Bike Lifting after drop

They used to have a wing lying on its side at the Toronto motorcycle show every year. Amazing how few guys would try to lift it and how many many guys chose to watch instead. Most failed until they were shown how to lift it. I was looking for one at the time and thought if I couldn’t lift it then I wouldn’t buy one.
I Tried and failed, then the guys wife comes over and lifts it no problem. Tried again after she showed me what I was doing wrong and yep up it went.
Bought my second ST13 instead of the gl1800.
I have lifted my ST1300 twice now in 8 yrs without problems, both times in the driveway.
However one time on a gravel road I needed my buddy’s help as it was just too slippery.
 
I'd like to see Ride with Red pick up an ST. The Harley has a lower seat, easy to grab seat straps, and she was not working very hard. I've picked my bike up a few times, and it was NOT easy using the buttt on the seat technique. All in the legs - yes, but it puts a tremendous strain on your lower back. I did it, but it was not as fast or as quickly as those videos show.

My VStrom is likewise heavy, but it has a secret weapon. Aluminum panniers that don't allow the bike to lay flat.

I'd like those videographers to show how to pick up a bike that went down on greasy concrete, wet grass or deep gravel.
 
Mellow said:
Looking at https://www.motobikejack.com/

I'm not sure where you would attach it on the ST... center stand maybe? Looks interesting though.

In the videos it does show it should fit inside a saddlebag.
www.motobikejack.com

VIDEO

motorcycle jack, how to lift a fallen motorcycle, how to lift a dropped bike, Motorcycle hoist, dropped motorcycle, fallen motorcycle, righting a fallen motorcycle
www.motobikejack.com
Click to expand...

I usually carrier a 3” wide ratchet strap for the same purpose. Over the seat attached to the frame or a foot peg bracket. Secure the other hook end to some solid object or a peg of some kind in the ground.
 
Mellow said:
Yeah, at 80.. it's amazing you're dealing with the ST being as heavy-feeling as it is.. I dropped the Tracer once and that thing just about falls flat so even though it's a lot lighter it was tough to pick up in the muddy driveway I dropped it.
Click to expand...
You have a BMW now so never a problem. Just break out the Grey and SOMEONE will always lift it for you.

Tom

33741776168_ab4e5e53bd_o.jpg
 
Valker said:
I usually carrier a 3” wide ratchet strap for the same purpose. Over the seat attached to the frame or a foot peg bracket. Secure the other hook end to some solid object or a peg of some kind in the ground.
Click to expand...
I wonder how well one of those screw in anchors would work...

 
Ken Valkyrie said:
With your 67 years, I agree with you, I’m 80, check my profile. I use to pick up my Valkyrie myself but that was a few moons ago. These youngsters mean well, I used that pick up method when I was younger.
Click to expand...
And with shoulder replacements, I'm not supposed to do much 'heave hoing' so the jack looks pretty interesting to me.
The problem is when a ST usually goes over, it's not on a nice level spot and it's usually in a position you can't get your rump up to it.
YEMV but mine doesn't! :biggrin:
 
Mellow said:
Looking at https://www.motobikejack.com/

I'm not sure where you would attach it on the ST... center stand maybe? Looks interesting though.

In the videos it does show it should fit inside a saddlebag.
www.motobikejack.com

VIDEO

motorcycle jack, how to lift a fallen motorcycle, how to lift a dropped bike, Motorcycle hoist, dropped motorcycle, fallen motorcycle, righting a fallen motorcycle
www.motobikejack.com
Click to expand...
As you know from my recent “Center Stand - thread modification: I believe you are right considering the center stand as a good attachment point for the motobikejack s-hook.
I think there is room to get the hook on the center stand pivot pin.
 
Have you ever considered an air bag?
They sell air bags that inflate using an air compressor or the exhaust gas from a running engine. I saw a demonstration of one of these years ago. When inflating it using exhaust gas it was a little slow but it did work. At the demonstration that I saw, they sold much smaller ones as well that would be more suitable for carrying on a motorcycle, but I didn't take the time to look for one. I am providing the link below just to give you an idea. If you are interested, you can see if you can find a smaller version.

Exhaust Air Jack
 
I watched an elderly lady drop her 70's FLH Harley Dresser at a stop light once, and I asked her if she needed help...
She laughed, and said no, I got this, walked around a removed a piece of wood with carpet on it, a small bottle jack, propped it under the bike, raised it enough, then backed up to it and raised it without a problem....
I was pretty amazed at her skill at the time.
 
SMSW said:
I'd like to see Ride with Red pick up an ST. The Harley has a lower seat, easy to grab seat straps, and she was not working very hard. I've picked my bike up a few times, and it was NOT easy using the buttt on the seat technique. All in the legs - yes, but it puts a tremendous strain on your lower back. I did it, but it was not as fast or as quickly as those videos show.

My VStrom is likewise heavy, but it has a secret weapon. Aluminum panniers that don't allow the bike to lay flat.

I'd like those videographers to show how to pick up a bike that went down on greasy concrete, wet grass or deep gravel.
Click to expand...
Can't comment on any lifting devices . But that Harley is a lot easier to pick up than the ST(11) ! I've tried both. With the ST , I found it best to wait for some help to come along, and that was in a paved parking lot ! The expirience gave me a good reason to rethink doing the - small gravel /up in the mountain road stuff alone. A Honda 250 CRF solved the problem.
 

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Mellow said:
Yeah, at 80.. it's amazing you're dealing with the ST being as heavy-feeling as it is.. my Wings never felt as heavy at slow speeds and when I did tip them over, the angle was better for getting them righted.

I dropped the Tracer once and that thing just about falls flat so even though it's a lot lighter it was tough to pick up in the muddy driveway I dropped it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the compliment " dealing with the heavy ST... " I have been looking around for lighter bikes. Last year checked out the Suzy GSX-S1000GT+.
Weight was great at around 500 lbs but way too tall for my wife, no center stand.
In the fall we test rode a new Indian Scout, weight great, I like the stye looks, but it rode like wxyz, bottomed out way too easy with two up, seat - especially passenger painful, pass pegs so high knees bent too much.
Don't mean to knock them all, its because I am so happy with my ST. Rode this past Sunday (before the drop).
My ST handles so beautifully, fairing wind protection, great comfy ride, heated grips, I could go on: be an add for Honda. (It's "just the weight")
It's my favorite ride ever, and it was tough to beat my 2001 Valkyrie.
I plan to do more "lighter" bike searching this spring, I see compromises coming.
 
JJames said:
.............. But that Harley is a lot easier to pick up than the ST(11) ! I've tried both. With the ST , I found it best to wait for some help to come along, and that was in a paved parking lot
Click to expand...

I have a lower back issue and found the ST1100 very heavy and with the 2 parking lot drops, one on each side, I needed help.

The Tracer no problem, but not a skill I want to practice too often.

I like the ratchet strap idea, who has room for a jack and with my luck the jack would be on the low side........... Note the examples were for bikes with panniers that open on the top, not the side.
 
From the demos it looks the closest to an inclined squat technique; should be able to find an approximate equivalent weight and either work towards it or know you can't. The worst thing obviously would be to wind up injured, slipping and redropping it, or both. Being stressed out and on stage at the same time might have you toppling it over onto the other side, which might at least restore it to a state of matching mirrors. I've got a light duty 1/4" nylon rope fitted block and tackle that is quite compact, if you didn't have an anchor you'd probably only need a passerby to pinch one end with his tire and hoist it up.
I friend of mine and I were in a coffee shop in North Van years ago when a female police officer dumped her Harley right in the intersection outside, she was a pretty good size and she couldn't budge it. We helped her right it and she was visibly shaken enough that we asked her if she was okay. A lot going on in those moments.
 
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