Well i'm about to pull the trigger on my first bike. I got my permit and i've signed up for a local basic rider course at a near by college.

My buddies who ride keep telling me it's not if you'll drop your bike, it's when.

I've had my eye on a really nice blue 883C that's never been dropped and super low miles. It's a 2008 and just a beautiful bike in my eyes.

I'm starting to wonder if i'm crazy for buying something this new for a first bike that apparently i'm just going to drop or dump over a few times.

What is usually damaged on these sportsters when they're dumped? Is it just more embarassing then anything else? I can just picture dropping one of these bikes and gas and fluid leaking all over it and the ground, and not being able to right the damn thing up by myself!

 

If it has a crash bar/ engine guard, Nothing will happen. If not. Put one on it

 

Usually they fall down. I have dropped my touring bikes a couple times and if done properly quite easy to pick up. A Sportster must be a breeze. Good luck with that bike and if you are that paranoid put an engine guard on it. Will save you a lot of money when it does get dropped.


Oh yeah, PLEASE, when you pull the trigger do NOT aim at the bike.

I hate that phrase...

 

Are you asking about dropping it sitting still?
or
Dumping it as in a crash?

Dropping it sitting still:
You break a mirror, break the tip off your clutch or brake lever, you may scratch it.

Dump it while riding:
All bets are off. Anything can happen up to and including totaling it.

 

It falls over....

 

Broken levers. Highway/Crash bars really help and - the 883C is one great travelling bike, it's geared for the highway.

 

You get angry at yourself for being an idiot. You'll pick it up as fast as you can, usually pulling a muscle or something. You then spend the next hour looking for scratches and if you don't have an engine guard you'll find plenty and you'll curse yourself for not putting one on. Then if it's bad you'll contact your insurance agent and explain what happened and how freaking stupid you feel about doing it. He'll ask you to bring it in if it's ride-able and you and him will go over everything. If the damage is more than your deductible he'll cut you a check and instead of getting the little things fixed you'll blow the extra dough on mods.

 

So if i'm paranoid about it, Just go ahead and put an engine guard on it. Do they really look that ugly that people don't put them on?

 

Ugly is in the eye of the beholder. Put one on if you're seriously worried about dropping it. Some think they look good, some don't. You're choice to make.

 

Yer busted,dude. One of the dumbest things you can ever do,is not install an engine guard. Not only does it prevent any damage when the bike gets away from you,but if you do go down at speed,and you're conscious,you can ride the scoot to the ground and slide it out,with little or no damage to YOU,in many cases. Since we're talking Sportster,if you weigh over 100 lbs,and it has a guard on,no sweat. I've picked one of my girlfriend's sporty up a few times,just about one hand that little thing,compared to my Road King. Pulled a hammy hoisting that big bitch up one day.