Dropped it!!!

[Cuky_Monster]

Picked up my 696 yesterday.  WhooHoo!  I was pretty nervous about the whole thing because I can't get on the freeway until after the break-in period so had to take side streets.  The ride was spectacular!  Love the handling and pick up.  As soon as I get it home (about 15 miles from the dealership) and park it happens....DROPPED IT!!! 

Pulling in to my back yard, that has a short incline through the gate, I have to make a sharp right turn once inside.  Got it stopped at the top of it, put my foot down and didn't find the ground fast enough.  Not used to the top heavy machine, it followed the laws of gravity right to the ground.  UGH...I was frantic to find a neighbor to help me pull my baby back up.  10 minutes later I finally found someone.  I was kicking myself in the arse while I inspected the damage.  Luckily the only casualty was the right hand mirror which I could not see anything out of the whole ride home anyway.  I started her up for a while to see if anything was leaking out...nothing.  She fell in some pretty well rained on dirt.

Haven't gotten to ride her since, should I be worried about anything else other than bent handle bars and pegs?  Still kicking myself in the rear.

Cheers

[Porsche Monkey]

Well that really sucks.  You may want to check the bars over and the levers just to be sure. Sounds like you may be okay because of the soft dirt.  Don't feel bad about it because almost everyone on here has dropped their ride at one time or another.  Welcome to the forum.  This is a great place to hang out and talk about whatever there is to talk about. 

[He Man]

Have someone help you lay it down and practice picking it up. You shouldn't need someone to help. You just need to grab the subframe and the frame itself, and lift with your legs. you can also grab the bike by the bars from the front and lift with your legs.

Aside from that, dont be ashamed. I dropped my bike about....9 times in the last 2  1/2 years. 2 of those times i was moving.  it happens.

aside from bent bars and levers, you shouldnt need to worry about anything considering it was just a drop.

My bike has all 4 levers bent. (clutch, brake, brake, shifter) lol

[Popeye the Sailor]

Have someone help you lay it down and practice picking it up. You shouldn't need someone to help. You just need to grab the subframe and the frame itself, and lift with your legs. you can also grab the bike by the bars from the front and lift with your legs.

If they're big enough 

[somegirl]

Yep, almost all of us have been there.  Some of us multiple times.

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=3151.0

Frame sliders are a good idea while you get used to handling your bike.

[He Man]

If they're big enough 

Oh come on!

I saw a 5'3" girl pick up a gold wing!

besides most ladies have stronger legs then men!

[jdubbs32584]

Oh come on!

I saw a 5'3" girl pick up a gold wing!

besides most ladies have stronger legs then men!

I believe this was covered in the first thread about this. Goldwings have a different center of gravity than a monster.

I was a college level athlete and cannot pick up my bike. Congrats on being able to pick up your own bike but some of us cannot.

[Howie]

Most of us have dropped a bike.  The rest are probably lying. 

[JohnnyDucati]

. . . I was a college level athlete and cannot pick up my bike. Congrats on being able to pick up your own bike but some of us cannot.

No way!  Really?

[jdubbs32584]

No way!  Really?

Good thing you insisted on following me all the way home man!

[JohnnyDucati]

Hard-wired that way.  Had to help!   

[duc996]

Happened to me after many laps on a track day,did quite a few out there,but as soon as i get back in the paddock and put the side stand out my bike fell on the other side.:-( guess all that leg work on the track tired it out and just couldn't stop the bike from falling.Damage? scratch the right peg,bent the rear brakes a bit,and broke the front brakes handle.

Don't feel bad.

[mbalmer]

I can't pick up my bike. I can't even pick up my daughter's Ninja 250. I watched that video of the small lady in the short skirt pick up a big bike, but it had side bags that leaned the bike upward. I would have been impressed if the bike was all the way down.

[ghostface]

Why couldn't you pick it up? Did you try even? Man, I feel sorry that you dumped your bike first ride home but man get a smaller bike or something you can handle.

I got caught loading my monster in a Toyota Tundra by myself and got stuck halfway pushing it in. I had to brave it out, hold the bike while I climbed into the bed, and adrenaline pulled it in.

Hate to sound ruff but there always aren't gonna be people around to help.

Good luck with the bike.

[Spidey]

Sorry to hear about your drop.  That sucks, but it's sometimes just an unfortunate part of the learning process.  Almost everyone has dropped their bike at one point or another.  Even super experienced riders sometimes have a mishap. 

BTW, most people can pick up a bike themselves if they use the proper technique.  You can't just manhandle a bike back onto its wheels.  You'll throw out your back or rip your arms out of their sockets.  Below is a how-To vid.  It's not about strength, but about technique.  It's worth watching.



I'm not sure why the woman in the vid couldn't pick up the bike.  It's like she didn't even try.  She should be able to do it.