CRASHING New Bike On My FIRST RIDE
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 972
Likes: 1,016
From: Knoxville
Its kind of sad, happens all the time. Years ago early oughts, a buddy worked sales at a big shop in a high monied area. They sold Suzuki, Kawasaki and Honda.
Inevitably, a 16 year old with a fresh license would walk in (with daddy) and want a liter bike. He would try and try to get him on a 200 enduro but usually they would settle for a GSXR750. Then in two weeks the bike would be wrecked, sometimes the kid was lucky, sometimes not.
Hey kiddo, lets get you a low 10 second bike, figure youll be at 135 by the end of our 1/4 mile lane. What could go wrong?
The click bait is too much, hopefully even if fake it teaches.
Inevitably, a 16 year old with a fresh license would walk in (with daddy) and want a liter bike. He would try and try to get him on a 200 enduro but usually they would settle for a GSXR750. Then in two weeks the bike would be wrecked, sometimes the kid was lucky, sometimes not.
Hey kiddo, lets get you a low 10 second bike, figure youll be at 135 by the end of our 1/4 mile lane. What could go wrong?
The click bait is too much, hopefully even if fake it teaches.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 1,247
From: Clayton, NC
I have seen something similar in person. I was at the local Honda / Kawasaki / Yamaha stealership back in the early 90s on a warm August day in NC.
Guy just bought a brand new ZX-9R. Pulled out of the parking lot and went down a divided highway so he could turn around and go back towards town.
He stopped and waited for traffic to clear then pulled out and lean over while turning the bike to the left. The front tire slipped out from under him and it startled him for whatever reason he decided to "accellerate out of it".
The back tire came around the front and tossed him off. The bike continued wobbling towards traffic for about 100 feet before hitting the median.
There were about 6 people out in the parking lot that saw it all. Some ran down there to make sure he was alright and help get the bike up.
Long story short - he crashed his brand new 1994 ZX-9 with 0.3 miles of the odometer.
When talking to the service manager at the stealership a couple days later, he mentioned that their team thought that the tires still had some residue from shipping on them which makes them slick, especially on the edges.
Guy just bought a brand new ZX-9R. Pulled out of the parking lot and went down a divided highway so he could turn around and go back towards town.
He stopped and waited for traffic to clear then pulled out and lean over while turning the bike to the left. The front tire slipped out from under him and it startled him for whatever reason he decided to "accellerate out of it".
The back tire came around the front and tossed him off. The bike continued wobbling towards traffic for about 100 feet before hitting the median.
There were about 6 people out in the parking lot that saw it all. Some ran down there to make sure he was alright and help get the bike up.
Long story short - he crashed his brand new 1994 ZX-9 with 0.3 miles of the odometer.
When talking to the service manager at the stealership a couple days later, he mentioned that their team thought that the tires still had some residue from shipping on them which makes them slick, especially on the edges.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 657
From: Eastpointe, MI
I bought a 1972 Kawasaki 500 triple (2 stroke!) when I was 16.
My dad, who didn't know much about motorcycles, asked a friend who was a motorcycle mechanic if it was an appropriate bike for a 16 year old.
He told him to take it away from me.
And he did until my 17th birthday.
Practiced on a Honda 350 for a year.
While I wasn't much better at 17 it may have saved my life.
But this little boy is way older than 17.
Young people seem to be stunted nowadays, in their 30s living in mom's basement.
Seems like 25 is the new 16.
My dad, who didn't know much about motorcycles, asked a friend who was a motorcycle mechanic if it was an appropriate bike for a 16 year old.
He told him to take it away from me.
And he did until my 17th birthday.
Practiced on a Honda 350 for a year.
While I wasn't much better at 17 it may have saved my life.
But this little boy is way older than 17.
Young people seem to be stunted nowadays, in their 30s living in mom's basement.
Seems like 25 is the new 16.
Last edited by Robertbc3141; Jan 26, 2026 at 08:52 AM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 1,203
From: New Hampsha
Probably the worst starter bike of all times! Friend of mine had one. I had 4 years experience and still found it scary!
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 657
From: Eastpointe, MI
(Geez, a 750 2 stroke.)
That's what my Dad's friend said.
Hated him for that at the time.
But even at 17 I still didn't have the childish disregard for it that this idiot in the video here had nor would I have laughed about it when it crashed.
After having a Benelli one cylinder 250 and a Honda 350 that first year I had a healthy respect for it when I could ride it.
Last edited by Robertbc3141; Jan 26, 2026 at 11:45 AM.
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