Avoiding dropping my precious bike

03-10-2007, 06:43 PM

I am a new 'biker' and even newer Monster owner (S2R)
Any tips on how to keep the bike upright when stationary slow manouevres and when trying to push it around parking etc, I've had a few heartstopping moments!!!!

I suppose benchpressing a few weights would help my feeble girlie muscles but any tips would be appreciated.

Nonnie · 03-10-2007, 06:50 PM

Hi, really I guess it's just practise. Remember your training and remember to look where you want the bike to go. Try not to stop on a camber or over a pot hole where your foot should go! To be honest, once it's gone over the point of no return just try to be gentle! Most drop their bikes. Don't worry!

I rarely push the bike, I always paddle it, that way I feel more in control and I think it gives better balance.

Take your time too and don't be rushed. If it feels wrong then take a minute, breathe and try again when you're ready.

When I first passed, I was very nervous about riding alone but I put in a few hours as and when, just riding around, took him into carparks and in to town and then out into the country to get used to how he handles.

Now, I crave those few hours when I can.

03-10-2007, 06:51 PM

Make sure you have a friend with you and just practice moving it about. When I am off the bike moving it about, I find it best to let my leg take the weight with the tank resting on it, just cover the front brake to stop it sliding away from you. The big mistake is to try to keep it dead upright and balancing whilst you move it. It only has to tip the other way a little and then it's going away from you. Not much you can do at that stage.
Don't be afraid to get off the bike to move it either. I'm quite short so sometimes when I have ridden into a parking space, to get the bike out I manouevre it whilst off the bike, point it in the right direction, then off I go.

03-10-2007, 06:51 PM

Welcome!

Also being a girlie (and a short one at that), I sympathise with you - I once dropped mine up at Bury Hill when wheeling it backwards (in front of lots of people).

The tips I have are always keep the brake in reach, lean it slightly towards you, and practice!

By the way, I'm your friendly Sussex rep, so I hope to see you out and about. Keep an eye on the forum for events going on (weather permitting of course!).

Saz

singletrack · 03-10-2007, 06:53 PM

Hi queline
welcome to

I hate to say it but most new bikers drop their bikes.
The good thing about a Monster is that there are no fairings to ruin.
If you are really worried I would get a set of R&G crash bungs so damage is limited.

Slow speed manoeuvres are generally tricky - get off the bike and push it if you need to! A lot of ladies find Daytona Ladystar boots helpful - they add about an inch to your height and it is easier to paddle the bike.

The best way to learn how not to drop it is by experience - get out there and ride. It will eventually become easier.

Have fun.
Anne x

Stafford · 03-10-2007, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilps

I'm quite short .

Understatement

Nickj · 03-10-2007, 07:19 PM

At low and very low speeds don't wave your legs around like a waddling half paddling duck, not only does it look so uncool it also keeps moving your point of balance and generally unsettles the plot.

Get used to lifting your feet up and then you can use you knees and feet pushing down on the pegs and small steering input to keep you balanced. Keep gentle power on and be very gentle with the clutch throttle and brakes. Unless you feel like you in instant danger of falling over then you can put a foot down once you've stopped the bike.
Does it work? Used to be what we got all the kiddies to do on the old RAC/ACU training scheme, we also used to take perverse delight in doing very tight figure of eights round the cones on a Gold wing at sub walking pace.
Proper form is clutch out feet up, bike stops feet down
Moving the bike 'by hand' keep it just off vertical and towards you, it's not about strength but subtlety of balance.
Personally I always park up so I'm aiming where I want to go later, it saves embarrassment. You learn from bitter experience that any bike triples its weight when it's lying down and all available grab points become totally inaccessible !!
Practice out of sight somewhere its easy really.

Oh alternative is never go slow anywhere any time, Chappers can tell you all about that one LOL

03-10-2007, 07:47 PM

As everyone else has said - when you're moving the bike around - just take your time. If you're not happy - practice somewhere with someone the other side of the bike if it helps you (my hubby always has big bikes usually with a centre stand, so when he does get a new one he stands the other side of the bike while I put it on and off the stand a few times). When you're stopping, have a quick look around you - and if you can remember your training. Parking up can be something else, again just take your time and think about what you're doing and how you're going to get out again! If you do need some height - I'd definitely look at the Ladystars (mine are 4 years old like comfy slippers now and I wouldn't be without them).

Really sorry - it is definitely experience that helps most. Better share my first "drop" - first week riding my first big bike, parked bike downhill, not in gear, it rolled off its stand and onto its side (seems so obvious now). A bloke helped me to pick it up and he told me I should get a smaller bike (imagine that), I moved it to face up-hill then a traffic warden told me I was in a disabled space!

You'll find that nearly everyone has done something stupid at some time its best not to worry about it - enjoy your riding.

Carole

03-10-2007, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stafford

Understatement

I'm going to report you for being size-ist.

JerryXt · 03-10-2007, 08:10 PM

all the above is excellent advice, but remember that the engine is like a big gyroscope when it's spinning, so don't be afraid to rev it and slip the clutch when you're doing low speed manouvers. It really helps keep the bike upright.

Enjoy and be safe!

Oh, and welcome to the club!

gary tompkins · 03-10-2007, 08:36 PM

Bit drastic but it worked for me

04-10-2007, 12:50 AM

Good point by Jerry.
When going slow on mine I keep my feet firmly planted on pegs, rev a little higher and pull the clutch in to biting point and more or less use that to control the speed with a little bit of rear brake..Should be just like you were taught to do your U turns on your training. Bike is a lot more stable when its got drive going to the rear wheel.

Im only 5' 3" so have difficulty paddling the bike around. I do like others have said above and look ahead at where and how I want to park. Take my time and push it if I think it will help. Dont care what anyone else might think because, hey, its my bike and I want to keep it looking new.

If all else fails do as GT did and put bloody great stabilizers on it

04-10-2007, 07:27 AM

Wow loads of great advice , Tx

No doubt will be back for more tips!!!

04-10-2007, 07:35 AM

Avoid low speed as much as possible

J.P · 04-10-2007, 08:44 AM

All the advice is right on. And the only real solution for slow speed manouvering is practice. I flippin hate it and even after a year and lots of training I still look like a complete novice at slow speed turning, I'm ok in a straight line and find that with a little bit of revs and plenty of back brake you will find the control coming back to you.
And as for moving it around by hand, make sure you leant he bike into you, that way hopefully any lean in the bike can be caught by your body quickly, if it's away from you & it goes, you're buggered !

03-10-2007, 06:43 PM	#1
Queline Guest Posts: n/a	Avoiding dropping my precious bike I am a new 'biker' and even newer Monster owner (S2R) Any tips on how to keep the bike upright when stationary slow manouevres and when trying to push it around parking etc, I've had a few heartstopping moments!!!! I suppose benchpressing a few weights would help my feeble girlie muscles but any tips would be appreciated.

03-10-2007, 06:50 PM	#2
Nonnie Dipstick! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Norfolk Bike: M620ie Posts: 1,804	Hi, really I guess it's just practise. Remember your training and remember to look where you want the bike to go. Try not to stop on a camber or over a pot hole where your foot should go! To be honest, once it's gone over the point of no return just try to be gentle! Most drop their bikes. Don't worry! I rarely push the bike, I always paddle it, that way I feel more in control and I think it gives better balance. Take your time too and don't be rushed. If it feels wrong then take a minute, breathe and try again when you're ready. When I first passed, I was very nervous about riding alone but I put in a few hours as and when, just riding around, took him into carparks and in to town and then out into the country to get used to how he handles. Now, I crave those few hours when I can. __________________ Behave like a twat? There's an app for that! http://www.think.norfolk.gov.uk/content.asp?pid=6

03-10-2007, 06:53 PM	#5
singletrack Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Glossop Bike: Other Not a Ducati Posts: 1,513	Hi queline welcome to I hate to say it but most new bikers drop their bikes. The good thing about a Monster is that there are no fairings to ruin. If you are really worried I would get a set of R&G crash bungs so damage is limited. Slow speed manoeuvres are generally tricky - get off the bike and push it if you need to! A lot of ladies find Daytona Ladystar boots helpful - they add about an inch to your height and it is easier to paddle the bike. The best way to learn how not to drop it is by experience - get out there and ride. It will eventually become easier. Have fun. Anne x __________________ A woman can never have too many bikes!

03-10-2007, 07:19 PM	#7
Nickj Too much time on my hands member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Forest Of Dean Bike: S2r Posts: 3,201	At low and very low speeds don't wave your legs around like a waddling half paddling duck, not only does it look so uncool it also keeps moving your point of balance and generally unsettles the plot. Get used to lifting your feet up and then you can use you knees and feet pushing down on the pegs and small steering input to keep you balanced. Keep gentle power on and be very gentle with the clutch throttle and brakes. Unless you feel like you in instant danger of falling over then you can put a foot down once you've stopped the bike. Does it work? Used to be what we got all the kiddies to do on the old RAC/ACU training scheme, we also used to take perverse delight in doing very tight figure of eights round the cones on a Gold wing at sub walking pace. Proper form is clutch out feet up, bike stops feet down Moving the bike 'by hand' keep it just off vertical and towards you, it's not about strength but subtlety of balance. Personally I always park up so I'm aiming where I want to go later, it saves embarrassment. You learn from bitter experience that any bike triples its weight when it's lying down and all available grab points become totally inaccessible !! Practice out of sight somewhere its easy really. Oh alternative is never go slow anywhere any time, Chappers can tell you all about that one LOL __________________ "The final measure of any rider's skill is the inverse ratio of his preferred Traveling Speed to the number of bad scars on his body." Song of the sausage creature

03-10-2007, 07:47 PM	#8
MrsJel Guest Posts: n/a	Hate to say it too As everyone else has said - when you're moving the bike around - just take your time. If you're not happy - practice somewhere with someone the other side of the bike if it helps you (my hubby always has big bikes usually with a centre stand, so when he does get a new one he stands the other side of the bike while I put it on and off the stand a few times). When you're stopping, have a quick look around you - and if you can remember your training. Parking up can be something else, again just take your time and think about what you're doing and how you're going to get out again! If you do need some height - I'd definitely look at the Ladystars (mine are 4 years old like comfy slippers now and I wouldn't be without them). Really sorry - it is definitely experience that helps most. Better share my first "drop" - first week riding my first big bike, parked bike downhill, not in gear, it rolled off its stand and onto its side (seems so obvious now). A bloke helped me to pick it up and he told me I should get a smaller bike (imagine that), I moved it to face up-hill then a traffic warden told me I was in a disabled space! You'll find that nearly everyone has done something stupid at some time its best not to worry about it - enjoy your riding. Carole

03-10-2007, 06:51 PM	#3
Gilps Guest Posts: n/a	Make sure you have a friend with you and just practice moving it about. When I am off the bike moving it about, I find it best to let my leg take the weight with the tank resting on it, just cover the front brake to stop it sliding away from you. The big mistake is to try to keep it dead upright and balancing whilst you move it. It only has to tip the other way a little and then it's going away from you. Not much you can do at that stage. Don't be afraid to get off the bike to move it either. I'm quite short so sometimes when I have ridden into a parking space, to get the bike out I manouevre it whilst off the bike, point it in the right direction, then off I go.

03-10-2007, 06:51 PM	#4
SazzaG Guest Posts: n/a	Welcome! Also being a girlie (and a short one at that), I sympathise with you - I once dropped mine up at Bury Hill when wheeling it backwards (in front of lots of people). The tips I have are always keep the brake in reach, lean it slightly towards you, and practice! By the way, I'm your friendly Sussex rep, so I hope to see you out and about. Keep an eye on the forum for events going on (weather permitting of course!). Saz

03-10-2007, 08:10 PM	#10
JerryXt everyone gets home safe Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London Bike: S4Rs Posts: 933	all the above is excellent advice, but remember that the engine is like a big gyroscope when it's spinning, so don't be afraid to rev it and slip the clutch when you're doing low speed manouvers. It really helps keep the bike upright. Enjoy and be safe! Oh, and welcome to the club! __________________ There is no depth to that mans talent... Sorry, there is no END to the depth of that mans talent. Last edited by JerryXt; 03-10-2007 at 08:16 PM..

04-10-2007, 12:50 AM	#12
Gimley Guest Posts: n/a	Bite point Good point by Jerry. When going slow on mine I keep my feet firmly planted on pegs, rev a little higher and pull the clutch in to biting point and more or less use that to control the speed with a little bit of rear brake..Should be just like you were taught to do your U turns on your training. Bike is a lot more stable when its got drive going to the rear wheel. Im only 5' 3" so have difficulty paddling the bike around. I do like others have said above and look ahead at where and how I want to park. Take my time and push it if I think it will help. Dont care what anyone else might think because, hey, its my bike and I want to keep it looking new. If all else fails do as GT did and put bloody great stabilizers on it

04-10-2007, 07:27 AM	#13
Queline Guest Posts: n/a	Wow loads of great advice , Tx No doubt will be back for more tips!!!

04-10-2007, 07:35 AM	#14
spm23 Guest Posts: n/a	Avoid low speed as much as possible

04-10-2007, 08:44 AM	#15
J.P No more Monster... Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Bike: Other Not a Ducati Posts: 4,326	All the advice is right on. And the only real solution for slow speed manouvering is practice. I flippin hate it and even after a year and lots of training I still look like a complete novice at slow speed turning, I'm ok in a straight line and find that with a little bit of revs and plenty of back brake you will find the control coming back to you. And as for moving it around by hand, make sure you leant he bike into you, that way hopefully any lean in the bike can be caught by your body quickly, if it's away from you & it goes, you're buggered ! __________________ J.JP ------------------------------- My Mum says, there's no such thing as Monsters.