Where do I start? I have backed a bike up out of a parking lot incline, only to sprain the ankle on the one leg that held me up (yes, I am somewhat vert challenged). Fell like a tree, shoulder was tweaked. The Suzuki was ok. This is when I learned to back a bike into a parking stall that slopes downward.
Rounded a slow curve in an apartment complex on a small Honda; the asphalt was glass-smooth. Glass-slick too, esp when you give it some throttle.
Same Honda, different curve. I made a U-turn in a cul-de-sac, but this time it was freshly done asphalt. Did you know the stuff is like a poo of black BBs?
On both a Suzuki and later a BMW, I was manuevering in a rutted hardpack path. Funny how the ruts can catch the tires just right and bring the bike, and rider, down. (I still have the Beemer, big scratch on the lower half of the left valve cover). The cosmetic blemish bothered me at first, but I got over it. Noone will ever really notice.
Had a BMW R80RT idling in a driveway. A driveway with a bunny-hill incline. The boxer engine rocks enough to walk the bike down to the street sans rider. When I caught sight of this happening, it already made it to the gutter and then I watched it fall over. On the right side.
Years ago I rode back to work from lunch. Stopped the bike and put the kickstand down. Did you know that these spring-loaded kickstands will spring back up if you don't fully extend them? Quite a strain to slowly lower the bike onto its side while still in the saddle... nope, I couldn't keep this from happening, as it was already too far leaned from vertical.
After crossing the border into Montana (from B.C., Canada), I stopped on the gravel area at a fork to figure out where I was. When you're already lacking in leg, a boot sliding over the loose gravel doesn't help. The K75S fairing edge had a few minor scratches, and the mirror got loose. A bit of touchup paint took care of the scratches and I tightened up the mirror.
Feel better now?
