Stupid noob mistakes
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 987
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
I have done the "gas tank overflow" before. Generally I lock it and watch/listen, then control it by hand. I blanked out one time on a road trip back from Norfolk while texting my brother. I smelled gas and thought "that's odd". Looked up and the tank was pretty soaked, as was the front cylinder. That tank of gas cost me $25 instead of the usual $20.
Blanked out once after riding home in a cold fog. When I got in my driveway, I stopped and tried to hop off the bike. In that order.
No neutral. No jiffy stand. Just tried to get off the bike. I stood there for about 5 minutes trying to figure out what the hell happened.
Went for lunch at work once, had three beers. Everything was going fine until I got in the parking garage and walked away from my bike. I didn't make sure the stand was locked out, almost knocked over 5 other bikes. Hence why I now tap the stand with my boot when I kick it out and before I set it over.
Blanked out once after riding home in a cold fog. When I got in my driveway, I stopped and tried to hop off the bike. In that order.
No neutral. No jiffy stand. Just tried to get off the bike. I stood there for about 5 minutes trying to figure out what the hell happened.
Went for lunch at work once, had three beers. Everything was going fine until I got in the parking garage and walked away from my bike. I didn't make sure the stand was locked out, almost knocked over 5 other bikes. Hence why I now tap the stand with my boot when I kick it out and before I set it over.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
Likes: 26
From: Southern Oregon
Redlined my cb750 in 1st while cutting thru a parking lot and quickly rolled off the throttle. Rear tire compression hopped and ended up in the middle the roadway. Thank god no cars were coming. The only thing I hurt was my pride and the 3 teeth I ripped of the rear sprocket.
Last edited by ynots; May 17, 2013 at 01:55 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 68
From: Hawaii
Happened on a Whizzer motor bike when I was a kid. Cleaning the spark plug and hooked the plug wire over the seat to keep it out of the way. Reinstalled plug and pedaled away trying to start the bike but it wouldn't fire. Sat down on the seat and quickly figured out what the problem was.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 6
From: Michigan
Deciding to take a "quick" ride in shorts and tennis shoes (that scar is still ugly, damn pipes will cook your flesh!)
expecting the old lady to actually sit still while I'm going ˝mph doing a Uturn
not making sure the cig lighter was all the way in and watching it bounce of my shoe onto the hiway
letting someone I don't know ride next to me (only once)
and yeah, on my 87 flhtc hitting start while it was in gear (my 11 wont crank w/o nuetral or clutch in)
expecting the old lady to actually sit still while I'm going ˝mph doing a Uturn
not making sure the cig lighter was all the way in and watching it bounce of my shoe onto the hiway
letting someone I don't know ride next to me (only once)
and yeah, on my 87 flhtc hitting start while it was in gear (my 11 wont crank w/o nuetral or clutch in)
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,499
Likes: 25
From: Mesquite,Nevada
In the parking lot of Red Rock Harley for the 9/11 memorial ride. Put it in gear and rode off with the kickstand down in front of 1000 people
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,456
Likes: 2,860
From: SW FL-Jersey Shore Emigre
Trusting the gas pump nozzle to shut off when the tank was full instead of watching what I was doing-did almost an entire extra gallon dousing the tank, seat and engine on a 102 degree day. Haven't done a lot of the other stuff listed here, I suppose it's only a matter of time...
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Muskegon, MI
After a 10 year separation from riding due to a head on bike vs car accident i got to experience a few noob situations that i can only laugh at now.
4. First ride on new bike i ran out of gas while all my buds were miles ahead of me. pondered what happened for 1/2 hour and called a tow truck. right before the tow truck arrives they came back to see what happened and suggest that i turn the fuel to reserve. Tow truck only charged me $25 for the call and gave me a gallon of gas to boot.
3. Put a new tire and rim on my bike this year and unplugged the main harness that sticks below the frame. Spent 45 min the next morning trying to find out why it wouldn't start. Wife came in the garage and i told her what was wrong and she asked did you plug that thingy in that you unhooked before jacking it up?
2. noticed a footpeg was a little loose before leaving work. pride said drive off go to the next gas station and tighten it. 4 miles later pulling over to pick up my foot peg off the road in heavy traffic. talk about walk of shame.
1. Trusting the lady in the turn lane a block away would hear and see me. she didn't 5 days in ICU, new teeth, and a wrecked chopper. Caused me not to ride for 10 years while i deal with the baggage.
4. First ride on new bike i ran out of gas while all my buds were miles ahead of me. pondered what happened for 1/2 hour and called a tow truck. right before the tow truck arrives they came back to see what happened and suggest that i turn the fuel to reserve. Tow truck only charged me $25 for the call and gave me a gallon of gas to boot.
3. Put a new tire and rim on my bike this year and unplugged the main harness that sticks below the frame. Spent 45 min the next morning trying to find out why it wouldn't start. Wife came in the garage and i told her what was wrong and she asked did you plug that thingy in that you unhooked before jacking it up?
2. noticed a footpeg was a little loose before leaving work. pride said drive off go to the next gas station and tighten it. 4 miles later pulling over to pick up my foot peg off the road in heavy traffic. talk about walk of shame.
1. Trusting the lady in the turn lane a block away would hear and see me. she didn't 5 days in ICU, new teeth, and a wrecked chopper. Caused me not to ride for 10 years while i deal with the baggage.
Last edited by ClodeV; May 18, 2013 at 05:27 PM.