[Scissors]

Took delivery on Tuesday just over a week ago after going through the safety course and getting my license.

Spent last weekend practicing and already dropped it twice. Well, kind of twice. The thing I had the most problem with in class was tight/slow U-Turns, so I was practicing them in an empty parking lot. I finally got the hang of it and started doing figure eights just for the hell of it. Well I got too close to a curb, freaked, and dropped to the left on my leg. I wasn't injured physically, but my pride was since I dropped at such a low speed with people able to see the incident as they drove by on a nearby road.

So of course I was angry with myself and lifted the bike up quickly. That was my real mistake. You see, the initial fall was slow enough (as I was lowering the bike as it fell) that almost no damage was done. But I lifted it so forcefully that it flipped onto its other side. Hard. :cursin:

So now the pipes are scratched. That didn't take long. :lol:

 

[Scissors]

But I lifted it so forcefully that it flipped onto its other side. Hard. :cursin:

Dumbass.

 

[Gas Man]

That over flip is a normal problem... you have to be carefull of that!

Just be carefull on that thing... respect it and the road. Are you going to be taking a MSF in the near future?

Nice ride... not sure how many will appreciate it around here...but at least you didn't go out and get a Busa for your first bike.

What is the stats on that bike?

 

[ShanMan14]

Dumbass.

:withstupi :lol:

There's room for all sorts of rides 'round these parts. :wink:

 

[fatburg]

:doh: Sorry to hear about your little mis-hap. Don't let people around here give you too much about riding a cruiser, my first was a Vulcan 800. The smaller cruisers are great to learn and get comfy on.

 

[Scissors]

Are you going to be taking a MSF in the near future?

Again? Already? :lol:

What is the stats on that bike?

About 460 lbs., 600 engine. It's a 2005 Honda Shadow VLX in Blue.

 

[Pigface1]

Damn man, that didn't take long. . lol I dropped my CBR in my driveway basically turning around. It happens. So, I checked if anyone saw it happen, which they didn't, and I picked my bike up as fast as I could and acted like nothing happened. :lol:

I went back 6 months after I got my bike and took the advanced MSF on my own bike and did fine, no problems with the u-turns, etc. However, that doesn't mean I'm going to be doing that on the street. It's a good skill to have to teach you counterbalance, etc, but it's not worth potentially dropping the bike.

Be safe mang. .

 

[itgirl25]

i know i dropped one of my previous bikes only hours after buying it in a taco bell parking lot with people all around me. it is a humbling experience, but one that most people have had. it happens...no worries. that's a nice bike, enjoy it.

 

[pobrediablo]

:scratch: the few times that I droped a bike it has been on a parking lot not even doing 5mph and there was always people around to make fun of me and make me feel likea rookie or something, real riders only fall on parking lot love the blue on the bike

 

[No Worries]

To ride my favorite road, you have to master the U-turn. Lookout Mountain has eight hairpin switchbacks. Have to brake from 40 (yeah, I know the speed limit is 25) down to 15 and do the 180 degree turn. Of course it's uphill, on a crowned road, and you have to do it on your left and right sides.

Those mega SUV's can't make the curve without spitting gravel and sand from the edge all over the turn. So you sometimes have to stay in one tire track. It's easier coming down because you have gravity helping you and you don't have to give it throttle until you are coming out of the turn.

 

[Gas Man]

Again? Already? :lol:

Yeah sure... seriously... didn't know you did... maybe I just forgot. But either way... you can do like Pig says... go back and take the advance one... which in my POV is better anyway.

 

[snadamo]

Yeah sure... seriously... didn't know you did... maybe I just forgot. But either way... you can do like Pig says... go back and take the advance one... which in my POV is better anyway.

you know a lot of that stuff you mentioned that they cover in the advanced class they did in the BASIC. Probably not as in depth, but we went over A LOT of stuff that the advanced class would do, according to my friend that did both MSF courses. But I still want to take my advanced course, probably after winter.


I have been working on my counterbalancing the day I got my bike to running. I always figured fundamentals are they key to having a safer riding experience.

 

[Gas Man]

You'll find the advance coarse...much more informing and finer skill tuning!

 

[Pigface1]

I really didn't notice much difference between the advanced MSF and beginner after all was said and done. I just wanted to do the class on my bike and figured you can't learn too much.

 

[GSXRGirl]

Damn Scissors, sorry to hear.

S/O dropped the 600 the 1st night he bought it in the drive way (w/out frame sliders) :doh:.
To this day the little scratchs are still on the bike. I will just leave it there (they add character ).

Both times I "laid" my bike (the same 600) down on the frame siders were in parking lots. Amazingly enough you learn lessons when you drop a bike. I think knowing that feeling is a good thing.

1st time, there were about 12 Harley guys around, and of course the smallest guy in the bunch is the one who runs over to help me pick my bike up. I was so

.
2nd time was in a gas station parking lot

.

The frame sliders did their job both times. It hurts a little less when you drop a used bike, but not much .
I knew I would drop my 1st bike so, this was my reason for keeping his old 600.

He put frame sliders on the 1000 5 minutes after the bike arrived at our house on the trailer.

 

[marko138]

:welcome: Nice color on that bike. Be safe. And like everyone is saying...we all drop the bike once (hopefully not any more than that). Learn from it and keep riding.

:twfrox:

 

[JK_DILLA]

i had my only drop in a parking lot too. putting along and an old lady decides to stand in front of me. so i hit the brakes on an oil slick and WOOOP. old bird....

 

[Scissors]

i had my only drop in a parking lot too. putting along and an old lady decides to stand in front of me. so i hit the brakes on an oil slick and WOOOP. old bird....

Should have run her ass over. :leaving:

 

[bumblebee]

Keep practicing slow speed circles and figure 8's in the parking lots...they are the best training for fundamentals and will really build confidence as you learn how to handle your bike...I still do them regularly.