Went down on a test ride...
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From: Denver, CO
Went down on a test ride...
Yup, I feel like the biggest dumba$$... I was test riding a used bike in the back parking lot of my local bike shop. I haven't ridden in about 10 years, and am thinking about getting back into it. Needless to say I'm a little green with my riding skills. So I took a wrong turn down this alley behind a muffler shop, and I realized it was a dead end. So I go to turn around and by accident put it in neutral instead of first. The alley was somewhat banked and as I went to give a bit of throttle to complete the turn, whoops not in gear... Doh, it was too late. I went right over and banged my hand and elbow pretty good... 
The shop guys came out when they heard the crash. Man I feel like the biggest moron, but at the same time I want to blame the owner of the bike store for putting me on a bike that was obviously way too big (I'm 5'8" and the bike was a 650 dual sport). Luckily neither the bike nor myself were damaged. Needless to say my ego and left arm are now bruised, and I'm starting to think that maybe it was a sign from above to stay in my cage for a while longer at least until I can take an MSF couse, and feel comfortable again... 
The shop guys came out when they heard the crash. Man I feel like the biggest moron, but at the same time I want to blame the owner of the bike store for putting me on a bike that was obviously way too big (I'm 5'8" and the bike was a 650 dual sport). Luckily neither the bike nor myself were damaged. Needless to say my ego and left arm are now bruised, and I'm starting to think that maybe it was a sign from above to stay in my cage for a while longer at least until I can take an MSF couse, and feel comfortable again...
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From: Boulder
Lucky nothing broke on the bike or your body. I'd give it another try, though.
MSF is a good idea, but don't wait too long or you will never ride again.
What dual sport? Some, like the Honda XR650 and KTM 620, are *very* tall.
MSF is a good idea, but don't wait too long or you will never ride again.
What dual sport? Some, like the Honda XR650 and KTM 620, are *very* tall.
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From: Denver, CO
Originally posted by pfb
Lucky nothing broke on the bike or your body. I'd give it another try, though.
MSF is a good idea, but don't wait too long or you will never ride again.
What dual sport? Some, like the Honda XR650 and KTM 620, are *very* tall.
Lucky nothing broke on the bike or your body. I'd give it another try, though.
MSF is a good idea, but don't wait too long or you will never ride again.
What dual sport? Some, like the Honda XR650 and KTM 620, are *very* tall.
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From: Long Island
LOL!..LOL!
I did something very similar. I had not owned a bike in years, then all of a sudden
had the urge to get one again. I was interested in a Suzuki TL1000R - had a thing
for them ever since they first came out. The dealership I went to actually had a used one
on the lot and the sales guy invited me to take it for a ride.
Well you don't have to ask me twice!.....Coming off a 92 GSXR 750 the low end grunt of a
TLR, to me, was awesome. I took to the bike instantly. After riding the bike and feeling
I had not lost any riding ability over my sabbatical, I decided to turn around. A vacant
parking lot seemed to be the perfect place. I pulled in, made a turn and got ready to
merge with traffic. As soon as I tried to go I stalled the bike and as if it were in slow
motion, the bike fell over.
Fortunately I was able to prevent it from SLAMMING into the ground and it just scuffed the
fairing.
Back at the dealership I strolled into the showroom and was greeted by a "Well what do you think?"
With my face as red as a VFR I said, "I've got some good news and bad news. First the
good news, I'll buy a NEW TL" Then proceeded to tell him the story...
As I had mentioned the damage was minimal and due to the fact that I bought a new
bike, they didn't make an issue of it.
I did something very similar. I had not owned a bike in years, then all of a sudden
had the urge to get one again. I was interested in a Suzuki TL1000R - had a thing
for them ever since they first came out. The dealership I went to actually had a used one
on the lot and the sales guy invited me to take it for a ride.
Well you don't have to ask me twice!.....Coming off a 92 GSXR 750 the low end grunt of a
TLR, to me, was awesome. I took to the bike instantly. After riding the bike and feeling
I had not lost any riding ability over my sabbatical, I decided to turn around. A vacant
parking lot seemed to be the perfect place. I pulled in, made a turn and got ready to
merge with traffic. As soon as I tried to go I stalled the bike and as if it were in slow
motion, the bike fell over.
Fortunately I was able to prevent it from SLAMMING into the ground and it just scuffed the
fairing.
Back at the dealership I strolled into the showroom and was greeted by a "Well what do you think?"
With my face as red as a VFR I said, "I've got some good news and bad news. First the
good news, I'll buy a NEW TL" Then proceeded to tell him the story...
As I had mentioned the damage was minimal and due to the fact that I bought a new
bike, they didn't make an issue of it.
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From: Dacula
my 21yo bro just picked up a new 600RR Friday (5 days ago). In that time, he's ridden on 2 different days and has fell/dropped it on each day.
He's only been riding for a couple of months to maybe a year and has taken the motorcycle safety course.
He chalks it up to inexperience and is thinking about sellin the bike since he's now "scared to get hurt or die".
He's only been riding for a couple of months to maybe a year and has taken the motorcycle safety course.
He chalks it up to inexperience and is thinking about sellin the bike since he's now "scared to get hurt or die".
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From: La Habra
Nice thing about dropping dual sports is there's usually less to break than on them, since falling in the dirt is part of the fun. I had a Yamaha 600 thumper (XT ?). I think the tall seat is still easier to control than cruiser styles. The feet "in front of you" position makes it hard to stand on the pegs.
Take that MSF class with the rental Nighthawk and get back on that bad boy!
Take that MSF class with the rental Nighthawk and get back on that bad boy!
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From: Pleasanton, CA
The original story makes a strong point for learning to ride on a dual sport. You can tip one over without causing significant damage. The number one disadvantage is that they're taller, which tends to lead to more tipovers for inexperienced riders. Otherwise, they're quite forgiving to ride.
As for the note about the CBR600RR, that is a poor choice for a new rider. Nobody should ride scared.
My next door neighbor bought an F4i a few years ago, being in his early 20's. He managed to ride it for a year without damaging it in any way, but he indicated that he was often scared while riding it. Maybe the reason he made it a whole year is because he feared going fast on it, so didn't get into the situations that often bring down the new riders. Both he and his parents were happy when he sold it.
I say, get a bike you feel comfortable riding and gain riding skills before moving up.
As for the note about the CBR600RR, that is a poor choice for a new rider. Nobody should ride scared.
My next door neighbor bought an F4i a few years ago, being in his early 20's. He managed to ride it for a year without damaging it in any way, but he indicated that he was often scared while riding it. Maybe the reason he made it a whole year is because he feared going fast on it, so didn't get into the situations that often bring down the new riders. Both he and his parents were happy when he sold it.
I say, get a bike you feel comfortable riding and gain riding skills before moving up.
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That sucks. But I have to admit, your story did make me chuckle.
In my opinion Denver is a terrible town for bikes anyway ... too much sand, too many straight roads and way too many drivers on cell phones.
Speaking of dumb drivers, I was almost hit not once, but twice late last night by drunks in cars at 2-way stops who either did not see me or just didn't care. Scary.
In my opinion Denver is a terrible town for bikes anyway ... too much sand, too many straight roads and way too many drivers on cell phones.
Speaking of dumb drivers, I was almost hit not once, but twice late last night by drunks in cars at 2-way stops who either did not see me or just didn't care. Scary.