...why you get off the centerstand while sitting on the bike   Looks like I've had my first, and I hope last, drop.

I was checking the play in my chain after a ride with my dad today (and it seems a little loose) and I went to take the bike off the centerstand.  For some reason I thought I could just stand on the left side and use the front brake to keep the bike from coming down too fast and running into the tool chest.  Needless to say, I lost control of her when the rear tire hit the ground and she fell over away from me.  I stuck my foot under the engine to get some more leverage and tried pulling, but the far side of the frame settled right on my foot, and the mirror and brake lever hit my dad's sportster   I couldn't get on the other side to pick her up, so I just muscled her back up from where I was by pulling on the seat and the left grip.  The mirror and brake lever were twisted around a bit, but I put them back into place easily, then checked my dad's bike for damage.  Everything seemed fine.  I went inside and sheepishly told him about what happened, and he just laughed and asked if his bike was ok.  Everything's cool.

As far as the ride, I loved it.  We went out some decent back roads and went through the twistiest (not really that twisty) set of curves I've seen so far three times.  The first two I was leading and took them really slow and then pretty slow, but the third he led and took them kinda quickly, for me at least.  And it was AMAZING   I couldn't be happier that I got this bike.  We ended up on a bigger road (two lane, 55mph) and I almost kept up with traffic at 75...I kept it a little lower since I don't want a cop singling me out and giving me a reckless driving ticket when I only have my learner's permit.  I tried swerving within the lane just to see how the bike reacted at those speeds.  I also tried opening it up to accelerate quickly and my dad complained about leaving him behind...I told him that his obviously superior machine should have been able to keep up with my crappy jap bike

I still need to work on my slow speed maneuvering, especially if I want to get my license next weekend.  I have an appointment for the skills test next Saturday, so if anyone wants to let me know what to look out for (I'm in MD, and I saw a few things that Wrecent Wrider posted a while back, but it was only a couple parts of the exam) I'd really appreciate it.  I'm going to ride in a parking lot as much as possible and make myself comfortable with this clutch and making tight turns, etc. 

As I get better, I look forward to meeting some of you members around here and going for some rides.  Sorry for the long post, but I just had to get it out.

Mike

Yeah... Sit on it!!!    You're so lucky you didn't nail your dad's bike...  Ooooh!

So...  Is there a reason you don't want to take the MSF course?

  at least ur not like me and still drop it even when u are sitting on it...

Drops happen...My dad dropped his Harley xl last summer...I don't know anyone whos spent any time  on a bike who hasnt dropped...but seriously...practice practice practice...and even then the MSF course isnt a bad idea...

Glad you, your and your dad's bikes are allright.

You can take the bike off the centerstand standing on the left side, but it takes practice.  Suggestion for doing so: turn the handlebars a little to the right; this counter-steers the bike to ensure that it will fall towards you and not away from you.

And it was unnecessary, too. Chain slack should not be checked on the centerstand, but with the rear wheel weighted.

I always take the bike off the stand when i'm off the bike. You stand on the centrestand to control the descent and hold the handle bar with your left hand and the underside rear of the bike with your right hand.

^

Quote from: Onlypastrana199 on March 31, 2006, 06:41:05 PM...I don't know anyone whos spent any time  on a bike who hasnt dropped...

close to 10 months of almost daily riding, and i'm still waiting for my turn 
when it happens, I will cry like a girl 

Actually, I took the MSF course in 2003 and learned a lot.  Only problem was, I took it in VA since I was at Virginia Tech and had a couple friends take the course with me.  MD, because they're obviously so worried that I didn't learn enough in the MSF course in another state, wouldn't accept my certificate since it wasn't from a course in MD. 

I tried a few times to take the course here last year and I tried signing up this year as well, but no luck.  Since I have my bike now, I figure I can take the test and (hopefully) get my license.  Also, I fully intend to take the MSF ERC after a while, because I know that no amount of practice, and expecially supervised practice, is too much.  It's nice because it seems as though that course is easier to get into as well.

Quote from: Wrecent_Wryder on April 01, 2006, 02:21:16 AM
When you went to take your learner's, you should have gotten a copy of the Motorcycle Operator's Manual from the MVA (Maryland's version of DMV). In the back there should be a description of the riding test course and each test.

If you ride in to take the test, you'll have to be accompanied to the MVA by someone who's had a license for at least 3 years, or you'll have to haul the bike. If you haul it in, make sure the officer who's testing you is there to witness it being unloaded, or they may disqualify you for riding it in unattended.

Before the test really starts, they'll have you ride the bike into the testing area. Be especially careful at any stop signs getting from the parking lot to the course, they've been known to disqualify riders for touching the front tire to the the painted line on the pavement at the stop sign.

Thanks for the advice.  As far as the description of the test, it seems as though it was left out of my manual.  However, it explains that I "may be tested for" my ability to: know my motorcycle and my limits; accelerate, brake and turn safely; ... stop, turn, and swerve quickly.  It also states that "examiners may score on factors related to safety such as:" selecting safe speeds...choosing the correct path and staying within boundaries; and completing normal and quick stops, turns, and swerves.  Maybe I got an incomplete manual, but there are no diagrams or explanations of specific tests.  I'll just practice turning as tightly as possible, clutch control, and riding as slow as possible for the 60'x2' box you mentioned in another thread.  If you have any more advice, especially on the specific tests, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks a lot everyone

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Wrecent Wryder - Thank you so much for that, it's exactly what I've been looking for.  I never thought to look at the manual online since the description wasn't in mine.  For some reason I can't access the MVA website, but I'll try later.  The text works fine for now.  I'm feel a lot better about this now that I know what I'll be asked to do.

f3