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Old Oct 17, 2016 | 11:55 AM
  #81  
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Originally Posted by Dumbasshere
So today I bought my very first Harley Davidson 01 night train. I was very excited and nervous being this was my very first Street bike. I get to the dealership and everything goes smoothly. I take the bike around the shop a few times to get the feeling of it and it feels great. So now its time to leave. I pull out to the driveway and start to head outo, when I do I lost controlled and about 30 feet from the exit I ended up dumping the bike. If it wasn't for the heavy breather air filter on there it would of messed me and the bike up even more than we both are now. I feel like a complete dumb *** for not being able to keep control of the bike. My pride is hurt more than anything. Had to get this off my chest. Time to fix everything and dust my self of and get back on.
Has anyone else in the world done this?
It is not unusual for a newbie rider to drop their bike. My girlfriend dropped hers on the first stop after pulling out of the dealership. The lesson about gravity being unforgiving was learned and she has been upright ever since. It happens enough that in many cases, a dealership will deliver the bike to your home so you don't drop it in their driveway.

When my fishing buddy wanted to get back into riding after 35-40 years, I loaned him my sporty with these words, don't worry about the bike, I can fix or replace anything. Just learn to get comfortable riding again, make any mistakes on this bike and when you buy your superglide, you'll ride it with a confidence of a year of riding the sporty. Worked, he had fun on the sporty, got his superglide and all is well with the world.

Now things happen. Even to experienced riders. My girlfriend and I took a two week vacation, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana etc. Loaded saddlebags, tour pack and rack bag. On the first day I pulled into our motel on the river into fresh gravel. We spotted the office and as I went to move, she moved, deep gravel moved and I fell over. Just not used to her wiggling and the extra weight. Rode another 15 days and 4000+ miles and had the new stopped lean limits ingrained. When we hit fresh deep gravel again, I just asked her to get off and moved the bike to pavement. My buddy, showing off almost dumped his bike. Happens, be embarrassed, learn the lesson, and ride on.
 

Last edited by son of the hounds; Oct 17, 2016 at 01:15 PM.
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Old Oct 17, 2016 | 12:01 PM
  #82  
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Originally Posted by Dumbasshere
......when I do I lost controlled and about 30 feet from the exit I ended up dumping the bike.......
Sounds as if the tire mold release claims another victim.
 
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Old Oct 17, 2016 | 12:03 PM
  #83  
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Originally Posted by son of the hounds

Now things happen. Even to experienced riders. My girlfriend and I took a two week vacation, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana etc. Loaded saddlebags, tour pack and rack bag. On the first day I pulled into our motel on the river into fresh gravel. We spotted the office and as I went to move, she moved, deep gravel moved and I fell over. Just not used to her wiggling and the extra weight. Rode another 15 days and 4000+ miles and had the new stopped lean limits ingrained. When we hit fresh deep gravel again, I just asked her to get off and moved the bike to pavement. My buddy, showing off almost dumped his bike. Happens, be embarrassed, learn the lesson, and ride on.
A friend of mine once said to me "don't ever think you know that bike, because if you do, that is when it will throw you".

What it means is I should not take anything for granted. Even if its a turn I have made a 100 times before.

He knew a lot about bikes. I almost forgot about him telling me that, but I am glad that I have remembered it. Lately I have been feeling that I know that bike!
 

Last edited by MikerR1; Oct 17, 2016 at 12:11 PM.
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Old Oct 17, 2016 | 01:31 PM
  #84  
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MSF course should be requirement to buy any motorcycle..............
 
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Old Oct 17, 2016 | 01:53 PM
  #85  
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Originally Posted by Keithg
MSF course should be requirement to buy any motorcycle..............
Taking an MSF course is like being 21, you know everything you need to know, but without life experience to use it properly, you make a lot of mistakes.
 
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Old Oct 18, 2016 | 08:43 AM
  #86  
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It still should be required, especially if you don't have a motorcycle endorsement on your license.

Not if you've been riding for 20 years.
 
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Old Oct 18, 2016 | 10:36 AM
  #87  
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Originally Posted by rwhisen
Sounds as if the tire mold release claims another victim.
Used bike. Not so sure about that Russ.
 
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Old Oct 18, 2016 | 11:03 AM
  #88  
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Welcome aboard.
 
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Old Oct 18, 2016 | 11:09 AM
  #89  
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Sorry to hear that and glad you are okay.

Count your blessings, it could always be worse. Fix it and never look back.

Remember the bike has no brain and does not think. You are the boss and in control.
 
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Old Oct 18, 2016 | 12:05 PM
  #90  
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Originally Posted by nevada72
Used bike. Not so sure about that Russ.
Missed that part Bob!
 
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