Dropped my bike today :( | GTAMotorcycle.com

Dropped my bike today :(

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wowren

Active member
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I was getting ready for an afternoon ride earlier today on my 2 weeks old 2011 ninja 250 and as I was backing it out of the garage, I tilted too far too the left to the point that the bike was too heavy for my leg to keep it standing. At this point I knew it was going to go down for sure, but I didn't just let it go. I laid it down as gently as I could, there were no thuds or smash or anything, I let it touch the pavement very slowly and I wasn't hurt at all during all this.

It stayed on the ground for a good 5 minutes as I made several failed attempts to pick it up because I didn't have the strength for it and I didn't know the proper technique to pick up a fallen bike. After a while however I finally managed to pick it up and brought it back into the garage to analyze the damages.

There were a few minor scratches on the left fairings, mirror, handle bar and clutch lever. The gear shifter is also slightly bent inwards.

A few minutes later I tried to start the bike but to no avail. I could hear the sound of the ignition trying to start the engine but the engine just wouldn't do it's thing. I then searched online to see what was wrong with my bike and found the most common answer to be that my carbs were flooded and I should just wait a while before starting it.

So I went back in my garage to give the ignition switch a try every few minutes until the engine finally slowly started.

Overall I think it took almost 30 minutes for my bike to finally be able to start after I picked it up. Is this normal? Is it really because my carbs were flooded?

Also I don't really have the tools to unbend my shifter so if I take it to kahunas, do you think they'll fix it for me? I don't think it needs to be replaced since nothing is broken, it even works properly but it's just that the position isn't as comfortable as before.

What a day... I figured I'd probably drop my bike at some point since I'm a very new rider... But I never thought that it would be 2 weeks in after I got the brand new bike and in my own driveway... 2 meters away from the garage...:( I hate myself for allowing this easily avoidable incident from happening.


tl:dr
I dropped my bike, I had to wait almost 30 minutes before the engine would start after I picked it up. Is it because my carbs were flooded?
Gear shifter is a bit bent (not broken), would dealers be able/willing to unbend it? I don't have the tools to do it myself.
 
Sucks that you dropped it, and yes it's pretty normal for it to flood like that especially that it was on its side so long.
Not sure if I can help you with technic on picking those up, there pretty light to begin with.
 
Just wack the shifter with something until it's straight. They're constructed with an advanced 50% butter alloy specifically for this.
 
Sorry to hear about your drop. dont let it bring you down, it's very common.

the proper technique for people who can't just pick it up is:
1) place your back against the bike
2) grab some part of the frame (or handle bar) with one hand and the passenger peg with another hand
3) stand up holding the two parts

it's much easier since you're using your legs and not your back.

Also, it's normal for your bike to not start back up right away. 30 minutes sounds about right.
as for your shifter, just take it off and hammer it back into place or bend it with your hands. they're quite easy to bend. if you're really picky, you could go find a new pair on ebay for about $30 shipped.

Again, dont let it put you down, it's very common. It's now out of your system :)
 
This should fix you right up:

[video=youtube;OOCTsna2jiI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOCTsna2jiI[/video]

;)

Just a little humour.
 
The previous owner dropped my bike and I didnt notice the shifter was bent until my brother pointed it out (my first bike and wouldn't know that it was bent).
I took his advice and just wrapped the shifter with a cloth (to avoid scratching) and used a vice to slowly bend it outwards. The starting problem, I would have no idea.

Getting some tools such as a vice, and pliers could be a good idea as they're pretty good all-around tools (not so much the pliers since I've never used them on my bike yet) and of course a screw driver and wrenches (which should be included in your tool kit already).
 
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Thanks guys, I'll try give it a shot with my shifter tomorrow. Should I take it off the bike first or attempt to straighten it while it's still attached? I'm not very savvy with anything mechanical so I'm pretty nervous about detaching something as important as the shifter.
 
Lol that's literally what I looked like this afternoon, minus the profanity XD. I was too out of breath the entire time to spew out curses

TekNinja81 said:
This should fix you right up:

[video=youtube;OOCTsna2jiI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOCTsna2jiI[/video]

;)

Just a little humour.
Click to expand...
 
wowren said:
Thanks guys, I'll try give it a shot with my shifter tomorrow. Should I take it off the bike first or attempt to straighten it while it's still attached? I'm not very savvy with anything mechanical so I'm pretty nervous about detaching something as important as the shifter.
Click to expand...

I didn't detach mine when I bent it outwards and it worked out fine other than the fact it left a scratch cause I did it using a thin cloth is it ripped through... I was also told to make sure it is not cold when you do it or it might snap. Given the fact that its going to be 25degrees+, I don't think that'll be a problem. Just make sure you do it slowly and take it easy.
 
Take it off if you can, if not an adjustable wrench works well to grab and straighten it out.
Depending on we're you are maybe you can get a hand from a more mechanically inclined rider on here.
Id be more then happy to help you out but I'm in Barrie :).
 
You could just take it off, heat it n bend it back into shape. Can take the shifter off with the tools that come in a bikes tool kit, and just buy one of the cheap gas torches from canadian tire. Theres a bit of a trick to heating/bending the metal but it's not hard.
 
not trying to be a dick... maybe you should look at your fitness level and do something about it. Trust me I dropped my parts 750cc 1984 Interceptor and I thought that was a ***** to lif and that bike probably has another 200lb+ on that 250cc t. I sat on a 250 at the honda dealer and i'm like. holy crap it's light.
 
starboy869 said:
not trying to be a dick... maybe you should look at your fitness level and do something about it.
Click to expand...

I assumed OP is a girl. Seriously, any average adult male can lift a 250.
 
RetroGrouch said:
I assumed OP is a girl. Seriously, any average adult male can lift a 250.
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haha you hope its a girl...

op where do you live? i can bend it if your near my shop.

if not, any motorcycle/auto shop would probably do that for free. (maybe)
 
I would just add when you pick up your bike, do it slowly. In the adrenaline of picking up a bike as quickly as possible to avoid someone seeing you lol, you may overshoot and the bike will just land on its other side!
 
RetroGrouch said:
I assumed OP is a girl. Seriously, any average adult male can lift a 250.
Click to expand...

I've seen guys fail to pickup a Virago 250 of all shapes and sizes because the technique was wrong. And the bikes on the parking lot courses are pretty much gutted.

Technique: on knee under the gas tank, one in front of the rear fender/tire hugger, one hand on the seat and one on the handlebar.... then just stand up. Don't stand up too fast/high or you'll have to pick it up from the other side :p - It requires very little effort this way.

No one "lifts" motorcycles, our arms are all flimsy (including Slayer of Souls') and can't do it without our legs. Think of it as standing it up, not picking it up.
 
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Your story sounds pretty common, although not a lot of people would like to admit it has happen to them. My first bike was dropped just like yours did. It was on a slight grade and my foot was too far in the hold the bike upright.

I wouldn't worry too much about the small damages, adds character lol.
 
This even happens to very experienced riders, especially in the spring when they are "less experienced" due to the winter hold over. Lots of guys forgetting to put the kickstand down or not putting it down all the way etc.
I'd take the shifter pedal off before trying to bend it. You don't want to bend the shaft that it is attached to or wreck the seal around that shaft.
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