I nearly unloaded in my britches.
bound to happen
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: North Shore, MA
Dropped mine the first weekend I got it. Pull in to fuel up when a truck backs out of a parking spot and I had to brake as I was turning into the pump... went right over. A second time I was going to put the bike away after having a few brews and I fell right over after putting the stand up. Picked it up and left it where it was for the night. I don't count that one though!!
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Perry, UT
Hell, last week I was reading this thread thinking, "I've been riding 3 years now and havent put it down so I wonder when that will happen?" Wouldnt you know, I laid it over last weekend while stopping at a stop sign to make a right hand turn. I got too close to the gutter and it was lower than I thought and when I went to put my foot down the ground wasnt there. When I finally found the ground it was over too far and down she went. My son was on the back and cleared the bike and I jumped off as it went down too. Two other guys were riding with me and helped me get it up in a hurry. Other than my ego the only damage was a few nicks in the saddlebag guards and engine guards. The ego is still in intensive care and may pull out of it but it may be a tough recovery.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 187
Likes: 1
From: Eastern Oregon
I had an '07 Deluxe and never dropped it - in fact the only one I ever dropped was an '89 Ultra, as luck would have it with my then-girlfriend-now-wife on the back, in the middle of the Grand Coulee Dam parking lot full of bikers.
Then about a month ago I traded the Deluxe for a a really nice '09 EGC - and dropped it twice in one day.
First time I was pulling off the road onto a wide spot, not paying attention and was on a steeper incline than I thought - put my foot down and nothing there when I expected it and I just lost my balance. Actually threw me a ways since we were headed downhill to begin with, landed fairly hard on my shoulder and it's still healing up. I find being 63 doesn't speed up the recovery process much.
Second time - about four hours later - I was pulling into a Subway parking lot when a lady backed out in front of me, no place to go but into a recessed drain grate, and...yup...down me and the new scoot went...again. Tried to save it by planting my left foot/leg and proceeded to blow out a butt muscle (which is surprisingly painful in case you've never done it) since the recess was a foot lower than the pavement I was on, so it was kinda like jumping off a bench and landing on one leg with an 850lb. motorcycle strapped to my waist - probably could have saved it 20 years ago, but the 63 thing reared its ugly head again.
Now I'm decidedly humbled especially by the drops but also having to sit on the toilet seat sidesaddle, which doesn't help the necessary concentration involved very much.
So yeah, welcome to the club. The law of averages catches up to everybody sometime.
Then about a month ago I traded the Deluxe for a a really nice '09 EGC - and dropped it twice in one day.
First time I was pulling off the road onto a wide spot, not paying attention and was on a steeper incline than I thought - put my foot down and nothing there when I expected it and I just lost my balance. Actually threw me a ways since we were headed downhill to begin with, landed fairly hard on my shoulder and it's still healing up. I find being 63 doesn't speed up the recovery process much.
Second time - about four hours later - I was pulling into a Subway parking lot when a lady backed out in front of me, no place to go but into a recessed drain grate, and...yup...down me and the new scoot went...again. Tried to save it by planting my left foot/leg and proceeded to blow out a butt muscle (which is surprisingly painful in case you've never done it) since the recess was a foot lower than the pavement I was on, so it was kinda like jumping off a bench and landing on one leg with an 850lb. motorcycle strapped to my waist - probably could have saved it 20 years ago, but the 63 thing reared its ugly head again.
Now I'm decidedly humbled especially by the drops but also having to sit on the toilet seat sidesaddle, which doesn't help the necessary concentration involved very much.
So yeah, welcome to the club. The law of averages catches up to everybody sometime.
Last edited by Elgin47; Aug 31, 2010 at 10:02 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Perry, UT
Yeah, I didnt drop it with my less expensive learner bike, I had to wait 3 years until I get my Ultra Classic and THEN decide to drop it! Hope you heal quickly and the pain in your *** goes away (not your wife haha)
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: charles town, wv
I dumped an Ultra in a garage and used the technique I've seen on the internet. I think that the key is to turn the handlebars all the way to get it up a little off the ground, get a good grip on the bike in two places and push with your legs. I was able to get the Ultra up OK, but I tried the same thing on a Honda Valkyrie and it wouldn't budge!
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