Well... I dropped it.
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,481
Likes: 4
From: Georgia
After 3 years of NEVER dropping my Yamaha V-star Classic, in "hopes" of beating the hell out of it, dropping it, etc... so when I did have a Harley, I would have the skills ready, it took me just over 250 miles to drop my 2012 Road King. *sigh*
The bike is still a little too tall for me, but I figured I'd have them drop the front end and I have it scheduled for Mean City to do my stock seat while I have the Reduced Seat already. I was going to wait until I got to the 1k service before I bothered.
The story:
I just dropped my girlfriend off at the outlet mall to shop and started cruising around. I found a hotel parking lot and some dead end streets and try out a U-turn, which is obviously a lot harder than the Buell Blasts you use in the MSF.
I continue on and found a new frontage road to a bypass they're constructing. The road was brand new, and a lot of nice cruising scenery. After a few miles it goes from new road to the usual 1 lane with no shoulder for a 2 lanes of traffic. No problem, or so I thought. I keep riding and then see a construction "Rough Road ahead" sign.
"****..." I keep riding and see another sign. I figured I better turn around, and what a coincidence that I just practiced my U-turn. I was a little worried because it was a lot less space than I had on a usual 2-lane road. So I start the U-turn, more or less didn't do it well enough, and had to grab the brake or I was going off a 10 foot shoulder. I tried to muscle it, but just couldn't do it.
Luckily, I watched the video on how to right the bike. Between the adrenaline and knowledge it was surprisingly easy. The first time I could barely lift it, so I took a deep breath, focused on squatting and stepping back, and got the kickstand down. Easy.
I've read it's a matter of when, not if, and other than my ego, it couldn't have been "better"... Bike's engine guard has very minor damage, no dents and no real scratching. I was unharmed, Girlfriend wasn't on bike, and it was in the middle of nowhere. Only 1 truck saw (slowed down but I had bike up already).
The bike is still a little too tall for me, but I figured I'd have them drop the front end and I have it scheduled for Mean City to do my stock seat while I have the Reduced Seat already. I was going to wait until I got to the 1k service before I bothered.
The story:
I just dropped my girlfriend off at the outlet mall to shop and started cruising around. I found a hotel parking lot and some dead end streets and try out a U-turn, which is obviously a lot harder than the Buell Blasts you use in the MSF.
I continue on and found a new frontage road to a bypass they're constructing. The road was brand new, and a lot of nice cruising scenery. After a few miles it goes from new road to the usual 1 lane with no shoulder for a 2 lanes of traffic. No problem, or so I thought. I keep riding and then see a construction "Rough Road ahead" sign.
"****..." I keep riding and see another sign. I figured I better turn around, and what a coincidence that I just practiced my U-turn. I was a little worried because it was a lot less space than I had on a usual 2-lane road. So I start the U-turn, more or less didn't do it well enough, and had to grab the brake or I was going off a 10 foot shoulder. I tried to muscle it, but just couldn't do it.
Luckily, I watched the video on how to right the bike. Between the adrenaline and knowledge it was surprisingly easy. The first time I could barely lift it, so I took a deep breath, focused on squatting and stepping back, and got the kickstand down. Easy.
I've read it's a matter of when, not if, and other than my ego, it couldn't have been "better"... Bike's engine guard has very minor damage, no dents and no real scratching. I was unharmed, Girlfriend wasn't on bike, and it was in the middle of nowhere. Only 1 truck saw (slowed down but I had bike up already).
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
Try the lowered rear shocks It brought my feet much closer to the ground on my Ultra.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
From: Fall Branch, TN
Dropped my first bike several times when I was 19. Didn't drop either of my next two bikes thank goodness. The Yamaha I dropped once in the driveway leaving. Gravels at the end of the drive. Pulled on the front brake to stop for traffic and the front tire slid. I couldn't get my footing in the gravel and it went over. Bent the clutch lever and the shifter just a tick. I fought it all the way down. So, it didn't just slam to the ground. So far I have not dropped the gilde but it could happen easily. Gotta get those lower shocks for the back. LOL
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 9
From: Texas
Don't sweat it...it could happen again tomorrow or not again for years. I recently dropped my '08 Ultra for the first time. I'm not even sure how it happened as I came to a rural highway intersection I was stopping but my mind was more on the traffic than on myself. Next thing I know the bike is past that point you can stop it and I just eased its natural process of laying over. I have a feeling my foot slid on some lose gravel since I have to clear and area to get a good footing to lift the bike back up. Luckily my ego was all that got damaged that day as there were several cars in line watching my little demonstration of riding skills.
I did find it odd that it was all women who rolled their windows down and asked if I needed help and none of the guys.
I did find it odd that it was all women who rolled their windows down and asked if I needed help and none of the guys.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 2
From: Novi MI
I am 5' 7" also but my inseam is probably only about 27" or so. I have the stock seat and no lowering done. I am on my toes even with riding boots on. Granted a little less than when I have my casual work shoes on. You must be all leg if you can sit flat footed with boots on that EGlide.
(I gotta get my bike lowered) LOL
(I gotta get my bike lowered) LOL
Last edited by barjbar; Sep 1, 2011 at 11:30 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 926
Likes: 135
From: Central, NJ
You could have been like me last week. Semi paved road, stop sign on a slight incline with lots of loose gravel and OL on the back. Start to pull away and rear slides out slightly. Hit the brakes and TIMBER. Bike went down but me and OL got off on our feet. My ego was bent for the next few days.
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Joe Kucinski
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
At least you got 250 miles on it. I dropped mine right at the dealership - got the **** out of the way early. It was a sudden stop (panic) while entering a turn - stuff you know you shouldn't do but do anyway. Bike landed on the engine guard after coming to a stop. No damage. The next 230 miles were without incident.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,225
Likes: 9
From: 3rd Stone From The Sun
Ride long enough and everyone drops a bike at some point even if they claim it never happened. Most drop it within the first few weeks of ownership.
For those with a short inseam try some logger boots with a 2" heel. They definitely help with being able to flat foot it and it's a lot cheaper than changing out the seat and shocks.
For those with a short inseam try some logger boots with a 2" heel. They definitely help with being able to flat foot it and it's a lot cheaper than changing out the seat and shocks.