Getting your leg over - any problems?

[Skipssong]

New to the GSA I found the best way of getting on the bike was to lean against the tank whilst throwing my leg over (enabled me to lift my leg higher - if you know what I mean). Well, anyway, I've just spent a small fortune buying the BMW tank bag - looks great, fits superb but, and here's the rub, I now can't lean as close to the tank (the bag is in the way) and this makes it really really hard to get my leg over (o'er missus).

The boring detail bit: 08GSA, I'm 6'1'', the bike has the full alu luggage.

Anybody come across this problem and found a sensible solution?

Ta Muchly,

Mike

 

[alimey4u2]

The rack is an option....

 

[Jon P]

Sometimes if the bike is at an akward angle and I have got gear on the back seat I hold the left bar with my left hand and do a sort of high kick in the direction of the bike to get my leg over.........if you can picture that? Other than that I suppose a lower seat / lower suspension?

And to all the other silly suggestions - let get them out of the way now:-

Let the air out of the tires
Grow longer legs
Stand on a box
Platform sole boots
Smaller wheels
Smaller bike

 

[chrisjk]

Try facing more forward than usual, lift your leg behind you and bend it at the knee. You knee will probably clear the seat and your foot which will be higher should clear stuff on the back.

 

[deaninkl]

Skipsong, at 6'1" you shouldn't have to much trouble me thinks.. I'm 5'9" and basically I'm just OK if nothing in on my back seat, if I have something there I have to do the "Goose Step" I look like a right twat.. but it works, I have also put one foot on my peg and got on very easily that way, but in the back of my mind I fear one day it's going to go over... They are big mothers and I think there is no answer that suits everybody, accept being lanky and very fit..... I'm not!

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Do you have ESA? If so, is it on the lowest setting? You can always put it on a higher setting after you are on board.

 

[Tim Cullis]

I'm 5'8" with a 29" inside leg and don't have any trouble with the standard seat in the lower position.

Getting BOTH feet to touch the ground is another matter.

Tim

 

[madmax]

I'm 5'11" with 29" inside leg and I don't have a problem getting leg over, 1200ADV with standard seat in low position.
Practice your technique!!!

 

[V2 TRV]

Just keep a tramoline handy at all times

 

[colinw]

Put your left foot on the left peg, stand up on that foot, throw your leg over, lower into seat put right foot on the floor and your ready to go.

To demount kick out the stand, up on your left peg, swing a leg over and bobs your uncle.

 

[Shep]

After suffering a displaced hip whilst offroading many years ago, the resulting lack of flexibility restricts me from anything other than clambering on using the footrest, it don't look too cool but at least i'm still out and riding.

Shep

 

[Skipssong]

Thanks guys. As most have you have commented - a decent leg over is all about technique. But seriously those of you that stand on the left peg - is that safe? Can the bike and the sidestand more to the point take 16 stone as well as the weight of the bike? Seems like a big ask.

 

[colinw]

Thanks guys. As most have you have commented - a decent leg over is all about technique. But seriously those of you that stand on the left peg - is that safe? Can the bike and the sidestand more to the point take 16 stone as well as the weight of the bike? Seems like a big ask.

I am 16 stone and use the technique all the time, nevr had a problem and when practised looks cool, in any case, it doesent matter what you look like doing it, getting on and off safely is all that counts.

 

[Shep]

But seriously those of you that stand on the left peg - is that safe? Can the bike and the sidestand more to the point take 16 stone as well as the weight of the bike? Seems like a big ask.

It can be done with an element of mechanical sympathy, IMO it puts much less strain on the sidestand than sitting on the bike on the stand, something I see some riders do.

As long as your weight is directly over the LH footrest and you don't swing on the handlebars to pull yourself on then the extra load on the sidestand in minimised, might be worth a measure at sometime.

Paul

 

[shugie]

It can be done with an element of mechanical sympathy, IMO it puts much less strain on the sidestand than sitting on the bike on the stand, something I see some riders do.

As long as your weight is directly over the LH footrest and you don't swing on the handlebars to pull yourself on then the extra load on the sidestand in minimised, might be worth a measure at sometime.

Paul

I use this LH peg to get on, being short of leg, but try and keep my weight over the middle of bike when mounting/dismounting, so that the side stand gets less load. Works for me.

 

[piebaps]

Can the bike and the sidestand more to the point take 16 stone as well as the weight of the bike? Seems like a big ask.

16 STONE!!!!????? And the bloody rest! These are tossers you are talking about! Isn't there an 18 stone minimum limit?