Dumped Bikes really do happen!

Last month I finished a complete restoration an '80 Kawasaki 440 LTD, as my Winter Project.  It took almost 4 Months to complete, and looked/ran like new when it was done.  A young man (21) from the neighborhood decided that it was the perfect Beginner Bike for him to learn on, and bought it from me, however I requested that he not ride it until he had his Learner's Permit, Insurance, and is participating in our Local MSF Course.
During the next few weeks I see him periodically in the neighborhood, where he informs me on progress he is making towards getting his Permit, Insurance, and ultimately enrollment.
Yesterday he informs me that he now has his Permit, and is two weeks from starting the course, and very excited about it all, as the Weather has been getting warm, and all the Bikes are out!  "I can't wait to get on that thing and ride it!"

Today the Bike came back.  

Turns out he really couldn't wait, and dumped it doing about 25-30 MPH on a busy Street, resulting in extensive damage to the left side of the Bike, and the Tranny locked in 1st Gear!  Lucky for him he only suffered some fairly minor Road Rash (as Rash goes) on his left arm, shoulder, and leg, in addition to some on his helmet (at least he had a Helmet!).
This guy seemed confident enough.  Had years of Bicycle Riding Experience.  Even had a good grasp of how to operate the Bike, with the extensive time I spent with him explaining how the thing worked.  He just lacked common sense, and patience.

Can't emphisize it enough.  

Got a question for you? Did you have a feeling something like that would have happened? I could only imagine how you felt when you were finished building the classic then firering it up. It must have hard for you to let it go!
For all that it's worth, sorry bro. I'll drink a beer for you.
Hey, thanks for your input to my post. I see that you are all over this web site. One thing that I've noticed, there aren't many responses to advice.    

Ya know..... I had the feeling.  I built the Bike for Resale, as I do with all my Restoration Projects (it finances the next one!), and this Bike was really a perfect Beginner's Ride, so it all seemed good, but I did have that feeling with this guy.  All I could do was ask him to wait on riding it till he passed the Course.
Tragic as it may be, I had to let it go at some point, with the knowledge that any Bike I restore will get wrecked, or suffer further abuse from a careless owner.  But the first time out?!?!?  WTF?

I too am somewhat disappointed with the general lack of response on this Site.  I figure that some of the Readers will get the info given, even if the Original Poster never comes back (cause he forgot where he asked the question!), or reads it, and realizes, "Gee, that was a dumb question!"  To a large degree the general attitude on this Site is rather revolting overall, filled to the brim with Ego, and Stupidity.  Examples of this are readily apparent in such Postings as "I just pulled my first Wheelie!", and the resulting responses!  To tell you the truth Pre2Dat, I have largely given up on this Forum, and only show up to give advice to valid questions.  Look for my Post Titled, "Come Play in the UK".  It is where I now spend my time 'off' the Bike, as there is a level of maturity there that is sorely lacking here, and you actually get responses!  Come check it out, I think you would appreciate it.  I have the Trashed 440 Pics posted there if you want to see it.  The name Pre2Dat is also available should you like to become a member!

Anyway, thanks for the Beer, and the Condolances!
And as for the response to your Post, I don't think that I mentioned in it that I was proud of ya... did I?
See ya around Dude!  

I know how that guy felt about being inpatient I bought A 2007 R6 on october of last year and my rider course kept getting backed up. I got to inpatient and decided to take it out around the block with 0 riding experience and i dropped it "gently" after stalling at a stop sign I was kinda angry at myself but oh well, patience is a virtue!  

Writh, this Site needs more guys like you!
Willing to admit to flaws, and accidents involving lack of patience, and skill.  It takes a bigger man to admit to his mistakes, especially if it might make you look bad, but will help out Beginning Riders!
Thanks Bud!
Ren  

Had not ridden in about 34 years.  Last time I put my Elsinore and me in a tree suffered a dislocated shoulder.  Well fast forward to 2008 and I got the bug to ride a motorcycle so the first thing I did was to take the MSF and failed the driving portion.  So, I took the instruction again the next weekend and this time I actually listened to the instructor and passed with only a -3 for putting my foot down in a double U turn.  Bought a Savage 40 (LS 650) which is a much heavier bike than the small 250 CC bikes we trained on.  After I had it about 20 minutes I was trying very slow U turns in a narrow area and dropped the bike.

Cost about $100 and a bit of my pride as well as skin, but it made me a much more aware rider.  Today, about 4 weeks after dumping the bike was able to do the same manuvers without nearly thinking about it.  BTW, I am 69 years old and loving being on my bike.  

Congrats on getting back in the Saddle Texas!
Not only after the drop, but also after the leave.  Most guys your age wouldn't think of it, although if you are like me, ya never get too old to have a Ride!
My Grandfather rode from 18 to 69 years old, before he hung up his Helmet, and regreted giving it up to the end.  Once its in your blood!
Glad to hear your Tale on here as well.  Even an Experienced Rider can get into some trouble, so it is really important to show this to New Riders, who are bound to have some!

Ride it Safe Tex!  

Sorry to hear about all the dropped bikes, it really is easy to do being a new rider myself i've almost dropped my R6 3 times in the 300 mi. i've been riding and they have all happened during slow speed menuvering. The fact of it is that i'm a pretty big guy and not bragging but am above the average strength of most and if not for that level of strengh i would not have been able to hold the bike up as it was tipping over. I've seen lots advise here on first bike choices, maybe someones level of strength should also be considered when getting that first bike.  

Hey 0069!
Glad to hear that you are still riding that Rocket mellow, and nothing bad has happend!!!!!
You make a good point about the Strength Issue.  Not many think about it when they are looking into a Bike, and even less give it a thought when sitting on it in the Dealership!  Go figure.... Hey Motorcycles are very compelling, so it is easy to get caught up into the moment, and not think about the important stuff.
This is a Sport, hence the term "Sport Bike", and it can't be said enough that it is physically, and mentally demanding, beyond anything that a New Rider may have experience with.
Bikes are heavy, and the longer you spend on a ride the more fatiqued you become.  It is very improtant to remember this, and stay in shape for it.  My Bike weighs 600 lbs, and I have nearly droped it more than once, taking all my strength to keep it up.  Once, at the end of an 11 hour ride, I was coming off the Freeway and found I couldn't lift a finger, let alone my legs!  It took everything I had to stop the Bike at the end of the Ramp, where I shut it off, dismounted, and took a stretch, wondering if I needed a change of shorts!
You really do need to be phyisically fit to play, and like any Sport, you need to take breaks, and re-energize.  Don't ride for more than 3-4 hours straight without a Break.  Don't Ride if you feel tired, or exhausted.  You need to be Strong, and Mentally Focused at all times, or you are just asking for it.  
Wondering about Upper Body Strength?  Don't overlook your Lower!  It takes your Whole Body to Ride.  You don't have to go to the Gym, just stay fit.
0069, I recommed that you continue to leave Posts as to your progress, and look for opportunities to offer advice for Beginning Riders here in the future, as you are learning Invaluable Lessons worth repeating!

Best of Luck to you 0069, and get those Boots!  

Renaissance Man, I'm a new rider myself and have taken interest in your posts back and forth with 0069.  I don't know if you read any of my posts, as I'm new to this forum, but I took a similar course to 0069 and have about 600 miles on my new R6.  In fact, it's in the shop right now getting it's first service!  I have read several of your comments on multiple threads and wanted to thank you for your informative posts.

I enjoy the fact that people take time out of their schedules to post info that is actually informative and helpful (rather than the flaming spam that you tend to see on many forums).  I, too, will be posting my progress and any questions I have along the way.

Words can't express everything I have learned over the past two months about riding and my bike.  Obviously, I still have a lot to learn but I'm really looking forward to it!    

Hey Swiggs!
Welcome aboard!  
Feel better about your mere 600 Miles knowing that everyone not only started out there, Everyone is still a Learning Rider.  There is always something new to realize, or experience, and the moment that a Rider thinks he is Top Class, it is only seconds before he joins the Over The Handlebars Club!
Glad to hear you enjoy the Posts.  I have noted yours as well.  I fully encourage you to continue Posting Progress, making Helpful Comments, and supporting New Riders as they explore this Fantastic Sport.  And as for the 'Words', don't worry, when asked you will find them.

Congrats on making it to the First Service!  

Renaissance_Man,
This is a great post.  I wish I found this site before I bought my first bike.  I am a female rider, 39 years old and took the motorcycle safety course and passed.  I asked the advice of several friends who ride, and have been riding for 15+ years, including my brother, and they all suggested that I don't get anything larger than a 650 for a first bike.  I ended up buying a Ninja 650 and I love it!  
Being a female, the first thing I looked for was a bike that I could handle.  The Suzukis and Hondas were at least 65 lbs heavier than the Ninja, so I went for the Ninja.  
For my first ride, my friend rode me on the back of my bike to a school parking lot where I practiced many of the same things that I did in the motorcycle safety class such as cornering, stopping, counter leans, leaning with the bike, etc.  The local police and fire department were on the opposite side of the parking lot so I felt quite safe.  
After a day of getting acquainted with my bike, we took it out on the road - it was 8am sunday morning, when traffic was virtually non existent.  We rode for 2 hours and I did great.  Stopped at lights, stop signs, cornering, shifting, turns, etc.  It was great to take it out on the street when there was barely any traffic.  
I am still at a point where I only ride with my friend, and we take the bike out during low peak traffic times.  Reading these posts made me second guess my decision to buy the 650, but so far, and it's been about 2 weeks, I've been doing just great.  Never put the bike down and have never had the fear that I would put it down.  It's a very light bike (@390 lbs, i think) and I feel very comfortable riding and handling it.

I don't want to sound like a typical "newbie" but I do have 2 children I'd like to come home to so I'm taking it easy and being very careful and taking this in baby steps.  Gotta learn to crawl before you can walk.  

Hey Chi!
Welcome to the Sport!  Once you start, there is no going back.  Might be just starting out, taking 'baby steps', and playing it safe, but your skills will improve quickly, and you'll be an adrenalin junky in no time!

All kiding aside, I have to say that you are very fortunate to have the support in this venture that you do.  Most start out with little direction, and the scorn of Family, and Friends.  You sound to be going in the correct paths towards gaining quality experience, and you can't go wrong with the Kawi in the approach you are taking to this.
The 'Buddy System', or 'Team Training' is absolutely the best approach, giving opportunity to aid the Learning Rider on the spot, or potentially preventing hazardous situations before they develop.

As you progress to longer rides, on more crouded streets, just remember to Always Expect the Unexpected, and I don't think I really need to remind you to stay within your Riding Abilities!

Many Miles to ya Chi!  

[hey bro! today I went down,I haven't ridden in 10yrs. a buddy  has a ninja 250 and a V-STAR so we decided to
go for a ride to get my chops back in shape. I was on the 250, both making  a left turn, to compensate the  distance between me and him I went wide, in fact it    was too wide that I saw patches of sand and    gravels. so immediately took it out of leaning left and over compensating on leaning right and ended up on the side walk. minor damage to the right side of the bike small minor road rash on my right leg. this       was 7MPH. good thing I had great helmet,armored jacket and gloves,and its true that almost all bikes that go down happen under 30MPH and I was one of them today. a very humbling experience and a wake-up call to leave your EGO in the toilet.  

Thanks Bro! I needed the Beer!
Sounds like you got lucky on that wipe-out.  Perfect Example on why to Wear Gear!
It is true that the majority of Downed Bikes accure at 30 MPH or less.  Above that speed the Bikes Momentum, and Inertia keep it upright, especially when under throttle.  In addition, most accure at very low speed, 0-15 MPH, and usually can be attributed to Rider Error, either from Lack of Experience, or Poor Judgement.  Things happen Fast on a Motorcycle, and sometimes before you even know what's happening!!!

Thank You Yerkool, for being brave enough to share this Valuable Lesson!
Glad to hear that the injuries were not too severe, and I hope this event of getting thrown off doesn't keep you off!

Ride it Safe Bro!