[Wombat1955]

Only one more day before I pick up my gleaming new C50. I'm a little worried about going from a relatively light bike to something this heavy. I have never dropped a bike before and was wondering how many of you have. What were the circumstances? Was it something that happened at low speeds..cornering etc? Most of my riding will be going to work in the city every day and doing a few longer trips on the weekends.

 

[Ride-or-die]

i almost dropped mine in the garage just pushing it, had to lean it to get it round a pole, lent it too far and had all the weight resting on one of my legs, feck me did it hurt but i kept my baby up. moral of the story is just be carefull

 

[opticsguy]

I dropped mine the first week I had it. At least I know I can pick it up. See kickstand thread below.

 

[tlwisner]

If you are careful when you park the bike, park it in first gear and not with the front wheel down hill from the rear wheel - you shouldn't have any falling off the stand problem. The C50 is heavy, but the weight is very low so it is very stable, but I was used to handling my Concours which weighs a bit more and carries the weight higher.

I put a crash bar on my C50, which would minimize drop damage if I was unlucky. Jerry Palladino recommends a crash bar. 8)

 

[c50tiger]

I put a crash bar on my C50, which would minimize drop damage if I was unlucky. Jerry Palladino recommends a crash bar. 8)

Engine guard. Idea is not to crash

 

[c50tiger]

Luckily, I haven't dropped one in around 20 years (knock on wood). Last time I did it was a relatively light Honda CM400. While the C50 is a bit heavier than anything else I've ridden, what tlwisner says is absolutely true. Before I rode it the first time, I'll admit I was a bit intimidated by the weight, but the only time I've felt like I was even close to dropping it was when I was pushing back in the garage to get around the riding mower. Even though I'm far from a big guy, I had no trouble keeping it upright.

 

[shumanrog]

Dropped Bike

Last Friday I got my bike out and spent an hour and a half washing and polishing chrome. Boy did she look good. I got on and started her up to sit there and enjoy the moment. My son drove up just then and I shut her off and climbed off to talk to him. You guessed it. I forgot to put the kickstand down. Luckily she landed on top of me as I fell under her and there wasn't much damage. All it takes is a split second of inattention and down she goes. I've heard it said there are 2 kinds of bikers, those who have dropped there bikes and those who will. All you can do is pay attention, practice to perfect your skills, have fun and do the best you can and not worry about it.

 

[shumanrog]

Dropped Bike

Last Friday I got my bike out and spent an hour and a half washing and polishing chrome. Boy did she look good. I got on and started her up to sit there and enjoy the moment. My son drove up just then and I shut her off and climbed off to talk to him. You guessed it. I forgot to put the kickstand down. Luckily she landed on top of me as I fell under her and there wasn't much damage. All it takes is a split second of inattention and down she goes. I've heard it said there are 2 kinds of bikers, those who have dropped there bikes and those who will. All you can do is pay attention, practice to perfect your skills, have fun and do the best you can and not worry about it.

 

[tronbunny]

OK, I'll stick my neck out and admit it.
I've dropped our beautiful 04 Volusia twice in the past 3 weeks!
First time, it was not even running. I was trying to back it up into the garage.
couldn't get the front wheel over the bump, and down I went. Hubby had already dropped it in a slow turn in a parking lot, day before and cracked the left front turn signal. I told him "I'd finish the job" sure enough...nailed it then.
Got the replacement from Oneida Suzuki faster than I could get it anywhere else (the 04 signals are the same as the C50's)
Last weekend I was practicing slow turns in parking lot. Looked down on the turn and just like magic, that's where I went, but this time I have the Cobra Hiway Bars. I did scratch the top of the new Memphis Fats 19", but I was more successful at lifting the bike myself (with very little help) thanks to http://www.pinkribbonrides.com/dropped.html

I'm getting all my dropping Karma out of the way now, so I'll not do it at speed, later.

 

[AmberAcid]

I put a crash bar on my C50, which would minimize drop damage if I was unlucky. Jerry Palladino recommends a crash bar. 8)

Engine guard. Idea is not to crash

The Volusia/C50 engine guards don't do much to protect anything but the engine. Get the Cobra bars because blinkers are expensive. The Volusia U-haul bags do good at protecting the back end. Trust me, I know these things.