Laid Her Over
Novice
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Been there done that. We were at a biker bar and my female passenger was jabbing me about not wanting to back out of a spot with her on the back. "Everyone else is doing it" she says. I was never comfortable about maneuvering my new, heavy, Street Glide at slow speeds and especially with her "slight" added weight so I usually made her wait until I could drive straight out. But, (as he takes the apple from Eve), I decided why not, right?
Backing out slowly with my passenger on the back, I started a sharp left turn (big mistake) to get lined up to leave and it started to lean past the point of no return. Using every bit of strength I had (and pulling something in the process) I managed to touch it down so softly that my passenger didn't even realize we were down until I grunted "get off the bike". Bewildered and confused by my miffed tone, and the fact we were now leaning at a 45 degree angle not going anywhere, she finally figured it out and hopped off. No one around us had noticed yet, so I tried to lift it myself. But to spare myself further embarrassment making funny strained faces trying to pick it up, I decided to yell for help. Thankfully a bunch of kind souls ran up and helped me get it upright again! As we were lifting it back up one of the guys kindly whispers "don't worry, it happens to the best of us."
Man, I didn't look anyone in the eyes and got out of there so fast, tail between my legs, pride hurt, not even wanting to look at the damage I probably just did to my new bike. Turns out not even a scratch (and I don't have rear guards)! So, fortunately, just my pride was hurt.
Yes, it happens to everyone sooner or later!
Backing out slowly with my passenger on the back, I started a sharp left turn (big mistake) to get lined up to leave and it started to lean past the point of no return. Using every bit of strength I had (and pulling something in the process) I managed to touch it down so softly that my passenger didn't even realize we were down until I grunted "get off the bike". Bewildered and confused by my miffed tone, and the fact we were now leaning at a 45 degree angle not going anywhere, she finally figured it out and hopped off. No one around us had noticed yet, so I tried to lift it myself. But to spare myself further embarrassment making funny strained faces trying to pick it up, I decided to yell for help. Thankfully a bunch of kind souls ran up and helped me get it upright again! As we were lifting it back up one of the guys kindly whispers "don't worry, it happens to the best of us."
Man, I didn't look anyone in the eyes and got out of there so fast, tail between my legs, pride hurt, not even wanting to look at the damage I probably just did to my new bike. Turns out not even a scratch (and I don't have rear guards)! So, fortunately, just my pride was hurt.
Yes, it happens to everyone sooner or later!
Last edited by flyguy1996; Sep 9, 2008 at 08:37 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 56
From: north of Daytona
while backing into a parking spot, I didn't notice the pavement dropped a bit.
My handlebar was turned to the right, my bike went to the left.
About three non-bikers walking on the sidewalk saw me set it down
and stared at me as I lifted it back up. Hardest time I had was putting the
kickstand down while standing on one foot. I told the on-lookers when I was done,
"Shows over. Next one is at 3:00 PM" .
My handlebar was turned to the right, my bike went to the left.
About three non-bikers walking on the sidewalk saw me set it down
and stared at me as I lifted it back up. Hardest time I had was putting the
kickstand down while standing on one foot. I told the on-lookers when I was done,
"Shows over. Next one is at 3:00 PM" .
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 57
From: St. Louis, MO
Ehhh don't feel bad, I think I've got y'all beat. 
Early 2000, Front door of Stubb's H-D, out on the covered patio with a slick concrete floor the salesman is giving me my "new bike orientation" on my FLHRI.
As he was going over all the button and switch operations, etc quite a crowd of onlookers had gathered to watch (15 - 20 people).
Towards the end of said orientation he say's "okay, now put the kickstand up and start the bike" I do, and then he gives me a couple more instructions then we're all done and he say's "okay, that's it".
I make the movement to put the kickstand DOWN, feel it against my heel, get it about halfway through the arc and hear a "thud" thinking 'okay, the spring took over and put it the rest of the way down', so I start leaning it left and it keeps pulling left and when I realize the "thud" was the kickstand going back UP it's too late, I try with everything I've got to save face (remember there's at least 15 onlookers) to no avail. My left ankle twists in a weird direction and the 'king goes down. <you can stop laughing now, yeah you!>
I can't say I saw the look on anyone's face but I do remember the salesman saying something reassuring like "oh don't sweat it, happens all the time". So I get to take the maiden voyage home with a throbbing ankle and park the bike in the driveway. An hour later I'm calling my buddy to see if he can come over and park my bike in my garage cuz I CAN'T WALK and "oh, by the way, do you have any painkillers?"
Early 2000, Front door of Stubb's H-D, out on the covered patio with a slick concrete floor the salesman is giving me my "new bike orientation" on my FLHRI.
As he was going over all the button and switch operations, etc quite a crowd of onlookers had gathered to watch (15 - 20 people).
Towards the end of said orientation he say's "okay, now put the kickstand up and start the bike" I do, and then he gives me a couple more instructions then we're all done and he say's "okay, that's it".
I make the movement to put the kickstand DOWN, feel it against my heel, get it about halfway through the arc and hear a "thud" thinking 'okay, the spring took over and put it the rest of the way down', so I start leaning it left and it keeps pulling left and when I realize the "thud" was the kickstand going back UP it's too late, I try with everything I've got to save face (remember there's at least 15 onlookers) to no avail. My left ankle twists in a weird direction and the 'king goes down. <you can stop laughing now, yeah you!>
I can't say I saw the look on anyone's face but I do remember the salesman saying something reassuring like "oh don't sweat it, happens all the time". So I get to take the maiden voyage home with a throbbing ankle and park the bike in the driveway. An hour later I'm calling my buddy to see if he can come over and park my bike in my garage cuz I CAN'T WALK and "oh, by the way, do you have any painkillers?"
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,010
Likes: 1
From: The Deep South
I am with the rest of the crowd, it happens to everyone sooner or later. Glad you are okay and they are heavy beast. Once they start to go over that is that.
I have helped numerous riders pick their bikes up, it is all technique.
I have helped numerous riders pick their bikes up, it is all technique.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: MD
Sorry to hear you dropped it but I'm glad I read through the thread. My Dad dropped his 23 year old Goldwing and he's been riding Im pretty sure for over 30 years, backing out of garage, ankle started to twist and then it was on top of him, luckily he got out from under it and was able to get my mom to help him lift it back up. I had a close call a few days ago in the driveway. Was backing around and center of gravity went to far to one side as I was not used to the wide spread of the bars yet and it took almost all I had to get her back up, was very lucky. Good learning here for me as using the front brake on my Sporty wasn't that big of a deal but from what I'm reading I'll stay away from it unless I'm 100% upright on the RG. Guess that's why the motorcycle book tells you to do that. Also learned what the saddle bag guards are really for and will need to rearrange my order of wanted accessories. Not trying to pay for painting my Anniversary bags.
Thanks for having the guts to share "embarrassing" moments so that some of use other who are less experienced can learn from it. Seems like almost a right of passage now. I'll delay mine as long as I can.
Thanks for having the guts to share "embarrassing" moments so that some of use other who are less experienced can learn from it. Seems like almost a right of passage now. I'll delay mine as long as I can.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 174
Likes: 1
Thanks so much for your candor and honesty. As my lady friend went to dismount recently on a sloped driveway, I lost the balance point with my RKC and over she went. I have been troubled about that occurrence and thinking I might be getting too old to be riding. To hear you younger dudes come forward with the same tales, gives me inspiration and confidence. This forum has become a real source of help and something I look forward perusing each and every day. Thank you my brothers.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 1
From:
**** happens - bet there are some scratches on the crash bars - look around the bend area - don't ask me how I know this.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 762
Likes: 14
From: Bellevue, NE
Laid my old Dyna down once (only once!) at a big bike rally when I lost my footing on the side of a gentle hill while trying to maneuver to park it at our campsite. Talk about being embarrassed! Once they saw the bike and I were ok, the guys didn't laugh TOO hard, which I appreciated!