in the Middle of Sunset Strip

EXCLUSIVE

David Beckham is not perfect (SHOCKER!!!) ... he lost control of his motorcycle in the middle of Sunset Boulevard, but walked away unscathed.

Beckham was leaving the famous Shamrock Tattoo in West Hollywood Thursday when he lost control of his motorcycle -- a custom-built Super Vintage 93" Knuckle -- and tumbled off in the middle of the street.

We're told Beckham recruited a few friends from the tattoo parlor to help him roll it back to the store.

Sources close to Beckham tell TMZ the accident happened when he swerved to avoid the paparazzi.