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How to move a heavy motorbike around in a small space?

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jimster
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PostPosted: 17:44 - 17 Jan 2022    Post subject: How to move a heavy motorbike around in a small space? Reply with quote

This is probably a question with a really obvious answer (so apologies) but my Diversion 900 weighs a metric s*** ton (or at least, 250kg+) and I need to occasionally get it in and out of a tight backyard and my feeble arms struggle. Every time this has been a major pain. Is there any easy accessible and cheap piece of equipment I can use to make this less awkward? Maybe a paddock stand or some kind of dolly? Halfords sells a little stand on wheels but (i) how do I get the front wheel up and onto this thing and (ii) how do I stop the bike tipping over sideways?

I doubt I'm the first person with this issue so wanted to tap into the collective knowledge. Thanks!!! Very Happy
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Fat Angry Scotsman
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PostPosted: 18:01 - 17 Jan 2022    Post subject: Re: How to move a heavy motorbike around in a small space? Reply with quote

jimster wrote:
This is probably a question with a really obvious answer (so apologies) but my Diversion 900 weighs a metric s*** ton (or at least, 250kg+) and I need to occasionally get it in and out of a tight backyard and my feeble arms struggle. Every time this has been a major pain. Is there any easy accessible and cheap piece of equipment I can use to make this less awkward? Maybe a paddock stand or some kind of dolly? Halfords sells a little stand on wheels but (i) how do I get the front wheel up and onto this thing and (ii) how do I stop the bike tipping over sideways?

I doubt I'm the first person with this issue so wanted to tap into the collective knowledge. Thanks!!! Very Happy


How tight is this backyard because I can wheel and manoeuvre my ER-6F which is over 210kg around hedges and a normal width gate and I am an obese unfit cunt. Need to know some more details. A dolly or two dollies will be harder to handle than just wheeling the bike unless you have someone else around to control the other end, etc.
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c_dug
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PostPosted: 18:16 - 17 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

For really tight manoeuvres I prefer to sit on the bike and use the engine if possible, for example to get in and out of the garage I have to squeeze between mine and my neighbours cars and then turn tightly across my own car bumper into the garage. If we're parked a bit tight it is far easier to ride through the gap than push.

Once inside the garage I have a centre stand turn table which makes it really easy to 180 the bike on the spot (in theory it can be done on the sidestand but I'm not a fan).
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Kawasaki Jimbo
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PostPosted: 19:26 - 17 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

It’s not clear what the real issue is. Going round tight corners? Paint diagram FTW. What’s the Halfords dolly thing? If you mean the roller-stand for oiling the chain that won’t do. In fact I don’t think there is an equipment solution.

I’ve never got the knack of wheeling a bike backwards with one hand on the bars, the other on the seat. Instead I lean it on my hip. Forwards too, sometimes.
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 19:44 - 17 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you're struggling to physically push it, put a camlock strap round the rear grabrail and your waist so you're pulling it along with your mass and only steering with your arms.

This also works if you find yourself having to push your bike any distance on the road (eg when out of fuel). Remember to use the brake to stop or it can all run away with you.
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UncleFester
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PostPosted: 20:06 - 17 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://www.workplacestuff.co.uk/product/sealey-motorcycle-dolly-side-stand-type/?of_tid=MFRWG5B5GM3DCJTGMVSWISLEHUYSM4DSN5SESZB5GEYTINRW&adGroupId=79962807551&device=c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwOOrrL259QIVMYODBx1GLwHtEAQYBCABEgKlrvD_BwE

That's what i used to store the old VFR on - made it dead easy to get it parallel with the back wall of the garage.

But you do need a good flat surface.
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Kawasaki Jimbo
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PostPosted: 20:27 - 17 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

stinkwheel wrote:
If you're struggling to physically push it, put a camlock strap round the rear grabrail and your waist so you're pulling it along with your mass and only steering with your arms.

I have visions of the bike tipping away and the rope launching jimster into orbit. There was a brief childhood craze using a knotted string and a 3-foot wooden dart to launch the thing roughly twice as far as you could throw it unaided. Spear thrower.
Laughing


Last edited by Kawasaki Jimbo on 22:47 - 17 Jan 2022; edited 1 time in total
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Easy-X
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PostPosted: 22:33 - 17 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/jpg/200905/kawasaki-zx-6r-with-.jpg
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Keithy
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PostPosted: 22:42 - 17 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

stinkwheel wrote:
Remember to use the brake to stop or it can all run away with you.


Or pop it in gear and hold in the clutch when moving it. It’s easier to move when you are on the left side as you don’t have to reach over the bars to get to the brake lever.

I have one of these for in the garage
https://www.amazon.co.uk/PDSR024-Biketek-Floating-Paddock-Stand/dp/B008F5RWG2
But as mentioned earlier, needs a smooth surface.
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Tdibs
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PostPosted: 03:42 - 18 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sit on it and paddle with feet or use the engine?
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t121anf
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PostPosted: 11:00 - 18 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

Abbastands Moto Glide
https://abbastands.co.uk/product-detail.asp?item=moto-glide-package&pid=63
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A100man
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PostPosted: 11:36 - 18 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

t121anf wrote:


Clever.. but one hell of a palaver..
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Nobby the Bastard
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PostPosted: 11:38 - 18 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

Donuts.
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Fat Angry Scotsman
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PostPosted: 11:58 - 18 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

A100man wrote:
Clever.. but one hell of a palaver..


What I was thinking. When I eventually have a house with a garage I will absolutely get an Abba Stands skylift, but I don't see OP wheeling one of these around his garden unless it's concreted and smooth.
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t121anf
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PostPosted: 13:10 - 18 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

A100man wrote:
t121anf wrote:


Clever.. but one hell of a palaver..


Takes <5 mins to get the stands and full moto glide kit on my GSXR, wouldn't be without it.
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ThunderGuts
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PostPosted: 13:24 - 18 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

Centre stand turntable if you're really tight for space. Ride in, ride out. That said, I've considered similar for my 250kg VFR (which I currently wrestle by hand on the not-level garage floor) but the centre of mass is nowhere near the centre stand so I don't actually think a turntable would work for mine unless I fill the topbox with bricks first.
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Keithy
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PostPosted: 13:56 - 18 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

ThunderGuts wrote:
so I don't actually think a turntable would work for mine unless I fill the topbox with bricks first.


On the plus side you would have a night storage heater on the back Very Happy
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A100man
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PostPosted: 14:43 - 18 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

t121anf wrote:


Takes <5 mins to get the stands and full moto glide kit on my GSXR, wouldn't be without it.


If you have decent set-up and smooth floor it'd work. Although I'm sure I'd spend most of my time tripping over it in my (ironically) cramped spaces..
..5 mins is just enough t be annoying. unless it's once a year at the end of the season
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t121anf
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PostPosted: 15:48 - 18 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

yeah the lack of a smooth garage is a problem, I attacked mine with a chisel and it's better now.

I'm not a commuter so it's not a big problem for me, I pull the bike from the side to where the car would normally be, take it off the stands leaving bits all over the place, when I return I reverse the back back into the garage and re-fit.

I've considered a new bike which isn't Abba compatible and wondered what I'd do.
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Fat Angry Scotsman
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PostPosted: 15:50 - 18 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

t121anf wrote:
yeah the lack of a smooth garage is a problem, I attacked mine with a chisel and it's better now.

I'm not a commuter so it's not a big problem for me, I pull the bike from the side to where the car would normally be, take it off the stands leaving bits all over the place, when I return I reverse the back back into the garage and re-fit.

I've considered a new bike which isn't Abba compatible and wondered what I'd do.


What bike? They can machine custom fittings for almost any bike in existence from what I have heard.
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t121anf
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PostPosted: 17:01 - 18 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

Not asked them but I was thinking Triumph Thruxton R, it's not listed on their site.
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c_dug
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PostPosted: 18:26 - 18 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

ThunderGuts wrote:
Centre stand turntable if you're really tight for space. Ride in, ride out. That said, I've considered similar for my 250kg VFR (which I currently wrestle by hand on the not-level garage floor) but the centre of mass is nowhere near the centre stand so I don't actually think a turntable would work for mine unless I fill the topbox with bricks first.


I use mine daily and I have to put a lot of weight through the pillion handles/seat to get it to tip back, but it turns nice and easily once I do.
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stevo123
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PostPosted: 22:44 - 18 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looking at it from another angle can you make your access to and from the garage easier? Re-arrange things perhaps, I don't know. Just a thought
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Freddyfruitba...
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PostPosted: 19:58 - 21 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

Some people are happy to spin the bike round on it's side-stand, eg:
https://youtu.be/K2HoKzrHcQY

Quite high likelihood of disaster though, even if you reckon the sidestand isn't going to snap or bend under the weight...
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MCN
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PostPosted: 19:42 - 22 Jan 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote

Freddyfruitbat wrote:
Some people are happy to spin the bike round on it's side-stand, eg:
https://youtu.be/K2HoKzrHcQY

Quite high likelihood of disaster though, even if you reckon the sidestand isn't going to snap or bend under the weight...


Sum peepol are as dum as fuk too. Very Happy

Spining on the side stand bends the side stand or the bracket/lug.

Its more party trick than solution.
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