If you drop it...

Can the FJR be picked up by an average guy alone?

Any tips or techniques? It hasen't happened, but I would like to know.

Thanks,

Bruce

Don't know, don't intend to find out. If it happens, I'll let ya know.

Yup, bend knees, back to the seat, grab the bar, grab the centerstand lift grab and walk the bike up. Piece o cake. I've done it with a Wing. Didn't break a sweat.

Stand w/back to down side (lowest to ground) of bike, squat down w/your butt about the seat area. Grab one hand on bottom handlebar (closest to ground) and other hand on bottom side (closest to ground) grip area where you lift up to put on centerstand, push up w/legs and walk backwards. You will have your back to the bike throughout this process. This process was taught to me in safety riding school. I have done it and it works, keep your back strait, do the lifting w/your legs and you can do this alone w/a 800 lb bike. It's amazing, I've done it! :bb:

EDIT: Sorry TWN apparently we posted at the same time.

...all well said if you think you have time to think about it.

From the "Ahh. ****." perspective:

If one has the least bit of self respect after a drop you can combine that tiny shred of dignity with the large amount of adrenaline you suddenly generate and exert a tremendous amount of lift by grabbing the handlebar and the under-seat hold.

...How do I know? Well, I had a small mishap while taking the advanced motorcycle course and maybe 1500 on the odomoter. My first clue should have been when the instructor suggested 1st OR 2nd gear through the 18 foot S turn maneuver.

Yeah, right. Maybe on his Goldwing which is geared lower than my grandmother.

I learned the only way the 1100 idle speed on the FJR was making it through was by dragging the rear brake. Worked pretty well the first two tries. Then I thought I'd get tricky and try blipping the clutch as an alternative. In fact, it worked pretty well until the the engine died in quiet, "Bluh." and I suddenly had 600 pounds of Cobalt Blue laying on the pavement at my feet.

I'm a big guy at 6'4" 250, but I think the stinging humiliation made it remarkably easy to lift the left handlebar and the right under-seat hold simultaneously. I don't even remember grunting.

However, I still have a scar on my pride and scratches on the bike to show for it.

+1 to donald and TWNs instructions... have done it at a gas station... don't ask. <_<

What TWN said. Plus, when your baby is lying on the ground you will typically find enough adrenalin surging through your system that you'll find a new inner strength :bigeyes:

google on Skert -

she is a lady that is about 5'3" that goes around the country demonstrating picking up Gold Wings. If I can relatively easily pick up my old K1200LT - you should be able to pick up an FJR with ease.

Here is my description of the drill.

1. depending on which side it falls on - if it falls on the right side, then you should put the kick stand down to help catch the bike when you get it up. If on the left side - you will have to wait until you get the bike up and balanced to do this.

2. Try to put the bike in gear - this will facilitate the lifting. If you can't get it in gear make sure that when you lift the bike - you have your hand on the front brake lever and brakes are engaged.

3. The difficult part (and the reason that the LT and Wing are in some ways easier) is that the FJR will probably fall further on it's side. The LT and the GL have pretty good size cylinder heads or crash bars. You have sliders (you have sliders, don't you?) or bags that will keep it from going flat.

4. Lets assume it fell on its right side - [reverse hand positions for opposite side pick up]

5. Put your butt up against the saddle and wrap your left arm up and grab the handle bar - grip the front brake lever closed.

6. Right hand should go on something solid and low and that isn't HOT.

7. BACK into the bike. Using small steps and lifting by pushing with your legs. You are literally walking backwards and since you have your hand on the brake/or bike is in gear... it isn't going anywhere, but UP.

8. don't try to lift with your back - you are using your butt and back to leverage the bike up - small steps - hopefully you will have good traction.

9. When you get the bike up - you can ease it over to the side stand or reach around and grab the brake with right hand and now balance like normal.

10. Congratulate yourself - but not too much. Not until you check for damage.

11. depending on how over it is and which side - you might want to hit the starter for just a second. to make sure cylinders are clear and not full of oil or something else. Check to see if gas has leaked or parts have fallen off. like your mirrors

12. Opposite side is the same, but you will want to lift bike high enough and then use your left foot to get kickstand down. You do have the center stand grip point when working off the left side.

13. This sounds more complicated than it is. Look for Skert somewhere on the net and there will probably be pictures that will explain it more clearly.

14. If doing this in the snow - all bets are off. It CAN be done - but it aint pretty. Don't ask me how I know.

15. If there are two people - have the other person help you get the bike off the ground for the first couple of feet - then they can move to the opposite side and help pull.

I haven't had the experience with my FJR but I have hoisted a Honda550(twice), my 71 FLH and my Concours off the pavement after sometimes painful get-offs. I'm not a strong guy. I believe the magic ingredient as others have pointed out is adrenaline. And I don't beleive there was much finesse involved. Hope I never need to do it again, but if I do, I'll try the back to the seat method. I've seen a demo of that where a guy, maybe 160 pounds, righted a Goldwing. Good method.

Great thread. How about keeping it in the FAQS area? Good job guys!

I had a 0 mph drop once... got it up faster than it went down, and to be honest I have no recollection on how I did it. But I do remember that it didn't involved much effort. Then again, at 5' 11" and 255# I am not the average small kind-a guy.

If all else fails, you may want to have this guy follow you, just in case:

These are made locally. Maybe I can put on a trailer hitch and tow it around just in case.

What most others have said. The key is back to the bike, walk it up, use legs _not_ back.

If it's on right side, as others have said, put sidestand up to help catch it.

I've seen someone suggest if it's on the left side, push it up and over until it falls over on the right side, then put the sidestand up and repeat. :erm:

The site chickey mentioned: https://www.pinkribbonrides.com/dropped.html

I just let Madmike2 give me a free demonstration when I tip mine over. He made it look easy too.

There's a web site, women bikers, or lady bikers, something like that, that has a video of some small woman lifting some big *** downed bike by her self. It was the technique that was mentioned at the beginning of the thread, "knees bent, butt to seat, lift grab rail and handle bar etc" Google around and you will find a video.

The 'Motoman' video has a petit women picking up a Goldwing.

'Ride Like A Pro'

I have found that when one drops their bike, the witnesses are usually willing to help pick it up after they finish laughing. Remember, you never make stupid mistakes alone. There will always be a crowd to remember it over and over again.

I have found that when one drops their bike, the witnesses are usually willing to help pick it up after they finish laughing. Remember, you never make stupid mistakes alone. There will always be a crowd to remember it over and over again.

Click to expand...

Yep, after all what are friends for?