Fell off. What went wrong?

**wezo** · 3rd October 2008, 14:43

OK, been riding 'big' bikes for about 6 months. Was doing U turn at end of rural road. Sports bike (Duke 900SS) Road slightly sloping to right (slightly). About half way through turn and its tipped right over?? Didn't expect that! Broke indicator. I feel bad. Thankfully no one saw me that i know of. I got a sore back too picking the thing off the road.

What did i just do wrong. Signed brusied ego.

**Tank** · 3rd October 2008, 14:48

You didnt get your feet down fast enough.

**yungatart** · 3rd October 2008, 14:53

Sounds like a standard u turn to me...that's how I always do them.
Only I get someone else to pick up the bike...try that next time, it should lessen the chance f you hurting your back.

**Hitcher** · 3rd October 2008, 14:59

Gravity is only a theory, so it can't have been that.

**<Rhino>** · 3rd October 2008, 15:00

Gravity!...

Dang, Hitch,,...pipped at the post 1 minute

**F5 Dave** · 3rd October 2008, 15:03

Well a 900 is a big bike for only riding big bikes for 6 months, but I'll get burnt for saying that.

Std practice in carkparks doing figure 8s. Drag back brake, feather clutch, don't use front & look where you want to go (ie eyes & head turned so you are looking upright & reasonably far around. Last point will be the hardest to master.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 3rd October 2008, 15:05

Originally Posted by wezo

OK, been riding 'big' bikes for about 6 months. Was doing U turn at end of rural road. Sports bike (Duke 900SS) Road slightly sloping to right (slightly). About half way through turn and its tipped right over?? Didn't expect that! Broke indicator. I feel bad. Thankfully no one saw me that i know of. I got a sore back too picking the thing off the road.

What did i just do wrong. Signed brusied ego.

Well sounds like a standard u-turn... only difference is you not suppose to fall over...

Possible going to slow and then tweaked the throttle to much...
Leaning to much in to the turn and to slower speed,
simple loss of concentration.
Going to fast for the turn and snap on front brake while in the turn...

pretty hard to know with out watching what happened, or more info on what you were doing with the controls... you don't have it on video do you?

The I find not having the clutch fully out while ready on the rear brake (try stay off the front)... I don't drag it as others have suggested, but may work for you every one is different and every situation is different... Remember to look to where you want to go, not just your eyes but turn your head...

**Devil** · 3rd October 2008, 15:13

Originally Posted by F5 Dave

Std practice in carkparks doing figure 8s. Drag back brake, feather clutch, don't use front & look where you want to go (ie eyes & head turned so you are looking upright & reasonably far around. Last point will be the hardest to master.

Wot 'e said.

**wezo** · 3rd October 2008, 15:15

have had 650cc for ages. Just 1st 900. I think i was looking down and lent over to far. Not used to weight difference??

**jrandom** · 3rd October 2008, 15:22

Originally Posted by wezo

What did i just do wrong.

You grabbed the front brake.

The clutch, throttle and, if absolutely necessary, rear brake, are your friends during U-turns.

The front brake is not.

Or maybe you just had a total brain failure. Never mind, you won't do it again, will you?

And, no worries, we've all had brain-dead drops in driveways etc, it just happens eh.

48 hours after I got my pristine brand spanking new GSX1400 last year, I rolled into the driveway after a 1,000km run-in ride, popped her up on the centerstand, lubed the chain, popped her off, and dropped her plop on the other side. Air turned blue, etc. And I burned my knee on the headers trying to hold her up as she tipped away from me. Still got the scar.

I'd never had a bike that heavy with a centerstand before, and just didn't think to straddle it before flopping it off the stand.

**MarkH** · 3rd October 2008, 15:27

Originally Posted by NighthawkNZ

you don't have it on video do you?

Maybe he could visit some experienced bikers and demonstrate his falling over technique so that they could tell him why he's doing it.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 3rd October 2008, 15:29

Originally Posted by MarkH

Maybe he could visit some experienced bikers and demonstrate his falling over technique so that they could tell him why he's doing it.

I mean but not that mean... oh wait

I could be

**wezo** · 3rd October 2008, 15:31

the bike didn't skid out from the front or anything. I was barely moving! It was 'just rolling' and It 'laid' down. I must have leant over to the point of no return without enough forward momentum. I will not do this again...i hope.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 3rd October 2008, 15:34

Originally Posted by wezo

the bike didn't skid out from the front or anything. I was barely moving! It was 'just rolling' and It 'laid' down. I must have leant over to the point of no return without enough forward momentum. I will not do this again...i hope.

Sounds like it...