How embarrassing...
In 1990 we had camped in a nice campground (on grass).
The first morning we got up early to go to breakfast and as I got on my bike, I lifted it off of the jiffy stand and put my right foot on the wet grass and went right to the ground! No harm, no foul.
TWENTY THREE YEARS LATER.....
I stored my new CVO Ultra with the dealer (free storage after spending some big bucks) over the '12-'13 winter.
Mid-April (on a beautiful sunny Saturday) I called them and asked if I could get the bike out of storage that day and they said YEP!
I hoped into my truck. hooked it up to my trailer and headed out for the 1-1/2 hour drive to the dealership.
I got to the dealership parking lot and sittin' out in the bright sun looking great was my new bike!
I dropped the tailgate on my trailer,, got all of the tie-down straps ready and headed for my bike.
After inspecting my bike for the work that I has requested. I "threw" my leg over the seat....and just like my last mishap.....went right to ground...for NO reason!
Even before I got up off of the ground I had three guys picking up my bike and asking me if I was OK?
Me..OK, my pride...greatly damaged (temporarily).
My bike, thankfully just a tiny bit of damage to the surface of the lower part of the engine guard,,,nothing to the paint
I watched a bud of mine in 78 or 79 after buying his new bike ( 78 Shovel ) take off from the dealer and make it a whole 10 feet before hitting a telephone pole. Picked it up and walked it back into the shop for repairs.
We laugh about it now, but i bet those guys have seen it all. My friend still has that shovel today and still rides it. It has had maybe 3 top ends jobs and the lower end done once it about 250,000 miles. Been coast to coast on it many times.
This was the 3rd time with my 17' RGS. When I had my 18' SGS, I laid that over a couple of times too. But was 5 years younger and a little bit stronger. I hadn't put my back out yet and was able to pick it upright by myself.
Back in about 83 or 84 i had just put my shovel back together after doing new paint and new chrome to the wide glide i buildt for it. Took off for a friends house and decided to pull into the local gas station for some smokes.
Spotted a nice little blond honey putting gas into her car and decided to roll in and stop where i could get a good look at her.
Pulled in looking cool and the instant i hit that smooth concrete went straight to the ground. Ended up at her feet looking up and felt pretty stupid.
Back in about 83 or 84 i had just put my shovel back together after doing new paint and new chrome to the wide glide i buildt for it. Took off for a friends house and decided to pull into the local gas station for some smokes.
Spotted a nice little blond honey putting gas into her car and decided to roll in and stop where i could get a good look at her.
Pulled in looking cool and the instant i hit that smooth concrete went straight to the ground. Ended up at her feet looking up and felt pretty stupid.
Never did see that gal in there again. It was a small neighborhood gas station too so i thought i may see her in there again.
that would be my luck
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
Faster if there's a crowd watching.
Last summer - My wife had been learning to ride her first bike (Honda Phantom). She finally plucked up the courage to do a poker run with me. Pulling into the very crowded meeting spot, she dumped her bike and did a tuck ' n ' roll into a ditch. She was shocked that nobody laughed. I helped her up while several people picked her bike up and stood around telling her their best bike dumping stories while we straightened the mirrors and dusted her off - really helped her feel less embarrased and like she was part of something great.














