Dropped Bike
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by [snip
BJ I am not a member of any HOG club besides the Nation HOG since I get a free membership with the purchase of the bike. Not sure if I want to ride with anyone as of yet.
It's one thing to think you're riding safely alone. It's quite another to have an experienced and trained Road Captain watch you and critique your bike handling skills.
IMHO, strongly recommended for new riders.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,476
Likes: 193
From: Las Vegas, NV
Never dropped my Harley, but did drop my BMW K1200LT (very top heavy bike). The most common mistakes are (or at least the ones I can remember)
Tapping front brake while in a tight slow turn,
Are you looking where you want to go, not straight ahead?
Are you feathering the clutch while applying slight pressure to the rear brake?
And here's a good one - are you practicing the correct method, or just reinforcing bad habits? What might help you out is the video called Ride Like a Pro. I bought it, and have loaned it out to a lot of riders. Good stuff in there.
Hope that helps a little. Be safe.
Tapping front brake while in a tight slow turn,
Are you looking where you want to go, not straight ahead?
Are you feathering the clutch while applying slight pressure to the rear brake?
And here's a good one - are you practicing the correct method, or just reinforcing bad habits? What might help you out is the video called Ride Like a Pro. I bought it, and have loaned it out to a lot of riders. Good stuff in there.
Hope that helps a little. Be safe.
Ride Like A Pro - Get it, watch it, and practice it; great information. It only took one time tipping over an Ultra to understand how great this video really is.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 354
Likes: 8
From: Pittsburgh , Pa.
Nope ! Not everyone . Over forty years of riding and never dropped it. Everyone has close calls though after that many years of riding.
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Sorry to hear that man, I know how that feels. I know I wouldn't let any chic on the back of my train until I hit 2000 miles. I have lots of dirt bike experience and some crotch rocket too but this bike weighs a lot more and took some getting used too.
Hopefully there's not too much damage to the bike.
A little side note if it helps. I recently dropped mine in my enclosed trailer. Well...technically it fell over while taking it cross country. I guess it wasn't cranked down enough. The rear tire slid bounced over and ended up torqing the bike over, I believe. I checked it after 100 and 500 miles...all good...somewhere between 500 and 1000 into it. Missed a fuel stop check.
Dumb mistake, which I learned from in the worst way.
The only positive is I'm getting a custom paint job now. Tank, primary and rear fender took the most damage as it was bouncing for quite a while.
Best of luck
Dave
Hopefully there's not too much damage to the bike.
A little side note if it helps. I recently dropped mine in my enclosed trailer. Well...technically it fell over while taking it cross country. I guess it wasn't cranked down enough. The rear tire slid bounced over and ended up torqing the bike over, I believe. I checked it after 100 and 500 miles...all good...somewhere between 500 and 1000 into it. Missed a fuel stop check.
Dumb mistake, which I learned from in the worst way.
The only positive is I'm getting a custom paint job now. Tank, primary and rear fender took the most damage as it was bouncing for quite a while.
Best of luck
Dave
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Your doing the best thing, Getting back on the bike and trying to better your weak points. If I am going really slow with a passenger I tend to just walk the bike with my feet down. I would rather look stupid than dump a bike. Remember, everyone is a beginner at one time. Riding a bike, especially a heavy harley takes practice. My wifes Dad got a new bike and said take your wife for a ride, and I said I wouldn't ride a bike that I have never rode before 2 up.
Be Safe
Be Safe