| Author | Message | ||
     Black_widow |
and i just for the first time dumped my bike...only been riding a couple of weeks..is this a normal occurence for a newbee?} | ||
| Patrickh |
it happens, don't worry about it. builds character. | ||
| Spiderman |
Yes it is and at least you are starting off on the right bike. I have lowsided Blasts at 30mph and barley scuffed anything... (BTW that was on a Rider's Edge course competing with the instructors for fastest exercise times  do not try this at home!) | ||
| Glitch |
Welcome to the board. Yeah, it happens to the best of us. I've been riding for well over 30 years, and I dumped my brand new Buell on the way to the dealer for it's 1000 mile check up. Well actually I ran over the neighbor's dog, dumping the bike, the bike lived, the dog wasn't quite so lucky. | ||
| Black_widow |
thanks all...i feel better now..i just love to ride and an looking forward to a lot of mileage on my bike...you all are so kind | ||
| Jimincalif |
Normal. But let's ask one KEY question: Do you know what countersteering is, and how to do it? If you don't, go sign up for a class ASAP pronto right now. And don't ride until you get there. | ||
| Glitch |
Good idea Jim. I've taken the newbie class a couple of times and the advanced class a few times, each time I get my money's worth, even though I've been riding for years. | ||
| Oldog |
Welcone to the madness | ||
| Swampy |
Welcome to the Board! Check out the Thumper forum for all things Blast! The Blast is an easy bike to bring down, lots of brakes there! | ||
| Chasespeed |
I wont even talk about how many times I have been down in teh last 10 years... But then again, most sane people dont ride like my •••••••... ANyway, welcome to the board...read learn, and I certainly recommend the MSF course as well... Alot of good people and riders here....have fun... Chase | ||
| Bluzm2 |
All the above is good info. But, ask your self and be very honest. "What did I do wrong, what could I have done different to avoid the spill?" "Was it something dumb I did?" (like hot dogging) Was it something I missed on the road? (sand, oil, a rut, etc.) Failure analysis of any event is a good thing. A person can learn lots.. Welcome to the family! Brad | ||
| Svo1023 |
welome widow....hey dont sweat it two kinds of bikers out there ones that have been down one's that are going down....had a little parking incident myself a few weeks ago....it happens wear your gear and be aware... oh btw welcome to the sickness | ||
| Black_widow |
 thank you all for your advice..i do know what i did wrong the second it happened...just let go of the clutch and killed the engine...so i don't think anything would have helped...but i guess we all learn from experience. thanks for all the welcomes. and yes, i always gear up..i am looking for a better helmet and jacket..any suggestions? | ||
| Tramp |
yep- stick with a fullface, for starters. don't even think about a half-helmet or an old-school 3/4. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Always buy the best you can afford, Oh & svo is wrong there's not 2 types there's 3, 1, those who have lobbed it, 2, those who are about to lob it, 3, liars, Welcome to Buelling, your life will never be the same again, just don't try blaming us.  | ||
| Lovematt |
I agree with getting good gear when you can. I can honestly say I have never dumped it on the street...not sure why that is though...it will likely happen I am sure and I do what I can to be ready for it. It could have something to do with starting out in the dirt for 9 years before I turned 16...I sure dumped it a lot in those nine years and learned how to avoid it I guess when the time came to get out on the street. I am also more careful in the street as the speeds are higher...the same bone falling in the dirt at 45 MPH (unless it is a rock surface) is less damaged than at 80 MPH on asphalt or concrete slab... | ||
| Black_widow |
well, Tramp,i agree on the full face . i wear contacts and have a 3/4 right now...sunglasses offer no protection from flying dust and stuff. and Innes, i agree that there are those that lie about never dumping their bike...matt, you were only 7 and riding dirt bikes? that's amazing! and to think i'm just starting out! i love it...and i promise not to blame any of you for the changes in my life because of it! | ||
| Ezblast |
LOL - I droped my bike so often my first year - the darn thing thought it was a yo-yo, however, no real scratches untill 3 years later - a get off that would have made laugh-In proud - a beautiful slow motion piece - no real damage but geez the deep scars on the tank - pretty smoothed out and shiney now - I smile and grimice every time I look at them - definate hubris - lol Welcome fellow Blastard to the Madness - GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Jon |
Welcome to Badweb BW! | ||
| Black_widow |
 auntie em auntie em it's a twister it's a twister!!! since this is easter, i will be going for a ride and not coming back till i find that easter bunny. thanks for the welcome and why the name "thumper"?} | ||
| Jlnance |
Black_widow - Welcome to BWB. One cylinder bikes are called thumpers because of the way they vibrate. Glad you like the Blast. I've got one too. Drops happen. My first was during the MSF class comming around a corner on a Blast. Nothing like having an audience. As for Helmets and Jackets. Try a mesh jacket since you're in Flordia. HD sells one that is actually reasonably priced. Here is a link to a jacket from an online place I've used: http://www.newenough.com/ladies_firstgear_meshtex2_jacket_page.htm I wouldn't order Helmets online unless you are replacing an existing one with an identical model. The fit is too important to buy one w/o trying it on. Your helmet should be DOT and Snell approved. It should fit snugly, such that you can't rotate your head w/o moving the helmet as well. Beyond that go by price and comfort. My helmets to date have been made by HJC, and you can pick them up for about $110. I'm thinking about trying a Scorpion next. One thing to consider with Helmets is what color you want. My first was black but I realized thats not great for being seen. I bought a red one next and people do notice it. There are many solid colors and patterns you can choose from, so spend some time finding you like and that you think will grab other drivers attention. | ||
| Black_widow |
JInance-thanks for all the info. i'm going to try a lot on before i choose which i will buy and the helmet will be a bright color...i want to be seen..and the previous owner put straight pipes on it,so i define}}ately will be heard. EZ, lol..i love the comparison to a yoyo..i hope i can hold up without another drop for a while though. it's a lot for me to pick up by myself. thanks for the welcome, Jon  } | ||
| Ezblast |
I've yanked that puppy up several times with just one hand and sheer embarrissment for strength was all I ever needed - lol - though Scott helped me on that slo-motion one because we where laughing so hard - we stopped soon enough when we saw the scratches - deep in the tank and broken brake toe piece - lol - still was funny as s**t though - I was doing a fancy brake stop and throw leg over bit and as my leg was in the air the oceanshore breeze caught my leg over the bike and blew us both over the other way - lol - GT - GBPTDS! EZ (Message edited by ezblast on April 19, 2006) | ||
| Black_widow |
 well , i got my gear yesterday. all red and chose my paint color too...oh-so-sexy red. cant wait to be going 280 mph with my hair on fire. but it will be a while. EZ, you are too wild!} | ||
| Ezblast |
Your going to have great fun on that bike! Enjoy! GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Angelwild327 |
Widow...did you get a helmet? If not, check out the Scorpion line..excellent full facer, great prices, with no compromise on design, safety and comfort! | ||
| Black_widow |
yes, i got a helmet and jacket and gloves. all red so everyone will see me coming.and paint for my bike too. also red...i just hope when they see me go by, they don't think i'm on fire and turn the hose on me...i shopped around and got pieces everywhere. having a hard time with the full face helmet though. i get phobic about having my face covered...something i will have to get used to. | ||
| Jlnance |
I get phobic about having my face covered. I was worried about that too. For the first couple of weeks, I would leave the visor open when I rode. And I still pop it open when I'm stopped. It's something you get used to pretty quickly though. | ||
| Jackbequick |
I have a modular/flip front helmet on its way to me now. It will be my first full coverage helmet, I've used nothing but the classic three quarters coverage style for the last 40 years. Reading the helmet damage stats when someone linked to them here has been my incentive to give the full coverage a try. Something like 39% of the damage/road rash found on full coverage helmets after accidents is in the area that does not exist on a 3/4 coverage helmet. Jack | ||
| Buellgirlie |
welcome and congrats! dropping a bike is something that just happens. dont worry - learn and get better! D | ||
| Tramp |
lose the 3/4, get a fullface. 3/4 doesn't protect your jaw or teeth or facial skin...fullface does. that's the best advice i can ever offer a new rider. | ||
| Bomber |
flip front lids are great, specially if ya wear specs -- there are some great buys on em these days welcome, BW -- droppin the scoot is no biggie at all, just part of the drill and good for you on gearin up -- I'm sure it's tempting not to do so in your neck o the woods | ||
| Henrik |
" ... normal occurrence ... " Well, I'd be careful of the company in which I voiced that question, but ... first thing I did with my 1982 FXRS Shovel, was leaving it in gear at a stoplight and accidentally "dropping" the clutch and slowly rear-end the car in front of me. The old motor just kept chucking along crunching my front fender, pushing the front of the bike under the car. All this right in front of the HD shop where I used to get parts ... on a bright and sunny spring Saturday morning with the parking lot packed with riders. So in short, the answer to your question is "Yes"  Henrik | ||
| Black_widow |
 i saw some of the flip fronts when i shopped...just nothing that i liked so i got a full helmet in red.and it is tempting not to gear up here, but i got a mesh jacket with the armour so it really is cool when you're going. i know the rest will come with practice..thanks for all your input and support. } |
