Dropped the GZ

Maggie · 09-22-2012, 10:56 PM

:retard:

Clearly, with over 30,000 miles (not counting my years riding when I was a teenager) among my 3 bikes I am not a completely "green" rider...however...

Sometimes those :retard: moments DO occur! I was just leaving a very fulfilling sign language interpreting assignment yesterday, had all my gear on (including overpants because I had nice slacks on) and experienced that power loss issue I had posted about recently. Each time this has happened has been shortly after starting off, maybe within 300 yards of starting point).

I pulled over to the curb and saw that there was no fuel sitting in my inline fuel filter. So, I put the petcock on prime and started shaking the bike a little. I hit the starter and got a response and was trying to work up a nice idle, meanwhile becoming conscious that a truck had come up behind me.

My :retard: issue was that I was starting up while in gear (I have NO CLUE why I didn't put it in neutral for this operation!), had the clutch lever pulled but somehow just let it out while I was stressing about the truck behind me, etc. The GZ surged forward and my hand on the throttle didn't help! But I was not properly seated and the bike was going out from under me. So I didn't even get to hit the kill switch but just turned the key when she was down.

The good news is that the end result is only a scratch on the end knob of the clutch lever. The left turn signal was only slightly bent and easily went back into position and the left hand assembly was moved back into place as well. I will go over and tighten up tomorrow. The bigger damage was to my ego. :blush: Humbly yours, Maggie.

P.S. Think I am going to replace the vacuum hose on the fuel tank tomorrow. Probably should have done that when I installed the fuel filter and cleaned the petcock. Several lessons learned!

Water Warrior 2 · 09-23-2012, 05:10 AM

A wounded Ego is far better than a wounded rider. Glad you didn't get hurt and the bike faired pretty well too.
A big + for suspecting a fuel issue and checking the clear plastic fuel filter for confirmation.

Rookie Rider · 09-24-2012, 01:25 AM

Thats scary, glad youre ok.

mole2 · 09-24-2012, 02:36 AM

Just don't drop that Roadstar. THAT would be a little difficult to pick up.

Way · 09-24-2012, 04:20 AM

Hi Maggie,

Glad to hear you're okay. Seems you got stressed about the truck being behind you, it might be a good idea to visualize what went wrong and how you can better respond if it ever happens again. Just thinking about safety...

Water Warrior 2 · 09-24-2012, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mole2

Just don't drop that Roadstar. THAT would be a little difficult to pick up.

Big wide crash bars make a difference.

Road_Clam · 09-25-2012, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mole2

Just don't drop that Roadstar. THAT would be a little difficult to pick up.

There actually is a correct "method" to allow one to safely pick up even a very heavy bike. They teach you this skill if you take the MSF course :

northsidegz · 09-27-2012, 12:10 PM

Glad you're ok Maggie!

09-22-2012, 10:56 PM	#1
Maggie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Fernando Valley, CA Posts: 135	Dropped the GZ :retard: Clearly, with over 30,000 miles (not counting my years riding when I was a teenager) among my 3 bikes I am not a completely "green" rider...however... Sometimes those :retard: moments DO occur! I was just leaving a very fulfilling sign language interpreting assignment yesterday, had all my gear on (including overpants because I had nice slacks on) and experienced that power loss issue I had posted about recently. Each time this has happened has been shortly after starting off, maybe within 300 yards of starting point). I pulled over to the curb and saw that there was no fuel sitting in my inline fuel filter. So, I put the petcock on prime and started shaking the bike a little. I hit the starter and got a response and was trying to work up a nice idle, meanwhile becoming conscious that a truck had come up behind me. My :retard: issue was that I was starting up while in gear (I have NO CLUE why I didn't put it in neutral for this operation!), had the clutch lever pulled but somehow just let it out while I was stressing about the truck behind me, etc. The GZ surged forward and my hand on the throttle didn't help! But I was not properly seated and the bike was going out from under me. So I didn't even get to hit the kill switch but just turned the key when she was down. The good news is that the end result is only a scratch on the end knob of the clutch lever. The left turn signal was only slightly bent and easily went back into position and the left hand assembly was moved back into place as well. I will go over and tighten up tomorrow. The bigger damage was to my ego. :blush: Humbly yours, Maggie. P.S. Think I am going to replace the vacuum hose on the fuel tank tomorrow. Probably should have done that when I installed the fuel filter and cleaned the petcock. Several lessons learned! Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-23-2012, 05:10 AM	#2
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Dropped the GZ A wounded Ego is far better than a wounded rider. Glad you didn't get hurt and the bike faired pretty well too. A big + for suspecting a fuel issue and checking the clear plastic fuel filter for confirmation.
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09-24-2012, 01:25 AM	#3
Rookie Rider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Queens, NYC Posts: 1,263	Re: Dropped the GZ Thats scary, glad youre ok. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-24-2012, 02:36 AM	#4
mole2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Longs, SC Posts: 1,469	Re: Dropped the GZ Just don't drop that Roadstar. THAT would be a little difficult to pick up. __________________ 2009 V-Star 650 Silverado Pearl White 2007 Suzuki GZ250 Black (sold)
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09-24-2012, 04:20 AM	#5
Way Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Northwestern VT Posts: 225	Re: Dropped the GZ Hi Maggie, Glad to hear you're okay. Seems you got stressed about the truck being behind you, it might be a good idea to visualize what went wrong and how you can better respond if it ever happens again. Just thinking about safety... __________________ -- Wayne Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-27-2012, 12:10 PM	#8
northsidegz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 305	Re: Dropped the GZ Glad you're ok Maggie! __________________ 1982 Suzuki GS450 Bobber (SOLD) 2000 Suzuki GZ250 (SOLD) 1998 Kawasaki Vulcan 800A (Present Ride)
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