Embarrassed rider
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 69
From: Orange County, NY
Some of the replies were pretty harsh, especially for a guy to seek out this forum and make his first post one of embarrassment, and to give himself that username....
As for all the "advice" given here, to each is his own. I took the MSF course, but my first bike was a super glide. Did some people say it was too big of a bike to learn on....yes, did I drop the bike a couple times while learning...yes, did I learn from my mistakes...yes.
I think the BEST advice you've received so far is 1) Don't be discouraged 2) Take the MSF course
There are no "strikes", there's absolutely no reason for you NOT to get back in the saddle of that very same motorcycle, just be more careful next time you do it.
As for all the "advice" given here, to each is his own. I took the MSF course, but my first bike was a super glide. Did some people say it was too big of a bike to learn on....yes, did I drop the bike a couple times while learning...yes, did I learn from my mistakes...yes.
I think the BEST advice you've received so far is 1) Don't be discouraged 2) Take the MSF course
There are no "strikes", there's absolutely no reason for you NOT to get back in the saddle of that very same motorcycle, just be more careful next time you do it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
Some of the replies were pretty harsh, especially for a guy to seek out this forum and make his first post one of embarrassment, and to give himself that username....
As for all the "advice" given here, to each is his own. I took the MSF course, but my first bike was a super glide. Did some people say it was too big of a bike to learn on....yes, did I drop the bike a couple times while learning...yes, did I learn from my mistakes...yes.
I think the BEST advice you've received so far is 1) Don't be discouraged 2) Take the MSF course
There are no "strikes", there's absolutely no reason for you NOT to get back in the saddle of that very same motorcycle, just be more careful next time you do it.
As for all the "advice" given here, to each is his own. I took the MSF course, but my first bike was a super glide. Did some people say it was too big of a bike to learn on....yes, did I drop the bike a couple times while learning...yes, did I learn from my mistakes...yes.
I think the BEST advice you've received so far is 1) Don't be discouraged 2) Take the MSF course
There are no "strikes", there's absolutely no reason for you NOT to get back in the saddle of that very same motorcycle, just be more careful next time you do it.
The OP still hasn't said if he has taken the MSF course. He bought a heavy bike for his first bike. He has less margin for error because of these decisions. I didn't make the rules, I just report them.
Personally, I think his harshest critic was himself. He should PM Terry and change his username. I know Nevada and myself have recommended starting on a smaller bike on hundreds of threads, so after it a while it gets frustrating when nobody listens. I hope the OP comes back and learns to ride proficiently, and stays healthy.
Last edited by Ron750; Oct 14, 2016 at 07:34 PM. Reason: Made a mistake
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 69
From: Orange County, NY
No Ron, I don't think you are a "meanie", but you did allude to three strikes and you're "out". After having my first accident, I definitely wouldn't want to hear "better be careful, two more strikes and you're out". Just my opinion though, and I know what they are like.
Honestly, your opinion on starting on a smaller bike is only as good as the person in which you are directing it towards. I can't get behind that theory because I did not start on a small bike. So as many times as you say start on a smaller bike, I could say I didn't. If you're getting frustrated about your advice not being heeded, maybe it's time to stop giving it? I've found myself in that situation a few times. Sometimes you'll be a happier person.
Honestly, your opinion on starting on a smaller bike is only as good as the person in which you are directing it towards. I can't get behind that theory because I did not start on a small bike. So as many times as you say start on a smaller bike, I could say I didn't. If you're getting frustrated about your advice not being heeded, maybe it's time to stop giving it? I've found myself in that situation a few times. Sometimes you'll be a happier person.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 565
From: Utah
Welcome! Glad you are okay enough, and big enough to admit that on your first post here.
Last year I dumped mine at work, essentially a 1mph (or less) dump, but ya. It was a nice morning ride to work, pulled into the first parking lot at work, circled through, no empty spaces. Stopped at the parking lot exit while waiting for a break in the stream of my co-workers driving in to park. The parking lot exit is at an awkward, sloping angle, but I've navigated it many, many times. Started to pull out at an opening in traffic, leaned a little to the right and released the clutch too fast, killing the engine. Down she goes, and I'm blocking traffic while I try and get the bike up off the ground, but I can't get any leverage because it's essentially laying in the gutter, and I can't get my *** against the seat to help push it up, and can't squat down far enough. Two of the people I am blocking graciously came and helped me get the bike up. Meanwhile, one of the campus police is in an adjacent parking lot, and sees traffic is blocked, and an idiot is trying to pull his bike up off the ground. He thinks someone has hit me, and comes screaming over with lights and siren going (they don't get much action, so they use any excuse to use the lights and siren). He gets out of his patrol car yelling about calling EMS and 'don't move you may have a neck or back injury'.
Anyway, stupid stuff happens sometimes, but if you survive and LEARN from it (I don't use that stupid parking lot anymore, and it's always full anyway), then you are a better rider for it.
Peace.
Last year I dumped mine at work, essentially a 1mph (or less) dump, but ya. It was a nice morning ride to work, pulled into the first parking lot at work, circled through, no empty spaces. Stopped at the parking lot exit while waiting for a break in the stream of my co-workers driving in to park. The parking lot exit is at an awkward, sloping angle, but I've navigated it many, many times. Started to pull out at an opening in traffic, leaned a little to the right and released the clutch too fast, killing the engine. Down she goes, and I'm blocking traffic while I try and get the bike up off the ground, but I can't get any leverage because it's essentially laying in the gutter, and I can't get my *** against the seat to help push it up, and can't squat down far enough. Two of the people I am blocking graciously came and helped me get the bike up. Meanwhile, one of the campus police is in an adjacent parking lot, and sees traffic is blocked, and an idiot is trying to pull his bike up off the ground. He thinks someone has hit me, and comes screaming over with lights and siren going (they don't get much action, so they use any excuse to use the lights and siren). He gets out of his patrol car yelling about calling EMS and 'don't move you may have a neck or back injury'.
Anyway, stupid stuff happens sometimes, but if you survive and LEARN from it (I don't use that stupid parking lot anymore, and it's always full anyway), then you are a better rider for it.
Peace.
Last edited by crazytown; Oct 14, 2016 at 08:03 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
No Ron, I don't think you are a "meanie", but you did allude to three strikes and you're "out". After having my first accident, I definitely wouldn't want to hear "better be careful, two more strikes and you're out". Just my opinion though, and I know what they are like.
Honestly, your opinion on starting on a smaller bike is only as good as the person in which you are directing it towards. I can't get behind that theory because I did not start on a small bike. So as many times as you say start on a smaller bike, I could say I didn't. If you're getting frustrated about your advice not being heeded, maybe it's time to stop giving it? I've found myself in that situation a few times. Sometimes you'll be a happier person.
Honestly, your opinion on starting on a smaller bike is only as good as the person in which you are directing it towards. I can't get behind that theory because I did not start on a small bike. So as many times as you say start on a smaller bike, I could say I didn't. If you're getting frustrated about your advice not being heeded, maybe it's time to stop giving it? I've found myself in that situation a few times. Sometimes you'll be a happier person.
And I'm plenty happy. Don't worry about me.
I'm not saying you can't learn on a big bike. But don't be surprised when you dump it on gravel, tar snakes, wet paint, oil slick, when you could have rode it out on a smaller bike.
I have usually stopped giving the ride smaller advice. Except to people I really care about, like my son. But he listens.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 33,718
Likes: 3,723
From: Connecticut.
Last year I dumped mine at work, essentially a 1mph (or less) dump, but ya. It was a nice morning ride to work, pulled into the first parking lot at work, circled through, no empty spaces. Stopped at the parking lot exit while waiting for a break in the stream of my co-workers driving in to park. The parking lot exit is at an awkward, sloping angle
This post reminded me of the time I went into the work parking lot with my bmw. k bike.with another employer on his ride as well....for some reason I felt it was a race too kickstands........naw the bike didn't think so.......down she went.
Last edited by rocket23; Oct 14, 2016 at 08:11 PM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 715
Likes: 114
From: Texas Hill Country
It takes awhile to get use to the weight of a Harley. I have rode bikes all my life. there is a lot of difference between a Honda and a Harley. People will say you should have started with something smaller to learn to ride, and for basic riding skills I would agree, but if you dumped the bike it was probably due to not being used to the weight.
Yup, so pick a quiet Sunday morning and find you a empty parking lot, practice s l o w figure 8's stop/starts and parking, hope you got crash bars on that bike because you will likely drop it a few more times.
Good Luck
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,021
Likes: 7,147
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Being new to riding myself I have dumped my Road King (bitch is heavy) a few times, mostly because I wasn't used to the weight of it. I never understood why we practice at slow speeds in the MSF course, but now that I think about its more for safety and control, as its harder to maneuver a bike at low speeds. Try practicing u-turns and figure 8's going as slow as you can without putting a foot down. Will definitely give you a leg up on the MSF course. Plus it wouldn't hurt to get a bike you can pick up yourself, never know if anyone is going to be around to help.
You're right, we use "slow speed maneuvering" because this is where most of the preventable crashes occur. (That, and failing to negotiate curves.)
Just because you are not in a class anymore, doesn't mean that you can't still practice to increase your proficiency.
An empty parking lot, a few cut-in-half tennis *****, and you can set up a slalom or braking zone, or swerve.