who can pick up their bike and technique suggestions...

Rebelde · 01-15-2007, 11:39 AM

Okay, so I haven't crashed, but I did lose my balance on our stupid bumpy sloped driveway (front wheel wasn't straight when I stopped). The bike went down (no damage; I broke the fall as best I could). I, for the life of me could not pick her back up, and had to get my husband to come help me. Quite embarrassing, as I was already feeling like a moron for having dropped her in the first place...

I'm not terribly strong, but maybe I just have poor technique. Any suggestions?

Iceman_954rr · 01-15-2007, 01:44 PM

Try picking it up backwards...

Put the small of your back on the seat...grab with both hands and drive the bike up with your legs. Be careful not to tip it over the other way and watch those hands on hot parts, but once you get it up you can kinda roll your body around forward.

Does that make sense?

kevin_stevens · 01-15-2007, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman_954rr

Try picking it up backwards...

Put the small of your back on the seat...grab with both hands and drive the bike up with your legs. Be careful not to tip it over the other way and watch those hands on hot parts, but once you get it up you can kinda roll your body around forward.

Does that make sense?

Well, not so much when you describe it! Look here:

http://www.pinkribbonrides.com/dropped.html

Alex, going for a ride this afternoon?

KeS

TejasRider · 01-15-2007, 03:01 PM

+1, yeppers! that would be the way to do it right there.

harleyxlc · 01-15-2007, 03:10 PM

+1 backwards works. I have picked up a 750+ lb bike. I guarantee you can pick up a sportbike with the right technique!

Iceman_954rr · 01-15-2007, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin_stevens

Well, not so much when you describe it! Look here:

http://www.pinkribbonrides.com/dropped.html

Alex, going for a ride this afternoon?

KeS

Thanks Kev...the pics explain it much better.

I was trying to think of how to write it out and it didnt quite come out right.

(The bikes down for maint, brakes, new chain, etc...it will be a few weeks. I need to buy Tom his tire too so I am trying to do everything while the weather is cold. Planning a track day for sometime early summer...I know you'll be game for that right Kev.)

Bredebee · 01-15-2007, 04:32 PM

I lost my balance and slipped on some leaves a a couple weeks back and I can't tell you how mf'n pissed I was , thank god for sliders anywhoo I dunno if I was able to do becuase I was soo bloody mad and had a lot of adrenaline or becuase of the way I did it . My bike is about 420 wet so I just angled myself kinda leaning into the bike , not pulling directly up and used my legs to push as well as my arms to pull. I dunno if that makes sense but worked for me , but I think my pissed off state helped quite a bit too

TejasRider · 01-15-2007, 04:40 PM

bet that was the adreneline rush. I've seen people tip over and get the bike back up in the blink of an eye.

Rebelde · 01-15-2007, 05:14 PM

Thanks so much for the link!!! Hopefully I won't have to try it out any time soon, though!!

meangreenzxr · 01-15-2007, 06:35 PM

what they say is true......my foot slipped one day on my
fathers 1500 goldwing in the garage.....I used the backward way they speak of.......it was'nt easy but I did it.......and it weighs 990lbs dry!

kevin_stevens · 01-15-2007, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman_954rr

Thanks Kev...the pics explain it much better.

I was trying to think of how to write it out and it didnt quite come out right.

(The bikes down for maint, brakes, new chain, etc...it will be a few weeks. I need to buy Tom his tire too so I am trying to do everything while the weather is cold. Planning a track day for sometime early summer...I know you'll be game for that right Kev.)

I'm up for trackdays, sure. Spent today tooling around dialing suspension in. Lee's got it basically set up, but there's always preferences (I like more rebound and less compression damping, usually), and trying to get the rear to match the front. Getting close now.

KeS

CaroleJ · 01-15-2007, 08:17 PM

A friend and I picked up her Harley Street Bob--it was down on its right peg. She was still straddling the bike and I stood on the left peg. It came right up.

But, if I were alone, I would definitely try the backwards way. I saw that technique in a video and it looks effective. You use the muscles in your legs and save your back.

acalliste · 01-15-2007, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin_stevens

Well, not so much when you describe it! Look here:

http://www.pinkribbonrides.com/dropped.html

Thanks for posting this link, Kevin. I was out shopping all day, so I'm just now getting to this thread, but that's exactly what I would have suggested.

In fact, this question comes up with enough regularity, that I think it deserves a sticky. It's good information to have on hand.

kevin_stevens · 01-15-2007, 09:35 PM

Yeah, I have it stashed away for such occasions. Personally, I'm with B. - I'm always so pissed when I drop my bike that I just pick the damn thing up. The hard part for me is remembering to put it in gear and deploy the sidestand so I don't toss it over on the other side.

K12RS' do bounce - but not well.

KeS

Rebelde · 01-15-2007, 09:45 PM

great, now my idiocy is forever immortalized as a sticky...