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How to stand up a heavy bike

by Fishsticks
(Morrow, Ohio)

I learned this trick from a woman at our local Harley store. I told her i could not see how small women were ever able to get those bigger Harleys upright offf the kickstand. She said it is easy. Turn the wheel all the way to the right before you get on. Then as you stand the bike it will go up effortlessly. She said make it a habit when parking your bike yo always turn the wheel right and the weight will never matter.

I tried it and she is absolutely right.

Comments for How to stand up a heavy bike

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Jun 24, 2013

Watch the videos!
by: Kekconx

I had been watching videos on YoyTube about picking up a heavy bike when my husband spun out in the wet grass in our yard on his big ol' Harley softail classic. It was down, and he stood there looking at it wondering how he was going to pick it up by his triple hernia self. I walked over, put it in gear to lock the wheels, put the stand down and backed into it with my legs. Up it went...perfectly. The look on his face was worth a million bucks! Watch the videos gals, you never know when you might have to use that information.

Jun 11, 2013

Here's a video
by: Chandra S

of the technique Colleen was describing. This is how I learned to do it. Granted the bike shown has engine guards which make it a little easier, but on the other hand this rider is 4'11" and the bike is over 800 lbs. This has worked for me with both my old Virago and my Boulevard, about 500 lb. machines. I haven't tried it - yet - on anything heavier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6_GoEPSBto

Jun 07, 2013

dropping a heavy bike and picking it up
by: Colleen

In response to your question...

Youtube it picking up a Harley for a woman at garage party. I think it will show you a woman picking up a Harley completley laid over on it's side. I have had to do this already - sadly :( but it works. I dropped mine in my driveway at a completely stand still on a flat surface. I was trying to move it around and squeezed the front brake, lost my balance and boom over it went. Gas started leaking out and I could smell it. I had watched the video and did what it suggested - turn my self around with my back to the bike with my legs folded down, it's likeyou are in a squat position. Grab the handlebar with your hands and use your legs and butt muscles to walk the bike back until it's upright. Turned myself around and threw my leg over and boom - I had picked up my Harley sportster all by myself :) BOOM I'm superwoman!!!!
NEVER use that front brake like that again... I am VERY careful about front brake usage.... So youtube picking up bike for a woman and know that it works! Good luck out there ladies- :)

May 01, 2013

-
by: Clarissa

Thanks for the tip Mrs. Tarzan. I will check YouTube. I DO ride. I just haven't bought a BIGGER bike since my first experience dropping a 600 lb one and needing to solicit the help of two other people to even get it up again.

May 01, 2013

YouTube is wonderful
by: Mrstarzan

Clarissa,
Search YouTube for hundreds of videos of how to stand up a dropped bike. Lots of different kinds of bikes too. Don't let it stop you from learning to ride. :)

Feb 19, 2013

How about picking up a heavy bike?
by: Clarissa

Let's say you drop a heavy bike because of loose gravel or general clumsiness. How do you pick it up again? Not being able to move 600lbs of machine is the big deterrant for me as far as buying bigger.

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