Yeah, yeah, I know, you NEVER dumped your big bagger Harley, but guess what? someday you just might and before you panic and try something stupid that might hurt or even kill yourself, here’s a few tips on lifting nearly a half ton of motorcycle.
Dumping a motorcycle is no big deal, unless of course your under way and the bike has to skid to a stop on your nice shiny chrome crash bars. Most times people will dump a big bike in wet, slippery situations when they are not paying full attention. If you do it once, it’s unlikely you’ll ever want to do it again. It’s always nice to have a riding buddy help you, but there may be a situation where there is nobody around to help.
The first thing to do is not panic. Check yourself for injury and if injured, DO NOT proceed, get help! Next evaluate the situation by examining the surface and the slope on which the bike rests. If you are on hard pavement and an even slope then you are in good shape, but if you’re on wet grass or mud and on any kind of slope, you’re probably in for a messy go of it. Let’s first tackle the hard level surface situation…
Here are a few rules to follow:
Rule #1: Do NOT try to lift with your arms or upper body.
Rule #2: Do NOT try to PULL the bike up from the opposite side.
Rule #3: Do NOT push or pull on anything delicate, like your throttle grip.
Rule #4: Always grab something solid.
Rule #5: Always PUSH the bike up using your LEGS.
LEFT SIDE FALL:
So, on a level surface, with the bike laying on it’s left side, the handle bars turned & locked full left and with you wearing sturdy boots and gloves, face away from motorcycle and sit on the seat as if sitting side saddle, with both feet spread about shoulder distance apart, then plant your feet firmly, grab a hold of the top chrome rail near where it is attached to the bike and with your right hand grab the left handle bar (not the grip) midway, then push with your legs. The first inch or two will be the worst, but it will get easier as you progress. As the bike rises to the vertical position, take a few breaths, relax and reach down with your foot and lower the kickstand, then left the biker fall onto the stand.
RIGHT SIDE FALL: The procedure is basically the same, except be sure the kickstand is down before you start. Remember, DO NOT use the throttle as a grab point, especially on the newer fly-by-wire models.
Wet, Muddy Surfaces with Slope:
If you’ve dumped your bike at a rally campground, then it’s likely there are several hundred willing biker brothers around to help you and that is probably the best way in these tough situations. The first trick is to get the bike level in regards to the front and back tires, so it it’s pointing down hill, try to drag the front around so both wheels are perpendicular to the slope. Always push from the up-slope side.
Have someone ready in case the bike wants to start going the other way, and gravity will want to do that. Once upright, be sure to place a board or coaster under the foot rest to keep it from sinking into the wet ground.
The Drive Up:
In the proper conditions it is also possible to drive the bike up from a laid down position.
This is best taught by an experienced driver and then, like the above situations should be practiced a few times under controlled conditions.
Dumping a Harley while standing still will not usually do any damage to the bike itself, but damage to your ego and confidence may result. Don’t let this experience tarnish your love for riding, but do chalk up the experience and an improved respect for the weight of the machine.
