How to back up a heavy bike UPHILL

[alanmcorcoran]

Recently made the mistake of parking the Beast pointing inwards on a slight downhill. I had plenty of room in front when I parked it, but when I came back from soccer two hours later, there was a PT Cruiser just a few inches in front. Not enough clearance for me to escape going forward and the bike is too heavy for me to roll backward uphill. F*ck!

Here's the solution. Use the bike's weight against it:

1) Put it in Neutral.
2) Hold on to the front brake.
3) Shove the whole bike forward as hard as you can (with the brake on) so that the front shocks compress.
4) When the bike springs back, let go of the brakes and you can back it up a few inches.
5) Repeat as necessary.

Or, you can ride a GZ.

[Water Warrior 2]

Looks like another bump upwards on the learning curve. lol. You might want to get a better look at the parking area and back in if the slope is the wrong way. Just be thankful you weren't on tippy toes also, that can make for some real tense moments. Learned that with the Vstrom soon after I got it. Oh yah, and parking on loose gravel adds to the excitment. :oops:

[alanmcorcoran]

One more thing I learned from the bicycle world: if you can't straddle it with both feet flat on the ground - it's too big (high) for you. Fortunately, I am of almost exactly average height so most bikes fit me pretty closely.

Not sure if this is the case with you, but I understand things a lot sooner than I actually learn them. Add in a scare, pain or other adrenaline inducing moment, and I learn a bit quicker. I'll be doing a little more thinking next time I park on the street.

[Water Warrior 2]

I could flat foot the Vstrom from day one but a week after I got it I stopped on the side of the road at a view point. Gravel is no problem as long as your foot doesn't slide out from under you and you have no choice but to slowly drop it. OMG, my new baby is laying in gravel. I panicked and tried to lift it the wrong way. Got it up the second try but bruised my discs and spent seven weeks laying on my back gulping pain killers. Dropped it two more times since with crash bars. I don't mind letting Gravity win if I don't get hurt.

[patrick_777]

Good technique - right outta the book.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

Or, you can ride a GZ.

OR you can be more careful NOT to park it nose down.....EVER!
Just another lesson learned the hard way. :poke2:

If you had gotten a "real" land cruiser, it would have reverse! :biggrin:

[primal]

Haha, I had a similar issue today with my KZ. I can touch the ground with both feet, but not flat foot the bike. I got the bike inspected and when I was done I had to back out of the garage, over a hump from where they had repaved the parking lot. I just couldn't get enough leverage to push the bike up and over the ledge without getting off. It was kind of annoying, but so far its the only issue I've had regarding the seat height with the new bike.

[alanmcorcoran]

Are there any "rules of thumb" re this? It seems kind of sketchy to not be able to straddle the bike, flat footed, when you are at rest. I think that was the recommnended stance for waiting at stop/traffic lights. Do you typically let it lean over to a favored side when you are waiting to go?

[Water Warrior 2]

Rule of thumb. When stopped have right foot on rear brake and left foot on the ground. Also be in 1st gear and ready for a quick get away if some one tries to bump you. The bike will be more stable with the rear brake on instead of the front. It less likely to drop if so much as a bicycle hits you.

[patrick_777]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

The bike will be more stable with the rear brake on instead of the front. It less likely to drop if so much as a bicycle hits you.

:plus1: