Dumping a Bike

Dumping a Bike

by Doreen
(Quincy, MA)

Well, I just dumped my brand new bike this morning and thank God I wasn't hurt bad, just banged up a little, but the bike landed on my left leg and I was laying in the middle of the street and couldn't get it off me. Finally a nice man was driving by and took the bike off my leg. In the interim I called the police because gas was leaking out of my gas cap because I didn't secure it properly when I checked it to see how much gas I had. Broke my left foot pedal right off and dented my gas tank. My question: If this was really the first time that I was going to ride the bike to work via the back roads and I thought I was ready, but this happened as I was turning out of my drive way and I kind of panicked. I want to get back on, I don't want to give up. Can anyone give me some encouragement? Will I be skittish the next time? I guess I just need a little pep talk. My boyfriend is freaking out because he thinks that I am going to seriously hurt myself, but I told him that everyone (well a lot) of people dump their bike. By the way I did take the basic riders course and passed. Thanks for any insight or words of encouragement. Doreen

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Dumping a Bike

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Apr 06, 2011

I've done it too many times!!
by: Anonymous

I've been riding for a little over a year and have put over 5000 miles on mine in that time. I turned mine over AGAIN the other day and got some really nice bruises. I have found that when I am tired or just not feeling good that it is much more likely that I'll let it get over on me. I just ordered a set of crash bars for Honds Shadow VLX600. Hang in there and get back on that bike.

Mar 30, 2011

Thanks!
by: FNG

I was just reading some of the comments left by others regarding dumping your bike. I haven't even started practicing on my 2006 Yamaha YZF 600 and visions of dropping it are dancing in my head. I plan on going out as soon as my helmet is delivered and heading straight for the back roads but dropping it is my worst fear. At least I am not alone. Thanks ladies!

Jan 31, 2009

Picking a Bike Up
by: Doreen

That is a great video and if you take the riders course they show you then as well but the problem is getting out from under a bike when you leg is pegged. That was my problem and couldn't for the life of me get my bike off. It is a Honda Shadow VLX 600 any ideas would be good but in the interim I purchased crash bars to ensure that it will never happen again.

Jan 30, 2009

Know How to Pick Up a Dropped Bike
by: Barb@MotorcycleTourGuides.com

Since we agree that everyone who rides enough miles will eventually drop their bike, it makes sense to arm yourself ahead of time with the knowledge of how to pick it back up. Yes, women can do this themselves.

Check out this great "how-to" by Carol (aka Skert) - Pick Up a Dropped Bike It really works!

Sep 04, 2008

Dumping a bike
by: Laura

I have been riding 2 years and dumped about a month ago. I was out practicing cornering and hills. I was out in the country riding alone, one of those just me times. I got over confident and decided I could take this hill, not realizing that I was tired and this steep hill was way out of my league. I got to the top and froze, went to turn left and the bike started rolling backwards, which turned my handlebars to the left and instantly I went down. Picked my bike back up and didn't realize it was still in gear and running, tried to get my hand on the brake but when I did I pulled the bike back to the left again and down I went again. God was watching because over the hill came 2 bikes, a man and wife, he helped me get the bike up and off the hill. I bent my shifter, broke a signal light, bent my mirror, scratched my Vulcan emblem, that and a lot of bruising and very, very sore. They dont teach you in the motorcycle class how to pick up your bike or what to do when it goes down. Now I know to hit the kill switch and when I get it back up putting the kick stand down will help to regain some control. I also had a lowering kit put on as I wasn't standing flat footed. Didn't ride for 3 weeks, to scarred, but I finally got back on and its great. I realized my mistakes and my limitations as I'm still a novice and not yet experienced enough to take on the big hills.

Aug 24, 2008

Dumping Bike
by: Laura

Don't be too hard on yourself. Well, I'm not sure that EVERYONE drops their bikes, but I sure did, and so did my 300 Lb husband, in a panic to get to me and help. Here is the scenario. We are both at a traffic light, the first in line waiting to turn right. I happen to look down at the ground to my right (For what, I have no idea!!!) lost my balance and fell over, just like the little old guy on the old show Laugh-In. In seeing me fall, my husband quickly gets off his, forgets to put it in gear, and his rolls forward off the kickstand and falls over as well. This all happened in maybe 8 seconds. At this point I am beyond mortification. If you can imagine being behind us, we looked like the biggest idiots on the road. Well, I was more pissed than scared, hoping I had not caused our bikes to get too banged up, picked both up, finally got mine started, and promptly drove straight home. Hubby's bike clutch lever got bent, and my brake lever did too, also my back turn signal (I got real cool new ones). So moral is... pick yourself up, do a thorough head check (after bike check), before you take off, and whatever you do DON'T LOOK DOWN!!!!!!!

Aug 21, 2008

dumping my bike
by: Doreen

You guys rock, thank you so much for word words of encouragement and suggestions. I went to buy the new peg and the guy at the store told me that there are two types of riders, 1. the riders who have had an accident and 2. the riders who havent had an accident YET. And as for the protective clothing you are absolutely correct I had my jacket (which I just purchased) that had all the padding and inserts as well as a pair of cowboy boots that go to the knee (although they are snakeskin)and gloves with the knuckles padded and a full face helmet so I concur that your gear is one of the most important pieces to ensuring a safe ride. So with that being said I will get the new peg tommorrow had it shipped overnight because the weather is going to be beautiful here in Quincy, MA and a little paint and I will be back on that horse. Love this website, thank you again.

Aug 21, 2008

You aren't the only one
by: Anonymous

Okay, I also have dumped my bike. I had it and only rode it 8 times and in these 8 times I had dumped it 4 times. You have to get the feel of your bike and when you do it is easy riding from then on. Also as someone mentioned the crash bars, they are a great thing. I knew that I would dump it (as everyone does) so before I took it to the open road I had them on. Great things to save the gas tank. My big thing was putting on my brake while I had the wheel turned. Took me a while b/c the bike is 700 lbs wet. I was bruised a bit but mainly again the pride was hurt.
Just be aware of your surroundings and make sure you are comfortable. Get back on that bike b/c that is what you bought it for. TO RIDE!!! I said I didn't pay that amount of money to sit in the garage to look pretty. I have had my bike 2 yrs and have almost 10,000 miles on it. See, I got back on. I love my bike. I am also comfortable on it too. That makes a big difference. Good luck!!!!!!

Aug 21, 2008

keep on riding!
by: Cathy G

While I haven't actually dumped my bike I have had a few close calls that got me to thinking about the inevitability of taking a spill. I'm a first responder for the fire department and one thing I can tell you is this: protective clothing is IMPERATIVE. I remember one time when I had only ridden for about 3 months I turned out of a park entrance onto a road and I fixed my eyes on the ditch on the other side of the road and the only think I think that kept me from landing in the ditch was the fact that I was riding a bike with a small engine size and I looked away from the ditch in time to pull back into the left turn I was trying to make. My advice to you is to take the advice of others who have posted comments to you: Keep on riding! My only additions are: review what went wrong and always always always wear protective clothing. I hope this helps!!!
Cathy

Aug 20, 2008

after fall getting on again
by: gina

I posted here after I had done similar thing, I can say it was scray getting back on the bike. I know for me I didn't want to fail, I had to overcome the fear and I had a couple times where I had to push myself beyond being scared.
I can say with the encouragment I got from the gals here I got back on my bike. An I believe you will find the same thing. Keep us posted.

Aug 20, 2008

We all do it . . .
by: Jacee

I grabbed a handful of brake on my 2nd trip out on my brand new GSXR. Only I wasn't lucky enough to be even near my home - I was 30 miles away. I was lucky enough to be with my husband. I got some terrific bruises but otherwise, mostly I hurt my pride.

The crash broke one mirror off, broke the windshield and front faring. We picked up my bike and moved it to the side of the road. Then I walked a ways to a Walgreens and bought some duct tape. Taped the broken parts to the bike and rode it home - nervous as h#!! all the way.

But 4000 miles later, I'm still riding my GSXR and loving it. Get back on the horse - you'll just get better and better and more and more confident.

Aug 20, 2008

we all do it
by: Lauren

Aw, we ve done it lotsa times. Dont worry. Just like learning to ride a bike, who doesnt remember falling over? Sounds like you need crash bars -- most importantly, that will keep it off your leg next time. Also may save dented gas tank and keep it from going down all the way.

My husband even slipped on an oily spot at a stop light last year. This summer, I was fooling around on a dirt bike and slammed on front brake ( dont ask me why - my hand had a mind of its own) and sprained my ankle pretty good. But im still riding, 2500 miles this summer, and riding to work every day.

Lucky it was only at your driveway, you got easy "homework", :)

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