OK, I'm bored and just got to thinking...

[scott123007]

A guy I've known for a few years called me this morning all pissed off because he dumped his bike in a parking lot. Apparently, it is not the bent shifter and broken clutch lever that he is pissed about, it's the first time he's ever dumped a bike. I told him that I would be too embarrassed to tell anyone that I had NEVER dumped a bike. I asked him what kind of rider can you become if you never dump your bike? So, what constitutes a good motorcycle rider? Can you be considered "good" if you've never fallen? Conservative, yes, but good? Hmmm...
I know from the competition side of riding, that would be impossible, and generally the racers, who we look up to as being the best riders out there, toss their bikes all the time. What say you, Peanut Gallery?

 

[NittanyXT]

Can't find the line without crossing it !

 

[Koinz]

If you don't fall, your not trying !

 

[TXTenere]

A guy I've known for a few years called me this morning all pissed off because he dumped his bike in a parking lot. Apparently, it is not the bent shifter and broken clutch lever that he is pissed about, it's the first time he's ever dumped a bike. I told him that I would be too embarrassed to tell anyone that I had NEVER dumped a bike. I asked him what kind of rider can you become if you never dump your bike? So, what constitutes a good motorcycle rider? Can you be considered "good" if you've never fallen? Conservative, yes, but good? Hmmm...
I know from the competition side of riding, that would be impossible, and generally the racers, who we look up to as being the best riders out there, toss their bikes all the time. What say you, Peanut Gallery?

Interesting question. In this case, I am with your friend, and that he should be pissed off. He made a rookie mistake, assuming what you have portrayed above is the complete story. Dumping a motorcycle in a parking lot is a rookie mistake. Chances are, he either grabbed the front brake with the bars turned, or pulled in the clutch with the bars turned, thereby removing power from the rear wheel, causing the bike to fall over. If that's the case, then what he made was a very simple and elementary mistake, and is a lot different than the pro riders dumping their bikes. When was the last time you saw a pro rider dump their bike at say 5 mph?

Hopefully he learns from this experience. Assuming he's in Florida as well, perhaps he can take a class such as ride like a pro. It focuses on police riding techniques, a.k.a. Slow riding/parking lot maneuvering. It possibly would have prevented your friend from dropping his bike.
Http://www.ridelikeapro.com

 

[scott123007]

Interesting question. In this case, I am with your friend, and that he should be pissed off. He made a rookie mistake, assuming what you have portrayed above is the complete story. Dumping a motorcycle in a parking lot is a rookie mistake. Chances are, he either grabbed the front brake with the bars turned, or pulled in the clutch with the bars turned, thereby removing power from the rear wheel, causing the bike to fall over. If that's the case, then what he made was a very simple and elementary mistake, and is a lot different than the pro riders dumping their bikes. When was the last time you saw a pro rider dump their bike at say 5 mph?

Hopefully he learns from this experience. Assuming he's in Florida as well, perhaps he can take a class such as ride like a pro. It focuses on police riding techniques, a.k.a. Slow riding/parking lot maneuvering. It possibly would have prevented your friend from dropping his bike.
http://www.ridelikeapro.com

Well, like I said, it was not the lever, shifter, or the rookie mistake, that pissed him off. It was the fact that it was his FIRST fall. He has been riding a number of years. I was just curious whether anyone equated good riding with not falling.

 

[VAT]

Racing dirt bikes in my younger years........putting the bike down was not an issue (learned from my mistakes). Never put my cruiser down (thank goodness...too much chrome and nice paint). My buddies got me on a KLR650 two years ago (never crossed my mind). Made their big trip last year to NM & AZ. Laid it down on an old mining road but, did not upset me. I was just glad I wasn't the first to lay their bike down during the trip & in my mind....the bike & I weren't hurt & we were protected to take the fall. With team work we got the bikes back up on the rubber and rock & rutted on. This years trip will be the Super T's first big run to TN & NC. It might upset me a little more laying the Super T down (more expensive & nicer than the KLR) but, hopefully I have her outfitted enough to protect her. Now for my "head up my ass" moment........went over to my buddies to check out his new (used) V-Strom. He said take it for a ride. In his driveway, I take it off the center stand, go to get on, and over the bike & I go over. Luckily only a small scratch on the engine guard. We both just looked at each other.....WTH! Other than just a dumbass move the only other reasoning I had.....My KLR has a center stand but, the side stand has to be down in order to put the center stand up or down. Definitely learned from that experience. I think more than anything it is always just the embarrassment of the situation (that moment when you look around to see if anyone saw your mistake).