Harley down hard

[Chrisj CMA]

So four of us met for breakfast. Three Valkyries and one Harley. It was not our Harley that went down. So we just got back to our bikes and we heard them. Three Harley Sportsters turning onto the main highway. First two negotiated the turn just fine but number three not so much. He came through the left turn too fast and got dangerously close to number two. At that time it appeared he must have applied too much brakes in a turn because he instantly low sided and his bike took off down the side of the road. Rider faired well bike not really.  Speed control and control of braking was the issue due to inexperience. His buddies explained he was only one month into his riding career. Glad he wasn’t hurt but felt bad his new bike was destroyed

[Jess from VA]

When I hear (many of) these stories, the first thing I think of is Blood Alcohol Test. 

After all, how hard is it to negotiate a turn without falling off?

[Moonshot_1]

When I hear (many of) these stories, the first thing I think of is Blood Alcohol Test. 

After all, how hard is it to negotiate a turn without falling off?

It was a Harley. Maybe it was a part that fell off. I hear it happens.

[Farside]

So four of us met for breakfast. Three Valkyries and one Harley. It was not our Harley that went down. So we just got back to our bikes and we heard them. Three Harley Sportsters turning onto the main highway. First two negotiated the turn just fine but number three not so much. He came through the left turn too fast and got dangerously close to number two. At that time it appeared he must have applied too much brakes in a turn because he instantly low sided and his bike took off down the side of the road. Rider faired well bike not really.  Speed control and control of braking was the issue due to inexperience. His buddies explained he was only one month into his riding career. Glad he wasn’t hurt but felt bad his new bike was destroyed

It was a Great breakfast by the way!   Yes the young Airman was a Newbe on his Harley and wasn't paying attention or maybe showing off just a bit in front of us not sure. But I am sure he will have a sore back left side. His issue camo's were ripped up pretty bad.   We figuered he slid near 100 ft leaving the bike but not the road.    It happened right in front of our parked bikes as we stood in our Favorite   Gator Cafe breakfast spot.  (Trying to post the pic of our bikes.)  


 

[f6john]

At least he made it a month. I have witnessed one who didn’t make it out of sight of the dealership on his new sport bike. Glad no other traffic took him out and he’s ok.

[Pappy!]

Yep.....saw that youtube vid of the guy on the new zip-splat sport bike. Didn't even make it out of the parking lot!!

[DGS65]

Many years ago a guy up my way saved to buy a Harley I believe for his 5oth the entire family went with him to the dealership only to watch him get killed leaving the parking lot. 
Very sad!!

[old2soon]

           My belief is those of us that started on powered 2 wheel fun machines that were slow underpowered and in fields then gravel roads then pavement and gradually power increases and in my case anywho moto cross for what you are supposed to feel in extreme conditions. All of the build up to larger and larger M/Cs with more and more power. There were no courses offered on M/C riding and handling when I grew up. Ya just went out and did it-ride-then lick yer wounds when you went down-and hopefully learned to NOT do THAT again. 
           Couple years ago up at my Brothers place in Illinois he had a strawberries and cream Valkyrie for sale. Young man came up to look at it and matbe git a test ride. Ross-da prez-initiated a conversation with the potential purchaser of that fine machine. I had already ridden it and Ross and i agreed-bit faster than his and mine.  During the conversation it came out this was the young mans First ever M/C. Ross looked him right in the eyes and told him-a Valkyrie is NOT a starter M/C and refused to sell it to him. Young man stated-I'm over 21 i can buy anything I want. Ross told him-anything you want but i will NOT sell you this M/C. Young man had zero idea Ross may have saved his life but i Know the young man did NOT see it that way.  Inexperience WILL bite ya in da butt when ya least spect it to.  RIDE SAFE.

[DGS65]

Based on the average age of this group o suspect most pf us grow up as describe above, I know I did!

[Rams]

   Ross told him-anything you want but i will NOT sell you this M/C. Young man had zero idea Ross may have saved his life but i Know the young man did NOT see it that way.  Inexperience WILL bite ya in da butt when ya least spect it to.  RIDE SAFE.

This reminded me of my first visit to a small motorcycle dealership.   Lived in KS at the time.  Farm kids could get a driver's license at the age of 14.   I and a few friends decided to visit a local dealership, one of the group borrowed his mom's car.   Four of us took off for what we thought would be a fun time.

While at the dealership, the salesman/owner was all about selling us our first bikes.   He allowed us all to mount up and take the bike of our choice for a ride, no helmets, no protection and no training of any kind.

The end result was, one crashed bike by one of my friends, it could have been me but it wasn't.   The crashed bike was the same one I had ridden first.   My buddy had never ridden before and ended up with a couple broken bones, the bike was totaled.  The dealership wanted his parents to pay for the bike, his parents threatened to sue for letting their inexperienced son get on that bike without any training or their permission.   Not sure how it all came out financially but, as I remember, the dealership dropped their demand and the parent's home insurance paid for the doctor bills.

Moral of the story, always verify the potential buyer knows what the hell he's doing before letting him/her get on your bike.

Rams

[98 T]

I worry about some people I see out on bikes that look like they're too much for the rider....... Years ago,  several of us in the VRCC around Milwaukee/Waukesha occasionally went to  "bike night" at a local Culver's restaurant. The parking lot would fill up with  150- 500 bikes of  every kind .  Usually there was  group of  what I call  "kids" on  Hyabusas and other such bikes capable of insane velocities come roaring in and park. Once  a group came in and 2 of the riders were  girlfriends of  2 of the guys each riding their own tricked out   "busas".     In both cases,  their boyfriends had to jump off their own bikes to help the girls stop their bikes and push them back into their parking spot (Th girls were wearing stiletto heels!!!!!)  They could barely get their feet down nor balance the bike when stopped.

I full expect they each had accidents at some point in the future- maybe on their way home.    Giving a  180 HP bike to a newbie...what were they thinking?    Clearly they could not handle a bike like that.  That's why they make  Rebel 250's and such to learn on.

The only plus side was girls sure looked pretty on those tricked-out bikes and their boyfriends looked proud as peacocks.


Ride safe-