Percentage of dropped bike vs. not yet dropped

[jdubbs32584]

I hope this doesn't start an argument but I think it can be different for women. Guys are naturally bigger and stronger (see? I'm not a feminazi). My bike weighs more than twice what I do. I can try and try and try, using the techniques y'all have suggested and I just cannot pick it up. I'm no slacker either, I work out and was recruited for Div. 1 athletics.

That being said, I'm gonna empty out the tank and have someone help me put it on the ground and try some more in a non stressful situation.

[TiNi]

mine was a drop not a crash.
dropped the first day i had my license in a friends dirt driveway  
zero damage  

i couldn't pick it up either 

[danaid]

I've had my bike for over two months so far and I noticed that I've been careless and a little to comfortable lately, having a couple of close calls recently.

[Tommy T.]

I'm going to have to disagree with that LOL -I can't pick my duc up to save my life! I've dropped it twice-the first time about 15 minutes after we bought it in '99(that was just so, so sad) and two guys had to stop and pick it up for me(I had stalled it and I lost my balance while stopped at a stop sign) and then about a month later I was pulled over for speeding and I was so nervous that as soon as the cop walked away from giving me a warning, I  dropped it from sheer nerves I guess. That was probably the worst embarassment ever-I was about in tears from that one. The cop was laughing and he picked the bike up for me. *sigh* 

...
Celeste

It is technique and it is time you learned it.  

This url connects to an illustrated (and videoed) account of 118 lb, 5'3" Carol picking up a 600 lb BMW with a 31" inch high seat.

http://www.pinkribbonrides.com/dropped.html

There was a guy at Americade at Lake George a few years ago that was teaching women riders how to pick up a loaded Gold Wing using the same "back-to-the-bike" technique.

This url is from the Minnesota state motorcycle safety course.  It shows two ways, back to the bike first and a front to the bike system for smaller bikes.  The back to the bike has some additional safety pointers over Carol's pinkribbon site.

[♣ McKraut ♣]

there's not a "low/high side" option   

so i just picked dropped.

[cmorgan47]

My bike weighs more than twice what I do.

so does mine.
i'm a dude.

[johnster]

-dropped my s4 within 3 days of owning it, only damage sustained was miniscule tank dent that I've since learned to live with, bent shifter + bruised ego. 

-2 drops where I was able to "ease" it down + use my body as a pillow, no damage done. 

[jdubbs32584]

so does mine.
i'm a dude.

And you have way more muscle mass than a chick. You're not feeling what any of us girls who have dropped a bike and haven't been able to pick it up feel.

I feel like we're looked down on because we can't pick up our bikes. Can some girls pick them up? Sure, I bet there are some that could. But those that have posted here so far can't.

It is technique and it is time you learned it.  

Thats great information and thank you for it. I would suggest you phrase this first part a little differently. "it is time you learned it"? Not the best tone if you wanna help somebody.

Flame away guys.

[Pancake81]

Almost shouldnt have voted. Thats kinda like jinxing yourself 

[cmorgan47]

And you have way more muscle mass than a chick. You're not feeling what any of us girls who have dropped a bike and haven't been able to pick it up feel.

not trying to fight.  seriously.

just saying it's technique.  i certainly cannot dead lift 400 lbs, but i can get it back up...

similarly, my wife used to be unable to get her scooter on the center stand cause she was trying to just hold the stand in place with her foot and muscle it up.  once she learned to just hold the bars in place and use the leverage that the stand provides, it was easier and she can do it.

nobody's trying to make you feel bad, just sayin, there's a way to do it.  and learning it may help to not make you feel that way again.

peace

oh, and we do have that "i'm not askin for help" rush that helps us.

[cutter]

100th dropper!

[Tommy T.]

Thats great information and thank you for it. I would suggest you phrase this first part a little differently. "it is time you learned it"? Not the best tone if you wanna help somebody.

Hey, I'm a sensitive guy, I can take a little constructive criticism.  How about if I rephrase as  "it is time you quit embarassing the guys you ride with"?  

I weigh 140 pounds and throw a ball like a girl.  I learned the backward trick after I laid down a 550 pound FJ1200 loaded with camping gear while waiting to load a ferry in Canada.  As the line of autos built up behind me, I had to get help from a guy who only spoke French and couldn't figure what I was trying to get him to do.  On a subsequent trip, after the lesson, I laid the same bike down in a gravel parking lot with almost exactly the same load and I stood it back up and rode off.  There is, incidentally, a reason why I downsized to a 695 Monster and camp with only 20 pounds of gear -- don't want to embarras the guys I ride with, you know.  

Tommy T.

[jdubbs32584]

How about if I rephrase as  "it is time you quit embarassing the guys you ride with"?  

Are you serious?

If so, you're completely wrong. I've ridden with several members on this board and none of them are embarrassed to ride with me simply because I can't pick up my bike. I don't imagine that when Tini rode with ducpainter and everybody at DiMBY they were embarrassed to ride with her.

That's absolutely make the beast with two backsing ridiculous.

[Tommy T.]

Are you serious?

I'm the 65 year old whose avatar is himself jumping in trees on a snowboard.  I think we should have a poll as to whether I am serious, ironic or sarcastic -- or just a plain jerk.  Not only am I a sensitive guy, I always put the toilet seat down.

[jdubbs32584]

I'm the 65 year old whose avatar is himself jumping in trees on a snowboard.  I think we should have a poll as to whether I am serious, ironic or sarcastic -- or just a plain jerk.  Not only am I a sensitive guy, I always put the toilet seat down.

You are so cool. I wanna be just like you when I get old. That way everybody will like me.