Dropped my bike today :( | Page 4 | GTAMotorcycle.com

Dropped my bike today :(

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FriendlyFoe said:
So you were still rolling or were attempting to stop? Going slow IMO is probably the hardest skill to master on a bike, its way harder then dragging knee or doing wheelies. If you weren't trying to stop putting your foot down was probably a bad decision lol. Have you taken the basic rider course as part of getting your license? because having a base set of skills is super important if you plan on being on 2 wheels.

It does happen to all of us tho, i lived in a house with a high curb going onto the street, wasn't a big deal but just early in the morning not paying attention, leaned a little the wrong way as i was turning the bars to full lock and suddenly i was tipping over. Next thing you know i'm on my butt on the street looking at my bike sitting on its side thinking did that really just happen?!

Guy who ran the race school out west almost dumped his wife's monster because he forgot to lift the kick stand when wheeling it out of the garage. Stuff happens.
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Yes I did the course and I did really well. I was actually on my way to a parking lot to practice slow maneuvers as I know that is where the true skill lies and I am having the most difficulty with the size and weight of my bike when it comes to stopping (I can barely tippy-toe!) It was super slow when the bike went down and on a curve, but I was fully upright in the curve, just a matter of needing to be working the throttle/clutch/brake better I think perhaps. I had totally psyched myself out about my bike because I keep hearing how I am nuts and it' is too much bike for me, I am too small..etc... But I had been doing very well and I pushed myself to get out and keep going as much as I can because I need the practice. Unfortunately out here in the country there is quite a bit of gravel.
 
Sounds like more then anything you just psyched yourself out. When you're starting out it's tough because so much of your attention is required just for the controls, you have to conciously think to pull the clutch in, steer etc. Over time it becomes second nature, I'm sure you'll figure it out.
 
Red695 said:
I just dropped my bike, in gravel :( What a crappy feeling. And I could not get it back up. So I called my dad and he yelled at me extensively. This is why I like this forum. I feel like I am in good company at least.
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I did that as well, the second day I had my bike. Our driveway is gravel and about a 30% incline, and I was coming up driveway and was going to drive between the two pickups there and get it closer to the garage doors, at last second I panicked and thought I wouldn't have enough room... braking on gravel is not fun. Luckily I did it at a low speed and not on the road :D
 
My throttle control is terrible. Something about the throttle on my bike I'm not doing well with. My dad keeps telling me to not touch the front brake at all, which I know is wrong, and to just focus on the throttle with that hand. Ugh, I am so impatient to be good at riding, it is very frustrating.
 
It will come, the front brake is your freind on pavement, I never use the rear brake except in gravel. Just be smooth, your bike is nice and beginer friendly. You got a good starter bike you just need seat time and confidence.
 
killerkeith said:
oh wow...I can't believe it.

I hope this make you feel better.

[video=youtube;fntH8i5rOZE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fntH8i5rOZE[/video]

She was still only 3 weeks old. Thankfully she's all fixed and pretty again.
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How did your front tire slide out, any thought?
 
Red695 said:
My throttle control is terrible. Something about the throttle on my bike I'm not doing well with. My dad keeps telling me to not touch the front brake at all, which I know is wrong, and to just focus on the throttle with that hand. Ugh, I am so impatient to be good at riding, it is very frustrating.
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Is the throttle loose? It might need an adjustment. Once you get rid of some play you might find the bike responds better and smoother.
 
Red having your Dad teach you in my view is not a great idea. Too many other issues get in the way ( been there done that with my kid )

See if someone from the board is near you and do some parking lot time.

Things like not touching the front brake is correct at very slow speeds when turning and horribly wrong in nearly all other conditions on pavement.
So you may be mis-interpreting or he may not be explaining the situation.

Slow speed turn hitting the front brake will torque you over faster than you can blink.
feathering the rear brake against the throttle in slow turns works tho.
Just takes practice to but it all together
 
MacDoc said:
Red having your Dad teach you in my view is not a great idea. Too many other issues get in the way ( been there done that with my kid )

See if someone from the board is near you and do some parking lot time.

Things like not touching the front brake is correct at very slow speeds when turning and horribly wrong in nearly all other conditions on pavement.
So you may be mis-interpreting or he may not be explaining the situation.

Slow speed turn hitting the front brake will torque you over faster than you can blink.
feathering the rear brake against the throttle in slow turns works tho.
Just takes practice to but it all together
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Beautiful post. Learning from family is a disaster, and learning from friends isn't much better. Read the post above a dozen times, and then read it again, the explanation of how to use the brakes is spot on. You need calm advice, from someone who has enough knowledge to be able to teach what it is that they at least think they know. Often people who excel at something are terrible teachers. You definitely sound intimidated by the bike tho, a month or two on a 250 would help with that, and considering how easy they are to flip a worthy investment imo. Absolutely no shame in admitting maybe you're in a little over your head, actually quite the opposite.
 
MacDoc said:
Red having your Dad teach you in my view is not a great idea. Too many other issues get in the way ( been there done that with my kid )

See if someone from the board is near you and do some parking lot time.

Things like not touching the front brake is correct at very slow speeds when turning and horribly wrong in nearly all other conditions on pavement.
So you may be mis-interpreting or he may not be explaining the situation.

Slow speed turn hitting the front brake will torque you over faster than you can blink.
feathering the rear brake against the throttle in slow turns works tho.
Just takes practice to but it all together
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I don't listen to him. He's probably certifiable and of this I am very aware. I just get a kick out of his the crazy things he says so I post them. He's just very near by and has muscles and tools, lol. Some things are tough when you are a midget weakling. Thanks fore the tips! I always appreciate hearing peoples opinions :)
 
FriendlyFoe said:
Beautiful post. Learning from family is a disaster, and learning from friends isn't much better. Read the post above a dozen times, and then read it again, the explanation of how to use the brakes is spot on. You need calm advice, from someone who has enough knowledge to be able to teach what it is that they at least think they know. Often people who excel at something are terrible teachers. You definitely sound intimidated by the bike tho, a month or two on a 250 would help with that, and considering how easy they are to flip a worthy investment imo. Absolutely no shame in admitting maybe you're in a little over your head, actually quite the opposite.
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Yeah, I am in over my head in that I love this bike and if I had a used 250 whatever I wouldn't be so upset and concerned about hurting it a bit. But I love a challenge and I'm used to digging myself out of messes. Makes life more exciting. Funny thing is, every time I **** up I am that much more eager to go out and tackle my short comings the next day. I might need more gear though, haha!!
 
Red695 said:
Yeah, I am in over my head in that I love this bike and if I had a used 250 whatever I wouldn't be so upset and concerned about hurting it a bit. But I love a challenge and I'm used to digging myself out of messes. Makes life more exciting. Funny thing is, every time I **** up I am that much more eager to go out and tackle my short comings the next day. I might need more gear though, haha!!
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IMO thats a bad way to look at it. I'm not saying you should sell your bike, quite the opposite, just put it aside and get a 250 for long enough to get your feet wet, like a good month or two of consistent riding and then move on to your baby. I've always said i think first bikes should be borderline disposable, your nervousness with your current bike is whats making it so hard. You end up being so focused on how not comfortable you are, which doesn't allow you to focus on actually riding, and the things you need to be learning. As keith code puts it (mind you hes an idiot because he has 0 posts on this forum, okay thats a joke from another thread) you only have 10 dollars worth of attention, if you're spending 9 on not falling down it's only leaving you with a dollars worth of attention to learn how to ride. Maybe think about that next time you're on your monster.

PS. riding is a lot more fun when you're not falling down, trust me, i fall down lots so id know
 
FriendlyFoe said:
IMO thats a bad way to look at it. I'm not saying you should sell your bike, quite the opposite, just put it aside and get a 250 for long enough to get your feet wet, like a good month or two of consistent riding and then move on to your baby. I've always said i think first bikes should be borderline disposable, your nervousness with your current bike is whats making it so hard. You end up being so focused on how not comfortable you are, which doesn't allow you to focus on actually riding, and the things you need to be learning. As keith code puts it (mind you hes an idiot because he has 0 posts on this forum, okay thats a joke from another thread) you only have 10 dollars worth of attention, if you're spending 9 on not falling down it's only leaving you with a dollars worth of attention to learn how to ride. Maybe think about that next time you're on your monster.

PS. riding is a lot more fun when you're not falling down, trust me, i fall down lots so id know
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I like that, thanks! I'm just going to have to ride the duck like it is disposable. I think having downed it will make that easier to do. I picked it up myself today. Amazing what adrenaline can do to ones physical strength.
 
Red695 said:
I like that, thanks! I'm just going to have to ride the duck like it is disposable. I think having downed it will make that easier to do. I picked it up myself today. Amazing what adrenaline can do to ones physical strength.
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Did you drop it again today?
 
Paulhv1 said:
Did you drop it again today?
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Ahh...ummm, nooo...:toothy3:
Maybe a little. I stopped on an uphill/slant and I kind of caught it but it did touch the ground very slowly...a bit, then with a lot of swearing I righted it. I think I called it a stupid ***** at some point.
It just seemed to take the last drop so well! There were no marks or anything this time!! C'mon!!! Stop talking about it!!! At least I know if I screw up I can get it back up myself, right?!!
 
Red695 said:
Ahh...ummm, nooo...:toothy3:
Maybe a little. I stopped on an uphill/slant and I kind of caught it but it did touch the ground very slowly...a bit, then with a lot of swearing I righted it. I think I called it a stupid ***** at some point.
It just seemed to take the last drop so well! There were no marks or anything this time!! C'mon!!! Stop talking about it!!! At least I know if I screw up I can get it back up myself, right?!!
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Exactly, always need to see the positive side. When I lowsided I learned how to repair fairings, paint properly and weld aluminum.
 
Red get it out of your system, you are overthinking it and thats causing you some negative vibes!
 
I started on an older 600 and if it weren't for my 32" inseam i definitely would have dropped my bike at a stand still at least a dozen times in my first season, when you're new sometimes you just lose your balance but with long legs you can usually save it. I wouldn't feel bad about losing your balance at a stop, it's probably going to happen a few more times this season being that you're real short, you'll get the hang of just putting one foot down
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