Went down to the DMV and got my license today.  Decided to celebrate by going out on a ride.

Knew my path and destination and figured it would all be easy.

About seven blocks away I realized there's one obstacle right off the bat - a hill.  With a stop sign at the top.

I hadn't practiced hills yet (none of those in the parking lot), but I figured I'd be okay.  Just use that back break.

Got to the hill, started out slow, started rolling down hill, panicked, grabbed the throttle (ugh), and ran right into a barrier (UGH!).  Thank God it was a barrier and not another car.

Someone eventually came by and helped me unwedge the bike.  

Broken Spedometer and Tachometer cases, broken turn signal, lots of scratches, some nice road rash on my knee.  

When I finally got the motorcycle started again, the engine was just reving like crazy.  4000-5000 RMP at idle.

I drove it home in second gear, and even at 20 mph it was redlining.

What the heck did I do and can it be undone and how much is it going to cost me?

I also can't tell if I bent the handlebars.  I think they just sort of rotated.  The rear view mirror has a great angle on my thigh, though.

On the plus side, after I dumped the bike trying to roll it downhill into a parking spot, I was able to right it all by myself.  And it was surprisingly easy.  Go me!

As for the other stuff   ...

Sorry to hear/it happens/now it's out of the way.

Now, I'm convinced that if I become a MSF instructor :lol: (sorry, it may happen), I'm going to include a ramp (one of those flat, pivoting trailers) to ride up (not over), and practice uphill starts (hmm...maybe I will need a hill...or I'll just demonstrate).

You got a 2000, so no fairing, I'm guessing the throttle tube sticking, but you said you rode it home; next guess was the throttle cable or you hit so hard you unseated the carbs, or the exhaust headers.

Wow. Sorry to hear about your "incident" and glad to know your OK.

Now for the damage...depending on how close your friendly neighborhood GSTwin member is and how many spare parts they have will mitigate the cost of repairs.

Can't find a Twinner? If you can wrench and have the time and space, post a WTB in the proper section. The gauges are very fragile (ask Slowe30) and very $$ unless you buy used.

Your over-revving sounds like a pulled throttle cable. What year bike is this?

just come and instruct at our range.....there is no Flat spot or space

Quote from: LotNBroken Spedometer and Tachometer cases, broken turn signal, lots of scratches, some nice road rash on my knee.

If it's just the outside plastic instrument cover, those can be bought for $40-50. Did the speedometer and the tachometer work?

Quote from: LotNI also can't tell if I bent the handlebars.  I think they just sort of rotated.  The rear view mirror has a great angle on my thigh, though.

If the handlebars did just spin in the clamps, that'll be easy to fix. There are four allen head screws under plastic caps on the two posts holding the middle of the handlebar. Sit on the bike, loosen those and be ready to catch the bars, ideally you'll loosen with one hand and hold the bars with the other. Then adjust the bars to your liking, and tighten the bolts.

Yeah, it's just the cases that broke.  Though the turn signal doesn't work at all...

Hill!     Congrats on getting your license!  Sorry to hear about your crash, but it sounds as though you're in good hands here, and you'll be able to get up and running again soon! I've been riding for almost a year and a half, and I still don't like hills (and they don't like me!)!

Get some good practice time in at a flat parking lot.

And be happy that your bike doesn't just spontaneously fall over when you look at it like mine does.    :mrgreen:

Since I know nothing about what's wrong or how to fix it...  Here's my how to avoid it.

When you come to a stop at the top of the hill, fully apply the rear brake (to keep you in place).  No need to front brake with the rear brake applied.  

When it's time to go, start slowly increasing throttle and slowly releasing the clutch while still holding the rear brake.  You will feel the ass start to drop as the engine fights against the rear brake.

Once that happens, you begin to release the rear brake and continue to slowly release the clutch and increase throttle.

After a while, you can do it really fast with no issues.   Now, go fix your bike!

Quote from: RVertigoSince I know nothing about what's wrong or how to fix it...  Here's my how to avoid it.

When you come to a stop at the top of the hill, fully apply the rear brake (to keep you in place).  No need to front brake with the rear brake applied.  

When it's time to go, start slowly increasing throttle and slowly releasing the clutch while still holding the rear brake.  You will feel the ass start to drop as the engine fights against the rear brake.

Once that happens, you begin to release the rear brake and continue to slowly release the clutch and increase throttle.

After a while, you can do it really fast with no issues.   Now, go fix your bike!

To add to this:  Take the MSF course.  Pay close attention to when they show you the friction zone (hint: it's the first exercise).  Practice this a lot.  Get a feel for when you enter the friction zone.  Practice some more.  Be able to smoothly get to the friction zone.  Practice holding the bike on an incline using just the clutch.  Practice getting into the friction zone while simultaneously holding the front brake.  Practice some more.  

Now you can smoothly start uphill using any combination of brakes you like.  If not, go back and practice some more.

For some reason, I don't like holding the rear brake on a hill.  Maybe it's because I'd rather have both feet firmly on the ground (I can almost picture myself tipping over to the right...tiiiiimmmmmburrr!), but it could also be because I like to make sure I'm in 1st before I roll (hard to do when holding the rear brake).  I usually use the front, get the bike holding against the clutch by easing it out, release the brake, then take off.  You'll eventually get the whole thing down to one fluid movement.

I'm going to break ranks here and say I'm NOT sorry you crashed.

I'm a little lost on these posts from new riders who get their license - while it's a license to drive on the street, it does't mean you automatically have the wisdom and skills to be ON the street.

In my opinion the DMV is way to generous on granting licenses. I don't even need to argue my point because you made it for me - by crashing.

I've taught plenty of people over the years that have taken and passed the MSF course and have no clue about getting out of first gear or what to look for while riding on the street.

We see these posts from new riders crashing all the time here. Whatever happend to developing your skills in a parking lot?

Lucky for you, you crashed into a barrier and not another car or a person crossing the street on foot.

Quote from: gsmetalI'm going to break ranks here and say I'm NOT sorry you crashed.

A little harsh no?

It happens. Almost everyone who owns a bike lays it down at some point. I have had close to 35 different bikes since I was 12 years old ranging from a KZ200 to a VF1100S... And yes, I have had an accident (albeit at low speed and no serious damage) since I first got my license.

The important thing is, the bike can be fixed, only your pride and pocket-book were hurt. Hopefully, you learned from the experience (to try to get more practice in before really going out riding). Just learn to repect the machine, and not to set out to impress people with it (incase the thought ever crosses your mind).

Out of curiousity... Were you in full gear while riding?

Learn to ride responsibly, and you will ride a long time...

Quote from: gsbethesdaIt happens.

It may happen, but is it acceptable? The idea is not to crash. So, is every crash and tipover unacceptable?

This should really be discussed in another thread.

May I submit to you: http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=230953#230953

QuoteI'm going to break ranks here and say I'm NOT sorry you crashed.

I could never, under any circumstances, be glad that someone has crashed.   Absolutely noobs should get some practice in before hitting the streets, but we've all done some things we regret when we're excited about something. Fortunately, noobs *usually* are going slow enough not to be hurt too badly. In a perfect world. we'd all do exactly what we should at all times.

In the meantime, I'm not going to be happy when a noob crashes. I'm going to be happy that s/he has learned a good lesson w/o hurting themselves too badly (or anyone else, of course).

Quote from: pandyHill!     Congrats on getting your license!  Sorry to hear about your crash.....    :mrgreen:

same here.


First straighten the handlebars in the clamps. twisting them may be affecting the throttle cable and the act of righting the bars might fix that problem.

Quote from: gsmetalI'm going to break ranks here and say I'm NOT sorry you crashed. ...

I was going to agree with this until I read the rest.  I was going to agree because you were relatively unhurt and have the opportunity to learn from this mistake.  So in a way I'm glad you crashed ... but didn't get hurt.  This may save you from making an even bigger mistake in the future (ie at higher speeds or in busy traffic).

I crashed my bike the first year I had it.  The weather and road conditions contributed to the crash but I learned a good lesson.  I was on a road I was familiar with but I ignored several signs that I should be slowing down.  I ended up riding the bike into the ditch rather than slide thru a highway intersection.  The bike and I were unhurt except for a few scratches and a sore elbow.  I now think twice about riding in bad weather and after the roads have been sanded for winter.

Once you get the bike on the road again, stick to low traffic areas until you are confident you can pull out into traffic without stalling, use your brakes effectively without locking up the rear wheel and keep up with traffic.

I hope you have taken a motorcycle riding course.  they generally pay for themselves in the first year in insurance premium reductions.

As for your idle problem ... straighten the handle bars and see if that helps.

Pandy Wrote
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I could never, under any circumstances, be glad that someone has crashed.
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I NEVER said I was glad he crashed....I said I wasn't sorry he did.

gsmetal, I'm NOT sorry your an idiot. I'm sure you'll say something else to provoke us even more, but I won't say anything else. And I'm sure you'll say something to try to make me look like an idiot in this post as well, but I don't care. Suck it.

Quote from: gsmetalI NEVER said I was glad he crashed....I said I wasn't sorry he did.

Semantics. Same diff. And I believe "he" is a "she."

Quote from: gsmetalI'm going to break ranks here and say I'm NOT sorry you crashed.

Sometimes wisdom is gained the hard way.

Quote from: gsmetalI've taught plenty of people over the years that have taken and passed the MSF course and have no clue about getting out of first gear or what to look for while riding on the street.  

Is this because at the MSF, they learn to ride in a parking lot?

Quote from: gsmetal
We see these posts from new riders crashing all the time here. Whatever happend to developing your skills in a parking lot?

Anyone can master riding in a parking lot. See the MSF statement above. But street riding is infinitely more dynamic. There will be other vehicles, construction, pedistrians, animals, potholes, you name it. No amount of practice can help you control external factors - only your reaction to them. And sometimes an accident is completely unavoidable. As it was said, it happens.

The only reason it happens more to noobs than to veteran riders is because the experienced riders have learned how to predict common mistakes and how to react to situations. But the only way to get this experience is NOT in a parking lot - but in the street. You just gotta practice, pay attention, do your best, and pray you'll make it through the day  

Well, I'm sorry for anyone who crashes but this post is a perfect illustration why here and in much of Europe you can't even go on the road with Learner plates until you have taken the COMPULSORY basic training which is a fun day in three elements, theory, practice in parking lot or similar and a couple of hours on the road under radio "control" this does include at least one hill start.

All this for a "learner" permit, two-part driving test (theory and practical) with a hill start and pulling out from behind a parked vec into traffic, usually on a hill to follow before you get a license.

Simply turning people out onto the road is grossly unfair to both the newbie and the road users around.