I finally did it.

[vasquelli]

Well I did it. And I couldn't have been more dumb. Dropped the bike today while test loading it on a trailer. I was on a slope in grass and not level. Backing off the trailer, front tire began to slip and drag backwards and I lost control and dropped the bike on its side. If that wasn't bad enough, a metal outcropping on the trailer gate scratched and dented my front fender. I've done dumb things before but I think this takes the cake especially since I could have pulled the trailer about 5 feet forward and been on level ground. Took me a while to figure out how I was going to raise the bike on unlevel ground but finally managed it by myself. I'm sick to my stomach about it but I'm just glad I didn't get hurt. What's worse is it is brand new 2013 (or was) and now wondering what the best course of action should be to fix my fender? All comments (even ones calling me a dumb @ss) are welcome!

[Snaggletooth]

Can't even dig ya for a rookie mistake. Few experienced guys have done the same thing. You ain't alone.

 

Regrets on the damage to the bike and glad you weren't involved at the impact point.

 

Life experience ya know.

 

From my Droid wherever I may happen to be at any given moment.

[playboy]

Ventures just don't like trailers Just ask Condor. Glad your pride was the only thing hurt.

[MidlifeVenture]

Got full coverage, run it past the adjuster

[CaptainJoe]

Came close one day doing exactly the same thing.

 

Next time, put in first gear with the key off and squeeze the clutch in when you back it down the ramp.

 

If the front wheel starts to slide, just let the clutch out and it will stop you...

 

Glad your not hurt!

[Yammer Dan]

Might check price of new fender.

[rougeray]

If your gonna be doing a lot trailering I would suggest a razor trailer. The bed of the trailer lowers to the ground and you drive on it. Check the web sit out. razortrailers.com. This is what I use and haven't dropped it yet!

[Bubber]

What color is your front fender?

I may have a spare for sale if your interested. I will look for it if you have interest.

Sorry about your troubles.

[Flyinfool]

Depending on how bad it is dented, the dent wizard type places can work magic for a lot less than a body shop.

[vasquelli]

Thanks everybody for all for the words of support. I do have full coverage on the bike so may go that route. You know I still can't believe I did it. The worse part is going to be telling my wife what I did. I don't want to shake her confidence in me as she loves to ride too. Just gonna have to man up I guess! LOL At least I learned a valuable lesson. Why is it the school of hard knocks seems to be the one that drives the point across the most?

[Barrycuda]

Thanks everybody for all for the words of support. I do have full coverage on the bike so may go that route. You know I still can't believe I did it. The worse part is going to be telling my wife what I did. I don't want to shake her confidence in me as she loves to ride too. Just gonna have to man up I guess! LOL At least I learned a valuable lesson. Why is it the school of hard knocks seems to be the one that drives the point across the most?

 

At some point, with whatever bike you ride, there will be a time it tips, or drops. That's the way it goes when on 2 wheels. The MAIN part, is you are not injured, which would be rubbing salt into the wound. Now that it is out of your system, so to speak, you can now focus on repairing and riding!! Good luck.

[1joeranger]

Same thing! Lost balance and bike fell onto the trailer railing. Had a nice big baseball size dent in the tank. Add insult to injury I had just finished having the tank, side covers, fenders painted! Sick is putting it mildly!

 

It was a used bike I had just bought and touched up! Had to go on the trailer cause I could not get her to start. I had replaced the head gasket that had leaked. It was my first, for me, big surgery on a bike. Long before internet, long before online manuals, The local bike mechanic had talked me through the procedure. I had unfortunately got the plugs mixed up and didn't know it.

 

Today, years later I am sitting here thinking of that dent again. Bondo and another paint job fixed the bike. Hearing your similar experience is adding salve to my ego and a smile to my face!!

 

Thanks!!

[vasquelli]

As a followup...I turned it in to the insurance company and they paid for a new fender minus the $500 deductible. I happened to find a new fender assembly (part # 4NL-Y2150-31-XJ) for $467 including shipping @ http://www.yamahapartsmonster.com/ so I'm hoping this will work out. I called the parts store and they assured me this was the correct piece for my model. Insurance price for part was $602 and they added almost an hour labor, they dropped a couple hundred right into my bank account and so in the end I only had to spend another $267 for a new fender. I figured I got off better than I thought I might. Now I'll have a slightly dinged fender for sale once the new one comes in if anyone is interested. I'm not sure why anyone would want it unless they had a way to bang out the small dent and repaint. At any rate, I'm hoping to bolt the new one on myself as it doesn't appear to be too hard looking at the diagram. I may regret that decision but I'm gonna be hopeful. :-) Thanks to everyone on the forum. This has taught me a valued lesson in what not to do when loading the bike on a trailer. Now at least I join the ranks of those folks that have come before me and will be able to impart sympathy to those that come after me.