Dropping your bike
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,302
Likes: 275
From: Milton, Delaware
I've dropped a bike once. Made the mistake of trying to make a U turn over a speed bump with the forks all the way to the stop. It wasn't bad enough that several people saw me do it, but the bike landed on my foot, trapping my foot. I had to wait until a trucker jumped out of his truck (he saw me in his mirror) and picked the bike up far enough so I could pull my foot out. No damage and no injury, other than my pride.
I took the RLP a couple of years ago and came away a better rider. Prior to the course I was one of those guys who had to duck walk the bike around a U turn. Now, no problems doing it within 2 parking spots. The key really is to turn your head and body in the direction you're turning. Look at where you want to go, not where you already are. Keep RPM just above idle, rear brake 'dragging', and control your speed with the clutch.
We had one guy who dropped his Victory 6 times. He failed the course and was told to get a smaller bike. I found out later that it was the second time he had taken the course.
I took the RLP a couple of years ago and came away a better rider. Prior to the course I was one of those guys who had to duck walk the bike around a U turn. Now, no problems doing it within 2 parking spots. The key really is to turn your head and body in the direction you're turning. Look at where you want to go, not where you already are. Keep RPM just above idle, rear brake 'dragging', and control your speed with the clutch.
We had one guy who dropped his Victory 6 times. He failed the course and was told to get a smaller bike. I found out later that it was the second time he had taken the course.
Novice
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 22
Likes: 5
From: VA
I had an '08 Ultra before this bike and I picked up a center stand when I was attending a rally. Their selling point was that I could get extra fuel in the tank while on the center stand.
On the way home I tried it at a gas station and I guess the pad was unlevel and it fell to the left. No damage...just scuffed guards and a bruised ego! Luckily I had friends with me to help right it because it was fell into the pump so there wasn't a lot of room to do it by myself.
On the way home I tried it at a gas station and I guess the pad was unlevel and it fell to the left. No damage...just scuffed guards and a bruised ego! Luckily I had friends with me to help right it because it was fell into the pump so there wasn't a lot of room to do it by myself.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 1,488
From: SW Washington State
Thats a mouth full of BS right there.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 5,627
Likes: 1,382
From: Monroe, North Carolina
I came to a stop sign on a gravel road and stopped. When I went to go left on the asphalt my right foot slipped on the gravel and it fell over on the right side. The only damage was gravel scratch marks on my bottom exhaust pipe. It happens.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 4,877
From: Midwest
I dropped my Ultra Classic once. Two years ago in Sturgis, I was on some back road in the black hills that was on a relatively steep incline. I decided to try to do a U-Turn on a wide section as the road was getting muddy and hit the front brake to avoid going on the grass. Needless to say the bike went over pretty quickly. It was pretty uneventful and picking it up was as easy as I see on the instructional videos. Just grab the seat and bar and walk it up using your hips. I was surprised how easy it was. No damage at all due to the highway bar and saddlebag bar. If it was a Street Glide without the rear bar, one of the the rear bags would probably have been toast.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 661
From: Prior Lake, MN
I've dropped a few times. Thankfully each time was an easy drop, and the crash bars barely got nicked.
First time riding the brand spankin' new Limited, I for the first and only time ever, simply forgot to deploy the stand. DUH. Riding for well over a decade at that point, still can't believe I did that.
First time riding the brand spankin' new Limited, I for the first and only time ever, simply forgot to deploy the stand. DUH. Riding for well over a decade at that point, still can't believe I did that.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,133
Likes: 125
From: Japan
Yes. DON'T.
And here's a bonus tip: pave your driveway.
Follow these two bits of advice and the chances of dropping your bike will be exponentially lower.
And here's a bonus tip: pave your driveway.
Follow these two bits of advice and the chances of dropping your bike will be exponentially lower.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 233
From:
Ive never dropped any of my bikes after 30 years of riding. Anyone that has dropped thier bike isnt a true biker, only a wanna be. I bet they have a do rag and a clip on pony tail hiding in thier desk at thier cush corporate job.
Last edited by saltlick; Aug 1, 2017 at 11:44 AM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 108
Likes: 15
From: Pa
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
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6,536
Likes: 1,035
From: Pennsylvania
I ride every day but I've dropped mine a few times so I guess I'm not a true biker. No do rag, real grey haired pony tail, no corp job.