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).

 

It's happened to everybody.
Be thankful there was no real damage and nobody got hurt.

Almost everytime I've seen someone drop a bike, there were crowds of people around, so be thankful that you were alone

 

that sux bro, at least it is all metal, I dropped my R6 from a bike lift one time and there were plastic pieces everywhere

 

If it only has 2 wheels it will go over at some point..Now that you have that out of the way go ride it..

 

Gotta love those crash bars.

 

When i was looking for a bike I test drove the RK and knew immediately it was not a good fit for me. I'm 5-10 but have a short inseam. That RK sat me up so high I could barely flat foot it.

The Heritage is much lower and allows you to be more into the bike.

 

No worries - better to do the slow tip over vs. high speed cage cut-off crash. Keep building the experience.

 

5'8", 29" inseam and stocky legs. I've got the bike lowered in the rear and the reduced reach seat. I can barely plant my feet, and that's when the pipes aren't hot. I've got my stock seat going to Mean City to get it cut low, and at my 1k service I'm going to have them drop the front end too, I think then I'll be set.

 

Yep, already a member...
At least you didn't do it in front of about 40 dudes ya work with!!!

Egos heal, no damage done.

Beav

 

If someone drops a bike and no one sees it, is it really dropped?