Learning To Dismount - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

**drgibson** · 03-28-2008, 10:25 AM

This is a skill I better get a handle on quickly. "M" was low to the ground the KLR sits much higher, so getting on and off is a bit more challenging; combine that with a taller kickstand and dismounting is downright challenging. When I go to get off the bike the shocks are compressed so when I put the kickstand down it touches the ground when the bike is completely upright. Since I’m barely flatfooted I have very little leverage. I had worked out a way to get off the bike yesterday, so I thought but this morning as I arrived at work and attempted to dismount my leg hooked the Tail bag, the bike rolled forward just enough to let the kickstand release and…

Yep down we went, now the left side of the bike has it’s first “Beauty Mark”, at least it took the dirt off too.

I'll post pics later, may have to wipe away more dirt first though.

**Clint** · 03-28-2008, 10:28 AM

Noooooooooooooo!

Crap. I've caught luggage before, too, but I have the good sense to wrench my groin and spine saving the bike.

themeatmanlandry · 03-28-2008, 10:31 AM

1) Update your sig.

2) I'm all of 5'6". When I look at those big dirt bikes, I feel like a kid looking at something that's only for older people!

I have NO IDEA HTF to get on and off one of those bikes without having a little "dock" to pull into.

Seriously, when I stand next to one of those bikes, the seat height comes to my sternum.

Too bad about the drop. At least it's not a chromed-out bike, it's almost made to be dropped I would guess.

**drgibson** · 03-28-2008, 10:36 AM

Yeah my whole attitude about this bike is differant, I will take it off road and I will drop it, so scratches don't bother me, had it been "M"...

Someone might have had to call the paramedics.

KD57 · 03-28-2008, 10:48 AM

Sorry Don. I rode a KTM XC yesterday and that thing had a seat height of 34.5 inches !! As I get older it gets harder and harder for me to throw the leg over the rear fender, especially w/ heavy motocross boots on. Every bike I own has boot marks on the rear fender. Sometimes I just push it away, jump up on the left peg, then throw my leg over and crank it before I roll to a stop.

blackie1491 · 03-28-2008, 11:10 AM

Maybe Smurf will share his Coke crate!!!!

eb77k · 03-28-2008, 02:19 PM

Well looks like you rubbed the new right off her, bummer. Now that that's over with you can just get down to riding it. Try pulling up next to the curb. Another
4" could save you.

Apertureguy · 03-28-2008, 02:41 PM

Awwww...sorry to hear about this.

Well, at least you're taking it well. Much better than I would!

**drgibson** · 03-28-2008, 02:50 PM

They make a kickstand that is 2" shorter I may get it, the bikes stands so upright now it makes me nervous.

Thundurburd · 03-28-2008, 03:05 PM

That really sucks Don.

In the case of your bike though being over 7" higher than my S50, and me being only 5'-7", I don't think I could even get on it in the first place.

**drgibson** · 03-28-2008, 07:16 PM

Her First Boo Boo, it was worse then I thought.

Clutch lever, new one was only $3.00

Uncle B · 03-28-2008, 07:28 PM

Now Don that is not the best way to start off a relationship with a new bike.

robertc729 · 03-28-2008, 07:31 PM

He was trying to show the bike who the boss was, unfortunately the bike won this time.

Barbarian · 03-28-2008, 07:33 PM

$3 for a lever! Lucky bastard. I spent 10 times that on a new set.

As a member of the shorter crew (a 30" inseam, although I'm taller than landry) I avoided BMWs/Kawasaki Versys/dual-sports for the same reason.

**drgibson** · 03-28-2008, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertc729

He was trying to show the bike who the boss was, unfortunately the bike won this time.

Yeah I ended up 3 parking spaces away on my butt...

Yeah that'll be the norm, especially when it comes to diding in the dirt.

I'm already scheming my first photo op, I should just put "Hey y"all watch this" in my sig.

Rickster · 03-28-2008, 10:24 PM

Well at least you didn't "squid out" and crash it in the dealers lot as you were leaving to take her home.

B-Rex · 03-29-2008, 09:37 PM

Look at it this way...statistically, the first 6 months of new bike ownership are the highest risk for for a splat (for anyone, veteran or rookie). Yours is now officially over with minimal damage to you and the bike.

Now just enjoy the ride, you've earned it!

B-Rex

palanon · 03-29-2008, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drgibson

I'm already scheming my first photo op, I should just put "Hey, hold my Monster Energy and y"all watch this" in my sig.

Fixed it for ya.

If you can't find a shorter stand, maybe a welder could cut and weld it for you. Should only cost a few bucks.

**drgibson** · 03-30-2008, 12:01 AM

Paul, I gave up the Monsters, trying to be a little healthier.

tricker · 03-30-2008, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drgibson

Paul, I gave up the Monsters, trying to be a little healthier.

pffftt what is not healthy about consuming enough caffeine to make a normal person's head explode?

03-28-2008, 10:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
drgibson Antebellum Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,742	Learning To Dismount This is a skill I better get a handle on quickly. "M" was low to the ground the KLR sits much higher, so getting on and off is a bit more challenging; combine that with a taller kickstand and dismounting is downright challenging. When I go to get off the bike the shocks are compressed so when I put the kickstand down it touches the ground when the bike is completely upright. Since I’m barely flatfooted I have very little leverage. I had worked out a way to get off the bike yesterday, so I thought but this morning as I arrived at work and attempted to dismount my leg hooked the Tail bag, the bike rolled forward just enough to let the kickstand release and… Yep down we went, now the left side of the bike has it’s first “Beauty Mark”, at least it took the dirt off too. I'll post pics later, may have to wipe away more dirt first though. __________________ “Please Remember to Kazoo Responsibly.”

03-28-2008, 10:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
themeatmanlandry Happy-ass Lunatic Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 2002 Bandit 600S (Black); 2006 GSXR750 (Black) Location: Memphis Posts: 11,423	1) Update your sig. 2) I'm all of 5'6". When I look at those big dirt bikes, I feel like a kid looking at something that's only for older people! I have NO IDEA HTF to get on and off one of those bikes without having a little "dock" to pull into. Seriously, when I stand next to one of those bikes, the seat height comes to my sternum. Too bad about the drop. At least it's not a chromed-out bike, it's almost made to be dropped I would guess. __________________ Go to hell

03-28-2008, 10:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
drgibson Antebellum Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,742	Yeah my whole attitude about this bike is differant, I will take it off road and I will drop it, so scratches don't bother me, had it been "M"... Someone might have had to call the paramedics. __________________ “Please Remember to Kazoo Responsibly.”

03-28-2008, 10:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
KD57 In The Zone Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: 2008 ZZR600 Location: Under a rock in Texas Posts: 2,581	Sorry Don. I rode a KTM XC yesterday and that thing had a seat height of 34.5 inches !! As I get older it gets harder and harder for me to throw the leg over the rear fender, especially w/ heavy motocross boots on. Every bike I own has boot marks on the rear fender. Sometimes I just push it away, jump up on the left peg, then throw my leg over and crank it before I roll to a stop. __________________ The "other" ZZR rider.

03-28-2008, 02:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
eb77k Found second gear by accident Joined: Mar 2007 Bike: I'm lucky, I've got alot Location: minnesota Posts: 329	Well looks like you rubbed the new right off her, bummer. Now that that's over with you can just get down to riding it. Try pulling up next to the curb. Another 4" could save you. __________________ MOTO GUZZI loud valves save lives

03-28-2008, 11:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
blackie1491 I took the All Bran Challenge Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50SE Location: Aldergrove, B.C., Canada Posts: 7,333	Maybe Smurf will share his Coke crate!!!!

03-28-2008, 02:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
Apertureguy Throttle Jockey Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 Location: New York Posts: 3,267	Awwww...sorry to hear about this. Well, at least you're taking it well. Much better than I would!

03-28-2008, 02:50 PM	#9 (permalink)
drgibson Antebellum Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,742	They make a kickstand that is 2" shorter I may get it, the bikes stands so upright now it makes me nervous. __________________ “Please Remember to Kazoo Responsibly.” Last edited by drgibson; 03-28-2008 at 03:52 PM.

03-28-2008, 03:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
Thundurburd U.B's LoveChild Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 2007 Black S50 Location: Waukesha WI Posts: 1,064	That really sucks Don. In the case of your bike though being over 7" higher than my S50, and me being only 5'-7", I don't think I could even get on it in the first place. __________________ The sum of the intelligence on the planet is a constant; it's the population that is growing.

03-28-2008, 07:16 PM	#11 (permalink)
drgibson Antebellum Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,742	Her First Boo Boo, it was worse then I thought. Clutch lever, new one was only $3.00 __________________ “Please Remember to Kazoo Responsibly.”

03-28-2008, 07:28 PM	#12 (permalink)
Uncle B Want's A New Title Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: 06 Suzuki Boulevard C50T Location: Gordon Texas Latitude: 32.54833 Longitude: -98.36889 Posts: 4,423	Now Don that is not the best way to start off a relationship with a new bike. __________________ Ride Safe, Ride Long, & Have Fun Benjamin Franklin> They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security. http://www.gordontexas.net/ http://www.gordonvfd.com/

03-28-2008, 07:31 PM	#13 (permalink)
robertc729 Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: 05 Boulevard C50 LE, 06 S40 (wife's bike) Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 4,090	He was trying to show the bike who the boss was, unfortunately the bike won this time.

03-28-2008, 07:33 PM	#14 (permalink)
Barbarian Kickstand Operator Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: 2006 Suzuki Bandit 650S w/ABS Location: Montreal Posts: 299	$3 for a lever! Lucky bastard. I spent 10 times that on a new set. As a member of the shorter crew (a 30" inseam, although I'm taller than landry) I avoided BMWs/Kawasaki Versys/dual-sports for the same reason. __________________ See ABS in action complete with plummy voiceover.

03-29-2008, 09:37 PM	#17 (permalink)
B-Rex Kickstand Operator Joined: Jan 2008 Bike: 2008 Suzuki B-King Location: Midwest Posts: 297	Look at it this way...statistically, the first 6 months of new bike ownership are the highest risk for for a splat (for anyone, veteran or rookie). Yours is now officially over with minimal damage to you and the bike. Now just enjoy the ride, you've earned it! B-Rex

03-30-2008, 12:01 AM	#19 (permalink)
drgibson Antebellum Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,742	Paul, I gave up the Monsters, trying to be a little healthier. __________________ “Please Remember to Kazoo Responsibly.”

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