Part of the learning curve!

[Crystal Tipps]

Most people told me that newbies will drop their bike within the first few months of riding, and guess what...had my CG for 2 months, and managed to drop it last week, though not really sure how, which is more worrying than the drop itself tbh!

One minute I was pulling out of the car park at work (and going through my head was "wish I didn't have to come back again later, a split shifts really sucks!"), and the next minute a guy was getting out of his car and helping me pick up my bike.

What happened in between I'm not sure but the good thing is I was really lucky as I just snapped off the front L-plate and the end of the front brake lever, which can be replaced for about £15

Better news is that it hasn't put me off continuing my lessons on an ER5...next one tomorrow
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First bike: 2002 CG. Now riding lime green 2008 ER6N.

[pinkyfloyd]

Treat it as a learning experience. As much fun as it is riding around and thinking random thoughts, the only thing that should be going through your mind as you stop and start is the road and whats going on around you.

good luck with the ER5, theys good fun
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[Tsopo]

Had my Varadero for several weeks now and I've yet to drop it, although there's been a couple of moments where it's nearly gone. When you slightly lose balance when walking it, it's surprising how quickly the weight shifts and how heavy it becomes. Had to grunt a few times pushing it back level.

It's a fair whack heavier than the YBR I did the CBT on too. When I first got it I was a bit nervous cos I've got hardly any upper body strength

[sweetleaf]

Yeah, I managed to drop my husbands brand new YBR the third time I rode it

I've got myself a little SR now, which is much smaller and lighter - and I can put my feet flat on the floor which helps a lot.

[Dazbo666]

I remember when I had my first bike, proudly announcing that I'd been riding for 8 or 10 months without incident... and the very next day I was picking a snapped brake lever and a smashed indicator off the road where I dropped the bike on a patch of oil.

Just use it as a learning experience, and try to avoid being distracted by other thoughts when you're on the bike.

...and good luck with the '500
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1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[Crystal Tipps]

Thanks for all your comments...everyone manages to drop their bike at some stage, it seems! It's taught me to keep my concentration on what I'm doing - cross thoughts about my job etc will have to wait til I get home

Had my 2nd lesson on the ER5 this morning and my instructor has encouraged me to book my test now (gulp!). I lost a little bit of confidence since "the drop" a week ago, but riding whenever I can, and 2 hours out on the road today have helped a lot.

I've watched the videos of MOD1 and MOD2 so know more what to expect, just got to master it myself now...they make it look so easy in the clips, but I'm under no illusions. I intend to enjoy the training and get out as much as possible, just wish the weather would behave more like August rather than October
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First bike: 2002 CG. Now riding lime green 2008 ER6N.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

I dropped the bike and nearly did a second time in one day last week. The first was whilst paddle reversing the bike into a parking spot that was both uphill and with a camber going away to the right of me. I wasn't having much success and needed to get off, but underestimated the camber and ended up laying the bike on its side, just about stopping myself going arse over tit completely.

The second time I lost the front end turning right at a junction after they'd freshly gritted. I was going at a crawl, but the front still slipped away and I had to stamp my foot down to stop the bike going over.

Such is the joy of two wheels
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Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[Fluzzel]

Atleast you never damaged the bike badly

I dropped my RS 125 in my garage and ended up breaking my handlebar, break leaver, indicator and scratch my fairings.. Was a bad day and completely ridiculous considering it fell from standing lol.

[Willson]

I had a centre stand fail...

Tried putting it on there, failed, and the weight just went away from me. Luckily it fell onto my lawn, and I don't really care about that, so no massive damage! Just a bit of a scuff low down probably where it pivoted on the kerb.
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Benson: Wouldn't life be easier if we were all turtles?
Me: Pig on bread = The way forward.
Riding: '00 Suzuki SV650S. Previous: '99 Kawasaki ER5 - sold, '02 Suzuki GZ125 Marauder - sold