The drop cost

[Shorty Mac]

When I owned a viffer I once had a bill for several hundered pounds after dropping the bike!

Yesterday some %$£ker tried nicking my GS, i knew something was up when I found it lying on its side 50 yds down the road. It had been dropped on both sides, however the engine bars took the brunt and there are only some small scratch marks on the hand guard.

If my vfr had been dropped on both sides the bill could be four figure high, the only problem I now have is the physio bill for £500 to put my back right after picking the fat git up!

Anyone know if there is a knack to this? I did it by holding the handle bars but it wern't easy!

I didn't need another reason to justify GS ownership but this is a bloody good one!

 

[Fanum]

Bastards!!

Glad it didn't get taken Shorty......thank gawd they're a real handfull to wheel around if you're not used to it!!

As for picking them up.....there are several theories that have been well explained here in the past and that a seqarch should find, but they are bitches........Usually the andrenalin surge you get immediately after a drop helps, but I'm 6'4" and a big bloke and I still have problems....but I do it facing the bike (my arse snags on the seat as it comes up if i put my back into it) , grab the handlebar and pull the lower end into the bike, lean over it then push up with my legs......I can usually get it half way up and resting on my knees a little while i change grip then hoist her all the way up.

On one occasion i dropped her on top of my DRZ....that was a bloody nightmare cos i couldn't get bbehind the bike to lift it....that time i cut a loop of hoespipe up and made a strap to loop through the frame then used this to spin the thing a little so i could get behind and under it.

:cockeye

 

[Steve]

Anyone know if there is a knack to this? I did it by holding the handle bars but it wern't easy!

You try and get someone else to do it!!

Fortunately, on the three occasions I've dropped or fallen from mine, onlookers have taken pity on me and lifted it for me.

I said thanks, got on and drove off, leaving the onlookers with their newly-acquired hernias.....

 

[Aurelius]

Yesterday some %$£ker tried nicking my GS, i knew something was up when I found it lying on its side 50 yds down the road. It had been dropped on both sides, however the engine bars took the brunt and there are only some small scratch marks on the hand guard.

If my vfr had been dropped on both sides the bill could be four figure high, the only problem I now have is the physio bill for £500 to put my back right after picking the fat git up!

Years ago, someone backed into my VFR in the parking lot, knocking it off its sidestand. Total repair bill: $1200. The 1150GS, which I managed to push off its centerstand while fixing a flat tire, only put some scratches on the plastic valve cover guard. Total repair bill: $0.

Anyone know if there is a knack to this? I did it by holding the handle bars but it wern't easy!

The most successful method I've used is to grab the lower handlebar with both hands and lift with my legs while keeping the back straight. I tried using that silly "reverse lift" where you lift with your back to the bike, but couldn't budge it.

I didn't need another reason to justify GS ownership but this is a bloody good one!

Indeed. Another 1150GS rider recently slid off a wet road into a ditch while taking a turn at about 60 mph. The only real damage to his GS was a bent mirror. Had that happened on a sportbike, it likely would have been demolished.

 

[kitchenpete]

Backwards Lift

Glad to hear the bike's OK and still with you.

My bike gets parked on a raised piece of concrete with a ground anchor which some previous biker must have installed in the car park behind my block. Unfortunately, it was too far over one day and my left foot had nowhere raised to balance it back - so over GS and I went.

Similarly - a couple of scratches on the engine bars and a slight scarring of the hand guard but otherwise fine.

I used the backwards method to pick it up:

1. put the bike in gear to stop the bike from moving forwards/backwards (if poss - I forgot and it still worked)

2. face away from the bike on the saddle/bars side of it

3. grab the bar on the "downed" side and bring it towards the tank i.e. the steering lock that turns the front wheel towards the ground

4. use the other hand to grab the subframe

5. KEEPING A STRAIGHT BACK - use the strength of your legs to squat the bike back up

6. at a certain point, you can get your backside/hip under the saddle and then use this as support while you change hands and grab both ends of the bars

KP

 

[MikeO]

Some good advice here ...

Mike

 

[Rollo]

Picking up a GS

I've not tried this with a GS, but I've seen a 5'2" middle aged mum pick up a Pan European at her first attempt, under instruction. Methinks it will work just as well with with my forthcoming Adventure.

Preparation - lock the steering and if its on its offside, extend the side stand to stop it doing an Alan Shearer.

Procedure - Drop to your knees, grip the handlebar and the frame and press your upper chest against the seat. Onto your toes, raise your knees slightly off the ground and start walking in tiny steps. The bike will rise.

If somebody is prepared to throw their mount onto the floor and try it, it will be great to read confirmation of the technique.

You read it HERE !!

 

[Shorty Mac]

Ta for all the advice, hopefully won't need to be practicing it for a while.

I grabbed both handle bars and heaved it up without putting the bugger in gear or using the steering lock - not recommended!

It does highlight a major plus for GS in ownership cost, a drop on both sides of a vfr on a gravel road would have been very expensive.

Another reason I'm glad I bought the weird looking thing from Bavaria

 

[Schwarz Baron]

Ta for all the advice, hopefully won't need to be practicing it for a while.

I grabbed both handle bars and heaved it up without putting the bugger in gear or using the steering lock - not recommended!

It does highlight a major plus for GS in ownership cost, a drop on both sides of a vfr on a gravel road would have been very expensive.

Another reason I'm glad I bought the weird looking thing from Bavaria

I'm sure this has been offered before, watched the motorrad Off Road school boys do this. Make sure the handlebar, touching the ground is pulled away from the bike. Then with both hands grip that part of the bike(said handlebar). Bend your knees, keeping a straight back, and lift, comes up like a ferret up a trouser leg, parently!. Seriously tho, neither of the guys I saw do it were well built or overly large types. The bike was handled like it was a 125......

 

[jon b]

Dropped my GSA while out trail riding the other night, alone,in the middle of nowhere.I thought I was going to be stuck there for ever.I picked it up,can`t remember how though,I think my brain must have blocked it out to prevent future mental trauma.I do remember thinking it was easier than I expected,I think the engine bars allowed a bit of see-sawing which helped.
There`s some rough types in Sheffield Shorty,you should move down here to Chesterfield,much safer,did I mention my house is for sale?

 

[Shorty Mac]

Hi Jon,

I'd move to Chesterfield but I've heard rumours about the girls there, apparantly caused that nice church spire to go all funny

Seriously though I'm thinking of joining the TRF & believe that they meet down your way - mind you with the current onslaught from the ramblers I don't think there will be many trails left to ride!

So where are you off to? Not doing a Dan Walsh r we



Remember its not funny to laugh at a man who's 5'2" & riding a GS

 

[jon b]

Shorty
Heading back to the Hope Valley where I grew up I think.My house is in tonights Sheffield Telegraph page 53.
The birds are OK here,untill they start speaking then they go and spoil it.
I think the TRF meet in Eckington,I`d join but I`am all ways away for the meetings and rides so just potter around the Peaks on my Beta alp alone.
Regards

Jon

 

[Shorty Mac]

Hope valley - u lucky sod !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - did you win the lottery?

Retreating from the urban spoil - me thinks I'm going to emigrate to Southern France / Northern Italy, ideally I'd spend 5 months over there and 7 here.

Good luck with the house sale.

I agree with you re the women thing but my wife just walked in......... er yes dear.

 

[jon b]

Hope valley - u lucky sod !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - did you win the lottery?

No,I just don`t have the expense of a wife,just me and my bikes,well and the bird but she lives a very comfortable 150miles away,perfect!

Jon

 

[BawdyMonk]

Ouch!

I dropped my GSA yesterday, turning around on a narrow, steep and gritty hill, I used the handlebar and faced the bike, piece of cake to pick up
Only damage apart from a few more scratches on the H&B bars was a new front indicator lens, total cost £4.
I've been thinking about my past bikes and can't think of one which could have come in at less than £100, my RT would have been around a £1000 I think

Another good reason for having a GS