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It's no big deal. I had my wife on the back and did a U turn in my unckle's driveway. I stopped before I had the bike straight up and she started over. My wife helped me catch it that time. I bought the 'Ride Like A Pro' DVD and realized the 'tipping the bike' was really no big deal. I actually tipped it over practicing on purpose to see where my limits where.
The funniest time was when my cousin seen the bike for the first time and commented 'That bike is huge, how would you ever pick it up if it fell over?' I gladly laid it over and demonstrated how easy it was. You should have seen her eyes when I tipped it over on purpose.
Also, if you learn the technics taught in the DVD mentioned above, you can handle the bike like it's a toy. You don't have to be a body builder so you can man-handle the bike. That's no fun. All that said, it still doesn't help the pride when it happens in front of people. Enjoy your bike.
My father-in-law who rides a 96 Tour Glide with 40+ years of riding, told me after I bought my first Harley. "There are 2 types of bikers out there, those who have dumped their bikes and those that will." He was right, Aug of 99 for me.
Dropped my old Dyna FXDC right at the H-D Dealership just after having my V&H pipes installed! LOL! I pulled it over to the sie of the dealership, put the kickstand down, but let the clutch out before shutting the bike completely off. Well, this caused it to "jump" forward...sending the kickstand back up without me noticing. Went to go get off the bike & down she went! Hey, could have been worse...she went down on the left side instead of the right where my brand spanking new pipes were! LOL...man, I'll never forget that one!
Thanks guys this thread did me a lot of good, now I don't feel so bad.
I had a center stand installed and they taught me to put the bike on it both standing eside the bike and sitting on the bike. It was a piece of cake and I was quickly a pro right?
Well I pull into the gas station with my wife on back and thought this was so easy that I can do it with her on the back. WRONG
Problem #1 was that while I had my left foot up on the center stand arm the wife leaned left and she started over.
Problem #2 was that I could not get my left foot out fast enough to save it.
I yelled out "WE ARE GOING DOWN" and everyone pumping gas looked at us like what the hell?
The wife saved the bike from getting any damage because she got her foot out and I was laying on the ground on the side with my boot under the engine.
We laughed at each other, were both very thankful that there was no damage to the bike and agreed that I would NEVER try that stunt again.
Funny how easy the bike was to lift back up at that moment.
I rode my 02 Ultra for 5 years never dropped her . I had my new bike 2 weeks had to make a quick stop put my foot down , the road was depressed over she went.Ther are 2 types of riders out there those who have dropped there bikes and those who will
Noticed all the pics from the guys and gals "who picked it up and had a laugh" have crash bars. My buddy (no it wasn't me) took the crash bar off. He dropped the bike later and smashed the side case and fairing. He will not be sending in a post about laughing and picking it up. Oh Yeah he also hurt his leg.
I,ve been there too Just remember ,when riding in parking lot or pulling into gas stations,ect or just going slow stay off the front brake !! the front end will pull you down every time
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