Dumped it.

[Phoopster]

Long day at the office today (I'm STILL here, in fact...) and I need to blast up the road for some cool beverage relief and perspective. I'm exhausted, I've got three different projects in my head, my mental rolodex is spinning, and I'm planning an afternoon of calls. Helmet on, jacket affixed, gloves tight and I swing the leg over, thumbing the engine to life as I settle in. A quick scan of the gauges tell me Big Black is ready to go. Something's nagging me, but all seems well. I shift into first and ease out the clutch as something in brain begins screaming in frenetic tones...

Amazing how the mind can synchronize with the world from time to time; in the same instant my brain formulated the word "Disc Lock!" I heard the flat "CLACK" of metal against metal. Big Black dove forward and I heard a brief chirp before my visor hit the windscreen. It seems like it took a full 3 or 4 minutes of agony for me to hit the ground, roll over, and assess.

Damage to the bike was minimal - a scuff on the already-scuffed tip wing (this bike is 10 years old) and a little rash on the front tire. I managed to keep the helmet off the ground (new Arai - never been nicked!) and only got the jacket a might dusty.

Sadly, this isn't my first time off the scoot nor will it be my last. Thankfully, there were no witnesses, although I did notice closed-circuit TV aimed at me. So I'll be on YouTube later, I guess.

Love that disc lock...

d

[BridgeMan]

Place a piece of tape over the ignition switch as a more gentle reminder that you aren't quite ready to move forward. I've heard of serious rotor or wheel damage being a not-so-gentle reminder.

[SoloTotoCoyote]

I've heard of serious rotor or wheel damage being a not-so-gentle reminder.

Heard of a guy who hopped on his bike and had forgotten about his disc lock. As he rolled the bike back to leave, he stopped just as it kissed the front fender to google a couple of hotties walking by. Suffering from a surge of testosterone and desire to impress, the guy revs the motor and takes off in a quick, abrupt wheelie. He went about 5-10 yards before he set it down. He then went about 15-20 yards further without the bike as the disc lock crammed into the back of the fork/caliper and shot him over the handlebars like a catapult. From stud to dud in 2.3 seconds of stupidity. :D

I got to see the results.....bent rotor, broken caliper, lots of plastic road rash....

[Tor]

http://www.stroudsafety.com/Images/Chutes-FlightTagLg.jpg

[juddspaintballs]

Tor's suggestion I've seen many times. It is a good idea.


I've used regular pad locks before on my disc (the ones I use fit perfectly in the holes) and I usually use two at the same time. I put one on each side of the caliper as close as possible to it. That way, I can't roll in either direction more than about an inch, and thus, I'll notice the locks in place. I've begun to take off before and immediately my front end starting lowering and I knew right away what the problem was before my feet left the ground. I guess the moral of this story is that you should try putting your disc lock as close to your caliper in the direction you're going to roll so you notice before your feet leave the ground if you forget.

[motoman]

Long day at the office today (I'm STILL here, in fact...) Damage to the bike was minimal - a scuff on the already-scuffed tip wing (this bike is 10 years old) and a little rash on the front tire. I managed to keep the helmet off the ground (new Arai - never been nicked!) and only got the jacket a might dusty.

Love that disc lock...


Glad you're OK.

I am questioning the need for a disc lock on a 10-yr old ST1100... Even on a 2-yr old ST1300.... Our bikes are not major theft targets unless maybe you leave the key in the ignition.

I suspect what happened is much more likely than your bike being stolen.
Our bikes are not major theft targets unless maybe you leave the key in the ignition. So take advantage of it!

[GRN]

I'm exhausted, I've got three different projects in my head, my mental rolodex is spinning, and I'm planning an afternoon of calls.

This is a formula for disaster on a bike... be glad you forgot the lock, otherwise it might have been even worse! :eek:

[SteveST1300]

I would not use a disc lock for that very reason, and I dont see where it would protect the bike agains theft any more than the ignition lock would if they want it they will get it!

[Finewest]

Yeah! I had one of those, but when I overheard two punk kids say they wouldn't even steal my bike no less buy one I got rid of it! LOL. Here's your TOA!

http://www.st-owners.com/pp_gallery/data/500/toa.jpg

[snowmoer]

I have an orange cord that goes from the disk lock to the grip. I do not use the lock much, so it tells me it is on when I use it. I will look for a link when I get home.