I'm officially an idiot

Can't believe it.

I have over 20 years experience riding bikes, I've owned sport bikes, standards, cruisers and a VMax.

I just took ownership of a brand new anniversary edition VFR (VIN 900030), and...

crashed it within 200 yards.

I stopped to turn left onto a side street, then turned and gave it a little (LITTLE) throttle as I straightened out. The back tire slipped out from under me (damn new tires) and the bike slid for about 15 feet on its left side. Screeeeeeech.

Bent shifter, bent clutch lever, scratches on passenger peg, bar end, mirror, messed up lower and upper cowl. To top it off, the battery was low on charge so the bike wouldn't turn over (good thing, since I was too shook up to drive).

I had to push it back to the dealer (200yds) and get them to replace shifter, lever and charge the d@mn battery.

All I got was a sore pinky and dirty jeans. Needless to say I'm a little skittish about taking corners now. Time for some steel wool...

I'll be replacing the lower fairing, but the only damage to the top part is on the red+white sticker that covers its lower left side. Is it possible to get that sticker from Honda?

 

Damn , that sux, glad you're OK though.

 

sorry to hear that man, the bike can be repaired we are all glad that you are ok. Im always afraid when I get new tires that may happen

 

Ouch! Well, welcome to the forum and congrats on the almost-new bike!

 

Mistakes happen...you are being too hard on yourself.

Oh, Hello and Welcome!

BZ

 

I was so paranoid about that scenario that I made the sales guy ride the bike around the parking lot agressively until the tires were scuffed up. I drove it to work to show my buddies and promptly laid it over. The kickstand didn't go out all the way.

Scuffed up the hardbag good and the front corner of the upper cowl.

WORD OF WARNING!!!!
These bikes get dramatically top heavy with a full tank of gas. 6.64 lbs per gallon or so. multiply by 5.8 gallons and you have 38.5 pounds sitting way up high. Until the bike breaks in the brakes are grabby. Touch the front in a slow turn and it will go down. Use the back brake gently in slow tight radius turning. I would keep a 1/2 tank or less until you get used to the weight. This will reduce the weight and it comes off the top of the bike where you don't want it. If you are going to cruise for a while then by all means fill it but around town you don't need the extra weight while stoppping all the time.

My two cents.

Sorry you laid it down. You'll get comfortable on it quickly.

 

Sorry about your new bike, I am glad you are o.k Welcome to the forum and good luck on fixing her up. IMO I would ride the by as is until I get use to the bike.

 

OOOooops! You dummy!
Sorry, everyone else was being so nice...

 

Damn

you hurt your pretty new bike. Damn you. How can you live with yourself? I'd never let myself get over it. And did I mention you HURT your bike. Someone should call CPS for beating down your baby.

JK. Glad your ok. I've had some close calls myself.

 

I'm beginning to think dealers leave the mold release on new bikes on purpose.

 

scuffing the tires without scuffing the fairings can be fun... if you know how.

 

Great choice on your newest motorcycle purchase. Sorry to hear about the accident. And welcome to the boards.

 

Howdy IB. WELCOME TO THE FORUM, You chose a good bike,hopefully you did not tell the guys at the dealer how good of a rider that you were ! Something like this would really piss me off too, maybe its an omen that you got your crash over with and from now on it will be smooth riding. eddie

 

Not exactly, but I did mention that my last bike was a VMax. If any of you have ever ridden one, you know what I mean...145hp, bias-ply tires, lots of shaft effect and a frame that might as well have a hinge in the middle.

By the way, the VMax's VBoost is what the VFR's VTEC would be like if it had been designed by the Mad Bomber from The Muppet Show. You never ever think about crossing 6000RPM unless you're going straight and there's lots of room ahead of you. I could toggle mine to cut in at 3000RPM (NEVER in traffic). I strongly suspect that Honda got the concept for this flavor of VTEC from the Yamaha version (doubling the intake capacity at 6000 RPM...sounds familiar).

BTW, I already like the VFR better. Just need to get some heli bars.

 

Hey Bystander,
Welcome to the forums, glad to have you aboard! (Now if you can just stay on-board your new ride!) ;~)

It happens to the best of us at one time or another. I'm a member of the 0-miles per hour club. I've laid a bike over parking it in the garage, luckily was able to 'lay it down' gently with only a couple of minor scratches. doh!

Get your new bike fixed up and it will be good as new. We never progress to better riders without learning lessons on the way!

 

Oh, man sorry about your mishap. I know how you feel. I did the same thing four years ago when I picked up my brand new SV. I brought it home in my truck, slapped a plate on it the next day. I mad it only about 15 feet. Just turning out of my driveway. Barely touched the throttle and found myself looking at the sky. It was my first real street bike but I'd ridden dirtbikes for 28 years. I quickly got up and made sure no one saw me... bike was fine. Just scraped up exhaust that I was going to replace anyway.
Why don't dealers clean the tires before letting people drive away?? If I was their attorney I would advise they do. I felt pretty stupid. Ride for all those years and can't make it 15 feet... I shook it off pretty quickly though.

 

I'm sorry man... I really am and know how you feel. I am 98% sure that the dealer can get the stickers. Only they have access to the decals in the parts computer.

Get her fixed.

Gotta love the hardbag "slider". If you hit the decal part of your front cowl that can be replaced as well.

Oh the nausea...