I sometimes detest these types of threads, but I guess misery likes company. Last Saturday I skidded out on some gravel on an embankment while turning hard to the right. The bike went out from under me, and while I escaped unscathed, the bike went down, and stayed down. I couldn't get it back up, even using the "girl" method, i.e. using your legs as leverage and pushing with your back towards the bike. Because of the sloping down road, it was that much more challenging to lift, but even if it had been perfectly level I kind of doubt I would have been able to do it. I was sweating bullets, using every muscle I had. I even ate my Wheaties that morning. My Softail is rated at 750 lbs. dry weight, with fluids/fuel it probably comes in around 800 lbs.

As my usual bad luck, my only friend remotely near and capable of helping me was on vacation, so I had to use my HOG roadside assistance. Probably was best to do so, due to leaking brake fluid. A truck with lift was there within 1-hour. Damage assessment is supposed to occur this Friday. I am hoping it's just cosmetic and nothing serious.

After this incident, I thought I may have too much machine for my age and strength, and seriously thought about getting a smaller machine, like a 1200 Sportster. I love my Softail, so that'd be a thing to do, but I hate not being able to lift it up. I've been riding motorcycles for 25 years, and this was probably the 3rd or 4th time I've been down. I was always able to lift them up by myself before, except for the one accident where I was hurt.

Have you ever had to lift your bike up by yourself? Were you able to do it? Did you use the Hercules method or the "girl" method, or how?

 

I am pissed and embarrassed so adrenalin always assists me in picking up a bike.

 

I have an Ultra Classic and can lift it at 60 YO. My 13 year old 85 lb. grand daughter can almost get it all the way up

 

The video shows one of the methods I tried, what I once heard was the "girl" method. Unfortunately, my bike was lying flat on its right side, like a dead horse, as I have no engine guard or saddle bags to prop it at an angle.

 

Learned that technique long ago. Works great.

 

I'm like the OP no guards at all, when mine falls over it is like he said flat on its side and if you're in the dirt or gravel it is a real bitch by yourself. The backwards thing doesn't work if all you can grab is the seat and nothing lower.

 

I can pick it up with the 'girl' method .... found out the hard way when it fell over in a parking lot

 

Adrenalin will give you superhuman strength. If you are pissed enough, you can pick up the bike.
Might be sore the next day though.

 

The only time...so far...that I dropped any bike was my panhead and I was pinned under it, so there was no way I could pick it up. Luckily I was with my club brothers and they got it off of me. But my current bike probably weighs 200lbs more and I wonder if I could.

 

I lift everyday....just in case.

+12873128746238423 on the adrenalin. Its a helluva drug. For real.