Delivery of a new Bike **SURPRISE**

So, here I am in the fortunate position of being the happy new owner of my KTM 990 Adventure R. Why did I get a new one you ask? Well... I had unfortunate incident with the tar that caused a surprising amount of damage on my old KTM. To be more exact, it caused R1000.00 more damage than the bike cost me initially...is that even possible?

Anyhow, back to the topic at hand...

I took delivery of my pretty new bike on a Thursday afternoon when they delivered it to my house on a trailer (which is hind sight was probably a good thing). The bike was standing on its center stand right in front of my doorway when I decided to ride it around the house and park it in the bike shed.

Now the way I did this on my old KTM was to get on the bike while it remained on the center stand, start it and nudge it off the stand in 1st gear and continue riding (really looks cool to the average person).

Right, so I saddle the bike, assume the standing position, start the motor, kick it into 1st gear, let it idle a few seconds (for effect), BIG nudge and.......

your expecting an "...away we go...?? I was too. The bike did get off the center stand alright, but as it's tires hit the paving WHOOOSH the handle bars folded right down against the tank!

Getting such a fright I leap off the bike, realizing at the last moment that I was letting my new shiny bike fall. Grabbing at it with all my might I saved her from hitting the deck, just.

PDI my BUTT!

The lesson here I think is a simple one. When you receive a new motorcycle, even though the salesmen assures you that all is in order and the "Pre Delivery Inspection" was done, take out the complimentary tool kit that you should get with a new bike and do a "once over" on all the nuts and bolts you can get your grubby paws onto. Also good idea to check the coolant level, brake fluid and tire pressures while your at it.

It could save you a coupla unforeseen bucks $$ Ka-Ching!!