Picking Up The Pig
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
I recently had the chance to get really, really good at this. First off, make sure the bike is in gear (so it won't roll once it's almost upright) and, if it's on it's right side, that the kickstand is down (so it doesn't fall over the other way). Put your butt down as low as you can in the seat and grab the near grip with one hand and the saddlebag guard with the other. Lean back into the bike and start walking backward with baby steps. Don't lift with your back or arms, use your legs for all of the work.
Supporter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,724
Likes: 234
From: Altoona, Pa.
If ya are on some loose stuff or gravel, hve your riding partner stand in front of you, using her feet right in front of yours as you walk backwards to keep your feet from slipping on the gravel.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 775
Likes: 1
From: Columbus, GA
I haven't had to pick up my Road King... yet. But at a ladies garage party at the Harley dealership I got the chance to pick up a Road King. I was first to try, and I did it! I was quite proud of myself. I think about 3 of the women were able to pick it up out of 11 of us. It helps to have someone demonstrate the technique beforehand though.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 770
Likes: 4
From: Western, KY
Droppped mine in the garage after a washing. First thing I did was look around to see if anybody saw my stupid %$#. Next I was in such a hurry to get it up before I got "caught" that I couldn't remember how to do the squat and lift technique. Embarassment helped me lug it up with some brute force and the fear of somebody watching. Would have been much easier if I had done it as described above. These things get heavy quick!
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 46
I dropped mine, picked it up from the handle bars & the grab bar (front to the bike) wasn't sure I was going to get it up but did. Then I saw a video on how to get the bike back up, hope I never have to find out.
Toby
Toby
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
With your butt against the saddle, don't forget to lock the forks with the closest grip towards your butt...this helps a bit too. I laid down some carpet in the garage and set mine down on the crash bars to try this out. I swear, it wasn't on purpose...yet.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 13
From: NW Arkansas
I dropped my Heritage and picked it right back up before anybody saw me. Haven't dropped the Ultra yet, plus I'm several years older than the last time I dropped one, so I have no idea if I could pick it back up now. (started to say "get it up now"...hehehe
)
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: California
Grrrrrr!
I dropped my 2008 RKC the first day I had it, it was at a Walgreen's.
There I am all super happy with my brand new bike, I'm parking getting ready to get off, I kick out the jiffy stand but to my surprise the spring pulls it up again, maybe because the spring was so new? Anyhow when I start to lean the bike over it keeps leaning, and it gets to that point where it is totally off balance and it goes down, not hard though, I can't keep it up but I can keep it from slamming down.
I felt so pissed off that I dropped my new bike that I picked it up no problem. I can't remember if I was facing it or if I was backwards, but it didn't feel that heavy.
I'm not that big either. 5"9 190.
There I am all super happy with my brand new bike, I'm parking getting ready to get off, I kick out the jiffy stand but to my surprise the spring pulls it up again, maybe because the spring was so new? Anyhow when I start to lean the bike over it keeps leaning, and it gets to that point where it is totally off balance and it goes down, not hard though, I can't keep it up but I can keep it from slamming down.
I felt so pissed off that I dropped my new bike that I picked it up no problem. I can't remember if I was facing it or if I was backwards, but it didn't feel that heavy.
I'm not that big either. 5"9 190.
Last edited by mabitola; Jun 21, 2010 at 04:41 AM.