Bad day, Zilla? 
Problems parking on slope
- Thread starter Ted230
- Start date
Help Support Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum:
HotRodZilla
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Nevermind
Last edited by a moderator:
It's pretty simple, really, but so are a lot of people.
This is such a no-brainer it's hard to believe that it needs to be said. Then again, if everyone knew everything about bikes intuitively we wouldn't need the MSF BRC.
If you have to park any bike on any place with a front to back slope, always park your bike with the front wheel level with or higher than the back. If the spot goes uphill pull in forwards. Backing out later downhill will be easy. If the spot goes down hill, back your bike into the spot. Backing downhill into the spot will be easy and pulling out up hill no problem. Plus having the bike pointed uphill keeps the bike from rolling off the side stand.
If the spot has side slope always try to get the kickstand (left) side lower than the right. Otherwise the bike is not stable and will either fall over if bumped, or can blow over with any stiff breeze. As others have said, if you can't pick the bike up off the side stand you need to find yourself a new mode of transportation.
If you have to park any bike on any place with a front to back slope, always park your bike with the front wheel level with or higher than the back. If the spot goes uphill pull in forwards. Backing out later downhill will be easy. If the spot goes down hill, back your bike into the spot. Backing downhill into the spot will be easy and pulling out up hill no problem. Plus having the bike pointed uphill keeps the bike from rolling off the side stand.
If the spot has side slope always try to get the kickstand (left) side lower than the right. Otherwise the bike is not stable and will either fall over if bumped, or can blow over with any stiff breeze. As others have said, if you can't pick the bike up off the side stand you need to find yourself a new mode of transportation.
Last edited by a moderator:
Geezer
Parsimonious Curmudgeon
If you have to park with the front down hill, first make sure you leave it in gear and roll it forward so that you are resting up against the gear, so you have engine compression to prevent the bike from rolling forward and off of the side stand.
When backing out, you are less likely to tip over if you sit on the bike and paddle back, using short steps. Of course this won't work if you can't get both feet on the ground. Otherwise, stand on the left side and leave the sidestand down as you pull back so that you can rest it on the sidestand if your foot slips. Cover the front brake lever so you can quickly stop the wheels if you begin to lose your balance.
If there are other people around, there is always someone willing to give you some help, just make sure you show them where they should grab the bike before they pull on it.
When backing out, you are less likely to tip over if you sit on the bike and paddle back, using short steps. Of course this won't work if you can't get both feet on the ground. Otherwise, stand on the left side and leave the sidestand down as you pull back so that you can rest it on the sidestand if your foot slips. Cover the front brake lever so you can quickly stop the wheels if you begin to lose your balance.
If there are other people around, there is always someone willing to give you some help, just make sure you show them where they should grab the bike before they pull on it.
Last edited by a moderator:
Chiefblueman
Well-known member
Only use valet parking. Problem solved. If no valet available, offer to pay a passerby.
painman
Well-known member
Don't know why I'm posting to this but you mention you're not a newbee because you say you had a previous bike. So anyone parking their bike in the manner you speak is obviously not running on all cylinders. But if you continue to park in this manner I highly recommend you sell the FJR and buy a Goldwing and move over to their forum because reverse is an option on that model. Good luck, PM.
Old Guy
Well-known member
I hope I don't get reprimanded for actually trying to be helpful, but I do have one tip that may be beneficial if you find yourself in a position of needing to go backward and not quite having enough oomph.
Hold your front brake and compress the forks as much as you can then as it rebounds release the brake and pull backward. The extra push from the fork springs will sometimes help you just get started. Or it may let you pull it six inches before trying again. On uneven ground, one wheel will sometimes be in a hole, and this will help you pull out of it sometimes.
It takes a little practice to get the timing down, but it works.
Hold your front brake and compress the forks as much as you can then as it rebounds release the brake and pull backward. The extra push from the fork springs will sometimes help you just get started. Or it may let you pull it six inches before trying again. On uneven ground, one wheel will sometimes be in a hole, and this will help you pull out of it sometimes.
It takes a little practice to get the timing down, but it works.
ericboutin
Well-known member
Ted230
Member
Just to clarify my original post, I encountered this very problem when I picked up my bike. The dealer parked it in a spot that I had great difficulty backing out of. Lot was pretty flat but it must have had just enough slope to make it difficult. Adjacent spot was empty so it wasn't an issue. I made the post not for getting tips but thinking some people may have interesting stories to tell of how they dealt with this issue. Was very surprised to see a couple of you actually did come up with helpful tips. Thanks!
RossKean
Well-known member
Since this is already NEPRT and its Friday+1, perhaps I can share my experience. A couple of days ago, it seemed to take too much effort to back out of my garage. Maybe I was just tired. A short time later I backed out of a really mild downslope at a convenience store with a great deal of difficulty. OK, something's wrong. Amazing how much a flat tire increases rolling resistance! I had just checked air pressure the day before.
Last edited by a moderator:
Old Guy
Well-known member
Cool! FWIW, I rode an 1800 Goldwing for ten years and 110,000 miles, and I find the FJR harder to push backward than the 'wing. The seat is lower on the wing, and I can get my feet flat on the ground farther forward for more leverage. In all the time I've owned it, I may have used the reverse 10 times in gravel if the wheel fell off in a dip while backing.
I gotta say, you managed to create a fire storm; some of these folks can get righteously indignant over some weird stuff.
Yep I'm short of leg and have be careful how I park especially on my mountain rides. Got a friend that drives a Vstrom another a Triumph Tiger. Both tall bikes. Watched both of these experienced riders drop their bikes while parking but no problem as they are protected with crash bars. However a drop of the FJR can be expensive...so I'm very careful.
I also carry a sidestand plate on a string so that I can place it when parking in dirt or sand. With the string I can mount the bike then retrive the plate. Simple trick to help keep the bike upright in difficult parking situations.
I've watched at least 6 bikes fall over that parked slightly downslope. A BMW LT actually fell over onto my bike and almost knocked me over. Because of this I ALWAYS park in gear and push forward until the gears engage then put the sidestand down. I recommend this to all newbie riders and others when I watch their bikes fall over. To the OP, hope you enjoy your FJR. Bill
I also carry a sidestand plate on a string so that I can place it when parking in dirt or sand. With the string I can mount the bike then retrive the plate. Simple trick to help keep the bike upright in difficult parking situations.
I've watched at least 6 bikes fall over that parked slightly downslope. A BMW LT actually fell over onto my bike and almost knocked me over. Because of this I ALWAYS park in gear and push forward until the gears engage then put the sidestand down. I recommend this to all newbie riders and others when I watch their bikes fall over. To the OP, hope you enjoy your FJR. Bill
Surly
Well-known member
LAF
Well-known member
Well you guys can put a WaynPro Bigfoot on your side stand and not have to carry a string and plate.
I loved reverse on my LT and used all the time. 900 pound bikes are a bit much to reverse on with feet, especially if you have a passenger.
This all reminds of the guy washing his bike and it fell over when he was scrubbing on it, in neutral! Blamed the bike and the side stand.
Come on guys you have to know where and how to park a motorcycle?
I loved reverse on my LT and used all the time. 900 pound bikes are a bit much to reverse on with feet, especially if you have a passenger.
This all reminds of the guy washing his bike and it fell over when he was scrubbing on it, in neutral! Blamed the bike and the side stand.
Come on guys you have to know where and how to park a motorcycle?
My aluminum plate is about 2-3 times the surface area of any foot that can be mounted. I can park on a sandy beach with my plate on a string and it fits nicely in a pocket on my tank bag or even in my riding jacket pocket. Cost? $0
Bill
Bill
Old Guy
Well-known member
My touring buddy carried the same crushed aluminum can around for years. Not only was it free, he was saving the environment
LAF
Well-known member
Well I don't like to have to carry anything and fuss with it to park on gravel or even hard packed sand. It is made by a Forum member and is really a piece of art. Each to their own, if free is that important to you then disregard my suggestion.
Still say if you can not figure out how and where to park your bike you maybe should not be on one. Still find it a ridiculous question.
The Big Foot a great item for a very cheap price. You can continue fishing and then throwing a nasty piece of whatever, with whatever stuck on it into your pocket or tank bag.
Each to their own.
Still say if you can not figure out how and where to park your bike you maybe should not be on one. Still find it a ridiculous question.
The Big Foot a great item for a very cheap price. You can continue fishing and then throwing a nasty piece of whatever, with whatever stuck on it into your pocket or tank bag.
Each to their own.
Old Guy
Well-known member
Pretty funny. I love efficiency and low tech solutions. LOLMy touring buddy carried the same crushed aluminum can around for years. Not only was it free, he was saving the environment
Bill
