Ever practice picking your bike up off the ground?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 987
From: San Diego, CA
Ever practice picking your bike up off the ground?
I've been riding about 10 months, never dropped a bike, but I'm thinking if I did I could have trouble picking it up.
I think this weekend I'm going to lay mine over gently in the grass (in the backyard!), maybe on a towel or something, and practice picking it up.
It's something I don't want to have to learn for the first time in the middle of a busy intersection.
Am I stupid? Anyone else tried this? Or do you guys just practice every few months by crashing your bikes?
I think this weekend I'm going to lay mine over gently in the grass (in the backyard!), maybe on a towel or something, and practice picking it up.
It's something I don't want to have to learn for the first time in the middle of a busy intersection.
Am I stupid? Anyone else tried this? Or do you guys just practice every few months by crashing your bikes?
Member
Squid
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 48
From: CO.
NO and I have crashed or laid it on it's side more than once because of some
stupid *** cager.
The SH is one of the lightest, well balanced v-twins out there,
if you can't stand next to it and lay it more than half way over without dropping it
you should go down to something that fits you.
Try to eat your Wheaties and remember to use your legs - not your back
stupid *** cager.
The SH is one of the lightest, well balanced v-twins out there,
if you can't stand next to it and lay it more than half way over without dropping it
you should go down to something that fits you.
Try to eat your Wheaties and remember to use your legs - not your back
Member
Squid
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 94
From: Morrison, CO
I've had to pick up my bike twice.
Once during my license test I almost dropped it, almost. Only lost 1 point on the entire test because I put my foot down to pick it back up. Danged slow stuff!! Anyway, I was so worried about failing the test I barely remember stopping it inches from the ground. After everyone was like "I can't believe you saved that".
And secondly, I dropped mine doing about 20 on a mountain corner, it slid into the other lane of traffic. Even with all my roadrash adrenalin kicked in and it sure as HELL didn't feel like a 450lb bike. I even pushed it back to the normal side with the rear tire locked because I bent the rear brake lever.
You can practice all you want, point is: if and when it comes time for you to pick your bike up, you'll have no troubles.
Once during my license test I almost dropped it, almost. Only lost 1 point on the entire test because I put my foot down to pick it back up. Danged slow stuff!! Anyway, I was so worried about failing the test I barely remember stopping it inches from the ground. After everyone was like "I can't believe you saved that".
And secondly, I dropped mine doing about 20 on a mountain corner, it slid into the other lane of traffic. Even with all my roadrash adrenalin kicked in and it sure as HELL didn't feel like a 450lb bike. I even pushed it back to the normal side with the rear tire locked because I bent the rear brake lever.
You can practice all you want, point is: if and when it comes time for you to pick your bike up, you'll have no troubles.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 987
From: San Diego, CA
Nah, I'll just give you a call and you can pick it up for me, since you're such a badass.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 133
From: sonoma county Ca.
Not anything I've ever practiced,But I have picked up a couple of bikes.Adrenalin is a mighty powerfull drug.You might all ready know this,but gas stations,stop signs,and stop lights are prime spots for oil puddles.Your foot slips and down you go.There's all so those pollished man hole covers in the middle of intersections.All low or no speed drops that can be avoided.The"first" rains all so bring up the oil's in the road.Then they wash away.Dont be afraid,just be aware,and eat your Wheaties.This may be the begining of a long love affair.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 499
From: Kansas City
proper technique to save you from wrenching your back when you do it is to face away from the bike.
basically, get the bike in gear or grab the front brake if 1st gear is not an option (this way it won't roll when you pick it up)
face away from the bike and squat down...put your lower back/butt against the bike and then use a combo of lifting and walking backwards to get it upright.
this way you use your legs to lift instead of your back.
if you can remember this when you're full of adrenaline, also remember to walk it up slowly or you'll just dump it over the other side
for light sportbikes, this isn't as important...but i've seen a dainty little gal pick up a Goldwing from it's side using this technique...she grunted a bit, but she got it up
basically, get the bike in gear or grab the front brake if 1st gear is not an option (this way it won't roll when you pick it up)
face away from the bike and squat down...put your lower back/butt against the bike and then use a combo of lifting and walking backwards to get it upright.
this way you use your legs to lift instead of your back.
if you can remember this when you're full of adrenaline, also remember to walk it up slowly or you'll just dump it over the other side
for light sportbikes, this isn't as important...but i've seen a dainty little gal pick up a Goldwing from it's side using this technique...she grunted a bit, but she got it up
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 702
From: Bham, AL
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 6
From: Cape Cod
Pickin' it up
If you're going to practice in grass, wear some CLEATS! Nothing sucks worse than slipping and dropping the bike. Then you really have a problem that you manufactured yourself. Like everyone said above, keep your back to the bike and use your legs. If you do crash, you probably won't remember to do it correctly because you will be overdosing on adrenalin for sure (the voice of experience). If you do get it picked up, you will have the confidence and security of thought that you can do it if you needed to.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,452
From: San Clemente, CA
When I crashed my '86 CB700SC Nighthawk 20 years ago, I just picked it up and rode home after straightening the left bar. And it was heavier than a VTR1000F.
You're not riding a Gold Wing.
You're not riding a Gold Wing.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,572
From: Buffalo, NY
This was discussed a while back and includes a link to a decent writeup on this...
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=12652
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=12652
Member
Squid
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 39
From: Portland, OR
Don't forget to put the kickstand down before you lift it if it's left side down. Just like slipping in grass, that would suck to drop it in a practice run.
I lifted my katana up at about the same weight, it wasn't too bad and was good practice.
I lifted my katana up at about the same weight, it wasn't too bad and was good practice.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 347
From: S.Dak USA
If you play with bikes for long enough, you WILL drop one sooner or later.Knowing good lifting technique helps. Owned a VMax in '88 and dropped that.I was so F***KING mad I picked it up and dam near threw it over on the other side! Now I'm #155 and the Max weighs #600..... Adrenaline works!
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,452
From: San Clemente, CA
Senior Member
SuperSport
SuperSport
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 880
From: Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada
If you lay the bike, don't drop it completely, the fairings will make weird sounds and there is enough weight to crush them, not badly but enough to be annoying.
Do it on the driveway edge to the tires will grip and not slip, gently let the bike go, then pick it back up, I did this to get rid of an air bubble in the clutch banjo bolt, down to the exhaust and I'm 155 lbs wet.
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