OK, I'm a newbie and just learning to ride at 60 years old. I own a 2004 dyna Sport. I've been doing pretty good with one exception. At certain times I will accidentally turn the throttle at the worst times. At first it was while turning to the left. I kind of have short arms, not deformed or anything, lol, just short enough that my shirt sleeves are alway a little long. When I'm turning left (while going slow) I have to reach for the brake in order to keep it covered. even while riding straight I'm kind of leaning forward slightly.

Anyway, today I could have been seriously hurt but I was lucky and only suffered a small cut and bruise on my leg and some minor damage to the bike. I was coming to a stop and somehow I must have pulled on the brake and my hand rolled on the throttle. Not really sure what happened... I could have sworn I had the clutch pulled in but the bike took off like a bat out of hell straight for a guard rail that surrounds the parking lot i was practicing in. I somehow managed to miss hitting the rail head on so i didn't flip but the bottom of the rail caught the spark plug wire and torn them out. The horn was also smashed and I have a couple of deep scratches on the primary cover.

All in all, I came out lucky. What I'd like to know is why this is happening to me and what I can do to fix it. I took the bike to a local bike shop that I purchased the bike from to be repaired.. so far parts and labor is about $350. In hind sight, I could have had it towed home and did the work myself. It looks like mostly bolt on/off stuff but I wanted it checked out. While i was there I spoke to the repair guy about changing the bars. When the obvious damage is repaired I'm going in to try a few different bars to see if they fit me better. I also talked to him about a pullback riser instead of a new bar.

I'd like to hear from you guys on what you think about this as I'm looking to keep the cost down and don't want to pay for anything I don't have to.

Thanks in advance guys.

 

First get some pull back risers. Second your gripping the throttle wrong, or it's positioned wrong. The throttle is full off (with thumb still around grip) when you reach for the brake lever with your fingers. You should not have to reach for anything. Go to your local dealer He can advise you on what you need to fit the bike to you, that is if you don't have any experienced rider friends to help.
Do it soon before you get hurt.

 

Have you taken an MSF course? That might help as far as basic technique and control.

 

Gotta get used to it. I noticed that it was easy to roll the throttle a bit during my MSF class that when I was squeezing the front break.

It takes a bit to get used to, so in the mean time pull in your clutch when ever you reach for the front brake....Just my advice.

 

Nice bike, keep practicing in a parking lot but most importantly get the bike so it fits you. You should get some pullback risers or different bars. Sit on the bike with your feet on the footpegs, close your eyes then reach out to where you think the bars should be. How far away are your hands from the grips? This is how much pullback/rise you'll want. Some black t-bars would look and work good for you.
*never forget that you got a kill switch right by your thumb.

 

Thanks, guys.

Yeah, I'm going to get "fitted" when i pick the bike up after it's fixed.

I have been pulling the clutch in when ever I come to a stop, that's why I am so confused as to what happened. I'm sure it's something I did just wish i knew what exactly it was. I think it was a combination of things before and after that caused it. I might have unconsciously let the clutch out some while turning my wrist and got the ball rolling and then in the panic just lost all control. I've learned to pull the clutch when I don't know what's going on but this time I was too close to the guard rail to make a difference. It is something I will absolutly be looking for in the future.

All the MSF courses are full until the end of July here in NY. I'm scheduled for July 23 and 24th. I was just hoping to get a few lessons in before the class so that I wouldn't be a complete noob. I was doing great with each lesson. I want to get the bike back ASAP and get back in the saddle as I don't want to become gun shy in the meantime.

Of course I played it down to the wife but it scared the hell out of me. all I kept thinking of was what if I had been in traffic. I would have shot right out into traffic and I'm sure I'd have more then a bruise on my shin.

Thanks again guys.

 

Lots of guys try to take their bike out before their MSF. And most of them have the same issue you ran into.....but sometimes with worse consequences.
It's good that you're OK, but take it as a lesson.

Don't worry about looking like a noob, that's the point. Most everyone is starting from basics and the curriculum is made to go over the basics of riding. Better to start out slow than develop bad habits!

Since you have a bit to wait, get the bike fixed and order the parts you need to make it comfortable for you.

 

Glad you didn't get seriously hurt, or the bike

I took the MSF course never having even sat on a motorcycle and did fine, so your time on the bike so far puts you way ahead of the game.
They take it very slowly, going step by step.

I'd wait to ride your bike until after the course so you don't gain any bad habits on your own, and get it fixed to fit you so you aren't reaching so much. There was a small girl in our MSF class that had issues reaching the bars as we were on larger 500cc Buells at a HD Dealership. During the slow speed figure 8 drill you are supposed to be light throttle and in the clutch friction zone to keep moving. When she would turn the bars hard right during the turns she would inadvertently twist the throttle to near full, revving the engine really really high. We all hung way back just in case her clutch hand slipped open because she would have gone flying at that RPM.

The instructors stopped her and showed he how to hold the throttle with a flat wrist grip vs the over the top grip she was using making it harder to put full throttle on accidentally.

 

As previously posted get some pull back risers. They will let you sit more straight up and you won't have to feel uncomfortable with the grips. Then just stick to parking lots to get use to them and the controls. Good luck. By the time you finish the MSF course you should be good to go, just take going out on the streets easy until you feel comfortable.

 

I know I'll get pooh poohed for this but here goes. Can you borrow somebody's old dirt bike to practice the basics on. Like clutch, brake, clutch friction point, braking and what you have already discovered turning without grabbing the throttle. If you can do this in a field that would be even better.