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I saw the other time too.......................twice
lol - that was you blocking a bridge !!
Dropped it again
- Thread starter Becksy
- Start date
lol - that was you blocking a bridge !!
It's also a confidence thing. I've dropped mine twice now in relatively quick succession. Both times turning at a junction from stopped. Each time not enough speed and not looking to where I wanted to go.
The bike is a handful for me at low speeds. I'm 5'-6" so now my confidence has taken a hit. A sharp turn out of a junction from a stopped start can induce a panic.
The bike is a handful for me at low speeds. I'm 5'-6" so now my confidence has taken a hit. A sharp turn out of a junction from a stopped start can induce a panic.
Sounds like your low speed riding technique needs a bit of work. Why not find an empty car park at weekends and practice, try doing U turns within the width of three parking bays which is the space you get on the Mod1 test, do some slalom and figures of eights. Keep the revs up and work the clutch and use a little counter balance by shifting your weight slightly in the saddle. It will all build on your confidence and skills and as someone has already said - it will help you to Boss the bike. I see loads of bikers at low speed with their legs dangling down which actually makes the balance worse as it is like have two sides of beef dangling from the bike and of course you are then using the front brake which makes it worse at low speed. Any twat can make a bike go quick but slow speed riding is very often ignored once a rider has passed the test with the inevitable result.
Best of luck.
I see you are fairly local, I work for RMT Motorcycle Training and if you like I can get you a days training that will look at your slow riding and other skill areas for just £50 for a day - if interested send me a PM.
Best of luck.
I see you are fairly local, I work for RMT Motorcycle Training and if you like I can get you a days training that will look at your slow riding and other skill areas for just £50 for a day - if interested send me a PM.
Dead right Lord Snooty. I was OK until I dropped it and now like I say my confidence has gone a bit. I only passed my test 3 years ago so relatively inexperienced.
Didn't stop me doing 2500 miles in July over Alpine passes though ;-) Just shit myself lol
Didn't stop me doing 2500 miles in July over Alpine passes though ;-) Just shit myself lol
lol - that was you blocking a bridge !!
What about the concrete drainage dyke??........ scuffed your freshly painted rocker covers
Spot on Mike, all good advice
stephen.stallebrass
Registered user
Agree and confidence comes with competence.
Funnily enough watched this yesterday https://youtu.be/DvxsM4QaFAA
Explains the gyroscopic effect by using a pushbike as well. Basically rev the fucker, slip the clutch and use back brake. Hope it helps
Thanks, have just watched it. Think I have got a bit sloppy and this is a useful reminder. Its OK to be a bit sloppy on a Fazer but not on a GS. Cheers.
I'm a proper jockey at 5ft 7,my gs is a standard bike with the seat in the low setting.don't worry about confessing to dropping your bike.everyones done it! I don't worry about getting both feet on the floor{just as well!}you can move yer backside across the seat and get better balance using one foot rather than tettering on two,also if you are slow speed manouvering look where you want to go and not the front wheel,use the back brake to steady the bike,sorry if you already knew all that,try moto gymkhana,that'll sort it!
I had the same problem with my Multistrada when I first got it, dropped it twice and totally lost all confidence when manoeuvring at slow speed. The only real remedy for me was getting my confidence back. I did that by going to a carpark on a closed down industrial estate and spend about half a hour a week doing different manoeuvers including walking around pushing the bike. It felt a bit like CBT but After 4 or five weeks I got my confidence back. Just waiting for my GSA to arrive now and I can start all over again.
Never dropped a bike in 30 years of road riding until a couple of weeks ago .GS was loaded with luggage and a pillion riding from Skye to Plockton in the Highlands ,single track road up a short very steep hill leading to a junction, I began to turn left when a car appeared so I had to stop.Im not sure what happened but the bike went over and I couldn't hold it I was in total shock that my wife and I were on the floor and the bike was on its side.I have never felt so embarrased ,it was more of a lay down so not a lot of damage .I even went back the next day to see where I went wrong ,it knocked my confidence big time .
mobimick
Registered user
Dropped my GS twice in two days earlier this year in Wales! couldn't figure it out until it dawned on me I still had the settings on pillion & luggage, raises the seat height when its unloaded and the grounds not where you're expecting it!
All very valid tips. The GS or any big bike for that matter does benefit the rider confidence and control if you use the rear brake and not being shy about it. Even in the hairpins in the Alps going up or down it helps to steer to a line and keep control.
My First GSA (09 plate) I manage to drop it in front of traffic
having had it for a week or 2. A153 to A16 junction and I was on my way to Rosedale Abbey in the Yorkshire Moors. Many more to follow in full view or onlookers but I learnt to plan well ahead if you want to stop at an unfamiliar spot. All good fun and that is what the sticky out bits are for or if you have crash bars you can get protectors for the crash bars . It makes you appreciate the staying upright bit when you help out a fellow GS rider getting it upright after his involuntary dismount 
My First GSA (09 plate) I manage to drop it in front of traffic
having had it for a week or 2. A153 to A16 junction and I was on my way to Rosedale Abbey in the Yorkshire Moors. Many more to follow in full view or onlookers but I learnt to plan well ahead if you want to stop at an unfamiliar spot. All good fun and that is what the sticky out bits are for or if you have crash bars you can get protectors for the crash bars . It makes you appreciate the staying upright bit when you help out a fellow GS rider getting it upright after his involuntary dismount 
There are two types of GS riders: Those that have dropped their bike and those that are yet to drop their bike
For me the golden rules are, pay attention, don't be lazy with the throttle at junctions and through slow dippy, twistie, bumping up kerbs, of camber, uneven surface stuff don't be a tart
For me the golden rules are, pay attention, don't be lazy with the throttle at junctions and through slow dippy, twistie, bumping up kerbs, of camber, uneven surface stuff don't be a tart
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