Dumbest newbie thing you've done (that didn't result in a crash...)

[ab]

After a brief ride, we pull over and start chit chatting.  One of the riders had HID light and we start comparing the light output.  Now it is my turn to turn on the high beam on mine, and I fiddle with it and notice it is not working and could not believe it.  Then someone pointed out I was fiddling with the engine switch button on the right side.  Ouch     

[MAXdB]

they're all so while also being 

[Mash]

Pulling the rearsets off my s2r1k, I  damn near dropped the bike on me loosening the left side before I realized the kickstand was coming loose too.

[Danmack_98]

I was just learning to ride my first motorcycle and had just gotten confident enough to go out on some of the "main" roads.  come to a four-way stop and stall out on take-off.  try to restart, nothin.  try again and again, nothin.  I had to push myself out of the way so traffic could continue, until about 45 seconds later when I realized I'd hit the kill switch.  Don't ask me how, but I did.  Nothing kills the confidence of a new rider like embarrassing yourself at a busy intersection.

[swampduc]

Parked my bike sideways on a slope. With the kickstand on the uphill side. Even stopped to look at it and thought, " Oh, that'll be fine." Next thing you know, BANG! in front of my then-girlfriend and a Harley rider. WTF.

[Popeye the Sailor]

I was parking on a steep downhill in Boston. I was intending to pull between two cars that had a sizable gap in between them, and park. I pulled in, went to pull the bike backwards to adjust it proper.....and no. Can't back up. Hrmm.

Maybe if we cut it hard and go forward? Nope, now just too close to the car in front.

I'm facing downhill, can't put the kickstand down.

Can't jump onto the sidewalk.

I think I've just trapped myself! make the beast with two backs!



Finally get annoyed, and using every ounce on my strength, heave the bike backwards, grab the front brake. Whew! Got me two inches! Repeat for about ten minutes, exit spot, park on the flat. Better.

[psycledelic]

Pulling the rearsets off my s2r1k, I  damn near dropped the bike on me loosening the left side before I realized the kickstand was coming loose too.

My question is would your instincts have led you to roll out of the way, or lay flat to save the bike from hitting the concrete. 

[hcomp]

I found the false neutral and did not pull in the clutch when I started my bike.  Thank goodness Rule 62 was there to catch the bike otherwise it would have ended up in the Dunlop trailer...

[the_Journeyman]

Edit: I have also tooted my horn at people instead of canceled my blinker on more than more occasion.

I do this with alarming regularity.

I also have ridden off with the kickstand down on my 900SS a ton, it's light doesn't work ~

JM

[sally101]

My Multi would turn on, but the damn engine wouldn't turn over.. Great.. Dead/dying Battery.. Tear down the left side of the multi (where the battery is buried) pull out battery, check leads, scratch head.. 45 mins. later... Yup.. It was the kill switch..

[Special K]

Overflowed the gas tank. Ouch!
I'm a creature of habit go to the same gas station, same pump, etc. Thing always clicks off way before the tank is full so this day I'm watching the counter on the pump not the nozzle in my tank. I'm thinking "Wow, this is taking more than ussual for the milage..." when I feel something cold and wet on my loins! Look down and it's gushing out of my tank. Homer Simpson "DOH"! Pumped over half a gallon on my bike and the ground. Wiped it off best I could with a rag I carry and straight home to disassemble and clean the crap out of it. What a mess!

Very embarassing, felt like a total dumbass. It's a mistake you only make once (I hope).

[grandpa nate]

i wear glasses...i wear a helmet...imagine the fun times when you forget to take off said glasses before putting helmet on...thought i broke my nose..and i have not done that again

[GLantern]

With my monster 695 i was stopped at a light and chatting with a harley rider.  I had killed the engine so i could hear him better when the light went i green i thumbed the starter and it would not start.  Him and his buddies pulled away while i kept hitting the starter and flipping the key on and off.  FInally i realized i had the kill switch off still.......


On my 1098 i just got out of the gym while standing next to the bike i put the key in and thumbed the starter the second i did the bike lurched forward without me on it!  The neutral light was green but it was a false neutral i managed to grab the clutch and pull it in at the last possible second and catch it before it hit the curb or fell over.  I always pull in my clutch when starting the bike now 

[hydra]

On the bmw 1100GS, which I don't own anymore, I was topping off the oil and forgot to put the cap back on. I started her up and took off. Luckily I looked down after only a couple of miles! But oil was all over the cylinders and my leathers... 

[Goat_Herder]

i wear glasses...i wear a helmet...imagine the fun times when you forget to take off said glasses before putting helmet on...thought i broke my nose..and i have not done that again

I TOTALLY FEEL YOUR PAIN!  I've been wearing glasses since I was 6.