God I'm an idiot.

[bnlfan]

I got my new bike home via a truck today. Now, when I picked it up I found out that it had to be inspected by the law to confirm the vin. Why? Because of some dumb rule that says a single cylinder engine needs to be verified that it will go the needed speed limit for the highway. Well, that is what the sales people told me. I question it but will proceed with the "inspection". I just have to find a way to get the law out to the house.

Now, why am I an idiot?

Well put together a man who has no real time on a motorcycle. An amateur teacher and sand. After several attempts I finally get to where I can release the clutch, brake, and throttle up without stalling. Then, I reach 30 MPH and hit sand.

Guess, what happened. I learned a lesson I thought I already knew. I won't be getting back on the bike until I complete a certified training course and put in a lot of practice in a safe area. Along with A HELMET!

I have a 3-inch gash on my right arm, scratch on top of my head, bruised side, a broken pair of glasses, and broken turn signals on the side I landed upon.

Why in the he77 do I allow excitement rule out intelligence? I knew better than to do that. I even promised my wife that I would not ride until I take training, get protective gear, and practice, practice, practice.

I'm just glad I didn't take it on the pavement like an idiot.

Bike damage is minor but I think my pride is hurt worst.

For those who already recommended I take the classes and get protective gear first, thank you for your advice. From here on out, I will be sure to follow all advice given.

For those who are just getting started, please, please, please, take training and wear your protective gear. Mine was minor. Next time I could be dead.

[Clint]

Hehe. You'll get no admonishment from me because you already know what you did wrong. Sorry about your bad luck. It'll get better.

[GregR1]

look on the bright side - the first scratch is now done! you got it over with already.

ya, it sucks to drop it, but it happens to everyone sooner or later (or so the story goes). i nearly dropped my bike 3-4 times now, but bought it pre-scratched since i think the previous owner dropped it once or twice (nothing major, just scraped the plastic).

so, can we assume that VERY SOON you're going to get yourself the ATGATT icon and stick it in your sig? and actually practice what you preach? hey, i wear everything each time i go out - helmet, leather jacket, leather riding pants, gloves, riding boots. i think the only time i didn't wear all my gear was when i was putting the bike beside the car to inflate the tires earlier today.

[bnlfan]

Originally Posted by GregR1

look on the bright side - the first scratch is now done! you got it over with already.

ya, it sucks to drop it, but it happens to everyone sooner or later (or so the story goes). i nearly dropped my bike 3-4 times now, but bought it pre-scratched since i think the previous owner dropped it once or twice (nothing major, just scraped the plastic).

so, can we assume that VERY SOON you're going to get yourself the ATGATT icon and stick it in your sig? and actually practice what you preach? hey, i wear everything each time i go out - helmet, leather jacket, leather riding pants, gloves, riding boots. i think the only time i didn't wear all my gear was when i was putting the bike beside the car to inflate the tires earlier today.

I'm going in tomorrow to get all of the above. Man, I am so P.Oed at myself right now. My wife has said she won't hassle me about it and actually told me "You'll get better. You have to practice. Just don't do it again."

[GregR1]

shop around at 2-3 stores if you can for the clothing. you might find a really well-fitting jacket at one place, and super-comfy gloves and shoes / boots at another. i bought my gear at 3 different stores, using 4 different visits. some places will probably have sales of last year's stock, so take advantage of that. hey, if it was good enough in 2006, it'll be just fine in 2007. my neighbour just bought a new pair of motocross boots that were 70% off because they are an '06 model, but at least he finally has proper riding boots!

[Ext1jdh]

You fall, you learn, you get back on. The circle of life. I feel like holding a baby lion up in the air...

[palanon]

Originally Posted by GregR1

i think the only time i didn't wear all my gear was when i was putting the bike beside the car to inflate the tires earlier today.

I just had the funniest video playing in my head.

"Bad to the Bone" song playing

Shots of rider gearing up and lookin' mean.

Pulls on gloves nice and tight while flexing fingers

Throws leg over his awsome machine

Burns rubber 25 ft. down driveway, stops, puts down kickstand and dismounts

Fills tires with mini compressor ( plugged into car lighter ) Still all geared up.

Stands, gives a nod to the camera, removes helmet, shakes out hair....

walks back into house.


Ba Ba Ba Bad.... bad to the bone.

[62&new]

Robert, sure sorry about your accident. (I crashed in the 2nd hour of the training course. ) On the first night of the course it was inside with a book. then they told us what we had to have by 7am the next morning. 10pm till 7am doesnt give you much time to shop.Luckily, I had all my stuff. Helmet, gloves w/fingers,over ankle boots, protective jacket. My daughter and son in low breezed thru the course. I wish I had practiced BEFORE I took the course. Lots of luck and get well, Ruthie

[Cimco]

Nah bnl,
Yer not an idiot...leave the being an idiot to me

I would have jumped on the bike just like you, after getting it.
A few days from now you'll be laughing with your new helmet strapped to yer mellon 'ole buddy...

jim

[palanon]

On a serious note. At least it was minor. All of us fall victim to the new toy fever. You just have to play with it as soon as you get it. Thankfully you didn't learn an even harder lesson on the road. Sounds like your on the right track now...way ahead of a lot of new riders.

good luck and post often !!

[bnlfan]

Just started the bike back up and checked the lights and all. Everything is still working as it should. I do have to get a new right side mirror. Well, I didn't like those little bitty things anyway.

[GregR1]

meh, if you go fast enough, you'll just circle the globe and come up on whoever was behind you from behind. it'll be like superman. and if you can do it fast enough, you can go back in time and make yourself not be an idiot and ride into a sandtrap. bogey!

[Atlas68]

Lesson learned...glad to hear it wasn't worse.

[Smurf]

YouTube - Monty Python - Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

This should help

Be carefule.

[Dave Nadeau]

Well at least she did not hassle you to much....but she willl NEVER let you forget it! You'll see and occational eye roll when you do something wierd.
Glad your not hurt. I just finished a great book on riding. Its called "Mastering the ride" by David Hough good read as it will explain thing the MSF course won't have time for in a week end class.

[Danr]

Glad your OK and the bike is also. I just purchased an 83 Moto Guzzi from a friend of mine and trailered it from New Jersey to my home here in Florida, When I went to register and title it I ran across the VIN has to be inspected rule. I inquired how do I go about getting that done. Seems in my County (Citrus) all you do is call the Sheriff's Department and they will send out a Deputy to do it, Had it done in less then 2 hours after I made the call. Don't know about GA or your counties policy.

[ChicsterMG]

Man that sucks. Good you are ok. Guess you got it out of the way early, huh?

[themeatmanlandry]

I don't know about following ALL of the advice you're given. Some advice is bad!

heh-heh. You dropped your brand new bike. You're no idiot. Let me tell you MY story . . .

One day I decided "I was gettin' me a bike." It took a couple of days to convince the wife, but I got it. I went to the dealership and picked out a nice, shiny one. EVERYONE AT THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME NOT TO TRY TO RIDE IT HOME.

WTF? I've been riding a bicycle for years. Why not get on a machine that has as much power as the car I learned to drive with, yet only weighs 25% of what that car weighed . . . and drive on one of the busiest streets in Memphis to take it home? Insurance? What's insurance got to do with anything??

The dude takes me out to the parking lot and there it is. My brand-spanking new 2002 Bandit 600S, black. I'll never forget how beautiful that bike looked to me at that moment in time . . . which is a GOOD thing 'cause it didn't stay that way for very long.

The salesman, Bo (God love him), gets on the bike and starts showing me the bells and whistles, "Now this here's yer starter, this is yer choke this is yer clutch," etc. The whole time, I'm thinking, "Yeah, yeah, blah-blah, GTF off the bike, a-hole I'm ready to ride it home, I'm on my lunch break."

He eventually gets done with his little seminar and once again cautions me not to ride it home.

Let me stop the story to say this: If you're ever in a situation where a lot of people who are familiar with a subject, and have cautioned you against an action that could end badly, have gathered to watch you do whatever it is they told you not to do . . . re-think your plans. You'd think the fact that most of the dealership was standing pasted to the windows like kids in a candy store would have been my first clue. Back to the story . . .

I get on, start 'er up . . . ease the clutch out . . . the bike rolls ten feet . . . I stop . . . everything's zen . . . I wave to him (I'm "coooool" remember?) and ease out the clutch . . . roll to the exit of the parking lot . . . apply the brakes . . . AND DROP THE G-DAMNED BIKE RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF ALLLLLLL THOSE PEOPLE THAT KNEW I WAS GOING TO.

I look at the bike, look and BO, and say, "I dropped it!" Bo says, "Uh-yeah. I told you not to try to ride it home."

I literally took out my wallet, handed him my credit card, and said, "Fix it. Make it new. I'm sorry. I feel like such an idiot."

My brother-in-law comes up later with a trailer and we take it home. I decided I was going to learn to ride by myself. 3 drops later, I'm signed up for the MSF class. Took the class, and haven't had a problem since (other than 2 wrecks, one a high-side in gravel and one running wide in a corner).

You shouldn't feel too bad. At least there weren't a dozen "I told ya' so's" watching you.

[themeatmanlandry]

Aaaaaaaand if it makes you feel any better, I just bought a brand new $10K bike (2006 GSXR 750) and high-sided it on my first ride after the 600 mile service. Did over $3K damage to the bike.

Yep.

[PhotoJoe]

Originally Posted by bnlfan

I even promised my wife that I would not ride until I take training, get protective gear, and practice, practice, practice.

Most important, you're OK. Thanks for adding one more lesson I can learn from someone else. Those are my favorite lessons.

BTW, how do you "practice, practice, practice" without riding!? J/K. Glad all's well.