Argh! Embarrassing Fail
Discussion
To make you feel a bit better.
On the bike with the gf, need to turn around so ask her to get off while I do a u turn in a very narrow cul de sac (my slow speed control with a pillion is poor). Turn way too tight, foot slips on loose road surface, drop bike. Then struggle to pick it up due to bad technique and not being powerfully built. Quite embarrassing.
Other time, also with gf. New bike, no speedo so no trip, snapped fuel tap so can't put into reserve. Bike cuts out at front of busy traffic lights. Manage to start again after pulling to side of the road. Check fuel, it's okay I think. Happens a few times, finally realise after multiple embarrassing stops. Cuts out for good 200 metres away from petrol station. Push it the rest of the way with a very unhappy gf behind me.
Feel any better?
On the bike with the gf, need to turn around so ask her to get off while I do a u turn in a very narrow cul de sac (my slow speed control with a pillion is poor). Turn way too tight, foot slips on loose road surface, drop bike. Then struggle to pick it up due to bad technique and not being powerfully built. Quite embarrassing.
Other time, also with gf. New bike, no speedo so no trip, snapped fuel tap so can't put into reserve. Bike cuts out at front of busy traffic lights. Manage to start again after pulling to side of the road. Check fuel, it's okay I think. Happens a few times, finally realise after multiple embarrassing stops. Cuts out for good 200 metres away from petrol station. Push it the rest of the way with a very unhappy gf behind me.
Feel any better?
bozzy. said:
Berty3000 said:
I have deleted my initial message from this topic.
Don’t worry about the drop. We all do it. Why have you deleted your comment though?
Not sure about the post - I think it might have happened this morning when I was getting cheesed off with my phone/slow WiFi, and pressing the screen repeatedly. Is it possible to recover? Main point to take away is that I keep slowly lowering my bike flat on the floor, accidentally.
On the thankfully rare occasions when I've had to lift a bike historically, no-one ever explained a 'proper' way so I always just faced the bike, bent down and grabbed the bars and whatever else came to hand, and after much grunting got it up (oo er missus). But with the current bike weighing 380Kg (and that's without luggage) I did wonder how the hell I'd ever lift it if it went over. A bit of googling suggests there there's a 'proper' way to lift real heavy bikes.
Maybe it's even something folks get trained in these days, or maybe folks all know it already? But it was certainly new to me. Luckily I've not had to try it yet, and I'm not inclined to practice it - but added to the list of personal 'how tos' just in case.
So here's a girly lifting a full dresser Harley. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myxfpPamyEI
Ignore the first 2 minutes of her spouting-off, and turn the sound off for the whoopin' and hollerin' at the end.
Maybe it's even something folks get trained in these days, or maybe folks all know it already? But it was certainly new to me. Luckily I've not had to try it yet, and I'm not inclined to practice it - but added to the list of personal 'how tos' just in case.
So here's a girly lifting a full dresser Harley. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myxfpPamyEI
Ignore the first 2 minutes of her spouting-off, and turn the sound off for the whoopin' and hollerin' at the end.
The Harley in the video above hasn't fallen over! It's simply resting at a jaunty angle. It's also covered in so many cast iron and chrome "hand holds" that you're spoiled for choice when it comes to where to hold.
The best technique for picking up "normal" bikes (which are covered in fragile plastic and have actually fallen over and are laying on their side) is to ignore the bike completely and just pick up the handle bar that's on the ground. Straight back, squat facing the bike with a foot either side of the handlebar and take a firm hold if the bar with both hands. Straighten your legs lifting the bar off the ground then walk forward towards the bike until the bike is upright.
This approach gives you maximum leverage to lift the bike, uses what is likely to be the only accessible "grab point" that's not going to break/crack/distort with the weight of the bike and avoids sliding the bike across the ground on its side.
The only issue with this approach comes when the handlebar on the ground tucks into a recess in the tank. It can be quite difficult to get a firm hold on. At this point you need the help of someone else who will lift the bike far enough to allow you to get a firm hold of the lower handlebar.
The best technique for picking up "normal" bikes (which are covered in fragile plastic and have actually fallen over and are laying on their side) is to ignore the bike completely and just pick up the handle bar that's on the ground. Straight back, squat facing the bike with a foot either side of the handlebar and take a firm hold if the bar with both hands. Straighten your legs lifting the bar off the ground then walk forward towards the bike until the bike is upright.
This approach gives you maximum leverage to lift the bike, uses what is likely to be the only accessible "grab point" that's not going to break/crack/distort with the weight of the bike and avoids sliding the bike across the ground on its side.
The only issue with this approach comes when the handlebar on the ground tucks into a recess in the tank. It can be quite difficult to get a firm hold on. At this point you need the help of someone else who will lift the bike far enough to allow you to get a firm hold of the lower handlebar.
black-k1 said:
The Harley in the video above hasn't fallen over! It's simply resting at a jaunty angle. It's also covered in so many cast iron and chrome "hand holds" that you're spoiled for choice when it comes to where to hold.
This one better for ya'?Right on its side, no 'hand holds' but still a girly lifting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvlUMiiuKag
Scroll past the chaps with the guitars.
tvrolet said:
black-k1 said:
The Harley in the video above hasn't fallen over! It's simply resting at a jaunty angle. It's also covered in so many cast iron and chrome "hand holds" that you're spoiled for choice when it comes to where to hold.
This one better for ya'?Right on its side, no 'hand holds' but still a girly lifting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvlUMiiuKag
Scroll past the chaps with the guitars.
but the bike still has a lovely set of crash bars fitted that both keep the main bodywork off the ground and give a nice “pivot point” to allow the bike to “rock” onto its wheels (without sliding plastics across the gravel) before any real lifting is required. You don’t see many “modern design” motorcycles fitted with crash bars like that.If the “show it your arse and push” approach works for you on your bike, then use it. I know categorically it won’t work on my K1300S (and you know how I know that!!! Old Gits in Provence last year ….
) and I’m also sure it wouldn’t work on the majority of fully faired bikes I’ve had in the last 30 years. I’ve yet to find a bike that can’t be picked up reasonably easily using the face it and lift the bar approach but, there is more than one way to skin a cat so use what works for you and your particular bike.Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff