Why do I keep going down?

10795 Views 124 Replies 48 Participants Last post by Misti, 6 mo ago

Big Burk

Discussion Starter · Dec 9, 2021

Well I did it again tonight! I fell down for my 8th time now!!! I’ve only been riding for maybe 6 months or so and have fallen down 8 times now and I can’t figure out why I keep falling? I feel like I’m a good rider I really do but for some reason I keep falling down.! Tonight I was driving around a gas station store and a car came around the other side kinda fast so I guess I pulled the front break while making the turn and like always I was on the ground! I must have the best luck ever because I have never been seriously injured actually in all but one of my falls I’ve jumped back up and rode off with out a scratch on my body! I’m just confused on why I keep falling down? If anyone has any ideas on why I’d love to hear them. Thanks in advance!

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hogcowboy

· #27 · Dec 10, 2021

johnny42 said:
the front brake as it provides anywhere from 60-90% of the bikes stopping power. I think many of us have that ingrained into our brains.

I only used front brakes, even on gravel, except for emergency braking. But that's 40 years of experience or in other words, mistakes. 6 months experience is just getting started. In addition to experience, properly functioning brakes are a must. With experience comes not over reacting when you feel that front tire slip which is where most get into trouble. In other words they panic. I'm not sure there is a way to teach this except by failures and then the rare success. But straightening the bike up is key. Dirt bike riders probably have one big step forward in the use of that front brake in relation to the rear. But I won't even bet on that but think it would be true.

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hogcowboy

· #31 · Dec 15, 2021

amc49 said:
Do NOT do it at a motorcycle license test though as many police do not consider a balance stop as a full stop even if the bike wheels have stopped rolling, a complete stop is one with at least one foot on the ground legally.

That's pure fact. I actually got a ticket for that once in California. My argument that the wheels were not moving didn't make a difference. He got mad when I asked him if he opens the door to put his foot down from his car. I might have said it rather sarcastic tone too. I used to be able to hold my Electra Glide up for quite awhile or at least I thought it was. Probably just 5 seconds though. 😓

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hogcowboy

· #33 · Dec 15, 2021

amc49 said:
The policeman that failed me told me the foot down thing was in the driver handbook but I went through every page and again, not a word about it.

I do believe they have corrected that omission now. Or at least they have in Texas as I think I remember seeing it when I moved back from California and went to get my Texas license. They seemed shocked that I rode from Cali back to Texas in December but had my bike right out front for them to look at. And that's all they did. Just the written test and I did get one wrong but challenged them and they accepted it. I don't remember what it was but it was a safety thing and my way was for sure safer than what they wanted to see. Wish I could remember what it was though.

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hogcowboy

· #36 · Dec 15, 2021

Trials said:
No such thing as a legal requirement to put your foot on the ground when you stop a motorcycle. If you get a ticket for failure to stop and you stopped, take it up with the judge.

Most don’t have the time it takes to go to court and contest the ticket. They know it so they just like to harass the motorcyclist. I know I didn’t and for $35 it just wasn’t worth the hassle. Time off work, parking charges and fuel was far more. Plus the chance of getting in some stupid fender bender, they put courts in the worst places, just wasn’t worth it. I do wish the AMA would go after them though because they do it all the time.

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hogcowboy

· #58 · Dec 17, 2021

msbav8r said:
It makes me think maybe you have an undiagnosed inner ear issue, or neurological problem affecting balance.

Exactly the reason I had to convert to trike. Look left, look right and look left again and everything starts spinning around. At least now I can just sit there and not worry about falling down. After thousands of miles I'm just not ready to stop. But slowing down and taking it easier I can still do. Now I wish I had gone to 3 sooner. It's different but a lot of fun too.

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hogcowboy

· #68 · Dec 18, 2021

Paula HD said:
Has Burke been back on since he started this post?

Not since post #13. Probably didn’t like what he was seeing or was/is just another troll.

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hogcowboy

· #72 · Dec 21, 2021

Maybe, just maybe, you should only use the rear brake at low speeds since you seem to not have the feel for the front brake. And it does take the right feel not to have the brake grab and bring you down. All your crashes seem to be very low speed crashes so the rear brake only shouldn't be a problem. At least you would have a different kind of crash and maybe one you could recover from rather than go down. That or hang up the keys before you get seriously injured.

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hogcowboy

· #75 · Dec 21, 2021

Offcenter said:
Maybe he's number 3?

Wondering that myself. I’d hate to see anyone get hurt but especially someone that’s ask what he’s doing wrong. Choosing not to ride might very well be the best choice.

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hogcowboy

· #101 · Jan 10, 2022

-Nate said:
It was a foot clutch bike with the clutch pedal on the left, high side, I still don't know how the hell I didn't drop the bike .

Maybe you zigged way to the right then zagged to the left to give you a better short reach to the ground with your right foot. That would work anyway. Sometimes we do things without thinking about it.

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