Picking up (not collecting) the 1200 GSA

[Old Git Ray]

Guys/Gals,

I need some advice. How do you pick up the GSA when its on its side on your own ?

I have tried to search the forum but mainly get answers about people collecting new bike from dealers or standing up on the pegs etc !

On Monday after washing it I decided it would be a good idea to practice the job and pulled a muscle in my back.
I finally managed to do it by turning away from the bike and placing one hand on the rear grab rail and the other on the handlebar and pushing with my legs. (there were no panniers on it at the time)

This is not the heaviest bike I've had to stand up but it sure is the most difficult.
Maybe I'm just too and short !
Ray

 

[Rong]

Face the stricken, fallen bike, cup hands under the lower handgrip and with a straight back and bended knee, lift. Surprisingly easy even when the bike is fully laden, as I found out in a car park not so long ago.

 

[Greg Masters]

Face the stricken, fallen bike, cup hands under the lower handgrip and with a straight back and bended knee, lift. Surprisingly easy even when the bike is fully laden, as I found out in a car park not so long ago.

If dropped on the l/hand side, make sure the steering is turned fully to the right before attempting to lift as Rong has described above - and vice versa.

Greg

 

[trebor]

Mine rolled off the stand last week and I managed to stop it falling fully to the ground, because I was still stood along side it I was able to lower it, supporting it just off the ground with my bent left leg. I used the method mentioned in post 2 (because I was partly underneath it and only just managed to lift it, afterwards my shoulders and back ached (despite bending at the knee and not the back for the lift) for a couple of days.

Apparently the best method is to stand with your back to the LHS of the bike, squat down (bending at the knees), grab the left hand bar with your right hand pulling the bar towards you (i.e. so the bars are turned left), with your left hand grab something solid under the seat, and lift by pushing up with your knees. Once it is almost upright, support the bike with your hips whilst you turn to grab both bars and kick the side stand down.

Bob

 

[EggChaser]

I thought the genaral advice was stand facing away from bike and crouch down so back is straight and knees are bent, then grip handlebar and rear subframe/pannier mount and lift with backside against edge of seat (and yes if bike on right side, extend side stand first.)

 

[matlockscot]

I dropped mine for the first time a couple of weeks ago. As previously described, I adopted the facing away from the bike approach, turned the handlebars towards me and lifted from the legs with oen hand on the handlebar and one on the garb rail at the back. I was amazed how easy it acatually was (and I am not the grizzliest bear in the woods). One other tip, if you are on a slope (as I was) make sure it's in gear so it doesn't run away!

 

[Ogmios]

there's quite a variety of methods - this seems to be good - but i'm the last one to give advice on this topic as i'm still suffering from the last time i tried it(not this way ).

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[cookie]

wait for a strong looking passer by.

 

[Ogmios]

wait for a strong looking passer by.

on a GSer rideout you will be assured of plenty of help.
oh -
that is, AFTER they've all taken pics to post up here afterwards

 

[Keith Chapman]

Face the stricken, fallen bike, cup hands under the lower handgrip and with a straight back and bended knee, lift. Surprisingly easy even when the bike is fully laden, as I found out in a car park not so long ago.

Also, if the engine is running, turn it off. then put the bike in gear. It stops the bike rollingaway as you pick it up.

 

[patboy]

I think I'll wait till I drop it to Practice.
I have not dropped the GS yet, but I have other bikes. Normally the embarassment summons up super human strength to lift the bike before people turn up bent double laughing.

 

[Hexme]

there's quite a variety of methods - this seems to be good - but i'm the last one to give advice on this topic as i'm still suffering from the last time i tried it(not this way ).

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Nice 1

 

[Deleted account 210516001]

there's quite a variety of methods - this seems to be good - but i'm the last one to give advice on this topic as i'm still suffering from the last time i tried it(not this way ).

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This way works. Don't forget to pull the handlebar back to full lock as you start to lift. The extra help from the front wheel working as a lever really helps get the lift started

 

[JPB]

This way works. Don't forget to pull the handlebar back to full lock as you start to lift. The extra help from the front wheel working as a lever really helps get the lift started

+ 1. I've seen a video clip of an American woman called 'Skert' using this method to pick-up a huge Harley. She's quite petite and certainly not a body-builder, but she made it look effortless. I tried it when I dropped mine and discovered it is very easy, you just walk the bike upright. Tip: if you have to do it from the other side put the side stand down first!

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

This is all fine and dandy if you drop your bike in the open. My one and only drop (so far...) happened in the garage, and the bike fell away from me right up against the wall, coming to rest among various bits of garage furniture (bike lift, shelves, etc.). Under these circumstances, the only option is to implement the "strong-looking passer-by" method. I called my next-door neighbour Wayne, and rate his performance very highly, but it might take him a while to get to you.

(Incidentally, dropping my 650GS is a pleasure, because (a) it's cosmetically dubious, so no concerns about damage and (b) it feels as light as a feather by comparison to the 1200.)

 

[wully]

Armed with embarrassment, shame and self loathing for dropping the thing in the first place I find it quite easy to pick up.....

 

[Dahoum]

there's quite a variety of methods - this seems to be good - but i'm the last one to give advice on this topic as i'm still suffering from the last time i tried it(not this way ).

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This'll work if you drop the bike in a garage or car park on a dry day and are shod with good grip shoes/boots

If you drop it where most properly ridden GS's should be dropped (in thick mud/shite/mire/gravel/sand then post 2 is THE way to do it DAMHIK

 

[Old Git Ray]

WOW..thanks for all the replies.

I initially tried the "facing the bike and use the handlebar" method - as instructed by Karen (SWAMBO) but that is what hurt my back.

However the bike did not have any panniers on and the handlbar was on the deck with the bike tilted over at more than 90 degrees.

I think more practice is needed using both methods, with and without panniers. It would be good to have the option depending upon weather and grip circumstances.

Also the less time spent allowing you lot to photograph the better, I need to try and keep some dignity even if I cannot control my bladder

Ray

 

[Andy B]

If you do the BMW Offroad Skills course at Brecon, this is how they teach you to do it:

 

[Steptoe]

Turn the front wheel into whatever side the bike is laying on. start engine, lift just enough so the rear wheel is on the ground, blip throttle and let the clutch out really quick, pull clutch in just as quick and in amazement you'll be standing next to a stood up bike -

it's not for the faint hearted - if you get it wrong the bike will spin around and dislocate your shoulders or flip over onto the other side