A question - getting on a bike with lots of luggage - How?

[kawakid]

Hi,

I guess this is the right section for this.

This weekend, I spent my first night away on a bike , I went to my mates stag do, i'm a big girl so took lots of stuff. (More so than mates in a car )

Anyway I really struggled with getting on and off the bike. To the point where I had to be helped on and off the bike.

I took a rucksack and also a large sports bag that had a large sleeping bag in it. I used a cargo net to put it on the back of the bike over the pillion seat.

Now trying to get on the bike, I can't physically raise my leg high enough to go over the seat. I nearly booted the bike over.

What is the trick to this? Exercises? Longer legs?



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I've a twin and a 4.

[Sparks!]

JUMP!


haha, try stretching or being less of a girl and carry less stuff
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[GAS]

[nautilus]

Less luggage is a man's answer!

Soft panniers are easier than stuff bungied to the back seat, as they're not so high. Failing that stand on the foot peg before swinging your leg over. The ungainly method that works for me is to put my right foot on the seat then slide it over while hopping towards the bike on my other leg

My husband tends to take an almighty swing with his right leg but this has lead to him getting caught up with the hose of a petrol pump after filling up once. He ended on the floor of the filling station covered in petrol so whatever you do practice it in private first!
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The world is a book & those who do not travel read only a page. St Augustine.

https://mogs-travels.blogspot.com

[MattHirst]

Could you possibly try and stand on the peg (on the side stand stand, or either if its on the centre stand if your bike has one) and then lift your leg over (much like a pillion would get on a bike)....that way you are giving yourself 12inch extra height or however high your pegs are.

Or instead of swinging your leg over, maybe try lifting your leg over and sliding it directly over the main seat so you are sort of sliding yourself onto the bike rather than swinging your leg over to get on.

If you are going to try the latter method, do it so your going into the sidestand, just incase it goes an ickle bit wrong and you knock the bike...that way i can't fall over (or it would take a lot of force).

Hope i helps
Matt
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It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt, then it's bloody hilarious!!!

[yambabe]

[SlimRick]

Just carry a clean pair of pants in case you get lucky and nothing else, put them in your pocket - works for me,

[ajb]

step over !
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CBR125R '05 > CB500 '00 > CBR600F '99

[2Hondas]

I had the same problem recently and found that there are 2 methods.

A. Stand back a little bit and raise you leg as high as possible, then try and pretend you are kicking a door in above your seat.
You'll then be in a position where your right leg is suspended on your seat, hop towards the bike and sit on it.
(you WILL kick your bike nearly knocking it over the first few times. practice in private, make sure you don't have dogs mess on your heel.)

B. More reliable method, but a bit wussy (sp?).
1. Stand facing your seat.
2. Bend your right-leg at the knee as far as you can, so that you're kicking your arse.
3. extend your right knee out to the side as far as possible.
4. Spin round to the left so that your knee is hovering over the seat
5. Lean over to the right a bit and carefully extend your right leg making sure not to snag yourself on your luggage.

Being incredibly inflexible, I find that can only use method A after being up and about for a bit. it doesn't work after a nights cold camping.

I'd imagine that it'll be a bit more tricky depending on how much is in your backpack. Can't you bungee it to the back?
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Current - 2010 Kawasaki ER-6n - Green
Previous - 2000 Honda CB600F Hornet - Yellow
Previous - 2007 Yamaha YBR125 -Blue

[Paivi]

Immediate solution would be to use a friend you could piggyback off onto the bike.

A more long-term one is to take ballet lessons so you can get your leg over, so to speak. Luckily I took them as a little girl so I can now get onto my (rather low) bike.
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My other bike's a Monster...

[jay12329]

Run and leap frog from behind. Be careful of the testicle-tank interface which may cause issues if you overshoot your landing zone.
HTH
J

[yandy_yay]

[kitty kat]

ha, so glad I have long legs. I can have the world's biggest bag on the pillion seat and still get my leg over no problem
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Enjoy everyday, tell those you love everyday you love them
Life is too short to fall out with people

[kawakid]

[Poseidon]

Folks... I give you the perfect solution!!!

https://silverwing.org/mwf/2005Silverwing600.jpg

just kidding. Best way is to mount as you normally would, but bend the knee on the leg you swing over so your foot touches your buttocks, a la neilpostance's mothod B.
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1977 Honda CG125
2002 Ducati Monster S4 (currently restoring)

[stinkwheel]

I had a motard style bike a couple of years ago with a 36" seat height (measured at the lowest point).

You need to stand facing the left side of the bike then swing your right leg up and forwards while hopping towards the bike. The aim is to get the heel over the saddle and the back of your ankle on the saddle. You ought to then be able to slide onto it, compressing the suspension as you go.

An alternative, really cool way would be to stand on the left of the bike with it running, flip up the stand, put your left foot on the left peg, put it into first and ride off standing on the peg. Once you have some speed and stability, swing your right leg up and over the saddle.

I have seen the latter method used routinely by a very short oriental girl who rode a CCM supermoto nearly as tall as she was. There are obvious dangers with this method but if you pull it off you look like Mike Hailwood starting a race (see picture). Wait until you've hooked second and have cleared the first corner for maximum effect. Men will want to be you and women will swoon at your feet.
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“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.

[magpiemale]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3229/2502688608_9f53ee38b0.jpg?v=0
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[busa1340]

I try and park the bike closer to the pavement so that the wife can get on and off easier . Otherwise she stands on peg and lifts leg over.

[bikedemon99]

best way to save face from either knocking your bike over or slipping on you ass looking and a tool is without doubt with the side or centre stand down standing on the peg and keeping your weight in the centre of the bike, either side or centre stand depending if your can get the bike off the centre stand whilst on it though I've got to try the Mike Hailwood way of mounting
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Ride safe

[Toukakoukan]