K11 Owners Group

[larryb22]

Well today it happened, I laid the Yellow Brick down.
I went to the barbershop for a haircut, parked near the parking lot exit. I parked the bike at about 45 degrees toward the exit. The plan (and my instinct said) was to exit to the left, which would have been a nearly straight out route. After the hair cut, I decided to exit the lot going to the right instead. Now we’re talking 45-degree turn, plus a ninety-degree angle to keep in my own lane.
I knew these bricks are not known for the best slow speed handling (like an R75 I once had). So as I exited the lot making the turn slowly I nearly lost it and put my right foot down to catch my balance. Unfortunately the road had a high crown in the middle and the bike was on the crown of the road. Oops, the right leg was now a bit shy of getting a good grip on the road. I don’t need to tell you that when a brick gets around 45 degrees from vertical at an almost stop, it’s going down.
So at crawl I had to let her down. My skinny 66 year old, 135-pound frame didn’t have enough arse to hold her up.
The friendly barber came out and help me right the brick. Other than the right mirror popping off and a little nick on the lower fairing the bike was unscathed. I had no damage either, other than ego.
Next time I have a plan, I’m going to stick to it.
Larry
_________________
2008 Yamaha XV250
S/W Michigan USA

[Mystic Red]

Sorry to hear that Larry, it happens. I put mine over slow motion style in the shop once. Like you said, once it leans so far...
By the way, that's a beautiful bike, get it fixed up!
_________________
Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466

[Flying Duck]

Bad news but not too bad.

Gravity always wins, eventually.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

[drmalacarne]

Larry.
When I had a KRS, 1995, I was going down a ramp, and made a left turn and applied the front brake: the Brick laid over my left leg, in slow motion.
I did not have the power to move the RS, and, after some time, a friend help me put the bike stand up!
After 3 days, my leg turns to purple color, and a big bruise develop....
So, fell happy if only your ego was hurt.
Guilherme.
_________________
1994 K1100LT SE n° 0267
1998 HD Heritage Springer 95th anniversary
Yes, a Hog and a Beemer can live together!

[Stoked Steve]

Been there, done that! I was once pulling into my garage and was scooting around my truck and forgot about the width of the side cases, as the right side case rubbed up against my truck bumper, it caused the whole bike to tip suddenly to the left and like you said, beyond 45 degrees over, there's no return. Fortunately a neighbor witnessed the whole thing and ran over to help me right 'er up quickly. No damage. I now give my truck a wide clearance when pulling into the garage.

Glad she wasn't hurt, that sure is a pretty yellow!
_________________
Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

[ljjohns]

IIf it's any consolation, an entry like this is a daily occurence on the K12Lt forum; as I found out, K11 riders have it good, as I once did.

[Saltcreek]

I know most of you know this but almost anyone can pick up a full sized motorcycle unaided with the right technique. Here's a good description of how to do it (and an interesting site as well):

http://www.pinkribbonrides.com/dropped.html

It works. DAMHIK
_________________
Jim

1994 K1100LT Mystic Red, bfd, 37000 miles, sold
2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium

[larryb22]

Thanks for the input folks, makes me feel a little better about laying it down. Like I said if I had exited as planned, it never would have happened. Yes I thought about the video of the lady picking up the BMW, but didn't elect to try as the wheels were slightly uphill and higher than rest of the bike. Also the side stand would have been on the off side.
As for the bike, the mirror popped right back on (after a couple tries). As far as the small paint chips on the lower, I think I'll leave them as a reminder for a while.
I'd say how you park, should be how you ride, with some planning ahead.
Larry
_________________
2008 Yamaha XV250
S/W Michigan USA

[Jim Brotherton]

While back we had a discussion about what other colorer we would want for our K1100, always wondered what yellow would look like. I was right, yellow is a great color. Really beautiful bike. Laying a bike down , you weren't the first and you won't be the last.

Many safe and wonderful miles
Jim (B)
_________________
1995 K1100RS
2004 R1150RT

[kbmwrs]

I call scratches on a bike 'character'. Ask me how I know?
_________________
Mike Gullery
"Beemerhead"
'06 K1200GT
KOG#43

[Off the grid]

The motobrick is a very top-heavy bike. Dropping it is inevitable.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

[Flying Duck]

The LT is much more topheavy than the RS - but the RS is still dropable.

One trick to keeping your bike upright is to not use the front brake a super low speeds.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

[merlin geikie]

Yes fella, musta been quite a fright. Good that, that fella, gave you a hand. Ive still to get my brick, soon, but I want a yellow one like yours for sure, wot a beauty!

Reminds me of the time...backing the airhead out of garage down the steep drive and turning up hill for a three point turn. In reverse its all sorta different and next thing ime teetering wildly for a fall. What a fright...with a brick woulda been catastrophic.

Ive heard that with a brick, throttle input in low speed turns helps, as well as shifting the riders weight to the outside. How does that work?

All the best champion, and thanks I will be mindful and plan the manoevure.

[Flying Duck]