lay thee down

[alan]

How difficult is it to right a 1200 once it has toppled over?
Now I just know I'm gonna get flack from this from everyone that loves their bike but for the life of me I can't bring myself to buy the GS8F with all the reported problems
Clutch, bearings, forks, fuel tank, chain, etc.
The warranty will run out and all these problems are replaced and not actually rectified so the problems are potentially still there.

I can't think of another long legged twin so suited to off road riding that I can physically lift without having to build my body till I resemble a bin bag full of footballs but I am re-considering the 12.
Well tested and tweaked and built to a standard rather than down to a price

Thinking of laying one down on grass during test ride just to try it...

 

[AberdeenAngus]

With no luggage and not too much fuel - not too bad if you do it right.
Full panniers and tank...not a feckin hope.

Good idea about trying it.
I've put my GSA down loads of times and hardly a scratch.

 

[alan]

sheeet

Well if the tank is full then it's full and how do I remove the pannier thats pinned under the bike. The top pannier should actually help right the bike once lifted off the ground.
I sort of hoped that it would pivot on the pot and with a low slung engine it might be doable???
Better check out ebay for chest expanders

 

[Toad]

It's easier with panniers on as the bike doesn't go as far down.

a GSA can be picked up by a girl IF the right technique is used.

I'll find a link that'll help.

Stand by.....

 

[andyclift]

I saw this method of lifting a bike some time back and have used it to lift a fully loaded GS and was surprised how really easy it was.

1 - Put side stand down. Essential if bike is on right side, optional if on left side.

2. Put bike in gear.

2 - Put front on full lock towards dropped side. I.e. Dropped on right = right lock.

3 - Stand on "seat side" of dropped bike facing AWAY from it.

4 - Bend legs and take grip of bars (on dropped side, i.e. right side of bar if dropped on right) and frame under seat.

5. Straighten legs and lift bike. This is when you discover you are on right side of bike, facing away from it and the stand is up. That's why lowering the stand is item 1 and so important.

6. Stand back and inspect damage.

Obviously it helps to remove any top heavy luggage that you can but as noted, the panniers actually make it easier - and I have found my TT boxes make pretty good rear crash bars.

 

[Toad]

Here's a video.

Points to note -

Bike must be in gear to stop it rolling away.
Steering must be on full lock.

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kSgJ8O_atIs&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kSgJ8O_atIs&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

Don't try and pick it up from the centre.....

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3aL-eqxO4kw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3aL-eqxO4kw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

 

[Toad]

On a slightly more serious note.

It's worth knowing how to pick up your GSA. I've used it before when the rear wheel was stuck in soft stuff......

Lie the bike down. Rotate bike out of soft, self created rut...... Stand up again, ride off.........

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

If you're gonna use the 'lift by the bars on full lock' method make sure your bar clamps are done up nice and tight. Do not have them a wee bit loose a la dirt bike stylee............DAMHIK

Andres

 

[Racey]

I can admit to having dropped mine... fully laden with top box, roll bag and two panniers in a gas station in California last year..!!

And that having just filled the bloody thing up - so it couldn't have been heavier...

Having done 4,500 miles on dirt through Alaska and Yukon you can imagine the embarrassment and shame !!

But here's the point - with adrenalin / annoyance coursing through the system (and using the method shown in Toad's video) it was righted single handedly before anyone could grab a camera to capture the moment !!

So, the moral of the story is... Other than take care in gas stations... Where there is a will there is a way... And it isn't the impossibility some would have you believe...

Hope it never happens to you - but when it does it isn't such a show stopper... But it will take you 45 mins or thereabouts to get over the annoyance / embarrassment !!

 

[DLBass]

Anger is a great motivator in getting it back up again, but if you are a bit physically challenged check out a video on the Goldwing owners site. A demonstration of Andy Clift's method done by a small girl on an 1800 wing.

Like a lot of things in life, it's technique

 

[alan]

a GSA can be picked up by a girl IF the right technique is used.

Can't we all


Yes but want to see someone doing the bum to bike jack up technique you described. It is something best practiced and technique acquired in the garage I think.

Cheers guys

 

[DLBass]

Look Here
<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BeLkrPkjimo&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BeLkrPkjimo&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Look Here
<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BeLkrPkjimo&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BeLkrPkjimo&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

Well, that's mighty impressive, I must say.
.........and Marion Himilton is tasty too !

 

[alan]

Mary-Anne Hamilton

I thought, she can't possibly be related to Christine and Neil. Then I noticed the boots...

Yes looks prettyeasy. I will give it a go as soon as broken leg decides to stick itself back together. Definitely try it with a demo bike on soft ground
Interesting to see if technique any good for my bike as it lies flat on floor when down.

Nice one!

 

[andyclift]

Interesting to see if technique any good for my bike as it lies flat on floor when down

Yes it works. I am over 60 and have had a major back operation but have no problem picking my GS up.

 

[Dogknob1]

I've not let the wife take the GS for a spin yet, so have no idea how hard it is to pick up

 

[ian6760]

Yes it works. I am over 60 and have had a major back operation but have no problem picking my GS up.

+ 1 I dropped mine down a grass bank the other week in the pissin rain. (It ended up at same sort of angle as my Avitar pic) I had to spin it round on the piston to get it pointing the right way (down hill) Arse into the seat and lift.


Edit. I've just noticed that this in the 1200 section, but I'm sure it will be the same as my 1150

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Haven't dropped it with panniers but full tank of fuel with no problem. bike in gear, get your back to the bike, crouch down and grab the rack and the bar and just stand up. As the bike comes up the bars turn and stops the front wheel from running away. I was amazed at how easy it was. I was worried that I would go back over centre and it would drop on the other side with not being able to see the bike but I could easily feel the balance and just rested the bike on my bum and spun till it was on my hip then I could see it properly. Mine went down on the right hand side so I could have used the side stand but I didn't think of that. Not that I want to drop it again but I am not frightened that I cant lift it if it does happen again.

 

[Magnet]

You think a 1200 is actually going to be more reliable than an 800?

 

[alan]

In a word

Yes I do. Brilliant bike the 800 but it has too many common faults reported by owners all over the planet. Wheel bearings failing at a few thousand miles, chains snapping at low mileage, split tanks, bent shock bolts, front wheel rim denting too easily.
All well reported common faults that BMW seek to rectify with an excuse book and small print.
Emailed five dealers to ask if any of these well documented faults had been fixed when they bought the orange paint and didn't get a single reply.
Yes I do.