Well, it finally happened--after three years (05' FXDLI) and 16K, I finally laid her down. I was riding by myself in the mountains (actually big hills) in NE Alabama. Pulled into a Chevron station to get some gas and was thinking about the Waffle House next door. For whatever reason, I stalled the bike pulling up to the pump. It happened so fast, the bike started down and not being Hulk Hogan I couldn't hold it up. I laid it down as gently as I could. I felt like an idiot and, thankfully was the only person in the station at the time. The attendant in the station was an older woman who couldn't help me pick it up. Some young girls drove up and said they would call someone if I needed but shortly there after, a biker (HD) rode by then quickly turned around and helped me get back upright. I figured he was laughing inside but said "just remember, there are those who have droppedtheir bike and those who have yet to drop their bike. For those who have yet to have this happen, it will come eventually." Yes, I know there are those of you out there who have ridden thousands of miles and never been down--and I hope that never happens. Anyway, I experienced very little cosmetic damage. A few scratches on my Python heat shields (which I ordered a new set today) and a broken chrome front brake lever. However, when I set it down with the handlebars straight, it not only busted the lever but put so much pressure on the master cylinder that it ruptured the front brake line. I had to ride home without a front brake (200 miles) and with the dripping brake fluid fying all over the tank and my jacket. The dealer said I was very lucky I had an 05' because the brake fluidis a synthetic type and did no damage to my jacket or paint. Acutally, it cleaned off very easy. He said if I had an 06' or later the new DOT 4 (?) fluid would have damaged the paint very quickly. Why Harley would change is beyone me as I don't think I'm the only one that has ever had that happen.

Well, that's my story and nothing was hurt except my pride and wallet. I did get a little nervousas the bike would not start and stay running right after I picked it up. However, after about 5 minutes it started fine and off I went. I guess it was that limiter that shuts it down if the bike falls that had to reset.

This forum and HD riders are great people. If you read this far, I hope you found it entertaining and are probably thinking to yourself, "thank God it happen to him and not to me".

 

Its going to happen to all of us sooner, or later.

Glad you're ok.

 

it happens to the best of us......

 

Yeah--I've dropped mine so I know how ya feel. It does **** ya off but if YOU don't get hurt and can still ride then all is well! You will look back on it and be thankful that it was not worse. Good story--and no I don't like to hear about any fellow biker go down. It does seem to help though to be able to tell others as many have been there and can relate to your story in some way or other.

 

No laughing here doc. Been there and done that. Glad the damage was not too bad.

Ride Safe.

 

That sux man. Glad your OK and minor damage.
Those damn bright yellow Waffle housescan kill you.

 

Man, I saw my bro the other day and his arm was bruised and his fingers were scabbed over. I looked at him and asked what happene? He smiled and then I knew he dropped his bike. He picked up an old 83' ultraglide I think, looks really nice but the forward controls are F?!". You need to actually lift your foot off the peg and pull it up and back to press the brake pedal. Well anyway he pulled into his garage and fell over and his body cushioned any damage to the bike. That was his rationale. I said better the bike than you. Thats my dumb story, I hope it never happens to me but if it does I hope I am only going that fast and it is not a real serious crash.

 

Not entertaining at all. Eye-opening is more like it.

Thanks for sharing your experience and glad it was relatively minor.

 

doin a u turn in a parkin lot downhill. was goin so slow a gust of wind knocked me over. good thing my pegs dont move orr it would have been bad.
just kinda leaned over on the peg.
i was glad it happened slowly

 

Well I'll join you on the list of dropping bikes in gas station parking lots!!!

Yesterday we rode 267 miles all over north Florida. Gorgeous day, beautiful ride! My husband and I pulled into a gas station parking lot to wait for another group of riders and I was making a slow turn and looking back at him to see what he was going to do. I was so preoccupied with what he was doing that I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing and grabbed the front brake to slow down. WHAM. Just that fast my bike was on it's side and I was on the pavement. I knew what I had done as soon as it happened. My MSF instructor even had us run our little bikes in circles on foot while applying the front brake in order to show us what would happen. Sure as ****, worked just like it did in the course. So, with my pride completely thrown in the garbage I dusted myself off and my husband and I picked my bike up. Brake lever is snapped off and will need to be replaced. Rush slip on pipe (top one) scratched all to hell. Took it to the detailer at the dealership today (who happened to be riding with the other group we were waiting on) and he tried to buff it out but the gouges are too deep. Black satin mirror scuffed, which gave me the excuse to by the new billet mirrors I've been looking at for a month! LOL Other than that, no other damage. I just couldn't believe I did it. The one thing my instructor drilled into our heads and I execute it perfectly! Oh well, lesson learned.

Glad you were okay and that your bike wasn't hurt too bad either.