What You Must Check If You Drop a Motorcycle?

You don’t intend to lay down your bike. It might happen because of loose gravel, a wheelie that didn’t work, or a curve where you took the wrong angle.

If you’re lucky, dropping a motorcycle won’t cause anything more than some surface damage to your frame and paint. When this incident happens at high speeds, there could be significant repairs to manage.

Something crucial to know:

What can you do if you need to make a dropped motorcycle insurance claim?

What to Do If You Drop a Motorcycle?

If you sense that the motorcycle is about to drop, the first thing to do is to hit the kill switch. By turning off the engine, you’ll prevent additional momentum that could worsen things. Try to let go of the throttle as you push yourself away.

Once everything is over, check your health to see if you’re okay. If you’re in immediate danger from other vehicles, get out of the way as quickly as possible. Check to see if anyone else was hurt or if you had to lay down the bike because of a collision.

Move the motorcycle to the side of the road. Once you have a safe spot, you can inspect the equipment to see if there is any damage.

Here is a complete guide to doing things after dropping a motorcycle.

Does Dropping a Motorcycle Ruin It?

Laying down a motorcycle isn’t the end of the world, but it can total the bike in some situations. That’s why it is important to know what to check if you’ve encountered this issue.

After reviewing your motorcycle to see if it has experienced major damage, you’ll want to see if any of the following issues are observable.

1. Are there any fluids leaking from the motorcycle?
2. Do the front brake calipers function as expected?
3. Is the bike’s body straight, or does it look like it has a bend to it?
4. Are the shifting forks operating as they should be?
5. Do all the levers and pedals work correctly?
6. Is there any aesthetic damage that could be covering a more significant problem?

Once you’ve looked at these issues and found nothing that seems concerning, try giving the motorcycle a quick test ride. It should only be a mile or two at most in case there is something wrong that hasn’t been detected.

After you’ve performed the test ride, review the six above items again. If everything seems to be working fine, you should be safe to continue riding your motorcycle. You might want a trusted mechanic to inspect everything to ensure a claim isn’t necessary.

How to Avoid Dropping a Motorcycle?

Although some situations are unavoidable, you can take some steps to prevent dropping a motorcycle while using it.

The first and best thing to do is always to check that your stand is fully extended when parking the bike. When you stop and park, review the asphalt for firmness. On a hot day, the material can be soft enough to cause the kickstand to sink, which can cause the equipment to topple.

It helps to be in the habit of checking your motorcycle each time before you ride it. A simple once-over that lets you know the brakes work and the mirrors are in the correct position can help you avoid potential problems.

Then stay within your riding limits. Although it can be fun to push boundaries, overconfidence often leads to laying down a bike.

If you cannot avoid dropping the bike, stay on it until the last possible second. You’ll have more control over the outcome this way and potentially limit damage to the motorcycle. Try to be calm, relax your body, and don’t let the equipment land on you.

You can protect yourself and your ride with a little proactive, common sense. If something does happen, motorcycle insurance could help you repair the equipment or provide help with possible medical bills.