HOW OFTEN DO YOU?? 4 TIMES IN 2 WEEKS A BIT TOO MUCH?

[ti-10]

Just wondering how often do you guys fall / dropped bike... Whats the worst that ever happen to you guys? once a week twice a week? Im asking this is because i have this girl friend that drop her bike 3-4 times already within 2 weeks and its brand new!! Nothing serious just minor falls or dropped bike in a parking lot... She is really getting upset and is thinking of quitting... I just think its becoz her feet can't even touch the ground... But don't you guys think 3-4 times in that short of a time frame that somethings wrong?

[Alphamazing]

She's a new rider, it happens. When I first got my '92 I dropped it twice in one day (drop while in the driveway, then a quick little lowside from diesel fuel and sand in a turn), and proceded to drop it roughly 3 more times over the course of three weeks.

My '04 has touched the ground twice. Once on the first day I had it and once from my track lowside.

[deathlucky]

droped it 1 time because i forgot about the stand
droped it 2 times because i didnt put the stand all the way down
hit a car and smashed 1 side of it on the car and the other side on the road (wet roads)
droped it 1 time because i had a bike bag on the back seat and i couldnt be stufed to unclip it and i was trying to put up the center with out pullin up on the back and the stand staped off and fell over... on to my helmet... at the suzuki dealership

[LimaXray]

I dropped mine 3 times when I first started.  Nothing bad, but it happens to all of us.  I think I would have dropped it a few more times if it wasn't for the fact i was a guy and can man handle the bike.  Unless shes one of those jacked chicks, I bet it would be harder for her to save the near drops.  Also the fact she can't flat foot makes it tough to start out, maybe have her get taller boots or shave the seat.

Tell her not to give up, it will get better, and the scratches just give character 

[LPC2104]

Only dropped it once. 

From a previous post.  There is a "Jackass" thread that will make your girl feel better.   Print it out and let her read it over.

Only had one little problem.  I won't lie and say that while reading the "Jackass" thread, I was laughing at all the guys/gals that forgot to put their kickstand down and dropped the bike.  I thought, "there is no way I could ever be dumb enough to forget to put my kickstand down".  Well, sure enough we pulled in to gas up and there was a group of about 6 harley guys taking a break from their ride.  I pull the pump like a pro, shut the bike off and proceed to get off to fill up when I realize in slow mo that something isn't right.  My bike never leans this far when I'm getting off.  I'm a jackass and forgot to put the kickstand down.  I get pinned btw my bike and the pump and I'm yelling to my friend who is on the other side that I'm stuck.  He can't see me and it's kinda loud so I was stuck there for about 30 seconds until I got his attention.  He came over, helped me get the bike up and I start cracking up.  Looking at the harley guys they had this expression that was absolutely priceless.  I wish I had a picture of that.   I gave them a quick thumbs up and went on to my fueling duties.   

[common sense]

droped it 1 time because i forgot about the stand

I thought I was the only one that could forget to put the stand down. I feel much better now. The bike never actually touched the ground, but  it was the first time I realized how heavy the bike was and was pretty sure I was going to drop it in front of a bunch of people.

[hmmmnz]

whats she riding? mabee she should be wearing platform shoes she probly hasnt learnt with the balance and weight of the bike yet, if she keeps doing it it might be time to get a smaller bike

[Altephor]

So I'm the only one who thought this post was about something else? 

[ukchickenlover]

If it is drops in car parks it could be due to too much front brake and locking the wheel. At slow speeds like 5mph it is best to very gently use the back brake.

[TadMC]

Ive dropped mine 3 + 1

First time, went to check my cell phone at a red light, lost balance and she (gently) hit the ground

Second, I was leaving a bike rally, hit some gravel, BAMM

THIRD, making a U-turn in a street, hit some grass and BAMM, It went in a ditch, A very shallow ditch.

+

1. Trying to teach my GF to ride, she killed it and lost it,  that did the worst damage to my bike. (a scratch on the pipe)

[pandy]

I just think its becoz her feet can't even touch the ground... But don't you guys think 3-4 times in that short of a time frame that somethings wrong?

Sounds pretty normal to me!  I think you've nailed it when you ask about her feet not being able to touch the ground. Time to get her some taller boots and shave the seat. Not being able to touch the ground (especially as a new rider) really shakes your confidence, as does seeing your beloved bike goin' down. I'm still waiting for new soles so that the cobbler can build my boots up a couple of inches (I can tippy-toe it--kinda--on my SV650S). Having the connection with the ground builds confidence in new riders. She likely won't care later, but in the beginning, it's pretty important. Kudos to you for wanting to help her be more comfortable and not give up! 

If she's really short, you might also consider lowering the bike (that's my last choice if all else fails). Here's a good thread that discusses lowering:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=23451.0

Here's a quote from the FAQ Phaedrus put together ( http://gstwin.variders.com/ ):

If the 31" seat height of the GS is too tall, you still have some options:

Get some riding boots with heels - This is also a good idea for your own protection in the event of a crash, your feet and heels will be better protected.

Cut the seat - This involves removing much of the "stuffing" out of the seat and changing it's shape and then reupholstering it. It will help your legs stay closer together and touch the ground easier at the expense of a slightly harsher seat comfort.

Lower the bike - Not considered the best idea, but it is still possible though not suggested. You can purchase what are called "dogbones" (lowering links) to drop the suspension up to a couple of inches. You are altering the handling of the bike, and reducing ground clearance which could interfere with its ridability as well. However, GStwin member MStarmer suggests getting lowering links from www.sledesigns.com/ (Part # LL6007). He says they are well made and easy to install.

On a related note, you might be interested in the "Short Biker Mailing List" Smiley

www.ki.org/sbl/

Includes a list of other motorcycle (as well as the GS500) that you can ride comfortably or flat foot, depending on your height.

And... here are a couple more sources for short bikers (I like this one...short bikers FAQ  ):

http://www.nebcom.com/noemi/moto/sbl.faq.html

http://curveunit.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=11&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

I've looked around a lot for information for height-challenged riders, being one myself! 

[jackiei26]

I dropped mine once 3 dys after I bought it but kept practicing and riding every chance I got.  Definitely get it lowered and have her keep practicing.  But you should hv bought a used bike for her first bike or get frame sliders asap.

My sister in law dropped hers 4 times the first day.  She had too much on her mind therefore, she couldn't work the throttle, clutch & brake correctly therefore panicked by grabbing the front brakes so it jerked the bike and it scared the sh*t out of her.  Finally, she was so fed up that all she wanted to do is go back to the house and when she got there, she just jumped off the bike forgetting to put the kickstand down.  After that, she may have got on again twice or three times in the past two months but she still has problems.  

My own personal thought on this is that riding a motorcycle is fun but we all know that it's dangerous.  You have to be a very smart driver.  You have to put 200% into it.  It takes A LOT of practice.  Also, some people pick it up faster than others.  

[Queso]

So I'm the only one who thought this post was about something else? 

Not the only one 

I haven't really dropped my bike yet. On the second day I had it, while doin a slow parking lot turn it started goin down... Couldn't hold it up so I let it down easy. Once I was in a better position it was easy to stand back up though. Fairly recently I found myself in the same situation, I accidentally let it tip a bit more than I should have, but I find I can hold it up now, so it hasn't touched the ground since that first time. I love how light these bikes are!

If it's too heavy for her, tell her to work out a bit until she can handle it. If it too tall for her, get her some thick soled boots. Otherwise, so long as it's still running, doesn't really matter how many times she drops it 

[pandy]

So I'm the only one who thought this post was about something else? 

Yes! PERV!  

[jackiei26]

what does she ride?

[MarkusN]

So I'm the only one who thought this post was about something else?

Yes! PERV!

Nothing pervy about it. Four times in two weeks is exactly the frequency Martin Luther recommended.

(We'll get this thread tarded yet...)

[TadMC]

So I'm the only one who thought this post was about something else?

Yes! PERV!

We'll get this thread tarded yet..

Im with ya brother

[scottpA_GS]

Uhh...

MSF

[pandy]

Nothing pervy about it. Four times in two weeks is exactly the frequency Martin Luther recommended.

Martin Luther recommending dropping one's bike four times in two weeks! Now THAT's progressive!  

[ti-10]

what does she ride?

She rides a Ninja 250 brand new hahaha... I guess shes still new... Well she will feel alot better after i tell her its normal to mess up like this... since some of you  guys said you dropped twice in a day... i guess 4 times in 2 weeks is okay I think she will get use to dropping it that she won't care anymore... So when does all this noob dropping ever stop ... couple of months or seasons??