Despite joining the forum almost two years ago, this is my first post and a somewhat embarrassed one at that.
Having got back into motor bikes only 3 years ago, in January 2008 I bought my first HD, an 08 Street Bob. Forward contols, Sundowner seat, rack and luggage and I loved it. Last Wednesday evening, for reasons I'm now beginning to question, I traded it for a 2010 FLHR Road King in Scarlet and Vivid Black. I had been in love with the King since I rode one on a ride day back in February and felt that this is the type of bike I want to take into retirement - which is now only about 12 months away.
Yesterday morning, 120 kays on the clock, local HOG gathering, in front of the shop, big crowd and I dropped it as I attempted to take off. Luckily, no damage to the bike but an enormous dent to my pride. Worse, I rode like crap for the rest of the day and started to doubt my ability to ride at all, convinced it was only a matter of time before I dropped it again. I think what happened was that I was very much aware that I was on a new bike, was taking off very slowly and I think used too much front brake to wait for an approaching car and it was down before I knew it.
Love the King, it looks fantastic and I hope it's the bike I do take into retirement but suddenly I'm not sure. Can anyone help with some advice? I'm (or used to be 6') and and in good shape for someone approaching 60 and have not dropped a bike preiously. I guess it's just time in the saddle because before yesterday's incident I wouldn't have contemplated a drop and my confidence with the new bike was sky high.
All of the above aside, I love the Harleys and am glad to be amongst the ranks.
Welcome to the forum and don't be too worried about your incident...It will happen to everyone at some time or another,just better if no one is there to see it...where did you trade in your Street Bob??? They are one of my prefered bikes...(one day)
Cheers...Sparra
Shit Happens dont strees to much no one was hurt N u can allways get new bits for the bike
Fatcat68
Cheers Sparra and thanks for the advice. Peter Stevens at Ringwood (Vic) has the old bike (only 11,200 kays on board) and it really is a great bike, very comfortable to ride and great fun.
mate we have all done it...no one was hurt...just hop back on a ride, where? who cares just do it..
Welcome to the forum mate and as everyone has said don't worry about it shit happens. It is not a case of if you will drop ya bike just a case of when and where................................lucky the only time mine went over was in a car park and there where no witnesses .............................
Just relax and enjoy the new ride mate
Bad luck you dropped it but it happens to all of us.....dropped mine 3 times now , twice in the shed...those harley stands take some getting used to.....if you love your bike just spend time on it and the confidence will come and I do like your choice of ride.
As has already been said.....we've all done it.
G'day Blueboy
welcome to the forum
you have done well not to drop a bike until now
just get back in the saddle and enjoy.
Welcome, back on your bike as they say.
Hi mate, i think that most of us have dropped a bike in the past, i needed help lifting mine back up shiny side up.
Pay attention to Noit, Blue Boy. He is the guru of gutsers. Take a look at his more complete list at:
http://hdforums.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=71&forumid=20&postid=164716&view=topic
I started that Forum "Most Embarrassing Biking Moment" after I dropped my new Iron on its FIRST DAY with just 30ks on the clock. Feel better now? When you read the posts you'll see how many people were just waiting for an opportunity to confess. It's very cleansing.
Welcome.....There are two types of riders those who have dropped a bike and those that will...............no damage (only to prde) don't sweat it,
Rode an 09 Ultra on a H-D ride day to check what it rode like compared to my 08 Ultra, pulled back into the dealer car park and grabbed a bit too much front brake and whoa (nearly dropped it) could have cut washers off my ring, but I was lucky, I did get it back from over centre and saved it, know the feeling.......
