good at dropping it; lousy at picking it up! [Archive]

Scoops

04-18-2009, 01:52 PM

searched this forum using google and did some browsing also, but didn't see anything that addressed my issue....
for the same reasons as others have posted, i have dropped my bike -- 4 times :mad: --

my problem with picking it up is that even when i try Skert's method, the bike lifts slightly and then gets STUCK.
it just won't go any higher.

i am barely 5'6", but even my husband at 5'11" and burly has experienced the same thing lifting my wee strom.

i can't seem to get enough leverage because the seat is so low to the ground when on its side ... so Skert's method doesn't work for me unless i'm doing it wrong.

what's the bike getting stuck on? :confused:
and what suggestions do you have for that occasion in the future when i don't have guys stopping to help me? :(

thanks for helping a noob!

AppGap

04-18-2009, 04:04 PM

Panniers,rugged ones.........and engine bars.......so it doesn't lay down quite so well.:)

searched this forum using google and did some browsing also, but didn't see anything that addressed my issue....
for the same reasons as others have posted, i have dropped my bike -- 4 times :mad: --

my problem with picking it up is that even when i try Skert's method, the bike lifts slightly and then gets STUCK.
it just won't go any higher.

i am barely 5'6", but even my husband at 5'11" and burly has experienced the same thing lifting my wee strom.

i can't seem to get enough leverage because the seat is so low to the ground when on its side ... so Skert's method doesn't work for me unless i'm doing it wrong.

what's the bike getting stuck on? :confused:
and what suggestions do you have for that occasion in the future when i don't have guys stopping to help me? :(

thanks for helping a noob!

hojo

04-18-2009, 04:29 PM

Skert has a nice write up mid way down on her web site;

http://www.pinkribbonrides.com/

Stromin'Nroman

04-18-2009, 04:35 PM

And you call yourself "Scoops".

fe-strom

04-19-2009, 03:31 PM

I can't offer direct assistance (as you've read, for all my recent falls on a trip I had a bunch of strong, capable and good looking guys to pick up the bike - yea!). But I can describe different technique.

I almost always ride a Suzuki GS500F. I dropped that one when alone about my first day out of the practice parking lot. I had not a clue how to pick it up and it was very flat to the ground. I stood facing the front (bike lay on its right hand side), and with a couple of heaves managed to get the outside of my lower left leg under the fuel tank (or fairing in this instance). I braced the right leg out in a triangle and used it to gradually manouvre the bike up, shuffling the right foot towards the left. To be honest, it not only took all my strength but some bloody minded determination as well - my husband was within walking distance but I was NOT going to ask for help if I didn't have to!

The v-strom doesn't actually weigh a lot more than the 500, no more than 20 pounds, I think. The trick is that the weight is carried so much higher. I'm not sure I could lift it, but thought I'd mention this technique as it worked for me when skert's method wouldn't - hers relies on the bike not being fully over and can only be used after you've lifted a flat-lying bike to a certain height. You might have to put the hip into the equation as the bike starts to rise.

There is also a wonderful youtube video of how to pick up a bike that has you lying near the bike looking as feminine and injured as possible - and bouncing up when someone stops, to ask for their help picking it up!

Let us know if you get a method worked out and good luck.

pettydvm

04-20-2009, 11:04 AM

Dont feel bad I have dropped mine twice. Both times even with male help it took both of us to get it up. Second time I had a very experienced rider with me and he struggled until I helped. I can get it to the half way point using the technique everyone says then thats it mine gets stuck too. I think it is because the weight is so high up it takes that little extra umph from second person. I would love to learn how to do it cuz I am a little nervous about riding by myself just for this reason.

TomStromie

04-20-2009, 11:51 AM

Just be sure you don't get too excited when picking up your bike. I've read more than a few stories about someone picking up his bike and immediately dropping it on its other side (just to get scrapes and broken pieces). Oh, and practice on someone else's motorcycle first. :)

janiceclanfield

04-20-2009, 12:15 PM

Pirate650

04-22-2009, 07:03 PM

Be happy you don't have a Concours.

I got rid of my old one (Ms. Piggy) because it was 650lbs and WAY top heavy.

When she was on her side it was like she was welded to the ground. I couldn't budge her even a little...

Janice, if Miss Piggy only weighed 650, then some stuff must have fallen off. :rolleyes: My 2003 Connie, "Mabel the Flying Kaw" crushes the scales at about 720 lbs, actually weighed, with a few mods and 1/2 tank of fuel. I'm a thin 185 lbs, and I've picked her up from both sides and I find that adrenaline is your freind. Get 'er up while you're still pissed off, don't wait to think about it, just get mad and heave. I grab the hand grips and lean into the bike, lifting until I can get a knee under the seat or frame area, and using the leg to pry it up further, then as it comes up to that point of big resistance, I use more of a pushing action than lifting, and yes you DO need to be careful as she gets vertical so you don't shove her too hard at the last and send her over to the other side. It's a leverage thing, if it was just strength, I could not do it.

MikeB

04-23-2009, 11:04 AM

Sorry for intruding, ladies, but I noticed the thread title and followed it before I realized that I was in an "exclusionary" forum. But since I'm here now.....:D

No need to feel badly about difficulty -- or failure -- in heaving up the 'Strom.
It IS a top-heavy bugger and it lays WAY too flat. I used to pick up my GL1500 Goldwing porker using the butt-to-the-seat method without even a grunt, and a BMW R1150GS with the old straight-on dead lift method -- but because the 'Strom lacks the protruding jugs of the BMW it's even harder to do a straight dead lift and there's no way to get low enough for the other way.

I can lift it, but it requires good footing and a mighty effort...and I should mention that I can bench-press well over 200#. If I have a potential helper (including my wife) anywhere in the vicinity I don't hesitate to ask for assistance. Pride goeth before the hernia, as the good book says.

LowAndSilent

04-24-2009, 06:57 PM

The night I was riding my WABS home, I decided I needed a little more time on it to get used to it before putting it away for the night. I pulled into a park-n-ride less than 100 yards from my home and began doing some light breaking work and clutch modulation. 10 minutes later, I dropped it (actually, I gently let it lay down on it's left side...my bar-end has a slight scratch from the incident, nothing more).

I used the method that Skert outlined. Easy as pie. I had it up within seconds and on the side-stand. If it won't come up, make sure you are in the right position. Watch the videos.

Oh...and also, make sure your handle-bars are in the correct place before lifting. If it's off, getting it up can be difficult. Same for putting it on a centerstand...I have to make sure the front tire is straight or the bike is harder to get up, and shifts weird to how it was facing.

Ranger Gabby

04-27-2009, 10:14 AM

I've had to pleasure of uprighting my WABS twice, most recently just 2 days ago, using the Skert method with no problems. But of course I am a 6'6" manly man.... but I have to agree with Pirate650, the anger helps.

Keith Falkner

05-01-2009, 11:08 AM

Well, I managed to park the left side of my Wee-Strom on some pavement in Tennessee the other day, and I learned three things about picking the bike up.

First, I could not do it without help. I am no weakling, but at 66 I am not so strong as I once was. Fortunately a Tennesseean appropriately volunteered to help me raise the bike. (Tennessee is the "Volunteer State".)

Second, it helps to unload the bike if it is carrying heavy cargo, as mine was. I had to take about 200 pounds of camping gear, tools, gifts, warm clothing, clean clothing, and the cooler off, before attempting the lift.

Third, and perhaps most important, is to immobilize the wheels. To lock the rear wheel, select first gear, which may be tough if the left side is down or the lever is damaged. To lock the front wheel, whether or not you have hand protectors, a rubber bracelet is a Good Thing to Have. Wrap it around the front brake lever and the end of the handlebar, twice if possible. If you do not immobilize the wheels, the bike tries to slither away, and can get badly hurt in the process.

With all those issues covered, we two men were able to right my steed. The LF turn signal was toast, and the left hand protector was cracked, but no controls were damaged, and the small scratch on the left fairing can easily be fixed.

I use the rubber bracelet to lock the front brake when I park on a hill, and it has never failed me.

A few pieces of tape and a new bulb (you DO carry spare bulbs, don't you???) rendered the turn signal operative but not pretty. I thanked my benefactor, reloaded the cargo, changed one piece of clothing, and continued on my way to Canada. I am back home in Florida now, and have ordered parts to repair the damage.

Good luck, whichever side is up!
Keith

Colin

05-01-2009, 02:36 PM

I have dumped the Wee a couple of times. Once on thick gravel, once on sand and once was just a tip over in the shop when I forgot to put the sidestand down (duh).

I found the Skert method does not work worth crap on gravel/sand because both your feet and the bike really want to go opposite directions.
In the shop it was pretty easy though. The method worked well for me and I'm a slim built 62 yr old.

On the gravel I was able to enlist a couple of friends and we got the bike up in a couple of minutes.

On the sand I was fully loaded with camping gear and several Kms off the beaten path up a logging road near Valemont BC. After unloading the gear I managed to wedge a couple of pieces of timber under the Wee so it was at least little bit more off the ground. I still could not lift it though.

The good news was that, amazingly, one vehicle did come down the road as I was getting some more timber. I waved frantically.

The bad news. All smiles,they waved energetically back and kept right on going:mad:

The good news, the extra adrenalin brought on by my anger towards the car full of waving "tourists" enabled me to just yank the bike upright. The next day my back hurt like hell but I'm sure glad I managed to get out to the highway.

I have been trying to think of some tool or method to use on sand/gravel but so far have not figured one out.

MikeB

05-01-2009, 04:32 PM

If somebody spends a lot of time in the woods and thinks there may be a chance of getting into a dumped-bike predicament, it might be worth thinking of a "snatch block" solution. You can get a couple of lightweight (but very strong -- after all, they are used for pulling people out of crevasses) mountain rescue pulleys from a good sporting goods store like REI, along with a length (maybe 50') of climbing rope. You would need an anchoring point such as a tree so in the featureless desert it might not work so well, but for relatively little extra weight and space some measure of peace of mind can be achieved for most environments.

BeemerSteve

05-11-2009, 10:03 PM

I think I think i saw a you tube video called picking up a goldwing or motorcycle or something like that . i have a bmw k1200lt that ways 900 lbs empty and i used these technique to pick it up and they work .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4MPyX0QCYw hope this helps

bald blur

05-13-2009, 11:00 PM

Several good suggestions to this point and all sarcasm aside it's a top heavy SOB and some weight lifting would be helpful, particularly squats. You want to lift that puppy with your legs and weight shifting.

prothos

05-16-2009, 08:39 PM

I dropped my bike today and i was supprised how easy of a time i had lifting it. i'm 6' and not a weight lifter. Its sad i'm so out of shape i can barely do a few push ups. It may have just been the thrill of the moment of dropping the bike after a stupid women on a cell backed out of a parking spot on the phone in front of me.

As someone had posted there is a few nice video's on how to lift a bike after a drop.

leeloo

05-19-2009, 04:41 PM

I've dropped my poor wee 4 times. I lifted it once by myself and I felt like I had run a marathon when I was done. I used the method in the BMW video but I feel I would need to work out more if I really want to be able to do it easily. Remember, the best way to get somebody to stop and help is to lay down next to your bike because people will stop to make sure you aren't injured, usually.

The 3rd time I dropped my bike, I sprained my ankle, but my bf came out and lifted it for me as I couldn't do a damn thing. I was lying on the ground and somebody stopped to help, but I waved them on as my bf was running out the door to help. Lol. The problem is that they are so bloody top and front heavy that it's hard to leverage.

Guess the best bet for me is don't drop it!

leeloo

LowAndSilent

05-20-2009, 06:12 PM

Scoops

05-30-2009, 12:06 AM

i now know what i was doing wrong that kept me from being able to pick up the Wee.

one step that Skert did that i had forgotten about/overlooked: pull the handle bar toward the gas tank.

my hubby and i took the dang bike to the school parking lot on a weekend, laid the bike on its left side (yes, DL means "Drop Left" :rolleyes:) and tried it out.

i am 5'6" tall and weigh 160lbs. When i pulled the handle bar in as far towards the gas tank as i could i was able to lift the bike!!!! it wasn't "easy," but it also ceased to be impossible.

The problem we encountered in our experiment is that the bike would shift into neutral when it laid over on the left (and every time i drop the thing i am in first). being in neutral, of course, the bike wants to roll while i'm picking it up. didn't try reaching under and popping into second, but i found that the situation was surmountable with slightly more effort in the lift.

thanks for all the great discussion and happy riding.
WEEEEEEEEEEE!

lizhiniatsos

08-13-2009, 10:37 PM

sooooo~ a few questions.....is it a necessity to drop my bike? And am I a complete fool to think I can get back into riding, re-'learn' it, on my new DL1000 without killing myself?!;) It's been over 20 years since I've ridden and the most recent thing I rode was the little midget bikes at the motorcycle riding course. I love my new bike but haven't ridden it yet because my feet barely touch the ground...a problem I'm working on rectifying. I did quite a bit of research before purchasing the bike and absolutely fell in love with it when I sat on it at the dealers....but, as we all know, just because you fall in love doesn't mean it's right :) Suggestions? Thanks!

garandman

08-14-2009, 07:23 AM

searched this forum using google and did some browsing also, but didn't see anything that addressed my issue....
for the same reasons as others have posted, i have dropped my bike -- 4 times :mad: --

my problem with picking it up is that even when i try Skert's method, the bike lifts slightly and then gets STUCK.
it just won't go any higher.

i am barely 5'6", but even my husband at 5'11" and burly has experienced the same thing lifting my wee strom.//Even someone very strong has a tough time if the bike is flat. Notice that in Skerts demo, the bike is already at a pretty good angle.

Do you have engine guards? The Motech bars prop the bike up a bit. Panniers, even more, as others have mentioned.

If you are in the woods so that you have something to attach to, I posted a thread on carrying lifting tackle (http://www.stromtrooper.com/showthread.php?t=42104).

http://dervish.smugmug.com/photos/586685511_4MNKH-L.jpg

BuckTwenty

08-14-2009, 03:20 PM

Use your legs not your back.

PeteW

08-15-2009, 01:39 AM

I've dropped my DL (admittedly on a steep downhill) and couldn't pick it up without help.

The main problem was that there's nothing to grab that was low enough to allow me to lift it all the way up without changing my grip. Crash bars help since they are at a better height for me.

Another trick, visit a car wreckers and buy a seat belt - couple of $$ and if you take your only hobby knife it should be really cheap. You don't need the buckles etc, just a length of belt. Tie the ends together. (You can buy new nylon webbing but it's expensive, old seat belt webbing is better quality and at least here waaay cheap).

When you need to pick to the bike put a loop through the frame rail on the downward side, run the other end back through and slip that over your shoulder. (NOT over your neck !). Get the length of the loop so that you can just slip it over your shoulder while crouching by the bike.
That'll allow you to lift it with the full strength of your legs without relying on arm/hand strength.

You don't want to put the belt over your head - you may flip the bike right over :), or it could run away dragging you with it - being hung by your own bike is even more embarssing than crashing in the first place. Having some way to strap the front brake on is a big help as well. (Velcro ties are great).

Pete

BOURBON BOY

08-16-2009, 12:08 AM

Don't feel bad about dropping your bike, I've seen quite a few men do it, and need help to get it upright again. It may just be to tall for you and some lowering links could help or you may even have to consider even getting something smaller. Now don't get me wrong, but I helped my neighbor try to learn how to ride her late husbands Harley, and she just couldn't do it-she ended up breaking her ankle! Just rember to ALWAYS park the bike in gear with it pointed uphill!! You'd be amazed of how many bikes I've helped get up that were in neutral. Get some good boots with a lug sole to help minimalize slipping and provide ankle support and practice on level ground. If both feet can't touch the ground-it's simply to tall for you. Cheers-BB