What if i lay my bike down?

[Analog]

Ok, my MSF course doesn't start till the 11th, so since I can't ask them, please help me out.


Of course I don't plan on ever crashing or laying my bike down, but everybody says it will most likely happen at some point. My friend even says "don't worry about it, everyone lays their bike down... it's no big deal"

Now, my question is, how bad will my bike be damaged if it ever happens? (obviously I'm not talking about a huge accident, just what's usually refered to as "laying down" or dropping)
I just bought a 2003 Shadow 600 and it has alot of chrome, and especially on the right side with the dual exhaust. If I drop it, or if I lose control going at a slow/moderate speed, how much ball park damage are we looking at? If this is a big expense, I wonder why everybody doesn't just buy a $500 dollar dirt bike to practice on first...

I noticed some street bikes have aftermarket pegs to protect the fairings in case of a fall. Is there anything similar I can buy for my model? Is that what people refer to as 'sissy bars'?

So far, I've only had my bike for a week, but I've been practicing on the surface streets every day, and I haven't come close to dropping it, even when I hit a wet spot that made me fish-tail for a second.

Anybody have any experiences they can share, or advice?

thanks in advance.

[rnr262]

depends on how you lay yours down. I managed to lay the V-Star down while sitting still at a stop sign, in a parking lot. Once I realized it was leaning too far, I assisted it to the ground and it didn't have a scratch on it. If you're moving, you'll probably have some scratches, but it will all depend on too many variables to say for sure.

Picking up a Shadow shouldn't be too hard. (or too easy)

I don't think everyone lays their bike down, but holding on to that belief sure made me feel better when I did it. (especially since mine was such a stupid one)

[Gummiente]

Ok, first of all get the negative junk like "what if..." outta yer head! If you focus more on the bad stuff that "might" happen rather than the good stuff that WILL, you're just setting yourself up. The MSF course will teach you how ride properly, so start thinking positive thoughts and you'll breeze though it no prob.

Now, I'm not saying that you'll never have an accident but the closer you stick to what you're taught on the course the better chance you have to survive a life on two wheels. Having said that, Honda and aftermarket manufacturers like Cobra make engine guards for your bike and it would be a wise investment to purchase a set, IMO. They will help protect expensive engine bits and some bodywork in the event of a tipover, but usually things like handlebar levers, mirrors and signal lights get knocked off. Hard to come up with a ballpark figure for damage like that, could be $500, could be $1,500, could be more, could be less.

[TechTMW]

http://www.scootworks.com/swcart/shop/p ... ashbar.htm

Check out the "Engine Guards" section - Engine guards are cool because they protect you bike in a fall but also provide a great mounting point for Highway pegs so you can put your feet up when you are cruising (Scroll down further on that page)

And a SISSY BAR is a backrest for the passenger -
http://209.15.36.61/swcart/shop.cgi/pag ... 07023.3487

[Wizzard]

As has been stated , do not dwell on that at all . However if it does ever happen , pick it up , get back on it and if at all possible ride it immediately . Too many newbies lay em down and never ride again . And that is the biggest shame of all .
Regards, Wizzard

[cb360]

I don't know about you friend's advice - it probably is true that most cyclists have some kind of mishap if they ride a long time. No different than driving - who's been driving a cage for twenty years and never had a fender-bender of any kind? So while it is somewhat common, it's not unique to cycling. At the same time, I've never had one so I continue to look at any future accidents as a big deal I don't want to have one. So I try to ride safe, but I don't dwell on it. Focus on safe riding. Laying your bike down will take care of itself... or not. The engine guards are a good idea.

[Gadjet]

I don't know about you friend's advice - it probably is true that most cyclists have some kind of mishap if they ride a long time. No different than driving - who's been driving a cage for twenty years and never had a fender-bender of any kind? So while it is somewhat common, it's not unique to cycling.

I dropped my first bike three times in the first month that I had it - came out with one broken mirror.

Dropped my new bike once so far while out riding off-road - broke the clutch lever.

In 13 years of driving a cage, I've never had so much as a speeding ticket, let alone an accident of any kind.

[bennettoid]

Dropped mine - slow speed in wet grass.

Bike was fine, I had 3 broken ribs, and a wife that thought I was nuts for riding to work the next day.

[ZooTech]

I noticed some street bikes have aftermarket pegs to protect the fairings in case of a fall. Is there anything similar I can buy for my model? Is that what people refer to as 'sissy bars'?

Nope, that's a backrest to keep your woman from sliding' off when you decide to show a cage who's boss at a light. You're thinkin' of frame sliders, which can be universal, but I don't think cruisers have the mounting points for them.

[Sev]

You can get an engine guard as mentioned above. Which will also allow you to mount aftermarket highway pegs. These'll give you the opportunity to stretch out on longer rides.

There was a study a while back that says you're more likely to break your leg if you have them, but I'm not completely sure how it that worked or even if it's true. Seems like the handlebars would take care of that regardless of the presence of an engine guard. Whoops, don't mean to scare you, so don't worry about it to much.

In a fall this will hopefully be the part that gets all scratched up, though you'll likely have some damage to the handlebars or forward controls. At high speeds, there isn't always a lot you can do.