Dropped my bike today

[Texas nomad]

Again, the Ride Like A Pro video series is great. This is a video taught by a former wheel officer. Sounds simple, but it does take practice. I've been through our department motor school three different times. Each time I learn something new! The biggest thing to remember is set the throttle at 1200 rpm (when completing slow turning maneuvers). When you want or need to increase speed (movement), simply let out more clutch. Keep the throttle set. As you turn sharp, you can keep a steady pressure on the rear brake, but never on the front. With practice, you too can ride very, very well. After practice, you can take the Nomad and pull a 180 in two parking stalls... Sounds rough, but you can do it! It's all clutch, throttle, brake... And head and eye placement. Ride safe gang...

[BigRed]

Unfortunately I don't know what 1200 rmp is on my bike because my bike doesn't have a tachometer. I will have to do everything by sound, feel and trial and error.

[27vulcan]

Just got a voyager this summer and dropped it on the left in a parking lot. It was an uphill with a side incline. Had the wife with me , picked it up and got it started again. Nothing more than my pride hurt. Dropped it on the right side this weekend. Wife and I stopped at a scenic overlook and same scenario, uphill parking spot angled to the right. Thank goodness no one was hurt and that the bike has bars! Just have to be more careful or grow stronger, longer legs!

[Bart]

I bought a Ride Like a Pro video a couple months ago and it has definitely helped improve my parking lot and city driving. I noticed MotorMan Palladino also has some short videos on YouTube. Wish my bike had a tach but I'm learning to get the feel of it.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by 27vulcan

Just got a voyager this summer and dropped it on the left in a parking lot. It was an uphill with a side incline. Had the wife with me , picked it up and got it started again. Nothing more than my pride hurt. Dropped it on the right side this weekend. Wife and I stopped at a scenic overlook and same scenario, uphill parking spot angled to the right. Thank goodness no one was hurt and that the bike has bars! Just have to be more careful or grow stronger, longer legs!

Be sure to only stop when you have the front wheel pointed at all times straight ahead.

Simply turn the bars straight (quickly if needed) before braking. Use both brakes when possible; but if you only use your front brake in slow maneuvers then expect to experience a slight loss of control. If you know it is coming, and the bike is straight ahead, then typically you can control it. But remember, it doesn't take much to tip a bike in slow maneuvers when using only the front brake when the front is turned.

The rear brake is the only brake to use in slow maneuvers when ever you possibly can.

If you use just the front brake when the wheel is turned (especially in unusual attitudes), it will almost guarantee your bike to go down -- as was mentioned.

Ride safe, often, and aware!