Embarrassing biking moments
Discussion
I thought my own embarassing experience yesterday may provoke stories from others who have done similarly stupid things!
Weather was nice so took the bike to work. Normally I park inside the unit but we had a vehicle in so I parked outside in full view of the camera. Jump to 5pm, earplugs in, lid on, bike warming up nicely lets go. You can probably guess the rest...pull away and straight over the bars - yes I'd left the disclock on. Bike lay on the floor like a wounded soldier. Picked her up, checked over - the frame protector had done it's job, few scuffs on the mirror so quite a lucky escape! Until I set off and went for the front brake that is. Front disc warped so a nasty judder through the lever. Discs on their way to motorliner for straightening and pride dented somewhat.
It's the first time I've done that in 25 years of riding so I'll take it! Anyone else want to make me feel better by sharing stories of idiocy?
Weather was nice so took the bike to work. Normally I park inside the unit but we had a vehicle in so I parked outside in full view of the camera. Jump to 5pm, earplugs in, lid on, bike warming up nicely lets go. You can probably guess the rest...pull away and straight over the bars - yes I'd left the disclock on. Bike lay on the floor like a wounded soldier. Picked her up, checked over - the frame protector had done it's job, few scuffs on the mirror so quite a lucky escape! Until I set off and went for the front brake that is. Front disc warped so a nasty judder through the lever. Discs on their way to motorliner for straightening and pride dented somewhat.
It's the first time I've done that in 25 years of riding so I'll take it! Anyone else want to make me feel better by sharing stories of idiocy?
Nearly dropped my bike in front of about 100 other bikers. Pulled up to a well known biking stop with a few mates. Turned off the ignition and put my gloves on the tank, leant the bike over onto the side stand, which I'd not actually put down.... Somehow managed to catch the bike about 1cm off the floor so no damage at all, don't know how I did it as it's a big bike and I'm not a massive bloke 
Didn't get away so lucky with my pride though, everyone saw me do it !
Didn't get away so lucky with my pride though, everyone saw me do it !I only did my DAS recently however on one of my lessons, I hit the front brake far too hard when coming up to a steep t-junction and the bike went over. I could tell it was going so I managed to step off of it, while my instructor sauntered over chuntering about how he'd warned us about the junction being awkward not even 5 seconds before
He helped me pick up the bike, and as I was lifting it I let out a long fart. I got called a rude word
He helped me pick up the bike, and as I was lifting it I let out a long fart. I got called a rude word
I was in Bridlington (I think) recently, looking for a place to pull up, and the road I was riding on was level with the kerb and a little plaza beyond. I decide to pull up on there, just past the sign post that's coming up.
Past the sign post, I slowly drift towards the flat level kerb, which turned out to be a couple of inches high after the post... Had I actually turned onto the kerb I'd have been OK, but as it was I put my body weight one way and the bike just did not follow. With a pillion too, there was no chance of me catching that up, so that was a slow motion crash at a maximum of 3mph, in full view of about 50 people...
Past the sign post, I slowly drift towards the flat level kerb, which turned out to be a couple of inches high after the post... Had I actually turned onto the kerb I'd have been OK, but as it was I put my body weight one way and the bike just did not follow. With a pillion too, there was no chance of me catching that up, so that was a slow motion crash at a maximum of 3mph, in full view of about 50 people...
This one is from donkey's years ago and was at Brands Hatch for the racing school run by Jeff Crooksbain.
Back then, they used the old Honda VF400F and they were great fun, was a sunny day and using the Indy Circuit. I'm charging along what is now Bottom straight heading for Surtess and into clear ways etc.
I got a great run out of Druids and through Graham Hill Bend, started to turn into Surtees and thought....
That's weird...no engine braking, best go down a gear then....ahh...actually, going a bit fast, best go down 2.
Yep, i'd already gone down 1, hit false neutral, then went down 2 more.
I did a great impression of Randy Mamola on the Cagiva, back tyre sideways and smoke coming off it.
Sadly not under power and yep....everyone saw....and i did get some stick for that one but nowhere near as bad as about 18 months later when the same school did a course at Mallory and it snowed overnight, cue me going straight on at the first corner and almost reaching the tyre barrier.
What a berk
Back then, they used the old Honda VF400F and they were great fun, was a sunny day and using the Indy Circuit. I'm charging along what is now Bottom straight heading for Surtess and into clear ways etc.
I got a great run out of Druids and through Graham Hill Bend, started to turn into Surtees and thought....
That's weird...no engine braking, best go down a gear then....ahh...actually, going a bit fast, best go down 2.
Yep, i'd already gone down 1, hit false neutral, then went down 2 more.
I did a great impression of Randy Mamola on the Cagiva, back tyre sideways and smoke coming off it.
Sadly not under power and yep....everyone saw....and i did get some stick for that one but nowhere near as bad as about 18 months later when the same school did a course at Mallory and it snowed overnight, cue me going straight on at the first corner and almost reaching the tyre barrier.
What a berk
Two from me.
1. 1970, Friday night coming home from work (Apprentice Millwright) wearing my dirty overalls (to get them washed at the weekend). Coming through Chester-le-Street, there was a rather lovely young lady in a short skirt waiting to cross at a zebra crossing. Being a chivalrous gent on a 120cc Suzuki, I planned to stop to allow her to cross; as I slowed down and extended my right leg, the kickstart went up inside my baggy overalls and prevented my leg from touching down.
I gently pivoted clockwise and landed on the floor with a 'oof' sound, much to the amusement of the young lady. From ground level, I did have a rather 'better' view, however.
2. 2003 Mallory Park. As someone of short stature (29" inside leg...), I rather unwisely chose an 1100GS as a bike. I rapidly learnt not to stop on uneven/adverse cambers, but a deep pothole in the bike park area at Mallory saw my left foot go into a 6-inch water filled void. Once again I toppled over gracefully, this time landing on the front wheel of a mates' bike who was so busy guffawing he couldn't help.
1. 1970, Friday night coming home from work (Apprentice Millwright) wearing my dirty overalls (to get them washed at the weekend). Coming through Chester-le-Street, there was a rather lovely young lady in a short skirt waiting to cross at a zebra crossing. Being a chivalrous gent on a 120cc Suzuki, I planned to stop to allow her to cross; as I slowed down and extended my right leg, the kickstart went up inside my baggy overalls and prevented my leg from touching down.
I gently pivoted clockwise and landed on the floor with a 'oof' sound, much to the amusement of the young lady. From ground level, I did have a rather 'better' view, however.
2. 2003 Mallory Park. As someone of short stature (29" inside leg...), I rather unwisely chose an 1100GS as a bike. I rapidly learnt not to stop on uneven/adverse cambers, but a deep pothole in the bike park area at Mallory saw my left foot go into a 6-inch water filled void. Once again I toppled over gracefully, this time landing on the front wheel of a mates' bike who was so busy guffawing he couldn't help.
I went to SBS in MK and after putting my plugs in to go home I sat on the bike and a bloke in the car park shouted something
Assuming it was nice bike or similar I raised a hand and put my helmet on
He gesticulated
I had no idea what I'd done, or not done maybe overtaking him on the way there or my bike being loud, so ignored him and started the bike
He came running over and pointed out my disc lock was on !
Very decent of him and saved me from an OP moment - it's so easily done
Assuming it was nice bike or similar I raised a hand and put my helmet on
He gesticulated
I had no idea what I'd done, or not done maybe overtaking him on the way there or my bike being loud, so ignored him and started the bike
He came running over and pointed out my disc lock was on !
Very decent of him and saved me from an OP moment - it's so easily done
Most embarrassing, many years ago whilst at School in Italy a lot of us used to go to a bar after school to socialise/chill.
The bar was at the roadside by a fairly busy roundabout/city gate and when I got there on my bike (Ducati 250 Scrambler) there were quite a few sitting out the front, including a few of the girls that I wanted to impress.
I was 17 or 18 at the time and decided to show them all my amazing biking skills, the plan was to wheelie past them all, do a loop of the roundabout and then pull up in front of the bar, casually dismounting in the hope that all the young Ladies would throw themselves at the biking God.
Unfortunately, as I passed by and hooked the front up it came up too quickly and too high, well past the vertical and I ended up sliding off the back and running behind, holding onto the bars and trying to keep up. Inevitably I lost it and ended up lying in the road, bike on it's side, engine roaring away.
No serious physical injuries, a few cuts and bruises and some damage to the bike. No-one was impressed but it did give them all a good laugh...
The bar was at the roadside by a fairly busy roundabout/city gate and when I got there on my bike (Ducati 250 Scrambler) there were quite a few sitting out the front, including a few of the girls that I wanted to impress.
I was 17 or 18 at the time and decided to show them all my amazing biking skills, the plan was to wheelie past them all, do a loop of the roundabout and then pull up in front of the bar, casually dismounting in the hope that all the young Ladies would throw themselves at the biking God.
Unfortunately, as I passed by and hooked the front up it came up too quickly and too high, well past the vertical and I ended up sliding off the back and running behind, holding onto the bars and trying to keep up. Inevitably I lost it and ended up lying in the road, bike on it's side, engine roaring away.
No serious physical injuries, a few cuts and bruises and some damage to the bike. No-one was impressed but it did give them all a good laugh...
Was at Eastern Creek watching the Barry Sheene classics. They're quite good and you can ride you bike up to the fence to spectate in the quieter areas so I did on my stupid K5 GSXR1000 streetfighter. Went to head off and realised I had stopped on some quite soft dirt and was struggling to paddle or push it backwards to turn around. Of course I had the spectacular idea of just whipping it around on the gas like a motocrosser. Queue a large cloud of dust clearing to me standing over my bike on its side in the dust with a snapped footpeg. What a tosser.
Same bike a couple of years later. Clutch cable had snapped but luckily my mechanic wasn't too far away. I'd managed to limp it the hilly part without grenading the gearbox and was close to the workshop and on back streets so decided to push it the rest of the way along the footpath. I had just gone past a pub and was crossing a lane so took a run up to get up the steep curb on the other side. Mistepped and put my left foot in to the dirt of a garden bed at the bottom of a tree. Foot slips then grips on the concrete footpath, right foot comes across, bike starts to tip so I do the only smart thing and push off hard on my left foot to hold it up. Earned myself a lateral meniscus tear for that on and a round of laughs (then some help) from the locals at the pub having a beer out front.
Same bike a couple of years later. Clutch cable had snapped but luckily my mechanic wasn't too far away. I'd managed to limp it the hilly part without grenading the gearbox and was close to the workshop and on back streets so decided to push it the rest of the way along the footpath. I had just gone past a pub and was crossing a lane so took a run up to get up the steep curb on the other side. Mistepped and put my left foot in to the dirt of a garden bed at the bottom of a tree. Foot slips then grips on the concrete footpath, right foot comes across, bike starts to tip so I do the only smart thing and push off hard on my left foot to hold it up. Earned myself a lateral meniscus tear for that on and a round of laughs (then some help) from the locals at the pub having a beer out front.
Most embarrassing was trying to impress my swimming club and wheeling my scooter out of the car park.
Got a bit too much air and subsequently had to double back to pick my number plate up in front of quite a few unamused parents.
24 years later and I've never done a (deliberate) wheelie since.
Got a bit too much air and subsequently had to double back to pick my number plate up in front of quite a few unamused parents.
24 years later and I've never done a (deliberate) wheelie since.
About 20 years ago as a student. Came out of my halls on my 125cc Honda, riding down Holloway Road and thinking "It’s a bit draughty this morning. Stopped at the lights, looked at my reflection in the back of the bus, and realised I had no helmet on. Swift u turn and back to my Halls of Residence
An Old Gits trip to Provence. I need to do a U turn and there's a large gravel layby to my right so I roll into that and do a rolling U-turn. As I get to the point of rejoining the road a car approaches so I come to a stop and put my foot down, only there is a hole where my foot is 
and over the bike goes with me doing a not very elegant full roll away from the bike. A number of Old Gits as witnesses then even more Old Gits back at the hotel checking out the damage! 
and over the bike goes with me doing a not very elegant full roll away from the bike. A number of Old Gits as witnesses then even more Old Gits back at the hotel checking out the damage! Dropped a ZX-9R on the approach to a roundabout on some black ice; skidded a fair distance before coming to a stop. Nothing embarrassing about that, stuff happens.
Picking it back up however could have had the Benny Hill theme tune playing in the background. I just couldn't get enough grip to get myself and the bike to vertical. It must have been hilarious viewing.
Picking it back up however could have had the Benny Hill theme tune playing in the background. I just couldn't get enough grip to get myself and the bike to vertical. It must have been hilarious viewing.
I kept getting a clunk from the clutch area of the bike when shifting and coming back on the throttle from it being closed.
Adjusted the chain, checked the cush rubbers, torque checked all the bolts and everything appeared to be correct so I assumed it may be a loose clutch basket or something?
Bike is less than a year old and still under warranty so I get it booked in to the dealers for them to look at it and had to book a day off work.
Dropped it off at the service desk and I was asked ‘Have you checked the chain tension?’ Told them that keeping on top of it is something I am pretty anal about as it does affect the QS to some degree, especially on my previous S1000. She apologised and said that it’s something they have to ask.
I leave the bike and get a call an hour later to say it’s sorted.
Pick the bike up, enquire what was wrong …. ‘Your chain was loose’
Frig!!
Adjusted the chain, checked the cush rubbers, torque checked all the bolts and everything appeared to be correct so I assumed it may be a loose clutch basket or something?
Bike is less than a year old and still under warranty so I get it booked in to the dealers for them to look at it and had to book a day off work.
Dropped it off at the service desk and I was asked ‘Have you checked the chain tension?’ Told them that keeping on top of it is something I am pretty anal about as it does affect the QS to some degree, especially on my previous S1000. She apologised and said that it’s something they have to ask.
I leave the bike and get a call an hour later to say it’s sorted.
Pick the bike up, enquire what was wrong …. ‘Your chain was loose’
Frig!!
8IKERDAVE said:
I thought my own embarassing experience yesterday may provoke stories from others who have done similarly stupid things!
Weather was nice so took the bike to work. Normally I park inside the unit but we had a vehicle in so I parked outside in full view of the camera. Jump to 5pm, earplugs in, lid on, bike warming up nicely lets go. You can probably guess the rest...pull away and straight over the bars - yes I'd left the disclock on. Bike lay on the floor like a wounded soldier. Picked her up, checked over - the frame protector had done it's job, few scuffs on the mirror so quite a lucky escape! Until I set off and went for the front brake that is. Front disc warped so a nasty judder through the lever. Discs on their way to motorliner for straightening and pride dented somewhat.
It's the first time I've done that in 25 years of riding so I'll take it! Anyone else want to make me feel better by sharing stories of idiocy?
Piece of advice on that, place the disclock on the back side of the wheel above the caliper, that way when you move forward if you do, the wheel moves about 1/2 " before the disclock stops it, no danger of building any momentum or warping a disc .....Weather was nice so took the bike to work. Normally I park inside the unit but we had a vehicle in so I parked outside in full view of the camera. Jump to 5pm, earplugs in, lid on, bike warming up nicely lets go. You can probably guess the rest...pull away and straight over the bars - yes I'd left the disclock on. Bike lay on the floor like a wounded soldier. Picked her up, checked over - the frame protector had done it's job, few scuffs on the mirror so quite a lucky escape! Until I set off and went for the front brake that is. Front disc warped so a nasty judder through the lever. Discs on their way to motorliner for straightening and pride dented somewhat.
It's the first time I've done that in 25 years of riding so I'll take it! Anyone else want to make me feel better by sharing stories of idiocy?
I was told about this by the guy that straightened my disc when I did the same !!!
First bike back in '98 a new ZX-6R, new to bikes and bike maintenance, I had my own place but didn't have a garage so left the bike in my parents garage. My parents were out when I arrived so I was quickly in the garage.
Before I headed out for a ride I decided to lube the chain before I set off. I didn't have a paddock stand at the time. However, I used to lift the back wheel by grabbing the pillion grab rail and balancing the bike between the front wheel and side stand with one hand, turn the wheel with the other and then squirt some chain lube on. I think it's fairly obvious what happened next, yes as you can imagine the bike tipped over onto me, in fact it pinned my left leg under the bike as I tried my best to gently rest it down on the floor.
Picture the scene, me lying underneath a new ZX-6R which with all of its weight on top if me, rear wheel in the air, no matter how much I tried I couldn't free my leg. So I remained pinned underneath 170KG+ of bike waiting for my parents to return. Luckily it was only about 10-15 mins before they returned, my Dad got out of the car and asked what I was doing on the floor, looking back he could have been taking the mick or being serious, he lifted the bike enough to free myself and then I managed to pick the thing up.
No damage whatsoever to the bodywork (probably because it was on me), but I'd broke an indicator stalk and bend the end of the clutch lever.
Before I headed out for a ride I decided to lube the chain before I set off. I didn't have a paddock stand at the time. However, I used to lift the back wheel by grabbing the pillion grab rail and balancing the bike between the front wheel and side stand with one hand, turn the wheel with the other and then squirt some chain lube on. I think it's fairly obvious what happened next, yes as you can imagine the bike tipped over onto me, in fact it pinned my left leg under the bike as I tried my best to gently rest it down on the floor.
Picture the scene, me lying underneath a new ZX-6R which with all of its weight on top if me, rear wheel in the air, no matter how much I tried I couldn't free my leg. So I remained pinned underneath 170KG+ of bike waiting for my parents to return. Luckily it was only about 10-15 mins before they returned, my Dad got out of the car and asked what I was doing on the floor, looking back he could have been taking the mick or being serious, he lifted the bike enough to free myself and then I managed to pick the thing up.
No damage whatsoever to the bodywork (probably because it was on me), but I'd broke an indicator stalk and bend the end of the clutch lever.
Only a couple of weeks ago
Exiting a small country lane, waiting to cross/turn right onto the busy A14. You have to go halfway across, where there is a large waiting area in the centre before completing the actual right turn westbound.
Me on my BMW GS Adventure waiting looking at the oncoming eastbound traffic at exactly 90 degrees to the much larger carriageway, with as always... just my right leg down.
One of those large hay lorries went past with a trailer, and created such a wind blast it blew me over!
Not embarrassing particularly as no one in the immediate vicinity saw me, other than all the eastbound traffic whizzing past at 60/70mph watching me pick the damn thing back up!
Never entered my mind that that could have happened
Exiting a small country lane, waiting to cross/turn right onto the busy A14. You have to go halfway across, where there is a large waiting area in the centre before completing the actual right turn westbound.
Me on my BMW GS Adventure waiting looking at the oncoming eastbound traffic at exactly 90 degrees to the much larger carriageway, with as always... just my right leg down.
One of those large hay lorries went past with a trailer, and created such a wind blast it blew me over!
Not embarrassing particularly as no one in the immediate vicinity saw me, other than all the eastbound traffic whizzing past at 60/70mph watching me pick the damn thing back up!
Never entered my mind that that could have happened
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