This is a stupid question, but some bikes are damn heavy. I was riding my friend's beat up 500RR (he teaches the MSF course) around in a parking lot and was showing me some maneuvering.

I dropped it trying to brake in a turn. I had a very tough time getting the bike up again. Now my back hurts just a little from twisting it. That's only a 500cc, how do you guys with bigger ones just lift it up when it tips over?

Stupid question, I know. Forgive me.

 

Well some bikes are still heavy, but a lot of your sportbikes and stuff like the 600cc and even the bigger ones weigh around 350-500 max these days. Those older bikes probably weighed a bit more.

 

Wow, I'd imagine 350lbs would be pretty tough to get upright again. Hmm, I guess I'll just have to go to the gym some more.

 

i have heard of some people squatting and putting their butts on the seat and one hand on a hand grip and pushing the bike up as they stand up. sounds kinda awkward. i havent had to try this yet thankfully!

 

Squatting and putting your butt into the seat to lift, it's easy to overpower it and tip over onto the other side! I prefer to turn the front wheel to the opposite lock, and lift the bike by the handlebars. Difficult to do on sportbikes with clipons, but I have successfully done it to my 475-lb VFR, and I'm not particularly strong by any means.

 

I've dropped my 2001 GSXR600 a few times and everytime I drop it, I guess I pick it up through my anger...using the bars/grips. That's a 380+lbs bike and I'm only 125+ @ 5'3". Guess it's all in the anger. I also stand on the seat side and pull, and not on the bottom/wheel side.

 

you are supposed to use your legs

 

Stop dropping it.. shiet.

 

My 600 when it tell over in the driveway once.... I just grab the back end and the frame under the tank and get pissed. I have almost no lag in the pressure built up from getting pissed and I lift it no problems.

I have lifted the back half of the bike up to move it, but thats not really lifting the whole bike...

muscle man.. build up some muscle....

 

I'm not sure why you had a problem, but even very large bikes can be lifted easily. The mass of the bike is mostly in the engine, which should be low. The leverage provided by the handlebars allows most people to lift 500+ pound bikes without too much trouble. Like others have said, you are not lifting the weight of the bike, just leveraging a portion of it off the ground. A good surface would also be important. Someone once recomended a new rider have the bike on the ground to make sure they could lift it before buying a first bike. I guess that would be a good idea, especially if it was a female who rides alone.

 

don't drop it....or get help picking it up!

 

I would (if I dropped my bike) lift by the bars until tires are on ground, then place hip against seat and use my arms to do the actual lifting. this way you are utilizing both legs and arms. Legs for more stable support with minor lifting function, and arms to do the lifting. you can always lean into the seat to help with the lifting.

 

it's not bad, i have a 95 yzf600r i've dropped it like three times at a stop and never had a problem gettin it back up. i am a regular at the gym though, and i think anyone who rides should be. it really is a physical sport, you need to have some strength to ride correctly and muscle the bike around.

 

Try picking it up following crashing after 20 laps on the track.. I couldn't do it last time.

 

i to have heard of this...kinda hard to explain but u kinda just push it up as you stand up with your legs

 

yes like they say don't drop itor get someone to help or try the gym for awhile...I can pike mine up by myself.