Picking a 6th Gen up??

Having once helped a friend get his Gold Wing back on its wheels, (not all that easy), I got to wondering how I would get the VFR off it's side and back on its wheels.
The Gold Wing wasn't quite all the way down because of hard bags and running boards.
The VFR looks like it definitely would be on the ground.
It looks like the bag attachments near the passenger footpegs would be handles, but what about the front end?
Can one person of average strength, (or a little below), get it back on it's wheels using the proper technique?
Other than my friend's GW, the only other time I had to pick a street bike up was when the wind blew my 1985 Nighthawk off it's center stand. It wasn't too bad, but the VFR must be 70 to 100 pounds heavier with lots of plastic that probably isn't a good place to lift.
Any secrets or do you just get help?
And yes, I know the best thing is to not drop it, but....... Stuff happens.

 

I'm 150 soaking wet and I have picked up my 02 by myself

 

this has happened to me recently. Yes, you can. I'm 6' and relatively strong for my size, but I've seen vfrchick (5'5", 118) lift one. Really have to concentrate on leverage (furthest point from CG). Like you thought, grab the very end of the down side grip, and pull up. Unless the bike is on a bad hill, you shouldn't have any issue.

Call up CrustyRider. Ask him if you can practice on his bike.

 

Yeah, and probably dead lift 300 pounds. :biggrin:

 

ha hahahahaha, maybe in my younger days, after sitting at a desk for the past 10 years I don't think so anymore.
you would be surprised to see how fast you can pick up your 6th gen before someone sees that you have dropped it.

 

Are you joking???!!! 02 can curl his vfr.

 

It does sound like technique is the answer and practice would probably help.
Chances are, not many are likely to loan you their bike to practice on. CrustyRider must be a truly nice person to be so generous.:smile:
I checked his profile and the commute seems like it would be a drawback.:tongue:

Like I said earlier, don't drop it seems like the best solution.:wink:
It does sound like it isn't impossible for one person and since I often ride alone it seemed like a good idea to do some checking.
Thanks.

 

You can practice this out in your yard. Have some friends around. Take the bike off kickstand and lower it toward yourself. It will give you a good idea. I would hazard to guess that you are lifting no more than 100lbs when you stand the bike up.

 

I had no rear sets on the bike at the time and just grabbed it by the tank, she is heavy but it is doable for one person.
I think the goldwing has a section in the manual on how to lure help to pick it up w/ a case of beer.

 

:flex: :flex: :flex:

 

[video=youtube;VkBN1ENtWz8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkBN1ENtWz8[/video]

Another good video re this topic. Got to the 2:20 mark.

[video=youtube;X1Ba61pOzY0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1Ba61pOzY0[/video]

 

I've has a Wing for several years. A pickup technique is definitely necessary...the same technique should work on any bike if adrenaline alone is inadequate: Backup to the low side of the bike, scootch your butt up to the seat area, grab the lower handlebar with one hand and the passenger grab handle with the other. Use your legs, not your back, and just take a couple steps backwards...works best if the bike is in gear.

 

Great videos, BGV! :thumbsup:
I had heard that backing up to the bike was the best way to pick it up, but I didn't really think it would work with one that was flat on the ground. Obviously, I was wrong.
One thing I found interesting, both of the women were able to do it using leverage.
It didn't appear to be easy for them, but they were able to get it done.
The girl with the Kawasaki appears to have done that before.
Chances are, I wouldn't think to put the sidestand down and I would pitch it on the other side so the fairing scrapes would match.