Manual handling/parking a bike!

[MrsB]

Hello all! Have been reading as a visitor for a while now but thought I would say hello!

I decided to follow in my husbands foot steps and do my bike test- passed them both first time! My husband has got a bandit 1250 grand touring- I love riding it but the thing that puts me off is parking it! Its causing me a big enough problem that I take the car instead! I watch people on their bikes and the majority of them drive in and 'paddle it out'

My legs are long enough to put my feet flat on the ground, but they arent long enough or the bike is too heavy for me to be able to paddle it so thats out of the option. I have learnt to put the side stand down when moving it whilst I walk but is there any other tips? How do you guys and girls park your bike?

Cheers!

[ClaireBear]

Hello, welcome to the forum!

Well done on passing your test! Sorry I cant really offer any advice, its my weakness as well! But Im sure someone will be along soon to give some tips

edit- serves me right for reading the post quickly- but great bike to ride!

[kate t]

[ClaireBear]

That would be a good idea- depending on your budget of course?
Did you do the DAS? If so did you have much trouble with the bike you were riding then?


Kate- yep you got it in one!! been revising, exams, assignments and full time work placement- no time for a life! But just got placement now, next bit of work is due in April time! Free time

[MrsB]

Thank you both for your replies! Yes I did complete the direct access. It was on a 500. so a bit lighter!
Unfortunately, we arent in the financial situation be afford two bikes, we already have two cars and we support our daughter who is living away at university. Im hoping it is just confidence and practice?
Thanks..

Susie B.

[kate t]

[Kickstart]

Hi

First thing to do is remember to never park nose first into the curb. Nose out you can ride out, nose in you will have to try and pull it out.

After that a lot comes down to practice and experience. I wouldn't worry about trying to paddle along while sitting on the bike (plenty are not tall enough to put enough force into moving the bike). Suspect having the stand down is more giving you a false sense of security. Keep the bike as close to upright as possible and you don't really have to hold the bike up at all.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[stinkwheel]

My bike has an engine which is superb for moving it about.

Sounds facetious. But when I have a lot of luggage on mine, it is very difficult to move it about by pushing it. So I don't try.

If you have to paddle it out up a slope, you should have backed it in in the first place. A little planning ought to mean you don't really have to push your bike about the place.

If you have to move it back somewhere, get off and push it like you were taught on your CBT using the front brake to stop it running away with you and leaning the bike towards you so if it starts to fall over, it lands up leaning against your leg.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[soforene]

Nothing to see here.

[Tango675]

Always cover the front break... sounds obvious, but its VERY hard to stop a big bike without it. Even when moving a bike backwards do this (Eyes back, arms foward).

I use my hips to move and support the bike. And I try and keep a little pressure from the bike at all times (meaning its always lent into me, not away).

Careful not to trip over the stand.. when I lean the bike on the stand I kick it forward just to make sure its locked in place. Its easy for it to move or get knocked when you are moving the bike.

Attach any extras after you have moved the bike. No point in making it harder for yourself with loaded paniers and a top box.
____________________
Somebody give that windup merchant a torque wrench..

[ClaireBear]

A bit extreme but maybe lowering the bike would help- trouble is it maybe a fair bit of hassle, the side stand may need to be altered and headlights?

Or, as Soferene said maybe a different seat? Not sure where you would get that from- it might work though because the seat is quite wide! But it is already two-tiered in height.

[Adrian]

Congrats on passing and Welcome!!!
____________________
DAS 18/06/09 Off The Kerb Motorcycle Training. Proud owner of a Honda CG125 & a Honda Hornet

[Frost]

You don't want to leave your bike facing down hill as with no hand brake, it might roll off the side stand. Leaving the bike pointing uphill stops this from happening and makes backing it out easy as gravity does all the work. Just cover the front brake to stop yourself building up too much speed. Leaving the bike pointing uphill works even if you want to go downhill. Roll backwards, turn 90 degrees, or ideally a little further then off you go!

[hedgehugger]

Even on a 650, if there's a camber on the road and the bike has been parked nose to the kerb, I have trouble paddling it back that foot or 2! (I ask the MOT place to park it facing out )

I guess you just need to double think where you are going to park up and try to back into a space so you can pull forward to leave.

[27cows]

Some bikes are just difficult to move about. Take my recently departed XS1100, for instance. It was horrible trying to move the fat lump. I nearly fell under it more than once Thankfully some lunatic took it off my hands

Having said that, I spend most of my time on something very lightweight, which you can almost literally pick up and move around
____________________
The RXS100: vehicle of choice for Chuck Norris

[Mount_Man]

[Noxious89123]

As already said, park with the nose pointing up hill. If parking on a road, I'll park it at an angle, with the rear wheel against the curb. It means that once you get it going, gravity will just pull it backwards down the camber. If the camber of the road is non-existant, I'll park parralel with the curb. If the camber is extreme, I'll park at 90 degrees. Although if doing this, be sure that it's out the way, and not going to get ploughed into!

Somehing i found when paddling, is try not to put any of the bikes weight through your legs. Keep bike upright so all its weight is on the tyres, and use your legs only to move forwards or backwards.

If your trying to push hard with your feet, whilst taking the weight of the bike, you can lose your footing and end up on your arse! Learnt this the hardway, on a gravel strewn carpark.
____________________
'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[Deano_44]

[Villers]

Paddling is difficult any time. Im eleven stone and ride a 200+kg 1300 bike, it can be difficult moving it about.

If you find yourself stuck and have to go backwards try this.....

Get off the bike and lean it towards you onto your hip (less chance of it dropping off the other side that way). Pull the front brake and push the front down hard until the suspension compresses. In one fluid movement pull the front up and backwards whilst releasing the brake, the suspension will help and give you a wee bit of movement. Reapply the brake and repeat until you are clear

Dont do that sidestand thing you mentioned, if you are going forwards it will most likely flip up anyways and is not going to be usueful!

Oh and welcome
____________________
RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[MrsB]

Thank you all for your very kind posts. Certainly some very helpful posts. I think its just practice and getting used to the weight
I have been watching local bikers and they all seem to paddle their bikes around no problem! Think I will look a bit odd walking it without sitting on it but its the only way forward!

Cheers,
Susie B.