Learned the Hard Way... How NOT to Park the F6B

[oldxtreme]

Lesson Learned the Hard Way and ended up in the ER
Just laid down my brand new bike,,,on top of my foot, The passenger peg, which was in the up position dug into my ankle. I was home along and the only way I could get free was to drag my ankle out from under the bike, Doing that, the peg stripped the flesh off my ankle, down to the tendon and bone.

While waiting in the ER last night to have things stitched back together, I had time to analyze what went wrong.

Here is what happened:

I parked on a very slight slope, facing down...and I mean VERY slight just so the water will drain away from the house. I sifted into neutral as always before turning off the bike,,,like I have done with the five other bikes I have owed.

When I stared to dismount, the bike started rolling forward and pushed the side stand backward.

Since I was leaning to the left while dismounting the bike leaned left after the side stand moved up. Once the lean gets more than 15/20 degrees there is no way to recover, It is going to GO down!

What I learned the hard way

1, Never park with the bike pointing "down slope", no matter how slight!

2. Shift back into 1st Gear before dismounting.


Of course, I could go to an aftermarket side stand which is shorted and will give more lean to the bike when parked but the downside is it will be more difficult to pull it back into he riding position.

[taxfree4]

So the moral of the story is ..."Much to your chagrin falls the F6B." You knew that was coming.

[LA Weld]

Man that had to hurt....
Hope you heal up and since your ankle softened the fall no damage to the bike...

[GNW]

Lesson Learned the Hard Way and ended up in the ER
Just laid down my brand new bike,,,on top of my foot, The passenger peg, which was in the up position dug into my ankle. I was home along and the only way I could get free was to drag my ankle out from under the bike, Doing that, the peg stripped the flesh off my ankle, down to the tendon and bone.

While waiting in the ER last night to have things stitched back together, I had time to analyze what went wrong.

Here is what happened:

I parked on a very slight slope, facing down...and I mean VERY slight just so the water will drain away from the house. I sifted into neutral as always before turning off the bike,,,like I have done with the five other bikes I have owed.

When I stared to dismount, the bike started rolling forward and pushed the side stand backward.

Since I was leaning to the left while dismounting the bike leaned left after the side stand moved up. Once the lean gets more than 15/20 degrees there is no way to recover, It is going to GO down!

What I learned the hard way

1, Never park with the bike pointing "down slope", no matter how slight!

2. Shift back into 1st Gear before dismounting.


Of course, I could go to an aftermarket side stand which is shorted and will give more lean to the bike when parked but the downside is it will be more difficult to pull it back into he riding position.

I hate that happened to you and what you had to do to get free. I had a similar incidence a long time ago. Not anything like yours but still . I can guarantee that you will never let that happen again !!

[druggr]

Sorry to hear you got hurt, and I hope you heal quickly.

Unfortunately, there are 4 rules all learn when riding a 2-whl GL1800. Some learn them sooner, some later. In spite of what they teach in motorcycle safety training classes, here is rule #4.

- always be in 1st gear when parking
- put the side stand down to kill the engine (never use the kill switch)
- with then engine off, let the clutch out, and allow the Wing to roll, whichever way it wants, to take up all backlash in its drivetrain
- then set the side-stand

[druggr]

Sorry to hear you got hurt, and I hope you heal quickly.

Unfortunately, there are 4 rules all learn when riding a 2-whl GL1800. Some learn them sooner, some later. In spite of what they teach in motorcycle safety training classes, here is rule #4.

- always be in 1st gear when parking
- put the side stand down to kill the engine (never use the kill switch)
- with then engine off, let the clutch out, and allow the Wing to roll, whichever way it wants, to take up all backlash in its drivetrain
- then set the side-stand

I meant to write rules #1, 2, and 3.
Rule 1 - GL1800 only like pavement ... stay on the payment.
Rule 2 - When braking, and coming to a stop, make sure the bars are always pointing straight ahead at 0mph.
Rule 3 - If coming into a curve to "hot", never stand them up and brake ... push harder on the bars, and go deeper into the curve.

[oldxtreme]

Yep, we need a Golden Rule Book for Goldwings! I made my contribution to the "BOOK" early.

The interesting point is that all of these rules are probably lessons learned "the hard way", by seasoned bikers. I doubt that a Wing is anybody's first bike.


Taxfree4, chagrin, I feel and thanks for not mentioning how the Indians got scalped by the Yankees

[Texas TC]

Sorry for your experience. I had a similar event with my 2012 full Wing. Parked on my drive at a slight downward slope with engine running, kickstand down. Luckily, I was not near the motorcycle when it slowly inched forward and fell on its left side. I had gone back into my garage to retrieve something. I have never parked the F6B or my previous Wing in that slight slope situation again. Heal well and fast.

[Heatnbeat]

Ya know that won't happen with a Harley. At least not my 90 Ultra; the side stand locks when there is weight on it.
Just saying😎
But you do have my sympathy. I dropped the Ultra and trapped my leg, no one around just like you. I figured I'd pull off my(laced up) boot or my foot. Fortunately I was wearing loggers and no damage was done.

[Xrider57]

Lesson Learned the Hard Way and ended up in the ER
Just laid down my brand new bike,,,on top of my foot, The passenger peg, which was in the up position dug into my ankle. I was home along and the only way I could get free was to drag my ankle out from under the bike, Doing that, the peg stripped the flesh off my ankle, down to the tendon and bone.

While waiting in the ER last night to have things stitched back together, I had time to analyze what went wrong.

Here is what happened:

I parked on a very slight slope, facing down...and I mean VERY slight just so the water will drain away from the house. I sifted into neutral as always before turning off the bike,,,like I have done with the five other bikes I have owed.

When I stared to dismount, the bike started rolling forward and pushed the side stand backward.

Since I was leaning to the left while dismounting the bike leaned left after the side stand moved up. Once the lean gets more than 15/20 degrees there is no way to recover, It is going to GO down!

What I learned the hard way

1, Never park with the bike pointing "down slope", no matter how slight!

2. Shift back into 1st Gear before dismounting.


Of course, I could go to an aftermarket side stand which is shorted and will give more lean to the bike when parked but the downside is it will be more difficult to pull it back into he riding position.

I have always worried about that happening so I leave it in first gear even if it seems pretty flat. I hope you heal fast and feel better soon!