Pesky soft earth

**Black Bandit** · 10th May 2006, 23:37

First an introduction: New learner rider here from West Auckland on a Suzuki 250 Bandit.

So I dropped my bike for the first time today on her 1 week anniversary.

Came home from work, set her on the side stand to check for post, side stand sunk into the rain-soaked earth and down she went.

Luckily no major damage - cracked indicator. But then wouldn't start (lucky I was already home), strong smell of petrol so had a go at "tinkering". Had to dry the air box with paper towls - soaked in petrol. Then battery went flat - too much cranking to try to get her to start.
Anywhoo eventually got her going again after setting the battery on charge for an hour. All good for the work commute tomorrow.

**Highlander** · 10th May 2006, 23:41

Welcome to the nut house.

Saw a doco on tele about Burt Monroe. He rode onto the sand at the beach, took off his helmet, put it upside down on the sand under the side stand to stop it sinking in.

I wouldn't do it, but it worked for him.

**Motu** · 10th May 2006, 23:45

Used to do that with a footpeg on the top of the helmet.

**OMG** · 11th May 2006, 04:39

Welcome to KB. It's a bugger that, I always looks for a bit of wood, or stone or something I can put the stand on. Enjoy the site

**phantom** · 11th May 2006, 09:06

G'day, been very close to doing the same with my bike, even got so far as thinking " must cut myself a bit of ally checker plate that will fit under my seat for use on these occasions " but have never got any further than thinking about it

**Riff Raff** · 11th May 2006, 09:20

Welcome to KB and the world of motorcycles tipping over. At least you've got that one out of the way early!

**erik** · 11th May 2006, 09:53

Welcome to the site.

**kiwifruit** · 11th May 2006, 10:15

Welcome to the site

**Pumba** · 11th May 2006, 10:19

Welcome to the site

At least you were there when it fell over, when my footpeg sunk it the earth for the first time it happened over night and it wasnt till the morning when I found it lying on its side

**Kendog** · 11th May 2006, 10:31

I got myself an Oxford stand thingy which fits in a pocket or under the seat quite nicely for that exact reason, but anything flat and sturdy would probably work. Unfortunately it's often not something you think about until your bike falls over, and you think "geeze I'm a dick, why didn't I test the ground first". Glad to hear your stead is rideable.
Mrs KD
Oh, and by the way, Welcome!

**Colapop** · 11th May 2006, 10:41

Welcome to the madhouse...
Just put a brick in the lawn next to the letterbox. Or stop on solid ground.

**Black Bandit** · 11th May 2006, 20:49

Thanks for the welcome folks. They say you should learn from your mistakes and setting a bike on soft ground is one those mistakes I hope never to repeat! Almost buggered my back trying to lift the bike up again. Hopefully there'll be no more hard knocks this week.