Backing up the ST in a slope

[disco1999]

Hi, it can be embarrassing when you attemp to backup with the ST in a narrow dead-end, typical error for a newbie, but sometimes you have no choice to park there going down hill. Even the slightlest hill can be hell to backup out of there, to make things worse, let's pretend the pavement has some gravel. :eek:

My question is how to move reverse with the ST ??? :bow1:

My 2nd newbie question: :rolleyes:

I try to carefully sit and get off the bike without leaving shoes marks, on the gas tank, or other painted parts, call me sloppy that's already done :confused: My Virago was much easier cause it was a lower bike.

Any tricks to make it easier ?

[Northern Rob]

backing up - best medicine is to avoid it at all costs. Think about that problem before you chose your parking spot. Its a heavy bike. Otherwise, try to have a buddy around to help you push it. Or buy a Goldwing with reverse!

foot marks on tank - get on like you're getting on a horse..ie left foot on left peg, bounce up while throwing right leg up and over the back of your STeed (not the front). Reverse for dismount.

[HankSTer]

When I back mine up I put the left hand on the left grip and the right on the left pillion handle. It feels stable and I can balance it in addition to having a good leverage to push back. I only do this in my garage, may not work well up an incline.

that said, doodly, ya gotta back the bike down those slopes so ya can ride out :eek: lol, guess you know that now :)

[EagleSix]

Disco,

Not knowing exactly what type of slope and how steep, probably the replies you already have received are the best.

You can gain a few inches or a foot (inch at a time) using the center stand as a wedge, but you only get a little bit at a time. Left hand on left grip, right hand on right grip. Depending on your reach, you may have to turn the handle bars to the right. Step down on the center stand and let the bike pull up and back, but not enough to set it up on the center stand, then lock the front brake. You will get about ½ to 1 inch. Now with your heel, kick the center stand up (it will have some of the bike weight on it). Now stand on the center stand again and as you apply body weight, release the front brake. As the bike comes up and back, again lock the front brake before the bike gets to the apex of the center stand. Again, you will get about an inch. If what you are hung up on is a dip in the surface, this method can get you past a point for which maybe you can then straddle the bike and push it back up a slight sloop or use “STPilot” method to back it out. One caution, if you have to angle the handle bars to the right, be careful when you kick out the center stand as the bike will want to lay over to the right side. I’ve never used this on my ST, but have used it on other heavier bikes.

I’m 5’8” and 145# and my rule is to never park facing in on a downhill sloop. However if you were parking in one of the larger parking slots downhill, I would play the right side of the slot and leave as much space between my front wheel and the curb as possible. This way you might be able to make some lock to lock maneuvers to get sideways in the parking slot and eventually get it turned around. This of course would mean some very small back and worth lock to lock moves when you get twisted sideway in the slot, but if the adjacent cars or bikes leave enough room it may be a possibility. And, again, like mentioned by STPilot, it might not be the best option, but curb hopping may be just the option that will get you out and going. I’ve used the sidewalk and curb several times to get parked, because it was quicker than backing in during heavy traffic!!!
.
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[Bones]

At 5' 7" and 135 pounds, I plan my parking maneuvers with care. My riding buddies have observed me stopping and looking around before committing to a place to park. I'm less concerned when I'm riding with others, more concerned when I'm alone. If a new ST comes with reverse, I'd be really tempted to get one, though I'd really prefer a weight loss program so it's not necessary.

[nm6r]

At 5' 7" and 135 pounds, I plan my parking maneuvers with care. My riding buddies have observed me stopping and looking around before committing to a place to park.


http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile+1.gif

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[Ken]

My question is how to move reverse with the ST ??? :bow1:
The answer is :sbike1: :weights2: :weights1:

[John Anthony]

I'm one of those who is real careful where I park. Getting stuck once is about all it takes. I also ride with my old lady! We're good at helping one another out (she also has an ST).

John

[willd]

When I back mine up I put the left hand on the left grip and the right on the left pillion handle. It feels stable and I can balance it in addition to having a good leverage to push back. I only do this in my garage, may not work well up an incline.

that said, doodly, ya gotta back the bike down those slopes so ya can ride out :eek: lol, guess you know that now :)

+1.

I usually grab the passenger seat with my right hand instead. Had to figure it out the hard way the first time :(

[disco1999]

Thanks for all the good advices, I'm heading back to the gym, will be careful choosing where I stop (even if not always obvious with heavy traffic).

Although this is my 6th bike, I've had this one for 40 days and still learn a lot from it everyday, also I may buy the DVD "ride like a pro", does anyone have a used copy for sale by chance ?

[Gonzo]

Ok, I'm ready for a reverse gear. Now Mother Honda says the ST1300 is not useable with a sidecar, yet there are some out there on the web to see.

Seriously I would consider a trade up so I could have reverse and sidehack. This would completely take away the backup issue.

Gonzo

[Dorian]

The driveway up to our garage has a pretty steep slope to it. I've gotten to where I always ride the Goldwing forward into the garage and back down when leaving. It's way too heavy to push backwards and I'm afraid the reverse (which is really the starter) would burn out after too many grunts up that steep a slope. (the owners manual for the GL says not to use the reverse on a slope).

But I've learned a technique that works for me on the ST. I grab it by the grips while standing on the left side (with the side stand down in case I lose it). Then I bend my legs and put my lower back against the left saddle back. I then use nothing but legs as I creep backwards up into the garage.

Its a rather unique pose and might get a few ribbings from other bikers if they were to watch me go through the gyrations. But it works for me.

[HankSTer]

Ok here's another thought on this, haven't tried this but..

leave bike on sidestand

get in front of bike and straighten the front wheel.

grab the forks just above the front tire and push it back with the side stand down?

I think this would work for short distances?

hope I never have to find out though :eek:

[sttourer]

Ok here's another thought on this, haven't tried this but..

leave bike on sidestand

get in front of bike and straighten the front wheel.

grab the forks just above the front tire and push it back with the side stand down?

I think this would work for short distances?

hope I never have to find out though :eek:

That one sounds scary. But on the bright side, it's probably a good way to test the tip-over wings....:D

Pat

[crinteastwood]

leave bike on sidestand

get in front of bike and straighten the front wheel.

grab the forks just above the front tire and push it back with the side stand down?
Bad idea - you have absolutley no control because your hands are too close together and you are bent over like the proverbial dog - it could tip over to the right quite easily, and it doesn't slide worth a darn on the sidestand - the only way this could work is if you have someone at the rear as a steady point and have them pulling when you push.
Mick :04biker:

[Carl_T]

Got stuck in a depression with a slope too steep for backing astride the ST once, when I first got it. There wasn't any help around, so I got off on the left side, opened the handle you use to put it on the center stand, used my right hand on that and left on the handlebar and pulled it back. It worked that time, and I just avoided parking so I needed it from that point on.

[HankSTer]

Hmmm I was thinking yes leave it down on the sidestand and try to slide it using the sidestand to keep it up. I think it would slide on the sidestand going backwards? This way you can get leverage and the bike is stable.

would someone pls volunteer for this test? there will be a prize following the reports ;)

Bad idea - you have absolutley no control because your hands are too close together and you are bent over like the proverbial dog - it could tip over to the right quite easily, and it doesn't slide worth a darn on the sidestand - the only way this could work is if you have someone at the rear as a steady point and have them pulling when you push.
Mick :04biker:

[hughess004]

In the bike shops they will use the sidestand to pivot the bike in tight spaces. So as long as you have space enough to turn the bike in it's own length you're now facing where you wanna go not from whence you came.
Obviously a manouvre to be performed with care. :06biker:

[jackpine savage]

Ok here's another thought on this, haven't tried this but..

leave bike on sidestand

get in front of bike and straighten the front wheel.

grab the forks just above the front tire and push it back with the side stand down?

I think this would work for short distances?

hope I never have to find out though :eek:

Hankster, this is actually pretty close to what I do every morning when I push mine out of the garage. Except I stand alongside the front tire and grab the handlebars backwards. I leave the sidestand down and keep the lean direction toward the sidestand in case I lose the balance (i.e. almost scraping the sidestand). I've found I can get the most push and control this way.
David

[Tiny]

sometimes you have no choice to park there going down hill.
Of course you do! Just turn the bike around and park it in the opposite direction! You ALWAYS have a choice in parking your bike.....plan "B" may just take an extra 30 seconds!

[BigTom]

Nose high isn't just for the pilot guys. Why do I care if the guy behind me has to wait 30 seconds for me to park? That way I can get out. The ST isn't the heaviest bike I've ridden, and I have gotten pretty darn good at reading a slope. My Dad always told me "It's a lot easier to push down than up." A real genius, that man.

[chiller]

it sort of boggles me that you can get yourself into a dead end hill facing downwards but not be able to do a 3 point turn with it? just use the bikes power turn to one side of the lane, and then let gravity pull you backwards, keep a hold of the brake to go back slowly then use the clutch and power and go back up the hill...

??