Lessons Learned the Hard Way
 

What have you learned the hard way about riding... I'm talking about things like, not oiling the chain with the bike in gear, remembering to put the drain plug back in BEFORE you add the new oil... ect.


I'll start

I learned no matter how much of a bad ass you think you are for riding 4000 miles in 18 days... the trip isn't over, and one complacent moment can end your trip 800 miles short of it's destination. (let the clutch slip out of my fingers from a light and looped the bike, shattering the case cover, and leaking all my oil out)

I learned that no matter what that "qualified" mechanic at the corner shop tells ya... SLIME is not a PERMANENT fix (hey, I'd never heard of the stuff!) and will come out doing 90... 100 miles south of Anchorage,AK with very little cell coverage.

also learned that when the above happens, it takes 47 tries to get enough info through to AAA to dispatch a truck

I learned when the slime does fail, and you've got AAA on the way, and a good simaritan stops in and offers to plug and inflate your tires... that you check to make sure that the bike is on it's stand... and not balanced on the rear rim. cause when it DOES inflate the tire... the exhaust is ALWAYS on the opposite side of the side stand and weighs 100x more. and you'll end up needing AAA anyways as you'll have a broken brake lever, and right rear set.


I've learned that when riding your motorcycle up a ramp into the bed of your truck to make sure that you've got it anchored so it won't slide back and off the truck (drop 1)

I learned that after doing the above, and you use the edge of your garage cement floor to stop the ramp from sliding back, you need to make sure that there is clearance for you sitting on the bike with the top of the garage door. (drop 2)

and I learned that when you realize that there isn't enough clearance that you'll quickly realize why they make specific ramps for motorcycles and ATVS... as your leg will get caught in one of the giant holes on an ATV ramp and the bike will pin it in place.

Also learned that it's nice to wait that extra hour for your room mate to come home... so you're not pinned for an hour hanging with the bike laying on you.

though that does give you fair amount of time to contemplate a darwin award.


sadly... this is not all I've learned... but wanna give ya'll a chance to share your new found, and hard found wisdom! :dthumb:

I've done the oil drain before. I've sat the oil cap back on but didnt tighten it, then riding off. That was a slippery mess.

Leaning too far while riding. Done that. Also leaning too far while both feet on the ground. Luckly the bike went down only half way thanks to my vehicle.

Seeing if the bike has spark. That's always a winner's moment there. "Aw shit that hurt!"

putting your feet down when you stop is important(yes I actually forgot to put my feet down)
The kickstand exists for a reason, and one should use it (dont ask me HOW THE HELL I forgot to use it)
those are the good ones off the top of my head.

Loose shoe laces get caught on foot pegs, and then stop you from putting your foot down. Broken laces beat dropped bikes.

Primary chain covers hold the oil in when the bike is on the side stand.

The easiest time to fail is while showing off to a female.

I learned that while warming up your bike on the center stand, it's a good idea to make sure you're in neutral before you drop it down, (and then subsequently knock your buddies garage door off of it's hinges.)

JC

Where's the Durr medal award?

I learned (accidentally) that SV's will wheelie very easily in 1st

Hanging in my shop. :lol:

JC

thats right next to the cross isnt it?

nah, that follows him around.

You guys are killing me! :lmao:

I suppose my lesson has been the bike won't go into 1st gear with the kick stand down. Nor will it start when the kill switch has been flipped.

I've never crashed.

I've never dropped a bike.

I've never did anything remotely stupid as far as mechanical on a bike.

you sound like a fuck'n douchebag though... so guess you've got that going for ya as well

You forgot one.

JC

stopping for a squirell is never justified. Hearing your boyfriend (now husband) ask if you're ok first and THEN ask about the bike is priceless though.
Oil cap back on before starting the bike after an oil change.
Synthetic oil tastes just as bad as petroleum based when sprayed in your face.

that's about it ... for now

Please explain why. I'm waiting....

I think it was the "I'm better than all of you *blah blah blah*" post...but maybe he's met you.

Hmmn, i learned that my CBR 1000 can successfully jump a 12" or so dirt mound at 35 mph(this occurred immediately after blowing a corner due to pine straw being all over the road)

What are you trying to do, give the guy carpal tunnel?

For fuck sakes man, have some compassion. No one could possibly list all the different ways you're a douchebag.

JC

Weak attempt to try to pull info from me off of the net...

Assuming again?

I find it hard to believe that a person could ride a bike for any length of time and NEVER make a mistake.

I've left the kickstand down, checked the oil and left the cap off, almost dropped the damn thing on the right side, gotten my glove caught on the throttle revving the hell out of it, ad naseum.

Most of these things happened when I was tired.

That you are human and you have made mistakes, you just won't admit it. :cool:

yes - I'm assuming you're a douche. I think I'm right.

We're posting about mistakes we've made. You posted that you haven't made any mistakes. In a thread that asks for lessons you've learned from mistakes that you've made. I ASSUME you think you're better than the other people who have posted relevant material because otherwise why bother to post at all.

It raises his post count? :lmao:

add one post, subtract one IQ - seems fair

So, you think you're better than him because he can't admit to a mistake? And you feel like the thread about learning about your mistakes is the place to drag out the rulers and measure your e cup size against his e penis?


Sounds like more than one person needs to chill the fuck out.

This was about RIDING and MOTORCYCLES (which I cannot think of any other than don't follow too close to the guy in front in the canyons)....he said nothing about "life". If it is LIFE..I have a list...

So does your mom.

It's a short list. :lol:

JC

i learned wheeliing over a bridge can quickly turn into jumping said bridge at a high rate of speed....

I said I never crashed. I said I never dropped my bike. I said I never did anything "dumb" on a bike (like loop it from a stop lol). Leaving a kickstand down isn't dumb. You just put it up and go on your merry way. If you want me to list all the little nitpick stuff like kickstands, throttle flares etc. then sure.

I actually managed to do this when comonboys went down. I was supprised myself! :lol:

I learned that dave and sixxxer dont know what the speed limit is, and dave is also as forgetful as me when it comes to carrying his documents.

I learned that I can't turn faster by roatating the bike on the footpegs, they just fold over and slide instead of diging in and turning

I learned to tuck my sho laces in or they will get cought on stuff

go ahead and read your post again... the answers in there...

Not a mistake on my end, but every once in a blue moon when I start to release my clutch handle, the clutch just grabs way earlier than the position of my clutch handle and the bike jerks the shit out of me. I have to check my pants every time.

Its a strange thing. One time it did it twice in a row and I pop the front up both times while in a turning lane. That was a scary moment for my e penis and I.

have you check the clutch cable, spring, or clutch it self?

Its hydraulic.

oh... well shit... uh... fucked if I know... :lol:

When I changed my chain, I had to take off the cylinder housing and the rod and cylinder (like a brake caliper piston) moved fine and the seals were good. It's probably whatever the rod pushes against inside the engine. I'm not tearing into that unless I absolutely have to.

I learned if you don't warm up your fourstroke 250 dirtbike, it can cost you $900 later. And goosing the throttle on cold tires on cold asphalt can cause a little spill.

All in the past now...

I learned that the baby ninja will start even if it's in gear and no clutch is in. Most of the time it's no big deal...but the one time I was being watched sure enough that little fugger got away from me. :lol:

My 1125 won't in 1st... but it will in 2nd. :tremble:

how did u find this one out?
i also learned that the 25r will start in first with the kickstand down and even ride off with it down... dont ask how i know

Yours will start in 1st w/o the clutch pulled?

I have ridden off once with the kickstand down... :lol: it retracts pretty quick when you make a left turn.

As for how I know... I pulled into the parking spot and killed it and coasted in, still in second gear. Later that evening some friends called and said hurry up cause they are going out. In a hurry I go to start it as I'm gearing up, didn't pull in the clutch as I *never* park it in gear. Key on, hit starter, turns over about twice and rolls forward far enough to go off the kickstand... of course I was on the right side of the bike, with my helmet in my hand so no chance of catching it :no:

BUT, the pods work :dthumb: minor scratches on that and the puck on the engine case, and no other real damage.

Engine oil is still thick most likely.