Well I knew it was stupid and I did it anyway... I let my friend ride my 89 GS in a parking lot. He goes around 3 or 4 times fine, then... somehow manages to rev it up, gets scared, dumps the clutch, pulls a wheelie, and SMASH...
He got some scrapes, obliterated my gloves (although they saved his hands) but he is fine. A few scuffs but nothing bad. Didn't land on my helmet.
But the bike:
Dented the tank, scraped the yosh pipe up, busted off the engine case cover, bent the front brake handle, may have bent the right footpet/brake assembly, and maybe bent the front right handlebar. It might go back if I loosen the clip, but I don't know. I think the front wheel might be shot as well since it came down from the wheelie sideways and scuffed it pretty hard. At this point I am worried about damage that is less apparent, like the forks being bent or something like that. Anyway, looks like I'll need to get some parts on the forum.
LESSON: Don't let other people ride your bike. Ever. Even if you think they are "responsible". Anyway I think I'll post some pics when I get out my camera and maybe I can get some suggestions.
First - what gloves were you wearing so I know not to buy them...
Second, how much is this guy going to pay for in damages?
I have a front rim off an '04 model. Only had around 1400 miles if I remember correctly.
$50 shipped if ya want it.
why do newbs always clutch out when they panic? wouldn't your instinct be to pull it in and disengage the engine? :dunno_white: :dunno_white:
I think the definition of NEWB is someone who doesn't know what to do.
The gloves were leather driving gloves. Not much protection, I know, but they actually did okay protecting his hands.
As for how much he is going to pay, I don't know. I have to get some kind of estimate first. Unfortunately he is a college freshman, so I don't think funds are going to be easy to get a hold of...
As for the wheel, I might be interested, once I figure out if this one is still straight or not.
Do you guys think it is worth taking it to a shop to get an estimate? Or is that going to be too much hassle for an 89? I didn't get collission/comprehensive, so I don't think I am getting any insurance money. Not sure I want to add a claim to my insurance anyway.
bah, I wouldn't worry about. That's what friends are for...do what I do:
3~4 years ago a friend of mine was on my Maxim 400...the throttle got cuahgt and he didn't know what to do...he turned around to look at me and another friend to throw his hands up like "what now?" When he did this he popped the clutch, rode a wheelie about 100ft, and dumped. Busted up my forks, tank, tail, exhaust, pegs, and brake lever...propper retaliation has been making fun of him ever since. It will never die.
Haha, I don't know where the dump clutch instinct comes from... but that thing really threw the front wheel right in the air, I was kind of suprised, having never wheelied the thing myself. I do have a -3 tooth front sprocket, but I didn't expect to see this big power wheelie!
Not all newbs dump the clutch when they pannic, only the ones who crash :laugh: the rest pull in the clutch and pin the throttle while they jently lay it over, saving the body and blowing the engine. What's worse? :dunno_white: Either way the lesson is the same.
Never let a newb ride your bike, it's okay to let an experienced rider ride your bike, so long as he has a better bike that you can ride while he fixes yours.
Holy crap! minus 3 = 13T in front... 14t in front = wheelie monster, according to Alpha.. can't imagine a 13!
that's exactly what I was taught in the course but it seems that people panick in their own way and sometimes lose focus or composure. My sister in law who I took the course with, panicked easily and would grab the front brake (hard), which that made her panic more and then dropped the bike. She dropped in 5 times the first time she was on her bike. Besides that, she was having a difficult time getting out of neutral to first (friction zone). Needless to say, she gave up (as she normally does) and sold the bike. Which ironically was the best thing to do b/c she would have gotten herself killed.
Sorry to hear abt your bike.
Yeah my panic trick was the fist full of front brake too.
Fortunately I only did it once in a slow U-turn, and the size of me vs. the size of the GS meant that it was NOT going down. :)
Me: 180lbs Appliance Mover
GS: Light ass bike.
So I only looked like a noob!
:icon_mrgreen:
That sucks! I'm not real keen on letting anyone ride my bikes, learned a lesson like yours 10-12 yrs ago.... Wish I could help with spare parts... Got some extra mirrors if your in need, pm me if you want em. Atleast he didn't hit a light pole, car, polar bear, ufo.... :)
might as well turn it into a stunt bike now! it's already got -3....it's perfect.
hehe brings back memories of the bike course I did. Older guy there, talking the shizz about the gixxr 6 hes going to get. Sitting at the starting point all lined up (we're on 125cc yam's), next thing I hear him pin the throttle, look over, he panics and clutches out. You know the rest... the school was pretty good about repairing it.
:thumb:
-Fin
Hmm, I didn't realize the -3 sprocket would make that much difference. It won't wheelie off throttle, but it does accelerate pretty fast. I bought it that way, and I have never ridden a stock one. I also wonder how much the gas mileage suffers. Last tankful I got about 45. Anyway, I'll definately need a brake lever, and probably the whole right engine cover. The small cover with the suzuki logo on it broke off, and it took the screw mounts with it, so I guess I will have to get the whole cover? And either pull the ding out of the tank or get a new tank. Then paint... I feel like this is going to add up quickly...
OK, I know for sure I will need the following parts, so if anyone has them and wants to sell, pm me or email me at nathan.pocock@houghton.edu.
Clutch cover, from right side of crankcase, with the other smaller cover as well
tank, to fit '89
bar ends
There is not as much damage as I had first thought, but I am worried about the forks being straight. Is there any good way to find out besides "looking at them"?
I think I am going to get the new tank painted along with the old plastic tail section which just got a real minor scratch. I have a friend with a paint booth. Maybe a steel blue like BMW makes?