Does everyone drop their first bike?

[robin7]

Bit of a weird question I suppose, but I'll give some background.

I had a 125cc scooter when I was 17 but never passed my test as I got a car instead at 18. I never dropped that bike.

Now at 24 I'm doing my CBT which I didn't have to do last time (I'm in Gibraltar so the CBT was only introduced a year ago). Once I've got this I'll be buying a bike to then do my test on and have been looking at bikes like Bandit's, hornets etc. However my mate has a CBR 600F that he'd consider selling to me as if he sold it he want's a new BMW (can't remember which exactly). I had a drive of it over the weekend and it was a dream to drive, so easy and smooth and not aggressive at all (I was kinda expecting it to be aggressive but it wasn't. It was obviously very quick, but it seemed quite linear with the throttle response etc).

The only problem is, I'm slightly worried I'll drop it? I'm not thinking about crashing it etc (as I'm obviously hoping that never happens haha). But I've seen that most people drop their first big bike? So possibly an idea to buy a cheaper bike and not have to worry as much?

Then again how much damage do you do dropping a bike usually? I have no experience at all in it, if it was a couple hundred quid then I'd possibly go for the CBR as I don't mind having a bike I really like if it will cost me a bit more. It's a 2013 CBR 600F that my friend has owned from brand new and looked after +never tracked.

Oh and if it makes a difference, I'm 6ft and around 90kg right now and pretty strong. Moving the bike around was quite easy.

 

[robin7]

Haha thanks for the replies guys! Yeah I've seen some crash bungs that fit and look reasonably nice on the bike so I might end up going for it and adding them on. I guess at the end of the day it's going to cost regardless of what bike you drop, might as well have a nice one haha.

 

[robin7]

Its like asking how long is a piece of string

Not everyone does but quite a lot do, and it could be as simple as not being used to the weight of a bigger bike compared to a 125/scooter and dropping it in the garage.

Just get some crash bungs for the CBR and go enjoy

That is the kinda thing I was thinking about haha. I had a little go on it last weekend and the weight didn't seem too bad to me. But I'll have to make sure I don't get too confident in a rush lol.

 

[robin7]

Always keep it in first gear when parking up aswell,so many folks leave them in neutral and they can roll off the sidestand,another risk if dropping it is when turning/u turn ect the weight of the bike tends to pull you over if your going to slow,don't be embarrassed to stick both feet out

I've had a few moments when I've put my foot down on loose gravel n snow and its slid and almost dropped it

Do you mean keep it in first when it's parked and turned off? I know if you put it in gear with the stand down it switches off. Or did I misread?

 

[robin7]

Knowing what you can shift from the gym threads thought I don't think you will have a problem with a 600cc motorbike

Haha! I touched upon that in the op but didn't want to sound like I was bragging. When I was playing with his bike I could lean it most of the way down and pick it up reasonably easily. Then again if it slipped out I'd have the same zero chance of grabbing it like everyone else haha!

 

[robin7]

yeah I meant switched off and parked up,i always leave it in gear whether on the flat or an incline

best advise is to buy some crash bungs first

seen many buy them after they have dropped it and done the expensive damage

Shame that you have to drill through the fairing to attach the bungs to the CBR though. But worth it if it saves replacing the fairing lol.

 

[robin7]

have you ever forgotton yourself and thought your sidestand was down when it wasnt,only to nearly drop the damn thing when you lean it over too far

If you mean me, then I only remember using the middle stand on my old scooter. Was around 7 years ago though, so I could be wrong.

 

[robin7]

Saw a ducatti monster for sale today. Had a sit on it and wow it felt light. While I like the styling I don't think it's the kinda bike I'm after. But I was amazed at how light it felt, made me feel like I could pick it up haha.

 

[robin7]

It's not just your first bike, it's quite possible for even experienced bikers to be caught out occasionally; bike forums have many posts from people who have had unfortunate incidents.

I was just thinking that. It seems the general consensus is that it's usually accidents like leaves/oil etc more than 'big heavy bike'. Thanks for all the replies everyone.

 

[robin7]

Hahahaha oh wow, seems everyone does. Luckily we have 300 odd days of sunshine here so rain won't be too much of an issue. I can hide it away and use my car in the winters lol.

 

[robin7]

I feel like a mod should add [SOLVED] to the title. And I can edit the first post to say Yes, everyone drops every bike.

 

[robin7]

Well making this thread jinxed me clearly!

Today, one week after owning my CBR I dropped the damn thing parking. I put my foot down on a patch of oil, and by the time my foot found grip it was too late. I literally 'layed' the bike down gently though, so there's not a single scratch on the fairing, bars etc, so I'm pretty pleased with that.

However it won't start now? My friend said dropping it can flood the engine and to leave it for a bit? There's literally no damage to the bike so not sure what can be wrong lol

 

[robin7]

You didn't accidentally hit the kill switch did you?

I did, but clicked it off when starting. It sounded like a flat battery but it was freshly charged very recently and I'd just gone on a drive so was a bit confusing. It's possible that I left it on a bit too long while there, but it would have been less than 5 minutes I'm sure.

Ah well, will bump start it later if I have to I guess. I think it must just be a flat battery. I really can't imagine what damage could be done on dropping it so gently.

 

[robin7]

Dropped mine twice in the space of one week

I now know those feels

That moment of 'Oh no... no... nononononono... aww damn'.

 

[robin7]

By the time I'd gotten to that stage I was already coming to a stop on my backside

I think that counts as more than dropping it!

 

[robin7]

Hmmm my Vstrom was on its side for about 4-5 minutes before I managed to pick it up the first time and it seemed to start OK after about ten minutes of me checking it over before attempting to start it. Have you checked all the fuses and connectors to make sure they are all good?

Does it turn over at all?

It makes that clicky clicky sound (I'm clearly technically minded lol). It's the same sound I've heard on bikes with flat/low batteries. Which is what I was thinking.

I guess it's just as it's my first bike I'm trying to stop myself worrying that gently putting it down can somehow erm... destroy the entire thing!?

 

[robin7]

I should start another topic titled "How long does it take for the shame to go away after dropping your new bike on flat ground while stopped?"

Bike is fine, tiny scratch on exhaust and engine (I'll be buying an engine cover anyways). But my pride has taken a hit haha.

On a better note it's sped up my decision to purchase crash bungs! Going to make an order for a lot of gear and chuck in some crash bungs at the same time. Might get fork spindle things also for front and rear and call it a day there

 

[robin7]

Hmm, you've got me thinking too - £58 for a pair of R&G crash bungs for my bike, think I might splash out before I crash out...

Was hoping you'd miss this thread especially since you saw I only got it last week haha! Oh well. I've been totally fine on the bike until this Driving around, filtering etc in our busy traffic and hills. Just been taking it really relaxed and then drop it while stopped like an idiot

On a side note, loads of people were around and literally no one stopped to help or do/say anything. If I saw someone drop their bike or crash I'd run over (always have done in the past) and help them/check they're fine. Weird that it's not peoples first reaction.

And yeah, R&G crash bungs being bought. I feel obliged to get the engine cover to hide the scratch also.

Edit: On a side note, while I was fine picking the bike up (195kg I think?) do people get stuck? I'm a fair bit stronger than the average person and it was still bloody heavy. Do people get stuck and have to get help? I imagine if a big cruiser goes down... it stays down?

 

[robin7]

Picking up my little 125 on a road covered in black ice was not an easy task and that's only 130kg IIRC, did anyone stop to help? Did they flip.

Ouch I can imagine. This was on the flat at least, but I still forgot to hold the brake and nearly threw it over the other side.

And yeah literally no one did anything. I can't imagine it's possible to pick up a cruiser at 300+ kg.