Bike Lifting after drop

Dropped mine a few times after I got it. Have not dropped it again in over maybe 20 years. I am fairly use to this bike and I know what will make it fall down. Got use to the weight and turning radius and how far you can lock the handlebars in a turn and the power. I am always on the look out for oil and gravel on the roads too.
 
Bmacleod said:
The air bag makes sense and they even use them in heavy equipment recovery and they work really well. The one concern I would have using one from the exhaust from a bike is the engine running with the bike laying on its side. I would be concerned about the oil sump/pump starving for oil. Not sure how far you could get away with leaning a bike like ours with the engine running.
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If it's down the engine cutout stops the engine!!
 
core-aggie said:
Agreed ... there's a well known technique to pick up a bike "backing up to it and lifting" ... you do NOT face the bike, lean over, and try to man lift it. ... quite a few videos on this
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I dropped my ST 5 or 6 times in the beginning (2006 or so) learning and practicing full lock slow parking lot maneuvers then a couple more times in campgrounds or parking lots. I could right it back then by myself hooking the lower back-against-the saddle-then-use-the-legs method but in 2015 I wrenched my back trying to lift it. I never really rehabbed my lower back 100% and when I tried to lift my Wing a couple years ago practicing slow speed stuff I hurt my back again so I determined that ship had sailed for me and not to hurt myself again. Just wait or call for help. Two weeks of virtual immobilization then 2 more weeks of slow improvement wasn't worth the risk and next time it might be worse than just a strain and muscle spasms.

So there I was just a month ago taking a refresher riding course instructed by our local Sheriff's department. One of the instructors dropped his authority Harley in front of us and turned it into a teaching moment. They have different ways to lift their 900 lb bikes. One is the one using legs we have been discussing and one facing the bike. These motos have protection bars in the front and bag protectors in the rear. When the bike falls over it's like a ST or Wing and stops at maybe 25 degrees from horizontal. This officer's preferred method was to face the bike and press hard down on the handlebar and rear protection bar and roll the bike down to horizontal or just beyond, then release it. As the HD starts to roll back to the normal dropped position it has momentum and with that momentum he lifted it vertical in one quick motion. Pretty cool and looked effortless. He asked if anyone wanted to try either method. A couple young bucks threw down and were able to roll it upright. I stepped up to try it but I couldn't time the momentum correctly and complete the lift. Without thinking I turned around and squatted against the seat, grabbed the handlebar grip with one hand and the other grabbed the rear bar and pushed up with my legs. I promptly threw my back out and collapsed on the ground in pain. A couple hours later I was able to get on my Wing and ride home but like before I was out of the game two weeks and now at 4 weeks about 80% back to as before. My pride hurt like the dickens!
 
Sadlsor said:
Fortunately for me at least, we don't have to be BUILT like *that guy*, in order to be able to right the bike.
I'm not talkin' about the kids, but the shirtless guy.
To be clear.
And you won't be watching my whitey tighteys while I set the bike up, either.
To be clear.
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NVDucati said:

I just went to their website. That could be a contender. Will you be doing a test with it? ;)
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I didn't plan on doing a test drop, except for checking for the best place to put the lift hook.
BUT my other (old) bike buddy when I told him I ordered it said we should do a test drop & pickup.
He has a Kawa Connie, wants me to be the guinea pig. :rolleyes:
 
Andrew Shadow said:
This guy makes it look pretty easy with an ST1100
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"Look" being the operative word. Like I've said... It ain't as easy as is causally suggested. I've seen that video from Oz before. It's the only one I've seen about lifting an ST and that guy is no waif.

And how much gas was in the tank? The 1300's tank if full would about an additional 33lbs at the end of the "lever" defined by the top of the ST. Not an inconsequential amount for a lot of people. I've uprighted my ST twice on grade and I'll never do it again. Just because it can be done doesn't mean it should be. :rofl1:
 
dduelin said:
I promptly threw my back out and collapsed on the ground in pain.
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Believe me - I can relate. After two years of constant low grade pain in lower back, the back finally gave out. The VA performed endoscopic dystectomy at L5-S1 - wheeled in OR at 7am, walked out at 12noon (unbelievable!).

Anyway, yea, I'm overly cautious about back oriented physical activity :thumb:
 
ST Gui said:
"Look" being the operative word. Like I've said... It ain't as easy as is causally suggested. I've seen that video from Oz before. It's the only one I've seen about lifting an ST and that guy is no waif.

And how much gas was in the tank? The 1300's tank if full would about an additional 33lbs at the end of the "lever" defined by the top of the ST. Not an inconsequential amount for a lot of people. I've uprighted my ST twice on grade and I'll never do it again. Just because it can be done doesn't mean it should be. :rofl1:
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Taking off full top box and high side side case does help also
 
ST Gui said:
With a jack and his Connie? Not a problem. It's not as if anything could go wrong. And if it did — well he did volunteer his Connie didn't he? You could be like this guy:

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Ha !!! I misled you. I'm the guinea pig, he expects to test the drop/pickup on my ST (he isn't stupid) :rofl1:
 
Andrew Shadow said:
If I carried one of these, it would not be with the expectation of using the exhaust from my motorcycle to right it. It would be to use the exhaust from a generous car owner close by. If I ever bought one, I would test inflating it with a high volume 12V air blower that I have for inflating air mattresses to see if that would work as a second option.
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If there was a "generous car owner" near me, who wasn't handicapped . . . I wouldn't expect to need the exhaust.
Shuey
 
Shuey said:
If there was a "generous car owner" near me, who wasn't handicapped . . . I wouldn't expect to need the exhaust.
Shuey
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Great in theory. In practice, you don't get to choose who might happen by and whether they can be of physical help or not, but hopefully you can use their exhaust.

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And that's the problem - when you drop it there may or may not be anyone around, much less a 'usable' exhaust.
That's why I figured I'd go for the MotoJack - at least I should be able to get it upright by myself if need be.
At least in 'theory' and as we know - "All things work in theory, not so much in reality!" :biggrin:
 
Uncle Phil said:
And that's the problem - when you drop it there may or may not be anyone around, much less a 'usable' exhaust.
That's why I figured I'd go for the MotoJack - at least I should be able to get it upright by myself if need be.
At least in 'theory' and as we know - "All things work in theory, not so much in reality!" :biggrin:
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Very true about not using the exhaust. But if you carry a tire compressor anyway ... they will do it easily.
 
That ratchet jack looks useful. Don't think it's available outside the US/Canada though.

This device looks very similar.

 
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Looks like I will need to invest in a jack. I used to be able to get my bike off the ground but no longer able to do so. I had a few back surgeries about 12 years ago where they fused a couple of discs, and the last one didn't go so well which left me with a very weak left leg. That equals no lifting power. The last time I dropped it I had to wait by the side of the road looking pitiful, hoping that someone would stop and help. I was amazed at just how many folks pretended that I wasn't there until a couple of young guys stopped to help. As much as I hate to carry one more thing with me, this probably needs to go into the pannier.
 
Minor update:
The air lift bag system I was considering came back to me with some pricing. These are obviously better than our needs demand.
The one that I thought was the most appropriate size is priced at $1300+. These are certified for military and fire department rescue.
_ So I will be looking in the construction arena and the original Amazon unit mentioned above.
(and Yes, I asked if they had a scratched & dented section, nope)
 
Larry Fine said:
Then you need to know ahead of time which way you're going to drop the bike. :shrug1:

Mine goes in the top box, at the bottom on the hinge side, when I carry it.
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That's just crazy. No way he can plan which way to drop the bike.
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Just carry one in each sidebag.
 
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