Dropping your bike
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 494
Likes: 60
From: Colorado Rockies
The last two bikes I bought have hit the pavement in their first months of life. My buddies were merciless. We decided that my next new bike we are going roll it onto the lawn and kick it over just to get that out of the way.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 418
From: South Carolina
I haven't dropped any of my bikes in a while. Dropped quite a few in my younger days. And I've come close lately, but managed the saves. Must be luck and experience, cuz it sure ain't brute strength anymore...
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,808
Likes: 285
From: Green Country Oklahoma
Never took RLP class myself but wife took 3 of them and mostly every one dropped occasionally and we practice those skills often in empty parking lot and yes all of us dropped are bikes once or twice, which isn't a bad thing learning how to prevent that in empty parking lot helps to avoid dropping it on public roads.
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Coastal MA
Ya I dropped my new ultra classic when it was a week old. My 69 Electraglide I can manhandle somewhat this new bike not so much.
Made the mistake of putting my foot down in a sand patch while parking.
Bike went down slow but I tore my hamstring trying to save it.
Hematoma and two weeks of therapy.
Only damage to bike was a scuff to the engine
gaurd.
Had a friend available to help right it up.
Have been working on slow speed turns will take a class when I can.
The 69 has front and rear
drum brakes so this 17
is a whole new
experience.
Approaching 1000 miles
I like it a lot.
Made the mistake of putting my foot down in a sand patch while parking.
Bike went down slow but I tore my hamstring trying to save it.
Hematoma and two weeks of therapy.
Only damage to bike was a scuff to the engine
gaurd.
Had a friend available to help right it up.
Have been working on slow speed turns will take a class when I can.
The 69 has front and rear
drum brakes so this 17
is a whole new
experience.
Approaching 1000 miles
I like it a lot.
Last edited by Scrap Iron; Jul 31, 2017 at 07:10 PM. Reason: Correction
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 221
From: farmington michigan
The last bike I dropped was my 2000 venture I pulled up to a red light and was on a high spot in the center of the road by the time my foot hit pavement we were beyond the point of no return and the bike went over had the old girl on the back we got off and had the bike back up and ready to go before the light changed. Total embarrassment
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 492
From: Heart of Georgia
Grass is the worst and gravel isn't much better. You asked about gravel so here goes. My Mom's driveway is a washboard one lane gravel road about 1/4 mile long and down hill from the road to the house. The first time I went down it on my Road Glide Ultra I about died from anxiety. It was like the bike had a mind of its own and was determined to go off in the ditch. Going back up wasn't much better but at least I could power through it. Now I've been up and down it so many times I could do it in my sleep. Here are some tips. Stay tall in the saddle and put your weight on the front wheel. Don't: repeat, DON'T use the front brake. Use the engine brake as much as possible and supplement it with the rear brake but try not to lock up the rear wheel. Your best bet is to coast as much as possible and do your best not to oversteer. And above all, DON'T PANIC! A big ol' Harley cruiser ain't a dirt bike but they are more similar than you might think. Stay alert, maintain control over the front end and go easy on the gas and brake and it'll behave itself quite well.
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Joe Kucinski
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,808
Likes: 285
From: Green Country Oklahoma
Ya I dropped my new ultra classic when it was a week old. My 69 Electraglide I can manhandle somewhat this new bike not so much.
Made the mistake of putting my foot down in a sand patch while parking.
Bike went down slow but I tore my hamstring trying to save it.
Hematoma and two weeks of therapy.
Only damage to bike was a scuff to the engine
gaurd.
Had a friend available to help right it up.
Have been working on slow speed turns will take a class when I can.
The 69 has front and rear
drum brakes so this 17
is a whole new
experience.
Approaching 1000 miles
I like it a lot.
Made the mistake of putting my foot down in a sand patch while parking.
Bike went down slow but I tore my hamstring trying to save it.
Hematoma and two weeks of therapy.
Only damage to bike was a scuff to the engine
gaurd.
Had a friend available to help right it up.
Have been working on slow speed turns will take a class when I can.
The 69 has front and rear
drum brakes so this 17
is a whole new
experience.
Approaching 1000 miles
I like it a lot.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,021
Likes: 7,147
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Oh yeah, there's lots of kinds of bikes in the world.