with you half on it!
leaving the disc lock on ! and tumbling straight off ! most embarassing ! no damage only to pride ! have got a yellow warning lead attached now when i use it !
Last time I dropped my bike was back in 1999 and my ex wife was riding with me, we were at a big get together in Zillah Washington. It just slowly went over and I was helpless to keep it from going and I told the wife just stand up. Embarrassing yes, but I got it right back up as fast as I could… thankfully it was an FXLR and not a softail!