Percentage of dropped bike vs. not yet dropped

[707soldier]

Thanks for this thread, I no longer feel bad.. 

[somegirl]

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.

I have seen a few different photo and video accounts of small women picking up touring bikes, such as this one.

The thing is, because of the side cases (and in this case, the engine), the bike is already up at a considerable angle.



I think it is much easier to lift a bike from 45 degrees over to upright, than it is from flat on the ground to 45 degrees.

I did try this technique after reading about it, on one of my GS500F parking lot drops.
I was not able to do it.  I totally exhausted myself trying to get it up from lying flat on the ground and had to flag someone down for help.

I'm not saying that I am not capable of lifting a bike.  Just that I don't think this technique is the only answer.

(BTW, every other time I dropped a bike, someone was immediately on hand and jumped to help me, so that was my only opportunity to try so far.)

[bulldogs2k]

I dropped my bike!  I was riding my dual sport along some hard pack dirt and all of a sudden I hit a patch of deep sand and dropped it.  To my credit, I was going slow and it is a hell of alot easier to blast past the sand pits than to crawl through them.  Luckily my bike weights in at 270lbs and my max deadlift is 560 lbs!    

[cmorgan47]

I'm not saying that I am not capable of lifting a bike.  Just that I don't think this technique is the only answer.

check out technique II here.  could be eaiser.

not trying to bag on the ladies here, but it seems like a pretty important skill to have.
what would happen if you were alone? 

[edit]
really, step 1 is critical here.  "Take a few minutes to calm down."

[Big Troubled Bear]

Haven`t dropped present bike yet, all previous ones were dropped or crashed

[DEVO!]

I have dropped, crashed several other bikes but not this one (knock on wood) now that i am older i tend to pretty cautious now. But yes i dropped my Honda while i was sitting on it at a dead stop talking to some girls i just saw at a store once, that had to be the most squidley time.

[Tommy T.]

I think it is much easier to lift a bike from 45 degrees over to upright, than it is from flat on the ground to 45 degrees.

I did try this technique after reading about it, on one of my GS500F parking lot drops.
I was not able to do it. 

I'm sure that the move is easier on those bikes propped up on saddle bags.  For one reason, you are correct that more weight has to be lifted the nearer the center of gravity of the bike is to the ground.  For a second, you are also correct because the manuever itself is a bit more awkward when the seat is clear down at ground level.  Notice that the Minn. page says put your butt or your back against the seat.  You have to get down really low with your back against the seat to start and you have to find something down under the tail that you can  take hold of.   Get your feet near your butt and push, but don't think push in terms of standing up, think push back into the bike at an upward angle. 

As the bike goes through about 45 degrees, ckeck where you body is with respect to pushing it and adjust as needed so that your butt is not lower that the edge of the seat, otherwise the chance of pushing the bike right on over the other way is pretty good.

I think having this taught in person by someone who understands the motion is really helpful.

Tommy T.

[somegirl]

check out technique II here.  could be eaiser.

not trying to bag on the ladies here, but it seems like a pretty important skill to have.
what would happen if you were alone? 

[edit]
really, step 1 is critical here.  "Take a few minutes to calm down."

Thanks, I agree the squat may be easier than the leg press.

Well, I hope there is no next time, but unlikely, so I guess I will try that out the next time. (hope I didn't just jinx myself)

[Carman]

Well, I hope there is no next time, but unlikely, so I guess I will try that out the next time. (hope I didn't just jinx myself)

Think positive, you WILL be able to do it and there WON'T be a next ime

[somegirl]

Think positive, you WILL be able to do it and there WON'T be a next ime

Thanks

[cmorgan47]

Thanks, I agree the squat may be easier than the leg press.

Well, I hope there is no next time, but unlikely, so I guess I will try that out the next time. (hope I didn't just jinx myself)

do or do not; there is no try

[MonsterLove]

Still doubt I could get my bike back up on my own, but if you read all of the suggested methods, they all suggest you find help before you try it on your own anyway. And if I'm alone? I always have my cell phone with me so I'm not going to worry about it. I never ride it anywhere where there aren't any people around anyway, so I don't think that will ever be an issue. Not saying I won't try the suggested techniques while I'm waiting for help, perhaps I'll be pleasantly surprised. You never know!


Celeste

[MendoDave]

You have to let me change my vote now. i have dropped bikes plenty just not the one I have now.

[jdubbs32584]

+1 to what Celeste said.

[cmorgan47]

technique III, the force method.

1) rent empire strikes back
2) pay close attention to the degobah scenes

"it's too big"
"Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you? Hmm? Hmm. And well you should not."
  //lifts spaceship with mind
"i can't believe it"
"that, is why you fail."