Lessons Learned the Hard Way

[Mr Lefty]

What have you learned the hard way about riding... I'm talking about things like, not oiling the chain with the bike in gear, remembering to put the drain plug back in BEFORE you add the new oil... ect.


I'll start

I learned no matter how much of a bad ass you think you are for riding 4000 miles in 18 days... the trip isn't over, and one complacent moment can end your trip 800 miles short of it's destination. (let the clutch slip out of my fingers from a light and looped the bike, shattering the case cover, and leaking all my oil out)

I learned that no matter what that "qualified" mechanic at the corner shop tells ya... SLIME is not a PERMANENT fix (hey, I'd never heard of the stuff!) and will come out doing 90... 100 miles south of Anchorage,AK with very little cell coverage.

also learned that when the above happens, it takes 47 tries to get enough info through to AAA to dispatch a truck

I learned when the slime does fail, and you've got AAA on the way, and a good simaritan stops in and offers to plug and inflate your tires... that you check to make sure that the bike is on it's stand... and not balanced on the rear rim. cause when it DOES inflate the tire... the exhaust is ALWAYS on the opposite side of the side stand and weighs 100x more. and you'll end up needing AAA anyways as you'll have a broken brake lever, and right rear set.


I've learned that when riding your motorcycle up a ramp into the bed of your truck to make sure that you've got it anchored so it won't slide back and off the truck (drop 1)

I learned that after doing the above, and you use the edge of your garage cement floor to stop the ramp from sliding back, you need to make sure that there is clearance for you sitting on the bike with the top of the garage door. (drop 2)

and I learned that when you realize that there isn't enough clearance that you'll quickly realize why they make specific ramps for motorcycles and ATVS... as your leg will get caught in one of the giant holes on an ATV ramp and the bike will pin it in place.

Also learned that it's nice to wait that extra hour for your room mate to come home... so you're not pinned for an hour hanging with the bike laying on you.

though that does give you fair amount of time to contemplate a darwin award.


sadly... this is not all I've learned... but wanna give ya'll a chance to share your new found, and hard found wisdom!