HarleyTechTalk

Quote from: Jim Bronson on February 26, 2019, 02:47:51 PM
Thanks for the insights guys. Much appreciated. If I wind up buying one, I'll post a review.

I have one and they work.  I have a few pics and a write-up on our Hog website.  There's also another Company making a lighter version.

I love the stupid comments telling you if you can't pick it up you shouldn't be riding it - typical of the useless comments some people here are known for.

Quote from: FurryOne on March 12, 2019, 07:26:25 PM

I love the stupid comments telling you if you can't pick it up you shouldn't be riding it - typical of the useless comments some people here are known for.

Say what you like, I stand by my comment. If you can't handle the ride, maybe you need to ride something else.
I know a lot of riders that went to Softails, or trikes when they couldn't deal with a bagger any longer.

 I am 5-10 and about 185. I have picked up my Ultra and RGU without much of a problem. However, thats on a flat, dry surface. I have more trouble picking up my 400 lb on/off road bike on a hill, or  in mud,gravel, sand etc.

A couple of years ago, dropped mine on a sloped gravel road fully loaded.  Nice guy in a pick-up offered to help and I politely declined.  When my wife asked why I told her that when I can't do this any longer it is time to quit.  Did have to take the bag off the tour-pak though. 

Edit: Used to do skill courses with a lady that "might" weigh 100 lbs. soaking wet, she could walk them up too.

   

Sure, in an ideal situation, it can be done. Even then, it is a challenge. Not all situations are ideal. Throw down some slippery gravel, or a wet slippery road, or some type of incline, and a person has their work cut out for them.
As mentioned, this doesn't take into account being off road somewhere, in far less than ideal situations, and it can be damn near impossible to pick up something bigger than a light dirt bike.
That doesn't mean I'm buying one of these jacks, and I'm not going to stop riding just because I can't pick up my 700 to 900 pound bike, someone can help me pick it up because I'm not too proud to ask for help.
Maybe one day I will consider one of these jacks. I've learned to never say never.
(Except for RoadGlides...)

I don't consider it a pride thing to decline the help, more along the lines that there are certain requirements (not the correct word) to continue to ride and tour as I get older. 

That (IMO) is one for me. 

I'm with you Hoss. To stop enjoying riding because I can no longer lift my bike is just silly to me. There's all kind of help available (passers-by, AAA, HOG). There must be lots of buyers who can't lift their bikes from day one.

 I hear the best way to pick a bagger up is to sit or lay down next to the bike. People will stop. When they do, just ask for some help.

Quote from: Tollbooth on March 14, 2019, 01:03:52 AM
I hear the best way to pick a bagger up is to sit or lay down next to the bike. People will stop. When they do, just ask for some help.

Quote from: Hossamania on February 26, 2019, 05:26:43 AM
I can see it being used by the guys on heavy adv bikes that tip over in an awkward situation, but, how do you carry it so it is accessible no matter how it's tipped over?

I don't think it's the weight so much as the fact that there is no good place to grab front and rear and that idea of lifting it up by walking inch by inch backwards gripping the bars and the seat has never worked for me. If I am riding with a 110 lb. soaking wet passenger they grab the rear guard and I grab the bars and it pops right up. That doesn't seem like its a weight problem... I would say it's a design problem.

As far as a design problem with not enough grab handles, at some point, form has to beat function. I'm not going to ride something that looks like a circus bike made to withstand stunt riding and crashing with roll cages and handles bolted everywhere.
Bikes tip over, sometimes it sucks to try and pick them up. I can live with that.
If it's bad enough, I light it on fire and get another.

Quote from: Jim Bronson on March 13, 2019, 09:20:27 AM
I'm with you Hoss. To stop enjoying riding because I can no longer lift my bike is just silly to me. There's all kind of help available (passers-by, AAA, HOG). There must be lots of buyers who can't lift their bikes from day one.

I concur. Whilst I'm fortunately big and ugly enough to still be able to pick up my fallen scooter unassisted, there are no doubt a lot of older riders who may not, due to aging and medical issues. So no shame in requesting some help.

I must admit to never really understanding the, 'If you can't pick it up you shouldn't be riding it' thing. If you crash your car you request assistance. No one tells you to drag it back on the road yourself! What's different with a bike?

And if you can't work on it yourself, you shouldn't be riding it either....

The guys that want us to give up our baggers are either young or already gave theirs up.

Quote from: RKRuss on March 15, 2019, 06:00:07 AM

Quote from: Jim Bronson on March 13, 2019, 09:20:27 AM
I'm with you Hoss. To stop enjoying riding because I can no longer lift my bike is just silly to me. There's all kind of help available (passers-by, AAA, HOG). There must be lots of buyers who can't lift their bikes from day one.

I concur. Whilst I'm fortunately big and ugly enough to still be able to pick up my fallen scooter unassisted, there are no doubt a lot of older riders who may not, due to aging and medical issues. So no shame in requesting some help.

I must admit to never really understanding the, 'If you can't pick it up you shouldn't be riding it' thing. If you crash your car you request assistance. No one tells you to drag it back on the road yourself! What's different with a bike?

By that logic if the wind blows my house over I shouldn't  have one either?!

I never have had to pick up my car!

Manually put bike into 1st gear.
Stand on the side that the bike fell. i.e. fell to the right, stand on the right side.
Turn the bars to the direction that it fell.
Pull the clutch cable in.
Fire the engine up.
Hold the front brake has hard as you can.
Give a little throttle, and FEATHER the clutch.
It will pick itself up.
Once upright, be ready to hold it up and pull in the clutch and kill the engine.

Of course, if you screw up while doing any of this, make sure none of your buds are around watching.


-JW

I had not heard of that technique. I'll have to have a friend give it a try!

Quote from: Hossamania on March 15, 2019, 05:28:23 PM
I had not heard of that technique. I'll have to have a friend give it a try!

Can you do a video for us Hoss?   

Can the bike be restarted with the tip switch engaged?

Quote from: Jim Bronson on March 15, 2019, 10:47:44 PM
Can the bike be restarted with the tip switch engaged?

Good point. No, it cannot.

Quote from: kd on March 15, 2019, 05:39:35 PM

Quote from: Hossamania on March 15, 2019, 05:28:23 PM
I had not heard of that technique. I'll have to have a friend give it a try!

Can you do a video for us Hoss?   

Oh hell yes, because I'm not trying it with my bike, and because I have a feeling there would be some good humor and minor damage involved!