First accident.

[Matariki]

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later on the road.
I'm just glad I didn't get hurt but my confidence did.

I did a very silly thing, I drove around without realising that I left the choke out. I came up to the large roundabout on opaki road where I slowed down to make sure traffic wasn't coming my way, I realised I could go but then I heard the engine die. I flooded the eingine, I tried to push the back away from oncoming traffic as I did that I tipped over taking the bike with me. No one got out of their car to help me, feeling stupid I picked up the bike and tried to start it again. It wouldn't. I started to panic.
Eventually I had to put my bike on its stand and ask the person behind me to hold off traffic while I got the bike off the road. He wasn't happy with the idea.
What suprised me and hurt me the most was how many people just drove around me, beeped at me and not stopping to ask if I was ok or If I needed any help. Eventually when I got my bike off the road another motorcyclist drove up to see if I was ok. I was very grateful that he stopped and asked if everything was ok. Sensing my embarresment he said not to worry, "Its accident's like that, that makes riding fun. If it were safe all the time it would be boring."
Unfortunalty I did not share his sense of enthusiasm. I got the bike started again with his help and drove off.

The lesson I learnt was never drive with the choke out and always check your bike throughly before hoping on and don't expect anyone to come to come and help you.
I counted around about 7 cars drove past me before I had to stop one and ask for help.

Anyone else here done anything stupid like that?

[Latte]

I stopped at an intersection where 2 cars had nose-to-tailed, after asking if everyone was ok I tried to start the bike and leave (my bike is a kick start) . After about a minute a guy pulled up in the lane next to me and said "your kickstarts down" - I had left it in gear and pulled the clutch in, being lazy. Turns out the bike won't run when in gear with the kickstart down, no matter how many times you kick it, or what expletives you use.

[neels]

Anyone else here done anything stupid like that?
Sort of.

I have on a couple of occasions throttled off for a bend, and as the bike continued on it's merry way realised the choke is still out. It's interesting trying to slow it down, steer it around a corner going a bit quicker than you normally would, and reach down to push the choke in all at the same time.

Now I use the choke to start, and basically as soon as its up to speed push it back in.

[Maha]

Most will have had something like that happen....
Dropping your bike? yeah you are not alone there.
Routine: Start bike with choke, put gear on, close choke.
People not stopping?....idiot pricks, I guess they have never been in a situation where they could do with a hand.

Dont let this little saga dampin' you spirits, its a bastard when it happens but its something you will look back on a laugh about.

I dropped my Yamaha while parking (forgot the side stand opps!), I was on one side of a parked car and Mom was the other.
She could hear me but not see me.....Like a good Captain I went down with the bike.

[steve_t]

I'm quite surprised. Most guys are keen to help a damsel in distress. Oh well, chalk it down to a learning experience. Now that you've done it, you (hopefully) won't do it again. Glad you're OK

[Sentox]

What suprised me and hurt me the most was how many people just drove around me, beeped at me and not stopping to ask if I was ok or If I needed any help.

Welcome to the road. Your accident might as well be a deliberately planned impediment as far as most people are concerned. The universe revolves around them, and it's very annoying when someone doesn't get the memo.

Chin up though. Seems like everything worked out. Any damage to the bike?

[kiwifruit]

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later on the road.



That is a worrying attitude.

[one fast tl1ooo]

Get back on and ride,,,

[Sentox]

That is a worrying attitude.

I said something similar after my crash. I certainly never believed it would happen beforehand, but crash I still did. Going out onto the road expecting an accident isn't the best idea, but waxing philosophical while picking up the pieces can take away the sting. So long as you learn from your mistakes, anyway.

By the same token, when does a positive outlook transition into over-confidence?

[blackdog]

That is a worrying attitude.

anyone who thinks they will have a lifetime of motorcycling without incident is deluded.

by being aware of the fact that it can happen gives us the opportunity to prepare, and minimize the impact when the unforeseen does occur

[kiwifruit]

You're right, what was i thinking. There are only 3 certainties in life: Death, tax and binning it.

[Matariki]

Any damage to the bike?

No damage to the bike. I was lucky. :yes:

[Mudfart]

i said that in previous posts, as my 2 older brothers have ridden all their lives and said your definately gonna come off at some point.
i had the shit mocked out of me and got some negative bling for it!.
If you want people (guys) to stop and help you, being a female, take off your helmet!, then guys will line up to help you.!!

[scooute]

Fellow Gn rider I am glad you are Ok, and the bike too.. good news is youll have to do a whole lot more than that to put a ding in her...!:yes: for future ref, choke only to start give her 30 seconds (maybe more in your climate) to warm and get oil over important bits then choke in before you leave, protects your bike and you,and saves the inevitable memory lapse, most of us have been there in one form or another! As for the traffic, some of them barely know how to help themselves... kudos to the rider who stopped to help! chin up and off you go! Ride safe:ride:

[Mom]

Anyone else here done anything stupid like that?

Well not quite but you know I established a routine early in my riding and I almost never dont follow it. Turn key on, pull out choke, start bike. Zip up jacket, put helmet and gloves on, push choke back in. Swing leg over and raise the side stand, select gear and take off. Sometimes you have to wait till the engine is properly warm between stages, but essentailly nothing changes each time I get on my bike.

I have been in Masterton a bit, it surprises me to hear that the traffic are so inconsiderate to someone stalled.

[schrodingers cat]

If you want people (guys) to stop and help you, being a female, take off your helmet!, then guys will line up to help you.!!

Thats right. Wearing a big safe jacket worked against you here. LOL

Managing panic is an aquired skill too. Stop. Breath. Think. Act.

[Quasi]

Hi HK - sorry to hear of your mishap, but no damage and plenty to learned. Karma is waiting for those that did not stop or offer any assistance.

As previously said - set your self a little routine. I put on my leather pants and boots. Choke and start bike, tie up hair, neck sock, jacket, helmet (chin strap), gloves, choke fully off, ride off into the sunset:scooter::scooter:

every expereince is a valuable learning expereince, be it good or bad. I had a couple of very minor, very small offs (most embarrassing more then anything else:shit:), but they were wake up calls that i needed to be more focused:yes:

[Rogue Rider]

My first accident was similar, I had just traded my GN250 in on a new XJ600, woohoo 16 and wild with a mean new bike fresh off the shelf.
I rode straight home, via the service station. I pulled into Shell Blenheim, pulled into the pump, flicked out the stand and leaned over.... sadly the stand wasn't all out and over I went, too the floor lol............. I only just managed to get it up again..... the bike that is lol.

[The Baron]

Hi HK
Sorry to hear about this but it's good that all ended well. You are not the first and won't be the last to drop a bike and it's all part of only having two wheels.
Stay positive, you have been doing so well, hang in there.

[Old Steve]

What? You're having to use your choke so early in the year?

Two choices, move to the Bay of Plenty or buy a hyosung. Couldn't resist that.

I had a valuable lesson on the day I took delivery of my bike. I'd got the bike home safely and as my heartrate had been down below the 150 beats per minute for a couple of minutes I thought I'd go for an evening ride. I had to turn slightly to line up with the drive, and used the throttle a little too much, swung wide and went front wheel first into a grouping of teracotta pots my wife that liked very much. Note the use of the passed tense. Broke two of them, and it's amasing how many pieces of teracotta two broken pots can make. No damage to the bike, but my confidence took a beating - maybe for the better.

[firefighter]

Lol, I have to admit I did smerk a bit when I read this. It's not all that bad man. Sounds like a really minor thing that's hardly worth losing confidence over.

[Fatt Max]

Dont let it get you down mate.

I left the steering lock on my bike once, too busy tipping a wink to a rather nice chick working in a coffee house on K Road. Got on the bike and performed a perfect U turn back into the kerb.

Thanks for sharing though, it has happened to us all

[Mom]

Dont let it get you down mate.

I left the steering lock on my bike once, too busy tipping a wink to a rather nice chick working in a coffee house on K Road. Got on the bike and performed a perfect U turn back into the kerb.

Thanks for sharing though, it has happened to us all

I know a bloke that forgot his disk lock :yes: TWICE :pinch:

[beyond]

Hey, it goes with the territory, even for us seasoned bastards.
Pulled into a gasser a while back on the big 14 and a van load of younguns was watching for the action. They got it. I was a little too suave and pulled up to the pump, flipped the sidestand down with one foot, slid off the seat and stood up with one fluid motion. Man that must have looked cool :)

BUT the side stand was not all the way down, the bike flopped over, NO! not my baby, threw a leg under her and tried to stop letting 250kgs of prime motorbike hit the ground. It slid painfully down my leg, I managed to stop her and pull her back up< I kinda hobbled around a bit after that. Not so cool :)

It's part of the territory. Don't sweat it. Most motorists won't stop unless they are bikers as well.

[beyond]

Fattmax, I'd green you for that but had to spread some around. That's a laugh and well said for someone thats hurting :)

[bogan]

You're right, what was i thinking. There are only 3 certainties in life: Death, tax and binning it.

and as far as ACC are concerned they all happen at once!

I've had similar experiences too many to count off road, once I managed to high side and knock myself out, last corner of last lap so they had to get all the riders (from next group) back for a restart.

On road I've binned once, front lock up at lights, a guy got out to help but I had it under control, I should have thanked him but was too busy swearing....

Dropped another one at a petrol station when I turned to look at some of the finer things in life, lucky I'd just put the petrol cap back on so no fuel spill.

so yeh, hope that makes you feel better.

oh, I forgot one silly moment, was using a disc lock but had inboard discs so had to chuck it on a spoke, turns out it didn't stop the wheel rotating, and half way down the road it developed massive headshake from the poor balance, at the point the siren on it also decided to go off :lol: had a slow but very loud trip back home

[jrandom]

blahblahblah I 'drove' my motorbike and then fell off it at a standstill

Yeah right right. Anyway, what everyone really wants to know is, are you attractive? Pixplz.

[hellokitty]

shit happens...... it sucks that no one would help you though!
I have done dumb stuff, we all have - like when a little old lady drove into me, and I was so wild I jumped off the bike and forgot to put the side stand down - fell down into the gutter with the bike on top of me!
Another time I changed down in to second to go thru an intersection and put in neutral - revving and going nowhere! had to flick into first - looked like a cock, but we live and learn!

[Mully]

Yeah right right. Anyway, what everyone really wants to know is, are you attractive? Pixplz.

Ahh, Jrandom is clearly back.

[Ixion]

Are you still here ? I thought you buggered off (term advised chosen) to KiwiLycraHomo? I see you've gotten the old Spagthorpe out of retirement.

[davereid]

You're right, what was i thinking. There are only 3 certainties in life: Death, tax and binning it.

Dont think I agree with that... Its my intention to never crash again.

As a younger fella, I crashed all the time. I didn't care as I knew I was immortal. But I didnt pay the fees... now I am mortal. I luvs me biking, and I am sure that with care, I can do it for years to come, accident free.

[robertvi]

Sorry to hear of a fellow GNer's mishap HK. My first 'off' was pulling up to a roundabout. My mistake was to change my mind about which side of a small traffic island I wanted to go at the last minute - I obviously wasn't paying enough attention. This meant the front wheel hit deep gravel beside the island, while I was turning slightly, front braking and on a steep downward slope (bottom of Dyers Pass over the Port Hills). Needless to say the front wheel went off to the side and I ended up on top of a horizontal bike. But the only damage was a bent gear shifter, and a mirror out of adjustment. Now I watch out for gravel all the time.

[Ronin]

I have been in Masterton a bit, it surprises me to hear that the traffic are so inconsiderate to someone stalled.

She is lucky both the wheels were there when it was stood up. Some teenage toad offered my 11 year old son a drink on the way home today.... Mumble mumble

[davebullet]

No damage to the bike. I was lucky. :yes:

Yeah, I dropped the VTR250 doing a u-turn. No damage to the bike either. Don't feel bad, it happens. Good you weren't hurt.

[Ronin]

Did the whole lurch stall drop thing once.

[Matariki]

Yeah right right. Anyway, what everyone really wants to know is, are you attractive? Pixplz.

No, not really. :mellow:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/hot_kebab/meandnermal.jpg?t=1273745523

[Mully]

No, not really. :mellow:

Please don't feed the Jrandom.

[Ragingrob]

Dropping your bike is definitely not an "accident" as such! Don't worry at all.

[MadDuck]

Ahh, Jrandom is clearly back.

Oh yay!.....

[Mully]

Oh yay!.....

Wait, I detect the merest hint of sarcasm in that post.....

[MadDuck]

Wait, I detect the merest hint of sarcasm in that post.....

Me? Sarcastic? Never .... :innocent:

[Mully]

Me? Sarcastic? Never .... :innocent:

Wait. Shit. I've gone cross-eyed

[Sentox]

No, not really. :mellow:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/hot_kebab/meandnermal.jpg?t=1273745523

Nice pussy.

[sinfull]

That is a worrying attitude.
Hello !

anyone who thinks they will have a lifetime of motorcycling without incident is deluded.

by being aware of the fact that it can happen gives us the opportunity to prepare, and minimize the impact when the unforeseen does occur Sorry Stig I must be deluded !


You're right, what was i thinking. There are only 3 certainties in life: Death, tax and binning it.One certainty .... Death !


Lol, I have to admit I did smerk a bit when I read this. It's not all that bad man. Sounds like a really minor thing that's hardly worth losing confidence over. Never left the choke on .... Never !


I know a bloke that forgot his disk lock :yes: TWICE :pinch: Had a pad lock that fitted on my disc grrrr ! Was a good idea till i looked hmmmmm


Yeah right right. Anyway, what everyone really wants to know is, are you attractive? Pixplz.


Are you still here ? I thought you buggered off (term advised chosen) to KiwiLycraHomo? I see you've gotten the old Spagthorpe out of retirement. Hi !


No, not really. :mellow:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/hot_kebab/meandnermal.jpg?t=1273745523AhhhOwww, so what flavour sause comes with this Kebab ?


Oh yay!.....


Wait, I detect the merest hint of sarcasm in that post.....


Me? Sarcastic? Never .... :innocent:


Wait. Shit. I've gone cross-eyedWhere you bin ?

[MadDuck]

Where you bin ?

Always bin around....just dont post much because quite frankly cant be bothered with the slamming and personal attacks. I am such a precious thing.......Oh you meant JR.

[Spearfish]

I know a bloke that forgot his disk lock :yes: TWICE :pinch:

Yeah...now I have one that doesn't let me forget , well its supposed to.

Put my foot down at the lights and it slid sideways on the paint (wet day), the more I tried to hop back up the further it slid, farken funny now but painful then.

My brother used to ride years ago and would forget to put his feet down at the lights, especially after a really long run, would have been funnier if I wasn't the pillion.
since starting to ride myself I cant handle going pillion any more

Same brother had a pre-flight check that didn't include checking the kill switch resulting in a 15 min kicking frenzie with a couple of run and jumps before the switch was checked, funny bit was he got really bad cramp in his kicking leg and had to jump off at a busy set of lights to do a few laps around the bike.

[sinfull]

Always bin around....just dont post much because quite frankly cant be bothered with the slamming and personal attacks. I am such a precious thing.......Oh you meant JR.

Sigh !!! Good to see ya back ! Awww BTW FTW means fuck the waltz rocks !

[sinfull]

Sorry HB Just had to shut the KB hot dog stand down before it got started !

Your all good girl !

Before ya know it, you'll be warming ya bike up before taking it out on the road !

[sinfull]

He he ! Adds a little bit more chilli to his feed !

[Cayman911]

Glad you are ok and keep on riding! :)

reminds me back, years ago on my minibike. decided to take a shortcut through a field/park and it was quite wet so the inevitable happened and my front tire dug in the mud at like 60ks ?, and i got thrown way ahead.

im laying flat on my bike dizzy over wtf just happened, and i see people sitting on the park bench just staring at me. not one of them even asked if im ok. just a empty stare.... i just got up and rode home after a while.

makes you wonder aye? if it was me i would stop and help on the road, or the park , or anywhere to anyone

[TomJ]

dropped my bike last week an ended up with an expensive hole in the faring.....

anyway a camper van pulls up and a guy runs over saying 'I've got a Kawasaki myself let me give you a hand'. I was upright and ready to go in no time. it didn't quite make up for the damage caused but confirmed my faith in the biker world again.

[rastuscat]

It wasn't an accident, you caused it.

It's called a "lie down" and it's rite of passage.

You got to learn a great lesson at no cost other than to your ego, so you're on a winner.

So there.

[onearmedbandit]

Nothing more to add about your accident, but reminds me of an experience the other day. I was out for a ride out in the country, passed a few cars including two Honda sedans full of elderly people. I passed them 'politely' but still went past them at a decent rate of knots. Further up the road and I'm feeling like something isn't quite right with the bike (back tyre was going off) so I pulled over to inspect it. Next thing both Honda's slow down as they aproach and stop on the side of the road, windows roll down and I'm greeted with offers of assisstance. I thanked them and told them I was fine, but I was chuffed that people will still pull over to help when they can. Unfortunately it's a dying characteristic. And obviously I don't look like the big scary biker in my toothpaste tube suit on my 'jappa'.

[davereid]

.... sedans full of elderly people.... I don't look like the big scary biker in my toothpaste tube suit on my 'jappa'.

You may be surprised just how many elderly people in NZ were bikers... It always amazes me when I go somewhere like the RSA on me bike, how many of the old dudes used to ride.

[Toaster]

You may be surprised just how many elderly people in NZ were bikers... It always amazes me when I go somewhere like the RSA on me bike, how many of the old dudes used to ride.

Exactly right! And they are only too keen to ask questions and tell their biker stories too.

[Ixion]

And even more old pussies who used to pillion behind the old dudes! Get a classic British scrap iron collection and you'll be swamped by old biddies wanting to tell you about boyfriends or husbands who had "one of those" back in the day. Quite knowledgeable some of them too. And very posiitive toward bikes

[onearmedbandit]

Yep fully agree with what has been said about the elderly folk. My grandmother passed away about 15yrs ago just shy of 90, still run her own business in the middle of the city. Totally unknown to me was the fact she used to ride a HD. Once she bought a gift for my Harley riding brother from the local HD retailer, and proceeded to tell the guys in the shop that these 'new bikes make riding too easy'. Apparently the look on their faces were priceless.

[skinman]

couple of days ago bike got blown over parked at work :(
Think I will tie it to a post on the next windy day

[bittertwistedcute]

Nice choice of words for my nana
And even more old pussies who used to pillion behind the old dudes! Get a classic British scrap iron collection and you'll be swamped by old biddies wanting to tell you about boyfriends or husbands who had "one of those" back in the day. Quite knowledgeable some of them too. And very posiitive toward bikes

[maggot]

On the topic of people being unhelpful tossers, I had an incident that made me lose faith in mankind recently.
I'm a bit green on the bike, and I dropped at low speed doing a U-ie on a mild incline (I'm kinda short and couldn't get my foot under me in time). And so there I was with my RGV lying flat, and I'm trying to get it back vertical. This is in the middle of a pretty crowded carpark, and there was a bit of a crowd, people just staring.
Sure okay, I didn't expect anyone to exactly come screaming over to help me lift up the bike, but I really didn't expect the muscle-bound gym buff to come up to me and stand there chuckling, "Bit heavy there is it?" He just stood there chuckling til I got it back upright then walked off.
I mean really, that's just going out of your way to be a dick isn't it?

[Katman]

On the topic of people being unhelpful tossers, I had an incident that made me lose faith in mankind recently.



Sorry, but having trouble picking up an RGV150 by yourself has me starting to lose faith in manhood.

[maggot]

Sorry, but having trouble picking up an RGV150 by yourself has me starting to lose faith in manhood.

I'm only a wee fella!

[The Baron]

So you have past the picking up the bike test - good on ya!

It's all part of owning a bike. laugh and go riding.