Picking up your bike after a drop

[JJ]

I was reading the "first drop" topic and it suddenly hit me. I've never dropped my bike but if i did I think I'd be screwed! My Suzuki LC1500 weighs in at around 700lbs. I seem to recall reading somehwhere that there is a right & wrong way to pick it up after an unfortunate incident.

So If a rider was alone somewhere and dropped his heavy cruiser how the heck would you get it perpendicular to the ground? (without blowing out a hemoroid )

JJ

[oldnslo]

The last time I dropped my bike was in 1997. I was on a road trip, in eastern Washington. The bike was a BMW k1100RS [636 pounds] with two full saddle bags and a big pack bungied on the back of the seat. It was a real grunt, believe me. I doubt I could do it today.

[poppygene]

Excellent question, JJ! Well, I've only had to do this a couple of times with bikes under 600 pounds, and it's been a while, but I hope I can explain it :

If the bike is on it's left side, grab the left handgrip with your right hand and rotate the handlebar as close to the bike as it will go. You'll have your back to the bike. Then grab something sturdy just below the seat with your left hand. By the way, your left hand should be as close to your body as possible. Next, bend your knees and try to get your butt-cheeks as close to the left edge of the saddle as you can. You're ready now to lift, mostly with your legs. Be careful as it comes up - it'll get easier after the initial budge so don't let momentum tip it over on the other side! Now comes the really hard part (for me anyway): when you get it almost upright, you'll need to either kick the stand down with your heel, or turn your body around to face the bike so you can get the bike on its stand.

I think it's easier if it's laying on the right side. It's the same idea except you'll have your left hand on the right handgrip. Also, go ahead and kick the stand down before you lift - then it'll be in place when you're ready to lean the bike onto it.

[Ladymx]

The only time I had a hard time getting my bike up as on a beach, it made picking a bike up on a hard surface look easy. I was there for 3/4 of an hour tring to up right the XJ750. Had to use my bags as a hard surface. Had to have been the frist beach Ive been on with out a pick of wood or trash on it. It was quit beautiful actually. If I hadnt been looking at the beauty in the first place I wouldnt have hit the soft sand and gone over.

[JJ]

Great information folks. What about brake application? Should the brakes be held on during a lift. I could see it being a benefit if the bike was on a slope.

jj

[poppygene]

Good point, JJ... I forgot to mention to make sure the bike is in gear! Then you don't have to worry about it rolling.

[ronboskz650sr]

Good answer Poppygene. Very easy to understand, even for me! I dropped mine in the yard twice, and I just wanted to add...If you're on grass, you may need help if it's wet. That was my situation, and I tried it anyway...ended up sitting beside the bike .

[abenormal]

Hmmm... I seem to pick up all my bikes more often than I'd like. My current bike is too heavy and tall to pick straight up without hurting myself, as I learned by hurting myself. I'll be using the backwards trick next time. My last bike was light enough and short enough to pick up, except for the time I dropped it on solid ice. Just a tip folks, you cannot ride across 50 yards of lumpy ice in a Chicago alley, even with your feet down, and when your bike falls over you won't be able to pick it up again because your feet will slide. I walked home and got a long extension cord (I had no rope) and pulled it out to the street.

[kar_the_terrible]

Wow Im a lmost scared to g et on my bike now!! The only ones I've ever dropped are 100cc and 125cc eggbeaters!!!

[ronboskz650sr]

Wow Im a lmost scared to g et on my bike now!! The only ones I've ever dropped are 100cc and 125cc eggbeaters!!!

I don't think those count, and I mean no disrespect by that.