Total Motorcycle Community Forums

jstark47 wrote:

AJ wrote:I was looking into Honda Shadow 583cc or the Yamaha Virago 535 cc. My question is can a 5'2, 105 lbs can handle a bike this size?

Can you dead lift one of these from the ground if it's fallen over? No. But neither can I (6'1" 235 lbs), without using the "back to the bike, butt & legs" technique.

I can lift my 535 from the ground without much trouble at all. Had to do it once when someone knocked my bike over and drove away

jonnythan wrote:

jstark47 wrote:

AJ wrote:I was looking into Honda Shadow 583cc or the Yamaha Virago 535 cc. My question is can a 5'2, 105 lbs can handle a bike this size?

Can you dead lift one of these from the ground if it's fallen over? No. But neither can I (6'1" 235 lbs), without using the "back to the bike, butt & legs" technique.

I can lift my 535 from the ground without much trouble at all. Had to do it once when someone knocked my bike over and drove away

So is there really a technique? "back to the bike, butt & legs" If so, tell me how. Just in case I drop my bike.

I was also looking into the Vulcan. I realize something that I feel I may want. A cruiser, seat Height, weight, and counterbalancer and it has to be used. What price should I be looking for on craiglist.
I don't know anyone who know anything about mechanical problems on a bike, what is the main thing I should be concern about?

AJ wrote:

jonnythan wrote:

jstark47 wrote:

AJ wrote:I was looking into Honda Shadow 583cc or the Yamaha Virago 535 cc. My question is can a 5'2, 105 lbs can handle a bike this size?

Can you dead lift one of these from the ground if it's fallen over? No. But neither can I (6'1" 235 lbs), without using the "back to the bike, butt & legs" technique.

I can lift my 535 from the ground without much trouble at all. Had to do it once when someone knocked my bike over and drove away

So is there really a technique? "back to the bike, butt & legs" If so, tell me how. Just in case I drop my bike.

I was also looking into the Vulcan. I realize something that I feel I may want. A cruiser, seat Height, weight, and counterbalancer and it has to be used. What price should I be looking for on craiglist.
I don't know anyone who know anything about mechanical problems on a bike, what is the main thing I should be concern about?

Here's the "proper method":
http://www.ibmwr.org/otech/pickup.html

It involves putting your *back* to the bike, gripping the bike, and lifting with your legs, keeping your back straight. I'm a bit larger than you, at 5'9, 170 lbs, and I was able to pick the 535 up by just grabbing and lifting without much effort.

As for prices, check out the Kelley Motorcycle Blue Book for approximate values on any given bike that you're looking at.

Every model will have its own quirks when it comes to what to check, but in general look at the condition of the tires, ease of starting, consistency of idle, smoothness of throttle, and firmness of brakes.

I enjoyed how to pick up my bike. Now, what I going to do is drop it... so I can practice picking it up, Just Kidding

Maybe not drop it, but lay it down gently in your driveway. I ignored my parents advice and didn't do this, so when i finally dropped my bike i was worried i wouldn't be able to get it up but it was an easy dead lift. One thing they told us about the back to the bike tech in MSF was to be careful because after its up you gotta turn around and get the kick stand down which can be just as tricky as getting the bike up. I don't know if it helps but I always park my bike in gear so if it ends up on its side it wont roll away when I'm picking her up.

Sounds good. Whatever works right! I haven't purchase a bike yet, waiting for a good deal on a used one, NO rush here, though I want a bike now.