Author Topic: A Cautionary Tale (Read 11760 times)

balvenie · « **on:** February 27, 2015, 07:02:50 PM »

I dropped my motorcycle this morning and have to wonder why it never happened before. My wet rubber boots were the culprit. The sole slipped on the centre-stand knob while I was trying to stand it up in the drive, prior to washing it. Over it went. The right crash bar did its work and a superficial examination has revealed a bent brake lever and a broken mirror. Picking it up jiggered my back but my very good neighbour gave me a lift with it and now it is back in the garage while I contemplate the wisdom of owning a bike that is too heavy for me :'(

oldbike54 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 27, 2015, 07:06:13 PM »

Dang it Bill . Probably less a weight issue than an awkward situation made worse by slippery conditions .

Dusty

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #2 on:** February 27, 2015, 07:46:00 PM »

<sigh> I didn't drop it, but the Norge taught me that I needed to down size. Later, I was coming to a stop on a down hill curve on a friend's 1200 sport and again.. I didn't drop it, but it was a near thing. A guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do..

balvenie · « **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2015, 09:25:13 PM »

The previous night, I had squirted the wheel spokes with truck wash, to soften the grime for today's intended wash. Maybe some found its way to the knob and made it slippery? I really don't know. But I have been doing this for years without a hitch, up til now. First things first. Have to get my back right. Will see how I feel after that.

Sasquatch Jim · « **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2015, 09:29:59 PM »

When you get your back un sprung, I recommend crunches and any torso exercises to get stronger. It helps make you more resistant to those kind of pain injuries.

krglorioso · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2015, 12:57:35 AM »

As I near my 80th year (2016) weighing a markedly un-Guzzisti-like 138#, I have wondered about my future ability to handle the two rather heavy Stones that I own. I believe each with the Stone Touring kit and full tank comes to pretty near 600#. My coping strategy is aggressive physical fitness maintenance; daily weight work, hiking with a 15# weight belt and a steely determination not to let myself become weaker than necessary to manage the beasts. It's either that or buy a 125cc scooter before long and for me, for at least the next decade (should I last that long), that is NOT an option. Never grow old gracefully. Fight it all the way.

Ralph

rodekyll · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2015, 01:54:14 AM »

Heck, I've needed to wait for help getting off the center stand when I've parked unwisely. Just come to terms with the part where you need help to get it back up and work to not put it down.

The boot as you say was the problem, and the crashbar did its job. So you know something to avoid in the future, and can have confidence in the bike. Aside from the jigger, it's no real damage done and you've discovered a limit. I got there some years back. Luckily I've only tipped it over when it was stopped, and so far there have been people around to help right it. I decided it's a risk I'll take to keep riding, and I decided I won't try to pick it up alone.

balvenie · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2015, 02:48:24 AM »

Thankyou men. I appreciate your encouragement ;D It was going to be washed in preparation for a trip away for a few days next week. Maybe I'll get myself fit, ride it dirty and wash it when I get home ;D

CalVin2007 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2015, 08:13:31 AM »

Quote from: balvenie on February 28, 2015, 02:48:24 AM

" Maybe I'll get myself fit, ride it dirty and wash it when I get home ;D "

Attaboy! ;D

charlie b · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2015, 09:58:40 AM »

Yep. Most of the folks out there on touring bikes are not able to pick a bike up by themselves. I probably could not lift mine when loaded for a trip.

My brother is on his second beemer, 1200GS, and he cannot get the bike on the center stand when loaded for a trip. Not due to strength, just lack of leverage.

Gliderjohn · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2015, 10:05:44 AM »

I can pick the Norge up using the "backup" technique if I am on pavement. Found that out in my second week of ownership. I live where i have three miles of sand/dirt road before pavement and I have dumped it once at the end of my drive early in ownership and I could not pick it up there due to lack of foot traction. I would get it about 80% upright and then my feet would slip out from under me. Since then I have pretty much learned how to keep it upright. ::) Since I have got myself into quite a bit better shape the last two years dealing with the weight overall is much easier.
GliderJohn

Spuddy · « **Reply #11 on:** February 28, 2015, 02:57:11 PM »

Quote

Never grow old gracefully. Fight it all the way.

Quote

Do not go gentle into that good night

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Dylan Thomas, 1914 - 1953

Hope to live up to that. I just got a Stelvio NTX.

Spuddy

balvenie · « **Reply #12 on:** February 28, 2015, 04:04:36 PM »

Thanks Spuddy,
I have fought against it for a long time and in my mind's eye, I still see the path before me.

keuka4884 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 28, 2015, 04:37:59 PM »

My T3 fell over in the driveway about 15 years ago. I was able to pick it up. Today, no way. That was the only time I had a bike tip over.

The best device for a bad back, beyond any doubt, is an inversion table. I got one several years ago and have not had to visit a chiropractor since.

A word on chiropractors. Only go to one who realigns each vertebrae separately. If he cracks your back all at once and pays scant attention to each place your back is out, do not go back to him. Lots of those out there.

jas67 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 28, 2015, 06:31:53 PM »

Bill -- don't feel bad, same thing happened to my with my 2009 V7C. I was 43 at the time. Fortunately, it fell on a soft box, and nothing got hurt.

Vasco DG · « **Reply #15 on:** February 28, 2015, 06:41:28 PM »

Have you still got the original chrome mirrors? If so I've got a take off from a bike who's owner wanted Sport1200 mirrors on his Norge, the other one was broken. S'no use to me. PM me yer addy and I'll drop it in the mail for you. Give ten bux to the charity of your choice. Preferably a non religious one but s'up to you.

Pete

MotoGoosy · « **Reply #16 on:** February 28, 2015, 07:05:50 PM »

That happened 3 times in a couple of months with my Hyosung GT650. Too heavy to lift up by myself, and ran very poorly after each drop, not to mention the sprained wrist, pulled leg muscles, tank dent, broken shifter, clutch handle and mirror. Sold that bitch after the third time.

balvenie · « **Reply #17 on:** February 28, 2015, 08:30:25 PM »

Quote from: Vasco DG on February 28, 2015, 06:41:28 PM

Have you still got the original chrome mirrors? If so I've got a take off from a bike who's owner wanted Sport1200 mirrors on his Norge, the other one was broken. S'no use to me. PM me yer addy and I'll drop it in the mail for you. Give ten bux to the charity of your choice. Preferably a non religious one but s'up to you.

Pete

Many thanks Pete. This is adding up. Still owe you about the fuel pump advert ;D Will pm you now

balvenie · « **Reply #18 on:** February 28, 2015, 09:01:13 PM »

On the subject of back pain, I recall mentioning in, "How was your Day", that injections in to the facet joints of my lower back have worked wonders for my arthritis. Prior to that, no treatment or exercise worked and speaking of exercise, those ab crunches cum pelvic floor strengtheners, actually had the effect of making my back worse. All the practitioners that I had the misfortune to visit :'( prescribed them :beat_horse and none of 'em worked.
But this is not to decry the advice and opinions of responders to this topic, for whom those procedures obviously do work. Their posts are well intentioned as are all the comments on all the topics on this forum.
Those injections lulled me in to a false sense of security, delivering me from pain but without actually strengthening my back. For those who are interested, I tried core strength exercises which entailed sitting on a huge inflated ball, while lifting my foot off the ground. After a while I got groin pain and threw in the towel as no treatment for groin pain worked.
I'm still willing to try exercise however and am fortunate to have found a physio who has been good for me for many years. Next time I see him I will bend his ear.

oldbike54 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 28, 2015, 09:23:53 PM »

Bill , just chase momma around the yard a couple of times a week .

Dusty

krglorioso · « **Reply #20 on:** February 28, 2015, 10:06:01 PM »

Quote from: oldbike54 on February 28, 2015, 09:23:53 PM

Bill , just chase momma around the yard a couple of times a week .

Dusty

Or, marry a physical therapist. Go ahead, ask me how I know that works!

Ralph

Lannis · « **Reply #21 on:** February 28, 2015, 10:08:58 PM »

Quote from: krglorioso on February 28, 2015, 10:06:01 PM

Or, marry a physical therapist. Go ahead, ask me how I know that works!

Ralph

And get rid of the rubber boots, which is why the bike fell in the first place. I'm getting to the point where it's taking longer to heal when something gets hurt, and over the years, wet rubber boots have been the cause of a lot of falls. My footwear these days has pretty aggressive synthetic tread for outdoor conditions .... !

Lannis

balvenie · « **Reply #22 on:** March 01, 2015, 02:48:48 AM »

Good advice Lannis. They are notorious for being slippery.

balvenie · « **Reply #23 on:** March 01, 2015, 02:50:33 AM »

Quote from: oldbike54 on February 28, 2015, 09:23:53 PM

Bill , just chase momma around the yard a couple of times a week .
Dusty

Not even with the best will in the world ;D

bib · « **Reply #24 on:** March 01, 2015, 03:22:45 AM »

Can heartily sympathise... walking my 12 Norge out of my garage I left the side stand down so in case I slipped the bike would only go down an inch until the ss contacted the concrete floor, nice plan! oh, I am clever one.
NOT!
The 1 'inch lip' at the entrance of the garage to keep rain flow out dropped the front wheel by 1 inch ..
the sidestand contacted the floor and stood the bike up when I was balanced and prepped for weight coming towards me.
Damn! could not stop the bike's weight momentum going away from me, my leading foot dropped over the lip in the floor and it was decided -
either I fall on the bike as it fell over the other side or I let go and close my eyes ... I closed my eyes.
Damage? embarrassment, annoyance, more embarrassment ..you mean the bike?
A scratched screen against the brick side wall, a few minor marks on edge of fairing and later found fairing mount brackets bent inward a little.
Nothing to really worry about other than pissing me off.
Picked it up using the backup method ...yeah, bike 257 kilos and me 70 kilos .. but used to doing this from earlier big bike ownership.

Lesson to self ... plan to not drop the beast. Will let you know how long that plan works.

segesta · « **Reply #25 on:** March 01, 2015, 12:07:35 PM »

I've been lucky not to tip my 700-pound California Custom, but it's come close a couple of times. That's one reason I've started going to the gym and doing squats and deadlifts to build my torso muscles. I'm no body builder, but as I get older I realize that the opposite of fat is not thin; the opposite of fat is strong.

youcanrunnaked · « **Reply #26 on:** March 01, 2015, 01:00:19 PM »

YouTube has several videos on how to use your legs instead of your back to pick up a downed motorcycle. I recommend that you watch them and (when you are feeling better) practice doing it.

The best advice I can give from experience is to not rush to pick up the bike immediately after going down. Take the time to assess the situation, your health, the safety of your location, and the state of your motorcycle. A sudden rush of adrenaline will almost compel you to snatch the handlebars and try to yank the bike upright -- not good! Adrenaline is not your friend in this instance. Keep calm and come up with a plan, before doing something you might regret.

Feel better.

balvenie · « **Reply #27 on:** March 01, 2015, 04:31:38 PM »

You blokes are putting a smile on my face this morning from all the well wishes ;D

Thankyou ;-T

I did use the back up method having seen a "puny" female do it with a horizontal Harley in a Motorman video. I was rewarded by numerous sharp pains from one side of my lower back to the other. We'll see what the physio says when they see me, which is problematical since they are very busy.

Spuddy · « **Reply #28 on:** March 01, 2015, 06:01:45 PM »

Quote

YouTube has several videos on how to use your legs instead of your back to pick up a downed motorcycle. I recommend that you watch them and (when you are feeling better) practice doing it.

It works well on solid, level ground. Not so much on gravel with or without any kind of incline. A 2x4 with spikes in it can be a foot brace to push off on. The problem is carrying it around and driving it into hard pack.

Spuddy

Kev m · « **Reply #29 on:** March 01, 2015, 06:13:50 PM »

When I was in my twenties, I met an old woman who road a Goldwing and kept a car's scissors jack in a saddlebag for use in case she dropped it. The jack, placed under an engine guard, could lift the bike high enough (past a break over point where weight starts to her transferred downward again) where it was easier to lift.

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Author Topic: A Cautionary Tale (Read 11760 times)

oldbike54

Vasco DG

MotoGoosy

oldbike54