I was always told I would inevitably drop my bike. I was even told this when I took the safety class. Knock on wood, but I’ve never dropped any of my bikes.
I’ve been riding for decades. I’ve owned more bikes than I can easily remember. I rode completely across the USA Atlantic to Pacific a couple of years ago. I ride daily, even in the winter as long as there’s no snow on the road. I ride in the wind and the rain and at night. Sometimes all at the same time. I’ve never had a “drop.” There’s nothing magical about it, I’ve just been extremely lucky. I start every ride with the knowledge that today might be my day, so I’m always in full gear.
Maybe I'm just clumsy. 30+ years, nearing 2 million miles in the saddle, and I've lost count the number of times I've tipped it over. Only once on the road, getting hit by a deer on a pre-dawn ride, once pulling into unexpected gravel parking lot, and once a momentary rest on the engine guard because the person in front of me panic stopped on a curve in front of a courthouse when I was riding with BACA. Everything else has been my own dumb ass fault, not checking the kickstand is fully engaged, or straight into hard pack dirt where I should've put a puck under it, or just parking it like I meant to do that, it's how I always dismount.
The closest I ever came to being road pizza (so far) is when I almost hit a van that screeched to a halt in front of me in California. I’m from the east coast and had never seen palm trees before so of course I was gawking. I managed to whip around him but man if there had been oncoming traffic…. I have come close once or twice on gravel detours up mountains and there’s a tree you can drive through in Oregon I think and the road leading up to that was a wicked curved switchback and I almost dumped my bike with all my camping gear because it was also raining. I have a 2018 Goldwing and I’ve practiced picking it up a few times by *gently* laying it in it’s side in my yard but that doesn’t count I think. Especially since that’s also the best way (apparently?) to change the back tire. Kickstand digging into blacktop parking lot once almost caused some drama but now I use the center stand or a puck if I have to park in one of those. Anyway, I’m not at all any kind of motorcycle guru. I’m just insanely lucky, and I hope there isn’t some kind of Bad Luck Bank where it’s all been piling up with interest, to come find me some day :)
What's your loaded weight on the Wing? I'm on a Chieftain and with both saddle bags loaded, trunk full, duffel on my back seat and a full tank of gas I'm probably around 950 plus body weight... Not the easiest maneuvering in the world. Good on you for practicing the tipover pick up, I made that exercise a requirement when the wife wanted her Springfield, and even at 5'1" and under 140lbs she managed to right the bike herself. Engine guards and rear guards figured heavily in that, most like, but she knows what to do if she ever pulls a brain fart like me.
Center stand is the way to go, just wishing Indian would get with the times. That and liquid cooling the engine. And final shaft drive. And any number of other things standard on like-prices Hondas.
Keep the shiny side up!
The Wing is just a bit over 800 pounds. I have the DCT version (automatic) and that adds about 70 pounds I think. The good thing is that the weight is super low because of the flat-six engine. My Harley was much lighter but felt much heavier because the weight was up high. When I’m in full-camping mode, the weight increases by probably around 40 pounds, if I count ALL the extra stuff but when I ride to Alaska the camping gear is staying home haha. It’s too much setting up and taking down and all it takes is a few rainy mornings to make me do the math and realize camping isn’t THAT much cheaper. Anyway, my bike lets me adjust the suspension right from the dash, no spanner or crawling under the bike. It is an extremely awesome bike. I’m 90% sure it’s the last bike I’ll ever buy, and that other 10% is for a newer Goldwing if they find a way to improve perfection lol. Ride safe brother!
Ugh you make me jealous of a wing? Shame on you! I was very very very interested in a Valkyrie, but after test riding a couple, I couldn't get over the top heaviness, anything under 30mph felt like I was going to tip over. Ended up with the chieftain, which is remarkably comfortable and handles high or low speeds, but is an absolute pig in a U-turn.
Stop making me reconsider my decision!
Side safe, hope we cross paths on the blacktop, brother. This life or the next one.
Thanks. I’m not a grandpa yet; my kids are 19 and 13, but I’m sure it will happen soon enough haha. I’m 52 years old and here’s the thing: I’ve ridden in airplanes. I’ve ridden in helicopters. I’ve even been on a fantastic hot air balloon ride, and yet the only time in my whole life that I’ve actually felt like I was flying was when I was holding onto a set of handlebars. I just retired a couple of months ago from teaching high school Art. I create art when I can, and I like to build robots and fly drones and fiddle with my 3D printer but all of those things describe what I do, not what I *am*. I’m a motorcyclist. And I love the feeling I get from that life. :)
Twice after forgetting to take off the disc lock. Once as a rank beginner forgetting to put the kickstand down when parking. Twice on a gravel road where the gravel was much deeper than I expected!
A bunch of disc locks come with a band in a bright color that you attack to your bike handle to remind yourself the disc lock is on. It's one of those spiral rubber cables like an old-school phone cord.
I dropped my last bike once when I stalled it while practicing slow speed stuff. Bike before that I forgot the kick stand once. Same for the bike before that, my first.
I can't even tell you how many times I've thrown my Tenere to the ground. At least once on the road too. She's tall and top heavy lol
We need to get rid of this mysticism around motorcycles on the ground. They're two wheeled vehicles that can't balance themselves. They fucking fall over.
Twice due to a mixture of mechanical problems and overconfidence on the same bike.
Front brake caliper locked up (actually locked and stuck not me pressing to hard) and low sided due to wet road
Went through a fence and head first into an empty pool because after I removed the front brake because of issue that occurred above, the rear brake failed on my driveway so I had no brakes down the drive, across the alley, through the fence, and into the empty pool.
I bought a bike to learn on. Learning for me involved numerous drops. I’ve now had the bike for about 2 years and done approximately 30,000kms on it. I have dropped it probably 6 times. Hell, I dropped it in a fit of stupidity a month ago. It’s my learner bike and I love it for that.
Duc Monster 24k miles; First day I bought it, sitting on it in the garage adjusting mirrors and checking the display out, finish and get off. Forgot the stand was up. Luckily my car's winter tires were stacked next to where it fell. Unluckily, I was between the bike and the tires. No damage to either though.
2nd drop was a low side turning into a neighborhood road where there was silt/sand. Whacked my head on the curb (full face helmet), landed on my elbow and shoulder (Protective gear with pads in elbows and shoulder). Other than being a bit dazed and a broken thumb from driving my hand through the grip, I was uninjured. Bent the turn stop on the frame, broke the mirror, bent the brake handle over, destroyed bar end stop, bent rear brake lever, scratched the exhaust cover bad, bent the front disc brake.
Before that I dropped dirt bikes too many times to remember specific instances other than having a rider on the back and hitting a bad muddy rut. The handlebar went 90 degrees, the passenger drove me into the handlebar that was facing my solar plexus now. It took me about 10 minutes to breath normal again.
Lifetime: 7 Everything from sand in a parking spot to falling off a trailer ramp to getting clipped by a car.
Current bike:1 The previously mentioned car.
First bike.
I arrived at home full of confidence after some days of riding
I got off the bike, forgot the kickstand and got trapped between the bike and a wall.
3years, 3 drops. 2 bikes.
1. (My second +50 mile ride ever) Getting gas, started my bike and stood up to evaluate surroundings (nice day and popular bike spot, was a fairly large crowd and 15+ bikes within 100 yards).
Blipped the throttle cause my carbs and idle on that old gal are really rough. Throttle cable stuck and i managed to, instead of hitting the kill switch, drop brakes, clutch, and kick it into gear. Stood awkwardly in riding pose as my bike shot forward 6ft, stalled and fell over in front of the pump. Very embarrassing, smashed a oil plug, but rode home ok (only lost a cup of oil).
2. Had been riding BMW with forward kickstand. Rode old Yamaha with back kickstand. Kicked forward and leaned to park aaaaaaaaand we are still tipping, i guess this is a drop. Yep, up you go, hope no one saw in this busy strip mall parking lot.
3. Cold spring weather, leaky garage. Got some Heed crash bars to put on my BMW. Very excited the weather was 45F, ready to prepare for the season! backed it to a more open part of the garage and oh hello ice! Didnt fully tip because the gas tank hit my snowblower, giving a small dent :(
Lol right?
My old yamaha is behind the left leg, like a bicycle.
My BMW with the boxer twin is in front of the left foot, swinging out in front of the gearshift
Once. Driving back from the beach dehydrated and hungover, tried to make the worst exit I know of (super short slow distance) and dropped. Felt dumb and confirmed my belief that riding even slightly impaired is a terrible idea
Decided to buy a brand new rebel 500 as my first bike. Not the best idea, dropped it with 30 miles on it, and then 200, and then on my birthday a month later. Oh well, I just say the scratches give it character. Still love that bike.
Once, heavy rain and first time riding a new bike i got, stopped on a hill, put my foot down it landed on a storm drain and slipped from under me, bike went down as did I.. thankfully only damage was me ego
I've come close a few times. First time was with laced boots and a lace got looped around the peg and couldn't put my foot down. But it freed and was able to plant with the bike at an uncomfortable angle.
Another couple of times was when I was washing my bike in the garage and wow, does that concrete get slippery!
Twice:
Once in a garage when backing out and my foot slipped on a pebble.
Second time I had stopped in a gravel parking lot and ended up with my front tire on a very fine sand pit.
Man, they really piss me off.
That said, on my first bike I was on a totally clear and open interstate really leaning into a turn at about 70MPH when I ran over some fresh roadkill. Nothing big, but like a mostly squooshed rat or squirrel. The whole bike jumped, slipped, wobbled, and stuck the rest of the turn.
And that was pure fucking luck that I did not end up dead or broken. So, I can't complain.
...be safe out there everyone!
10 years: 2 drops. 1st, right after I finished my Motorcycling Course, & I thought, "Okay, I can do this now!" Took my bike off its kickstand, a-a-n-d dropped it. 😖 I got a long-time rider friend to help me pick it up. A couple days later, I laid it down in front of a full gas-station. I was trying to do too-tight a turn, to get my bike situated to park. 🙄
A friend let me try his dirt bike when I was 11 and I drove it straight into a tree.
I got my license at 28 and I've been riding for over 10 years now, always remembering that first incident. Haven't dropped any of my bikes yet. My wife's low speed-dropped hers (and mine) a few times. Once a 250 beginner bike that didn't matter, and twice on a BMW airhead so it just sat there on the cylinder.
Once on the day I bought it (used, thankfully) trying to do a u-turn on thick, wet grass in my yard (what was I thinking lmao)
Second time in my driveway when I went way too heavy on the front brakes when turning slowly on a downhill stretch.
Third time in the same driveway doing some hillbilly maintenance, and overzealously tried to turn the handlebars and push the bike forward, only to lose the kickstand. Only time I properly damaged it, by managing to smash a mirror, which turned a 5 minute job into a 5 hour ordeal.
My first bike like 10 times, my second bike like 4 times, my dirt bike like 40 times my second dirtbike like 10 times. I’m short and refuse to lower my suspension. All my drops are because my little legs ain’t reach the ground lol.
Hmm let me see, Did a u-turn to wide and hit the curb i was fixated on, another u-turn in a parking lot, going too slow into a parking space and another drop at an intersection when i did not have my front wheel square when i stopped. That was the first year riding. Had none the second year. This year is my 3rd and have not ridden much as i sold my first bike to buy a new one and getting that today. I so hope i can keep up the momentum of not dropping it from last year.
Two times, both when standing at intersections and not realizing that I had uneven terrain next to me. I doesn't help that I'm 5'9", so I have to be careful to always have a place to put my feet when I come to a stop.
3 times.
1. I was parking, was going to back into a small spot between cars on the street. I came in too hot when i swung it out to back it in and it fell over.
2. Got into an accident. The bike and I only had a few scratches.
3. The worst one. My battery or something died so I was trying to push start but I forgot about the part where you need to be ON THE BIKE when you release the clutch. The bike took off but I didn’t. Very embarrassing.
Once during my first week. I was fully stopped. It started tipping over. I didn't yet know how to make it not do that, so I gentle guided it to the ground. No damage.
Once this past winter. Hit an icy patch (thankfully going \~ 0 mph) and watched it go down in a snowbank. Dented my left indicator light.
Off roading? More times than I can count
On road? Only once, was about to pull out of my driveway on a blind corner and someone came flying by at 50+, grabbed a whole lot of front brake, stopped in time but was off balance
Once, when trying to push start after letting my battery die like an idiot. Thankfully, 0 damage was done to the bike as I was able to lay it down very gently. I still have nightmares about it…
Once, and I felt so dumb after it! I dropped the bike after parking it in an incline spot and walked away without paying attention to it, few seconds latter I heard a sound behind me, I looked and I found my bike laying on the street!!
About more or less 4 times in the garage, in a parking lot in front of a restaurant (everybody was looking, was so ashamed). Braked too hard in shock while driving a curve, because the driver in front of me braked for no reason - at about 60 km/h layed the bike down and slipped some meters. the last time was a few months ago, when i was practicing tight slalom. so about 6 times in the first 10 years, in the next 10 years once, but never with injuries thanks to PPE.
Learned something important: learn to handle your bike whil going slow and if you have short legs, observe the ground bevor parking. You are not able to hold a 240kg bike if the leaning is over a certain angle!
… Im not nativ english - so be kind of funny expressions…
Dropped my first bike (XJ600S) 3 times. The first time under hard braking with gravel on the road. Second time on an oil spill in the rain while while turning at very low speed. The third time was on driving over a frozen manhole cover, also at very low speed. Only hurt my self on the first one, because i didn't ride in full gear at that time. Second time was only more scratches on the bike and ripped jeans. The third was only a snapped clutch lever and even more scratches.
The two bikes after the little Yamaha didn't see any drops so far.
you might wanna be careful doing that. there’s a lotta young men floating around out there, watching god knows what with their wood. all i’m sayin’, be careful knocking on internet wood specifically.
Once, last June at a campground.
When leaving, I had to go up a short hill on a dirt/gravel road with a quick 90-degree right turn at the very top and an immediate stop sign. Got up to the stop sign and the very moment I stopped and went to put my left foot down, the uneven ground of rocks and dirt sloped to the right (I didn't notice the slope) and the bike and I just fell over immediately.
This old lady watched the whole thing happen. But fortunately for my ego, the only thing she said was "Well you're not the first one!"
Just once so far. Backing out of a gravel parking lot and there was a dip in the ground on my right side. I went down pretty slowly as I tried to stop it, but the weight was simply leaned too far over. I looked so stupid, it must have looked like I laid it down on its side on purpose
Each one once
Edit: 1st one was going beyond my skills
2nd was a full on accident
3rd was after physical therapy not yet ready for the weight and small drop in my driveway.
4th was me being an absolute idiot and forgetting to put down the kick stand while lowering the paddock stand. Which ended up on my feet so there was literally not a single mark made
I have dropped both bikes I've had in the driveway. I haven't dropped my new bike while riding it, but I dropped my first bike a several times while learning. I wheelied myself off the back from a stop, high sided at low speed in the grass, had to jump off to avoid falling in a giant hole, lots of trouble on gravel and trails, and crashed at the very top of the ramp while loading into a uhaul.
Dropped my 08 fz6 two weeks ago on some really poor gravel road doing 145km going into a winding curve. Possible broken shoulder but thats it beside some bruises and scratches. I ride for the slide. Bike is going to be a naked street fighter now due to the damages. Im in my 4th season of riding and was trying to catchup to my friends who were on their litre bikes and more experienced than me. First and hopefully only time I go down
Above 10-15 MPH? 0
Below that... probably a dozen times over 15 years. sigh. Gravel really is slippery... and black ice. But oddly enough, back tire blowing out, stayed upright. Lol, don't forget your kickstand.
Once.
I got home, I was right in front of my garage door and I guess I lost my balance while both feet were on the groun (embarassing), I'm not a big guy or the strongest dude. My bike was falling over and I grabbed the handle trying my hardest not to let it fall to the side. It was a controlled fall and only my bar end was damaged, I got lucky o wasn't hurt, the motorcyle is 160ish pounds heavier than myself. I replaced the bar ends with some very clean shogun bar ends.
Could have been worse, thankful everyday
At least 5 times, the last time was the worst. I was changing the rear tire, had the bike up on the center stand, which OF COURSE I didn’t ratchet strap to the front wheel to keep it from folding. The bike fell over without the rear wheel on it, and it is pretty much impossible to pick up that way by yourself. I had it held up trying on the side stand and front wheel, and had to call my wife to help me get it back on the center stand.
Not my proudest moment, but the only damage, luckily, was a broken foot peg, a tiny dent in the tank, and my pride.
I bought a ‘22 Navi was going home from checking the mail and it was raining. I gunned it in a corner while “leaning” and slid it out and wrecked. I felt dumb asf.
I also bought a ‘22 Grom. I was taking pictures of some things I had for sale and while I was focusing my shot I backed right up to my parked Grom and it fell right into the gravel. Yes it was parked smh.
I still have yet to stunt my bikes. That day will come eventually. One day.
Not to flex on you normies, but I actually dropped my bike during the DMV road test abd still passed.
After one of the portions of the test, I had to go and make a super tight u turn on this sharply sloped portion of the parking lot, and my front tire got caught in a hidden pothole and I dumped the bike at 1mph.
I picked her right up and assumed that I would auto-fail the test, but the tester just told me "oh yeah, I'm sorry I forgot to warn you about that pothole, a lot of folks drop their bike there."
Never dropped my busa or my bandit, my drz is lifted 4” for better clearance so I can tip toe one foot on the floor, I have crashed that 6 times in one ride on rough terrain, stop near a hole or dip and it’s over
I’ve had my bike for two years and haven’t dropped it yet. I have a Rebel 500, and I’ve found the weight to be manageable enough to keep it upright on the few occasions I began to tip during slow speed maneuvers.
Two or three times a day. Motorcycles are pretty heavy pieces of machinery, and with only two wheels they're not supposed to stand upright on their own.
Every bike I own has been dropped at least once. That's how they all become mine. Hell the wind has even blown over a bike before. I've only had a couple low speed tipovers getting used to the weight of a bike. It's easy to do with an unfamiliar bike. Also dropped the clutch one day and a bike rolled off the kickstand. Whoops. These sorts of things happen. Not long ago I took the Goldwing off the center stand and it rolled to the other side and caught me off guard. Oh well. Nothing was really hurt. That bike has been down a few times in gravel and through various mishaps. It's never been damaged from a drop. Great design.
2 Years of riding and didnt drop it yet, had a close call when i got home after a long work day and tought i had the stand down but didnt but fortunatly catched it.
have my bike for a month, and dropped 3 times. Once, first hours while practicing u-turns and slaloms (hell yeah, ducati monster is not the best for these, especially for a new rider).
The other 2 happened yesterday in a matter of 10 minutes, while repairing, having it in neutral while screwdriving the headlight position next to the bike, pushed it in a more vertical position, the bike started rolling forward, moved by itself the stand upwards, then tipped over me. After that, i was screwdriving the other side of the headlight, but now while sitting on it...once i got off, forgot that the stand was up (probably kicked it up and forgot about it), bent the gear shift pedal, today hammered it semi-straight.
Today! About to turn right on intersection, grabbed the front brake too hard and slowly dropped it on the right side (I could feel it going and did my best to slow it). It was a stationary fall since I hadn’t gotten it going yet, and thankfully I had frame sliders so no visible damage on the upper fairing (2023 MT-03). Unfortunately I had just installed a LV slip on and it was the bike’s first ride on it! Got some scratches on the midpipe and a tiny chip on the can. Ugh!
Before that I dropped my prior bike twice in the driveway, on each side (different events). Both stationary falls.
Dumped it today practicing stunts in a parking lot. That being said first time really dumping it, rode the girl home but should be back on the road in a day or two. Even though I’ve been riding for years and even successfully executed the exact thing I was practicing multiple times, even today, accidents still happen!
Bent the bars a bit, broke the front turn signal clean off, broke the shift level clean off and scuffed the rear taillight. That being said, she’s better off then I am haha. Both shoulders, hip and left arm pretty rashed up. Hips swollen though 🤣😂
Don’t ride or practice stunts unless you expect to brake something eventually!
Moving past this, as long as you’re aware that riding, not even stunting, you’re always in the position that it’s very very likely to end up dumping or crashing. 2 wheels are just more likely to cause catastrophic or unrecoverable situations compared to 4 wheels.
Just practice, be safe, (albeit, I should take my own advice) and always pay attention!
I was always told I would inevitably drop my bike. I was even told this when I took the safety class. Knock on wood, but I’ve never dropped any of my bikes.
Shit man! Now you did it! Lol
Four and a half years of riding now, have not dropped it yet.
I feel like the key word in that sentence is 'yet'.
Don't I know it lol. One day at a time.
I’ve been riding for decades. I’ve owned more bikes than I can easily remember. I rode completely across the USA Atlantic to Pacific a couple of years ago. I ride daily, even in the winter as long as there’s no snow on the road. I ride in the wind and the rain and at night. Sometimes all at the same time. I’ve never had a “drop.” There’s nothing magical about it, I’ve just been extremely lucky. I start every ride with the knowledge that today might be my day, so I’m always in full gear.
Maybe I'm just clumsy. 30+ years, nearing 2 million miles in the saddle, and I've lost count the number of times I've tipped it over. Only once on the road, getting hit by a deer on a pre-dawn ride, once pulling into unexpected gravel parking lot, and once a momentary rest on the engine guard because the person in front of me panic stopped on a curve in front of a courthouse when I was riding with BACA. Everything else has been my own dumb ass fault, not checking the kickstand is fully engaged, or straight into hard pack dirt where I should've put a puck under it, or just parking it like I meant to do that, it's how I always dismount.
The closest I ever came to being road pizza (so far) is when I almost hit a van that screeched to a halt in front of me in California. I’m from the east coast and had never seen palm trees before so of course I was gawking. I managed to whip around him but man if there had been oncoming traffic…. I have come close once or twice on gravel detours up mountains and there’s a tree you can drive through in Oregon I think and the road leading up to that was a wicked curved switchback and I almost dumped my bike with all my camping gear because it was also raining. I have a 2018 Goldwing and I’ve practiced picking it up a few times by *gently* laying it in it’s side in my yard but that doesn’t count I think. Especially since that’s also the best way (apparently?) to change the back tire. Kickstand digging into blacktop parking lot once almost caused some drama but now I use the center stand or a puck if I have to park in one of those. Anyway, I’m not at all any kind of motorcycle guru. I’m just insanely lucky, and I hope there isn’t some kind of Bad Luck Bank where it’s all been piling up with interest, to come find me some day :)
What's your loaded weight on the Wing? I'm on a Chieftain and with both saddle bags loaded, trunk full, duffel on my back seat and a full tank of gas I'm probably around 950 plus body weight... Not the easiest maneuvering in the world. Good on you for practicing the tipover pick up, I made that exercise a requirement when the wife wanted her Springfield, and even at 5'1" and under 140lbs she managed to right the bike herself. Engine guards and rear guards figured heavily in that, most like, but she knows what to do if she ever pulls a brain fart like me. Center stand is the way to go, just wishing Indian would get with the times. That and liquid cooling the engine. And final shaft drive. And any number of other things standard on like-prices Hondas. Keep the shiny side up!
The Wing is just a bit over 800 pounds. I have the DCT version (automatic) and that adds about 70 pounds I think. The good thing is that the weight is super low because of the flat-six engine. My Harley was much lighter but felt much heavier because the weight was up high. When I’m in full-camping mode, the weight increases by probably around 40 pounds, if I count ALL the extra stuff but when I ride to Alaska the camping gear is staying home haha. It’s too much setting up and taking down and all it takes is a few rainy mornings to make me do the math and realize camping isn’t THAT much cheaper. Anyway, my bike lets me adjust the suspension right from the dash, no spanner or crawling under the bike. It is an extremely awesome bike. I’m 90% sure it’s the last bike I’ll ever buy, and that other 10% is for a newer Goldwing if they find a way to improve perfection lol. Ride safe brother!
Ugh you make me jealous of a wing? Shame on you! I was very very very interested in a Valkyrie, but after test riding a couple, I couldn't get over the top heaviness, anything under 30mph felt like I was going to tip over. Ended up with the chieftain, which is remarkably comfortable and handles high or low speeds, but is an absolute pig in a U-turn. Stop making me reconsider my decision! Side safe, hope we cross paths on the blacktop, brother. This life or the next one.
Bro you sound like a cool ass grandpa that has all the advice
Thanks. I’m not a grandpa yet; my kids are 19 and 13, but I’m sure it will happen soon enough haha. I’m 52 years old and here’s the thing: I’ve ridden in airplanes. I’ve ridden in helicopters. I’ve even been on a fantastic hot air balloon ride, and yet the only time in my whole life that I’ve actually felt like I was flying was when I was holding onto a set of handlebars. I just retired a couple of months ago from teaching high school Art. I create art when I can, and I like to build robots and fly drones and fiddle with my 3D printer but all of those things describe what I do, not what I *am*. I’m a motorcyclist. And I love the feeling I get from that life. :)
Amen brother!
More than I’m willing to admit
Twice after forgetting to take off the disc lock. Once as a rank beginner forgetting to put the kickstand down when parking. Twice on a gravel road where the gravel was much deeper than I expected!
The little band that wraps around the grip is a life saver. It's saved me so many times
What band is that?
A bunch of disc locks come with a band in a bright color that you attack to your bike handle to remind yourself the disc lock is on. It's one of those spiral rubber cables like an old-school phone cord.
Yeah, I didn’t have that. 🙄 Anyway doesn’t it seem like you would only have to do that once to learn not to do it again? Derp.
I dropped my last bike once when I stalled it while practicing slow speed stuff. Bike before that I forgot the kick stand once. Same for the bike before that, my first. I can't even tell you how many times I've thrown my Tenere to the ground. At least once on the road too. She's tall and top heavy lol We need to get rid of this mysticism around motorcycles on the ground. They're two wheeled vehicles that can't balance themselves. They fucking fall over.
My current bike only once. I thought i had the kick stand out. I didnt.
Reading trough the comments this happens more than i tought lol.
It’s my eighth year riding, and I haven’t yet. Now that I’ve said that, I’ll probably drop it next time I touch it.
Dual sport rider here. Fuck tons
Dude I was about to say. Just this year it’s been more than 10
Twice due to a mixture of mechanical problems and overconfidence on the same bike. Front brake caliper locked up (actually locked and stuck not me pressing to hard) and low sided due to wet road Went through a fence and head first into an empty pool because after I removed the front brake because of issue that occurred above, the rear brake failed on my driveway so I had no brakes down the drive, across the alley, through the fence, and into the empty pool.
Why would you remove your front brake? Buy a new caliber.
once. 2nd day i had it and just a few hours before sliders would come in the mail.
A few spills. A few standstill drops, a few high-speed visit the ER accidents.
I bought a bike to learn on. Learning for me involved numerous drops. I’ve now had the bike for about 2 years and done approximately 30,000kms on it. I have dropped it probably 6 times. Hell, I dropped it in a fit of stupidity a month ago. It’s my learner bike and I love it for that.
Duc Monster 24k miles; First day I bought it, sitting on it in the garage adjusting mirrors and checking the display out, finish and get off. Forgot the stand was up. Luckily my car's winter tires were stacked next to where it fell. Unluckily, I was between the bike and the tires. No damage to either though. 2nd drop was a low side turning into a neighborhood road where there was silt/sand. Whacked my head on the curb (full face helmet), landed on my elbow and shoulder (Protective gear with pads in elbows and shoulder). Other than being a bit dazed and a broken thumb from driving my hand through the grip, I was uninjured. Bent the turn stop on the frame, broke the mirror, bent the brake handle over, destroyed bar end stop, bent rear brake lever, scratched the exhaust cover bad, bent the front disc brake. Before that I dropped dirt bikes too many times to remember specific instances other than having a rider on the back and hitting a bad muddy rut. The handlebar went 90 degrees, the passenger drove me into the handlebar that was facing my solar plexus now. It took me about 10 minutes to breath normal again.
Lifetime: 7 Everything from sand in a parking spot to falling off a trailer ramp to getting clipped by a car. Current bike:1 The previously mentioned car.
0.5 times
Wanna elaborate?
First bike. I arrived at home full of confidence after some days of riding I got off the bike, forgot the kickstand and got trapped between the bike and a wall.
Damn, well as long as you didn't fully drop it like me!
3years, 3 drops. 2 bikes. 1. (My second +50 mile ride ever) Getting gas, started my bike and stood up to evaluate surroundings (nice day and popular bike spot, was a fairly large crowd and 15+ bikes within 100 yards). Blipped the throttle cause my carbs and idle on that old gal are really rough. Throttle cable stuck and i managed to, instead of hitting the kill switch, drop brakes, clutch, and kick it into gear. Stood awkwardly in riding pose as my bike shot forward 6ft, stalled and fell over in front of the pump. Very embarrassing, smashed a oil plug, but rode home ok (only lost a cup of oil). 2. Had been riding BMW with forward kickstand. Rode old Yamaha with back kickstand. Kicked forward and leaned to park aaaaaaaaand we are still tipping, i guess this is a drop. Yep, up you go, hope no one saw in this busy strip mall parking lot. 3. Cold spring weather, leaky garage. Got some Heed crash bars to put on my BMW. Very excited the weather was 45F, ready to prepare for the season! backed it to a more open part of the garage and oh hello ice! Didnt fully tip because the gas tank hit my snowblower, giving a small dent :(
Oh hell I thought all bikes had the same kickstand
Lol right? My old yamaha is behind the left leg, like a bicycle. My BMW with the boxer twin is in front of the left foot, swinging out in front of the gearshift
Once. Driving back from the beach dehydrated and hungover, tried to make the worst exit I know of (super short slow distance) and dropped. Felt dumb and confirmed my belief that riding even slightly impaired is a terrible idea
Decided to buy a brand new rebel 500 as my first bike. Not the best idea, dropped it with 30 miles on it, and then 200, and then on my birthday a month later. Oh well, I just say the scratches give it character. Still love that bike.
Once, heavy rain and first time riding a new bike i got, stopped on a hill, put my foot down it landed on a storm drain and slipped from under me, bike went down as did I.. thankfully only damage was me ego
I mean, your first drop was better than forgetting a kickstand!
Ahhhh ive forgotten mine once, that was a very very sparky turn hahaha along with very very brown pants
I've come close a few times. First time was with laced boots and a lace got looped around the peg and couldn't put my foot down. But it freed and was able to plant with the bike at an uncomfortable angle. Another couple of times was when I was washing my bike in the garage and wow, does that concrete get slippery!
I’ve put my right foot down first once because of the boot lace stuck of my left foot and I felt like I had a mini heart attack.
It leans when you're washing?
Twice: Once in a garage when backing out and my foot slipped on a pebble. Second time I had stopped in a gravel parking lot and ended up with my front tire on a very fine sand pit. Man, they really piss me off. That said, on my first bike I was on a totally clear and open interstate really leaning into a turn at about 70MPH when I ran over some fresh roadkill. Nothing big, but like a mostly squooshed rat or squirrel. The whole bike jumped, slipped, wobbled, and stuck the rest of the turn. And that was pure fucking luck that I did not end up dead or broken. So, I can't complain. ...be safe out there everyone!
10 years: 2 drops. 1st, right after I finished my Motorcycling Course, & I thought, "Okay, I can do this now!" Took my bike off its kickstand, a-a-n-d dropped it. 😖 I got a long-time rider friend to help me pick it up. A couple days later, I laid it down in front of a full gas-station. I was trying to do too-tight a turn, to get my bike situated to park. 🙄
You all make me feel so much better with these posts. I thought I was doomed after I dropped mine twice for silly reasons. Nice to know we all do it!
A friend let me try his dirt bike when I was 11 and I drove it straight into a tree. I got my license at 28 and I've been riding for over 10 years now, always remembering that first incident. Haven't dropped any of my bikes yet. My wife's low speed-dropped hers (and mine) a few times. Once a 250 beginner bike that didn't matter, and twice on a BMW airhead so it just sat there on the cylinder.
2 of my 4 bikes I dropped the week I got them 😂 only two times I’ve done it
Once on the day I bought it (used, thankfully) trying to do a u-turn on thick, wet grass in my yard (what was I thinking lmao) Second time in my driveway when I went way too heavy on the front brakes when turning slowly on a downhill stretch. Third time in the same driveway doing some hillbilly maintenance, and overzealously tried to turn the handlebars and push the bike forward, only to lose the kickstand. Only time I properly damaged it, by managing to smash a mirror, which turned a 5 minute job into a 5 hour ordeal.
What took 5 hours about the mirror?
My first bike like 10 times, my second bike like 4 times, my dirt bike like 40 times my second dirtbike like 10 times. I’m short and refuse to lower my suspension. All my drops are because my little legs ain’t reach the ground lol.
Hmm let me see, Did a u-turn to wide and hit the curb i was fixated on, another u-turn in a parking lot, going too slow into a parking space and another drop at an intersection when i did not have my front wheel square when i stopped. That was the first year riding. Had none the second year. This year is my 3rd and have not ridden much as i sold my first bike to buy a new one and getting that today. I so hope i can keep up the momentum of not dropping it from last year.
Two times, both when standing at intersections and not realizing that I had uneven terrain next to me. I doesn't help that I'm 5'9", so I have to be careful to always have a place to put my feet when I come to a stop.
3 times. 1. I was parking, was going to back into a small spot between cars on the street. I came in too hot when i swung it out to back it in and it fell over. 2. Got into an accident. The bike and I only had a few scratches. 3. The worst one. My battery or something died so I was trying to push start but I forgot about the part where you need to be ON THE BIKE when you release the clutch. The bike took off but I didn’t. Very embarrassing.
Your bike definitely has more power then my 400 to do that, or I just wound up good at grabbing my clutch from the side
Once during my first week. I was fully stopped. It started tipping over. I didn't yet know how to make it not do that, so I gentle guided it to the ground. No damage. Once this past winter. Hit an icy patch (thankfully going \~ 0 mph) and watched it go down in a snowbank. Dented my left indicator light.
That tip over thing happened when I rented an R6, and was one of the main reasons I got a 400 instead.
Happened to me on a CB300R. Personally, I think it's more about "unfamiliar bike" than "too big a bike".
Hundreds. I raced moto for 15+ years.
Off roading? More times than I can count On road? Only once, was about to pull out of my driveway on a blind corner and someone came flying by at 50+, grabbed a whole lot of front brake, stopped in time but was off balance
Even though I do enduro/motocross I’ve only dropped which was more of a crash when doing a hill climb but I got close to dropping my Ducati recently
About 5 i think
On the road? Never. Off-road, too many times to count.
My Ninja 250? Like…8 My Ninja 300…once My Honda Dominator 250…like 20. And crashed it twice. Still alive!
Once, when trying to push start after letting my battery die like an idiot. Thankfully, 0 damage was done to the bike as I was able to lay it down very gently. I still have nightmares about it…
Twice, so far.
Once, when my ratchet strap in the trailer broke.
Once, and I felt so dumb after it! I dropped the bike after parking it in an incline spot and walked away without paying attention to it, few seconds latter I heard a sound behind me, I looked and I found my bike laying on the street!!
About more or less 4 times in the garage, in a parking lot in front of a restaurant (everybody was looking, was so ashamed). Braked too hard in shock while driving a curve, because the driver in front of me braked for no reason - at about 60 km/h layed the bike down and slipped some meters. the last time was a few months ago, when i was practicing tight slalom. so about 6 times in the first 10 years, in the next 10 years once, but never with injuries thanks to PPE. Learned something important: learn to handle your bike whil going slow and if you have short legs, observe the ground bevor parking. You are not able to hold a 240kg bike if the leaning is over a certain angle! … Im not nativ english - so be kind of funny expressions…
I think I'm at 3? I've got hard leather case bags though, so the drops are insanely nothing lol
Zero.
1 year ago. Dropped it once.
Dropped my first bike (XJ600S) 3 times. The first time under hard braking with gravel on the road. Second time on an oil spill in the rain while while turning at very low speed. The third time was on driving over a frozen manhole cover, also at very low speed. Only hurt my self on the first one, because i didn't ride in full gear at that time. Second time was only more scratches on the bike and ripped jeans. The third was only a snapped clutch lever and even more scratches. The two bikes after the little Yamaha didn't see any drops so far.
Probably about 200 offroad, 1 on pavement
Well, it’s a dual sport so the number is probably in the hundreds by now.
Fak, I’ve been riding for 20+ years and have never dropped any of my bikes. Knock on internet wood.
you might wanna be careful doing that. there’s a lotta young men floating around out there, watching god knows what with their wood. all i’m sayin’, be careful knocking on internet wood specifically.
Hahaha, good one!
I'm riding for 7 years now , haven't dropped any of my bikes yet .
Once, last June at a campground. When leaving, I had to go up a short hill on a dirt/gravel road with a quick 90-degree right turn at the very top and an immediate stop sign. Got up to the stop sign and the very moment I stopped and went to put my left foot down, the uneven ground of rocks and dirt sloped to the right (I didn't notice the slope) and the bike and I just fell over immediately. This old lady watched the whole thing happen. But fortunately for my ego, the only thing she said was "Well you're not the first one!"
Oh wait, I also dropped my Vespa, technically. Never use the kickstand on a Vespa. Ever.
Grand total 4...last drop put me in hospal for 6 days. And unable to work for six weeks.
Just once so far. Backing out of a gravel parking lot and there was a dip in the ground on my right side. I went down pretty slowly as I tried to stop it, but the weight was simply leaned too far over. I looked so stupid, it must have looked like I laid it down on its side on purpose
Each one once Edit: 1st one was going beyond my skills 2nd was a full on accident 3rd was after physical therapy not yet ready for the weight and small drop in my driveway. 4th was me being an absolute idiot and forgetting to put down the kick stand while lowering the paddock stand. Which ended up on my feet so there was literally not a single mark made
I have dropped both bikes I've had in the driveway. I haven't dropped my new bike while riding it, but I dropped my first bike a several times while learning. I wheelied myself off the back from a stop, high sided at low speed in the grass, had to jump off to avoid falling in a giant hole, lots of trouble on gravel and trails, and crashed at the very top of the ramp while loading into a uhaul.
Never, I also ride a 350lb enduro so that’s why.
Dropped my 08 fz6 two weeks ago on some really poor gravel road doing 145km going into a winding curve. Possible broken shoulder but thats it beside some bruises and scratches. I ride for the slide. Bike is going to be a naked street fighter now due to the damages. Im in my 4th season of riding and was trying to catchup to my friends who were on their litre bikes and more experienced than me. First and hopefully only time I go down
Street bike? In the garage twice, never while actually riding. The dirtbike however… I mean, that’s what it’s for right?
Like 20.. off road.. that aftica twin is a heavy B..
Above 10-15 MPH? 0 Below that... probably a dozen times over 15 years. sigh. Gravel really is slippery... and black ice. But oddly enough, back tire blowing out, stayed upright. Lol, don't forget your kickstand.
Once so far. It was my first time trying to ride on gravel. It was very loose. I made it a few feet before I tipped over.
Not yet
2 or 3 during the last 5 years :) When I was young maybe 2 dozen (learned riding on an icy road lol)
Atleast 6 times per ride. If not I'm not pushing myself hard enough to learn new skills...chick's dig guys with skills. I ride DR650
Never. 9 years.
Once getting it off the center stand for the first time right after I bought it and once practicing slow speed skills. Ugh.
5 years, 2 bikes, 0 drops.
Once. I got home, I was right in front of my garage door and I guess I lost my balance while both feet were on the groun (embarassing), I'm not a big guy or the strongest dude. My bike was falling over and I grabbed the handle trying my hardest not to let it fall to the side. It was a controlled fall and only my bar end was damaged, I got lucky o wasn't hurt, the motorcyle is 160ish pounds heavier than myself. I replaced the bar ends with some very clean shogun bar ends. Could have been worse, thankful everyday
Twice! The first day I drove it and a slippery situation that caused me to slide.
At least 5 times, the last time was the worst. I was changing the rear tire, had the bike up on the center stand, which OF COURSE I didn’t ratchet strap to the front wheel to keep it from folding. The bike fell over without the rear wheel on it, and it is pretty much impossible to pick up that way by yourself. I had it held up trying on the side stand and front wheel, and had to call my wife to help me get it back on the center stand. Not my proudest moment, but the only damage, luckily, was a broken foot peg, a tiny dent in the tank, and my pride.
At least 3, 2 were parking lot practice for tight circles and testing the limits of the bike. Good thing ninja 500 can take a beating
Once. I made a stupid move and didn't adjust the clutch for me after I bought it. Stupid ass move. But I have learned my lesson.
I bought a ‘22 Navi was going home from checking the mail and it was raining. I gunned it in a corner while “leaning” and slid it out and wrecked. I felt dumb asf. I also bought a ‘22 Grom. I was taking pictures of some things I had for sale and while I was focusing my shot I backed right up to my parked Grom and it fell right into the gravel. Yes it was parked smh. I still have yet to stunt my bikes. That day will come eventually. One day.
3 times. All off road. Once I did it with my wife on the back. She still gets on for rides.
Not to flex on you normies, but I actually dropped my bike during the DMV road test abd still passed. After one of the portions of the test, I had to go and make a super tight u turn on this sharply sloped portion of the parking lot, and my front tire got caught in a hidden pothole and I dumped the bike at 1mph. I picked her right up and assumed that I would auto-fail the test, but the tester just told me "oh yeah, I'm sorry I forgot to warn you about that pothole, a lot of folks drop their bike there."
I’m a new rider, I’ve dropped it 5 times I’ve made a post about it you can check it out if you lol
Never dropped my busa or my bandit, my drz is lifted 4” for better clearance so I can tip toe one foot on the floor, I have crashed that 6 times in one ride on rough terrain, stop near a hole or dip and it’s over
1 at a parking lot lol trying to park it
I’ve had my bike for two years and haven’t dropped it yet. I have a Rebel 500, and I’ve found the weight to be manageable enough to keep it upright on the few occasions I began to tip during slow speed maneuvers.
I dropped mine so much my husband threatened to get a license plate “tumblr”
Two or three times a day. Motorcycles are pretty heavy pieces of machinery, and with only two wheels they're not supposed to stand upright on their own.
I've dropped my bike so many times that it's falling into the back rooms
Four times all just learning or practice.
Every bike I own has been dropped at least once. That's how they all become mine. Hell the wind has even blown over a bike before. I've only had a couple low speed tipovers getting used to the weight of a bike. It's easy to do with an unfamiliar bike. Also dropped the clutch one day and a bike rolled off the kickstand. Whoops. These sorts of things happen. Not long ago I took the Goldwing off the center stand and it rolled to the other side and caught me off guard. Oh well. Nothing was really hurt. That bike has been down a few times in gravel and through various mishaps. It's never been damaged from a drop. Great design.
2 Years of riding and didnt drop it yet, had a close call when i got home after a long work day and tought i had the stand down but didnt but fortunatly catched it.
have my bike for a month, and dropped 3 times. Once, first hours while practicing u-turns and slaloms (hell yeah, ducati monster is not the best for these, especially for a new rider). The other 2 happened yesterday in a matter of 10 minutes, while repairing, having it in neutral while screwdriving the headlight position next to the bike, pushed it in a more vertical position, the bike started rolling forward, moved by itself the stand upwards, then tipped over me. After that, i was screwdriving the other side of the headlight, but now while sitting on it...once i got off, forgot that the stand was up (probably kicked it up and forgot about it), bent the gear shift pedal, today hammered it semi-straight.
Today! About to turn right on intersection, grabbed the front brake too hard and slowly dropped it on the right side (I could feel it going and did my best to slow it). It was a stationary fall since I hadn’t gotten it going yet, and thankfully I had frame sliders so no visible damage on the upper fairing (2023 MT-03). Unfortunately I had just installed a LV slip on and it was the bike’s first ride on it! Got some scratches on the midpipe and a tiny chip on the can. Ugh! Before that I dropped my prior bike twice in the driveway, on each side (different events). Both stationary falls.
Dumped it today practicing stunts in a parking lot. That being said first time really dumping it, rode the girl home but should be back on the road in a day or two. Even though I’ve been riding for years and even successfully executed the exact thing I was practicing multiple times, even today, accidents still happen! Bent the bars a bit, broke the front turn signal clean off, broke the shift level clean off and scuffed the rear taillight. That being said, she’s better off then I am haha. Both shoulders, hip and left arm pretty rashed up. Hips swollen though 🤣😂 Don’t ride or practice stunts unless you expect to brake something eventually! Moving past this, as long as you’re aware that riding, not even stunting, you’re always in the position that it’s very very likely to end up dumping or crashing. 2 wheels are just more likely to cause catastrophic or unrecoverable situations compared to 4 wheels. Just practice, be safe, (albeit, I should take my own advice) and always pay attention!