Still riding at age 76 about 5-1/2 years after making this video. My heavy bike now is a 2020 RoadGlide. Not quite as hefty as that 2012 Ultra. Just did a practice session after dropping that one a couple times, and I can get it up with the Harley technique shown for the orange (actually "Amber Whiskey") one and no jack or halper. (I loved that color.) Glad I had a passenger sissy bar and pad installed. It provides a strong and convenient point with leverage to grab near the rear end.
Paul, glad to see you're still riding and welcome to the Road Glide club! Not nearly as experienced as you are in life, but I hope to be riding when I'm your age. Ride safe.
Enjoyed your video on lifting a heavy bike, it was helpful. My ride since 2006 is my 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Nomad. My riding areas are Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Nevada. I am approaching 72 and still riding. Just found your channel on 9-19-202, hope you make more videos. Safe travels!
MY WIFE AND I WERE IN LACONIA NH AND NOBODY WOULD HELP THIS ELDER RIDER UNTIL WE STOPPED , I HAD ALREADY SEEN THIS VIDEO PRIOR TO THAT DAY AND IT HELPED THANK YOU
Mr. Chadwick, when I first saw that your video was 15 minutes long, I thought how can it take that long to pick up a bike. Now that I have watched it, you packed a lot of good common sense and leverage info into every minute. Great job!
Great idea! Glad to see you're still riding at 70, and in great enough shape to pick up your own bikes! Most people don't prepare for these type of situations, it's great to see someone so proactive! A "real" biker!
Uh, I'm getting to those 70s faster than I ever thought possible. But I m still doing everything I've always done. There's more of us than you know, we still ride. Keep your knees in the breeze.!
Thanks for taking the time to make this video, Paul. i have ordered crash bars for my '09Bonneville, as I have dropped it a couple of times in the manner you described. It only weighs about 500#, but when your ankle is trapped under the frame, it's really nasty to get up by yourself. The techniques you teach will be invaluable! Ride safe and enjoy your beautiful scenery.
This guy is excellent. He gets a SUPER like from me! He speaks like he was inside your head. I dropped my Road King twice and I couldn't lift it alone, so everything he said was important. I'm not sure where the cut-off weight to be able to lift a bike, but I found out the hard way that 836 pounds was to much... for me. The first time it fell, I forgot to lift the kick stand, the second time I got a cramp! Fortunately, there were people around to help. It seems like when you have motorcycle troubles, people are willing to quickly react and help.The jack thing is a good idea! Thank you bro!
hey, what a coincidence I also got a cramp that sent me to the hospital for two days. But my motorcycle fell because my house also had that entrance with stones and it slipped, but it was very difficult to lift it because of the stones. my bike is not that big it is a Yamaha 1700 road star. It took me a lot of work to lift it but I did not know about putting it in first gear and tying the front brake, the cat thing did not occur to me and I also got nervous because it started to leak gas
Paul great Video and great shape man . I'am 71 old now and back to ride BMW R1150 Adv, after no motorcycle activity during 18 years. Leave long, drive safe and go as far you can breath .
Paul, I watched your video today, 8 yrs after you first published it. At 69, I found it very informative. Thank you very much. I hope that you and your family are doing well. I like to think that you’re still riding. Thanks again!
Paul. Thank you for a great how to. For newbs or experienced riders. The Harley technique was a great tip. I'm tiny. 5', and I had to use that method. Yes, New bike, forgot to put side stand down. Really appreciate this effort! Ride safe, keep the rubber side down..
Nicely done! I'm also someone your age and statute and I dropped my 1978 Goldwing at a traffic light in Manhattan; to my embarrassment, and not paying attention (this was years ago). Fortunately, after the bystanders stopped laughing, they saw me struggling to get it up and came to my rescue! So, I'm so glad to see your tips and video on this subject! I did have crash-bars on and was little to no damage, except my foolish pride lol! Thanks again for sharing! 👍
Hey Paul. I just happened to stumble across this video of yours. I own a Royal Star Tour Deluxe which weighs in at 844 lbs. with a tank of gas and a 29 and 1/2 inch seat height. I tip the scales at 145lbs. and am 61 years young with 30 inch inseam. Not much leg extension with feet down. The bike is probably, in reality too much, too heavy and too big for me but I love all that it offers when I ride which is often. Watching your video, with easy explanation and example has given me much needed confidence. My big fear has been falling over as you said, while stopping or at low speed maneuver. Although it would be extremely embarrassing, I will now be able to save face by picking it up myself! Never too old to learn. Never too old to teach. Thanks for taking time to share.
Hello I just started rideing again at 67 on an ultra with two new knees and a hip last week, the scissor Jack will be a good additive, though I'm ok with waiting for help, thanks
Thanks for taking the time to do this. I came across this video before buying an Electra Glide and thankfully took the time to watch. The knowledge became useful. Thank You!
Outstanding video! It was very informative, and very well presented. I saw another similar video, with a smaller woman using the Harley technique, and she raised the bike rather easily, so that method does indeed work for virtually anyone. I don't remember offhand what bike she was raising, but it was one of the heavier cruisers. I really like the jack idea for the larger bikes. Adding the small bracket was very inventive. You've probably learned some of these things from experience, and I truly hope those experiences were a one time only. Enjoy your rides, and be safe!
Great video Paul! I am disabled and these techniques are very helpful! I too am in my mid sixties and really don’t like the ride of a trike,which I have been looking at. Now I feel like I can still do two up without any problems!
great teaching!! my MSF class didnt teach us how to lift up a bike to my rememberance. but this was a blessing to watch even if i dont ride one i can always help someone else. Bike i ride 2002 Suzuki Kitana 750f. God Bless you
Thanks Paul ! Great Demo ! I'm a shorter guy 5'7 and have ridden an FX since '78... JUST got an FLHX and what a difference in weight and balance! Could pick up the FX with not much of a problem but the new FL is about 300 lbs heavier plus the seat is too high for my leg length... A new seat is on order! When just moving the Bike around I ran into the ooops here it goes... gently down... picking it up was another story! Well got it up again... The front brake clamp is a good idea so as not letting the Bike roll as is being in gear. THANKS! I thought I was the only one thinking about making a modified jack! Yours is a great MOD! Might I suggest, as long as you're carrying the Jack, cut a few pieces of 2x6 to make some blocks, just in case you're in soft ground so the Jack doesn't sink and you can use them to "chock up" the Bike while Jacking or taking a break as you go... You can always use them as a Jiffy Stand base too!
Thanks Paul, I'm 57 with a weak back and just upgraded from a lifetime of Sportster's to my first Electra Glide. As luck would have it a block from home I was tired and was getting ready to make a left turn and made the rookie mistake of hitting the front brakes at low speed with the bars turned add a little sand on the road and I had a slow motion left side drop. So I shut the motor off and then the petcock just to be safe and tried the Harley Davidson method without luck. Lucky for me a local Deputy sheriff stopped and blocked traffic he said he did not he same think on his Road Glide and helped me lift it. So after your video I don't feel as bad getting help. Ordering my jack , what a great idea. Thanks again
Was in that spot today on the Blue Ridge Parkway.....waited 10 minutes before someone showed up to help lift the beast.....1200 lbs fully loaded mind you. Took 3 to get it up. Excellent video and thank you for taking the time.
My 83 year old Father refuses to stop riding his HD Roadglide here in Colorado. He drops his bike roughly two times a week during the warmer months. His solution is to pop the top on a V-8 low sodium of course and wait for a passerby to help. He called 911 once and the Colorado State Patrol showed up, took some pictures, listened to a couple of stories and got him on his way. Be careful out there.
Hi all. There is now something called "landing gear" that stabilizes motorcycles at low speeds and prevents tip overs. Look up "leg-up landing gear" or "Korean landing gear"
Thanks Mr Chadwick! I dropped my 2018 115th Anniversary CVO ULTRA LIMITED on the right side the other day. I was in first gear in a slight turn and down it went! I couldn’t pick it up (944 lbs) so I waited for a couple of guys to show up and help. I just learned a lot from your video including the scissor jack! I’ll be modifying one just like it this week to carry in the tour pak! Thanks a million!
The Harley style list is all in the technique, and I see your problem with it. You have to get your butt down against the SIDE of the seat that is down, so that means you have to really crouch down and your legs are out in front on you more, not under you, to get down that low. Grip the handlebars with one hand and with the other hand, grab something on the bike that is unbreakable and as LOW as you can reach. Then you walk backwards and the bike slowly comes up. My husband has an Ultra Classic and I'm a 5'2" 135# 63 year old woman and I can lift it this way. Granted, it's not easy and I wouldn't want to do it on a regular basis, but in a pinch if something would happen to my husband, I can lift it myself!
I am a full 1'1" taller than you. I guarantee if I were on gravel I wouldn't be able to get the leverage needed to walk the bike back. I like the jack idea for a situation like this. Sometimes height has it's advantage but I wouldn't think so here. Legs are too long.
You don't give yourself enough credit. You've told yourself you can't do it and you haven't tried. 'Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.' - Henry Ford
your all trippin ya lock the brake n turn wheel to downed side then grab downside handlegrip faceing the bike and squat and use your legs to lift less likely to over lift and flop her on the other side n i only know this from getting my ass handed to me n still haveing to right the bike n not on the pavement out in the sand gumbo ect. and it was an 82 gl500i modified n stripped down to 420 lbs and it is still a bitch to do
Good/perfect technique *helps* but only if you have sufficient strength and flexibility to execute it. The 'good' thing about a tip-over on a big bike or dresser is that it likely has crash bars. Aside from the safety aspect, they also limit the angle of the bike when its on its side. The 'Harley' lift method uses your legs more than your back which is a very good thing. With a big bike, you don't have to squat as low to pick it up. A LOT of people couldn't do this if they had to squat so low that their shins and thighs were at a 45º angle or less. People who could use the 'Harley' method on a big bike might have a lot of trouble on a mid-size or larger sport bike because it would probably be lower to the ground. Technique can make the difference, but it's still a YMMV situation. That modified jack is a stellar idea!
I had to like and subscribe. Simply for the facts that a 70 years, young man is willing to lay over not just one but, two Harley's. Purely for the purpose of teaching others. Weather your methods are to the liking of others, or not, is of little consequence ! The BIG PICTURE here is: Your method works and your willing to risk it, for the sake of other people whom you will never even meet. Mr. Chadwick, you sir are a very rare individual. Thank you for posting this video.
Thanks for demonstrating this! I appreciate you showing how to pick the bike up when it’s dropped on the left side. Most of the videos I’ve seen show the bike dropped on it’s right side and they’re able to use the kick stand. The times I’ve dropped mine it’s always been on the left side.
Great video. I recently dropped my Ultra twice in one day, once on each side. I was able to bring it up by myself using the back-up technique. After watching your video, I have more ideas, and I'm definitely going to start carrying a modded jack with me. I don't have highway pegs installed, guess I'll need those too. Thanks again.
I am just a kid at 62 and have only been riding 50 years, but I found your suggestions very helpful . . . especially the scissor jack . . . I'll be getting one for my Tour-Pak.
I bought a 2008 Ultra Classic, I am 57. The day they delivered it, I had the mechanic who brought it help me lay it down onto a tarp. I used your technique and picked it up. That's 841 pounds,
how to pick up a ninja 300. grab any handle with one hand and pull :P lol . I always wondered how those things were picked up though. liked and subscribed :)
Thankyou Paul for a really good video....I am 68 newish to bigger bikes after 5 years on a lightweight BSA.....Hope I never need to use your tips....but great to have the knowledge. Nick in England.
Some of the best advice and techniques I've seen. Scissor jack is an excellent idea. Gonna have to borrow that one. Excellent video brother. Safe riding and rubber side down.
The coolest technique I ever saw was in the early 1970's, an elderly gentleman dropped his Harley crossing railroad tracks (I lived in a town with rr tracks down the middle of the main street and often saw people on motorcycles and bicycles fall down crossing the tracks wrong.) Before I could get over to him to help, he cranked the front wheel, held the front brake, then slowly slipped the clutch out (with the engine running) and the bike stood itself up.
I am 71 and my bike is a boss hoss with bags and fairing it has a 400 hp V8 Chevy engine on it . I have NEVER dropped my bike yet ,but if I do , The way I would get my bike back up would be -------- (GET HELP !!!!). Really I seen a lady about 55 years old 115 lbs 5'2" riding her ultra classic new bike, demo herself picking her own bike up in ft Lauderdale FL. Amazing !! She was a medical doctor.
Just saw this. I've dropped my Bike twice in the last month. I have a steep driveway. Couldn't get it picked up. It use to be easy. A few operations on my legs, heart surgery, and a bout with cancer and I'm just not as strong as I use to be. For sure I'm getting one of these jacks and modify it . Thanks. My bike is an 07 Ultra.
Red ninja, perhaps reading comprehension isn't your strong suit. You'll get older one day too, Not very nice being a jerk to someone who stated they had heart surgery and cancer. Karma's a bitch, good luck in your future.
I learned the following from a Motorcycle Policeman demo during 2014 Sturgis rally. Walk backwards towards the bike on the side that is laying close to the seat. Reach with your arms and grab hold of the bike somewhere near the seat, preferably the frame, keep your back straight, keep walking backwards as you straighten out the bike, use your legs for power, not your arms or back. Worked for me on a Honda Shadow 1100. Takes little effort.
Just had to watch this. Never owned a bike but worked with a bunch of bikers for a while. One of the women there had a bf that owned some machine that was only named in undertones. One day she declared that her boyfriend was pissed because she dropped it on a beach, in the sand and now he wasn't speaking to her. Never heard the expression 'dropped' before but from the deadly silence that followed, it must have been serious. Words like 'stupid bint' and 'she still lives?' could be heard. Now after all these years I can see what she did. Thanks for posting.
Yep, great sense. The problem is HD isn't know for being perceptive. From misjudging their customer demographic, to continually producing under powered machines, they just don't get it. To be fair, HD aren't the only ones needing a wake up call. Ducati and Triumph have got the message (?) Check out their Diavel and Rocket 3. The chap demonstrating in the clip should be given a job in HD Research and Development Section.
Good video I never thought about using a jack! I am kind of a small guy 5'6"ish about 180# and ride a 05 Road King and you are absolutely correct in saying if you haven't dumped it you will ! lol I've been riding most of my life (54 yrs old) but once my bike gets over just a bit to far there is no way can I hold it up so I just lay it over easy, 5 times in the past 7yrs only one time I couldn't get it back on two wheels all other times I was so embarrassed & kind of shocked it went over the Adrenalin kicked in a snatched it up and of course there always seems to be a group around watching when it happens lol I was never taught the correct way to pick it up until a few yrs after I bought it but NOW I am going to buy a scissor jack!! that is a great Idea! I have the crash bars & highway pegs on it already because I KNOW it will happen again & I don't think I could lift it any more Thanks for posting-Two thumbs up!!!
As a very new biker (6 miles total), I'm very grateful to find your valuable video... for an issue I've been worried about. I just ordered "highway" bars a few days ago (Dennis Kirk) for the front thinking this may help should I ever lay my bike down. ('95 Harley Bad Boy Springer Softail) THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!
PAUL , I SEE THIS VIDEO WAS MADE IN 2015 MAKING YOU 74 NOW AS I WA ON 8/2/2019 . I HOPE UR STILL WELL AND GETTING AS MUCH WIND AS POSSIBLE . THE BACKGROUND APPEARS TO BE IN ARIZONA WHERE I LIVE SO RIDE ON AND B SAFE MY HARLEY-DAVIDSON BROTHER IN ARMS !!!
Thanks for the demonstrations! I have thought about this quite often, never thought about packing a jack....Last time the bike was down it was in a traffic mishap and someone from a car jumped out to help....between that and the adrenaline from the accident, bike came right up...but after I realized I probably would have been hosed if I was alone.... One last thing -- I cant help mentioning it -- when your wife shows up you say "Come here Eileen".......at that moment the song from Dexy's Midnight runners popped into my head and I sang it out loud...LOL
Yup. Went into the convenience store and cane back out to find my bike down on its side. I suspect the Jiffy Stand was not all the way down when I got off. After trying to lift it myself and hurting my back, I manned up and went back in the store to recruit some help. Fortunately I found a good strong young lady to help me out and we set it upright. As I was saying thank you , she jumped into her car and drove away. Hi-Oh Silver, Away !!!
Agreed at 70 years ( which happens to be my age also) Its time to think of the safety of yourself as well as others, The Trike will do it nicely Well said Confederate Son, No shame here
Good Stuff sir. Just an FYI for those who look around for such things. The 86-91 Rx-7's have an aluminum scissor jack from the factory. LOT's lighter than the steel ones, and should easily pick up a large bike. Keep it shiny side up, and between the ditches!
THANKS FOR THIS VIDEO. VERY INFORMATIVE, I DROPED MY BIKE AND HAD TO WAIT FOR HELP TO PICK IT UPRIGHT. HOPE I NEVER DROP AGAIN, BUT NOW I KNOW WHAT TO DO.
Skip LeGrady ... WHEN YOU USE ALL CAPS, YOUR SPELLING ERRORS ARE MAGNIFIED. FOR INSTANCE, A COWBOY MIGHT SAY, "I ROPED A CALF." BILL CLINTON MIGHT SAY, "I GROPED AN INTERN."
It's been demoed already on YT. While the GL is heavier, it's weight and center of gravity are much lower than most H-Ds and other big bikes. The GL's crash bars also similarly limit the angle of the bike when on it's side. That makes the weight difference of very little consideration. Paul's 'Harley' method works well on the GL, too.
thank for the jack method which as an engineer of 64 yrs is what i had in mind but did not know of the foot pegs this solves my problem as i have a back problem and can not myself lift it without pain most grateful to you in showing your method its will be of use on my goldwing 1200 sei which i have just imported from the states. thankyou. jtl
A more proper technique would be to place your butt on the seat and use more of your leg strength to rotate the bike. I've used this technique before and I'm only 145lbs.
But your not over 6' tall I assume. I am 6'3" and it would be harder to get the leverage needed. This fella looked over 6' and considering his age, he wasn't going to push it.
I'm 6'1" and broke five vertebrae in my lower back in a motorcycle accident years ago. So, lifting is a huge problem for me. I dropped my 2012 Ultra Classic (exactly the same as the second bike in the video), placed my ass on the seat, used my legs to push against the seat, the bike popped right up! So, unless your inseam is a LOT longer than mine, 34", then you can do it too.
Just payed my down in a parking lot that was on a angle. Tried to get it up and no cigar! Someone ended up helping me. When I got home this video helped me with what to do in case it ever happens again. I’m also a senior so this was epic. Thanks a million
Good to hear that the emergency services are also good in the US. Here in the UK they are willing to help with almost anything, particularly the fire department who are not as busy as the police and get fed up with drinking tea when their are no fires.
Thank you for the "bike pickup" demonstration and for sharing Paul! Hope to be able to pickup my 2010 Ultra Classic limited - think it weights over 900 lbs.
You have good intentions but Wrong info you can really hurt your back picking up a bike that heavy like that. You need to put your butt against the seat start lifting and walk backwards at the same time . You Would be amaze on how easy it is to do it that way!
ME BEING 74 AND RIDING WELL OVER 60 YEARS , NEVER IN MY ENTIRE LIFE HAVE I HEARD THE WORDS < JIFFY STAND > !!!!! IT'S A KICK STAND , ALWAYS HAS BEEN ALWAYS WILL BE !!!!!
Paul, thanks so much for posting this video - very inspirational on a couple of levels. I ran into this situation yesterday after only having my bike a couple of days. Fortunately, I got some help from somebody who happened to be passing by, but afterward it made me wonder 1.) did I make a mistake buying a bike I can't lift and 2.) does this only happen to me? You helped convince me to get back on and keep riding my 05 Vulcan 1600, that it happens to everybody, and that the next time this happens there are things I can do to put the bike back up and back on the road. And the other inspiration. I'm pushing 60 here and I really didn't want to give up riding yet, so here's your wave in passing, brother - thanks again for the solid tip. Be safe.
Good Job Paul. I dropped my UCL one time in the garage and had to get my wife to help me get it back up. It was fairly new in 2011 when it happened and had no idea of these techniques. Not even Harley. Not my first bike or first Harley but my first UCL. Thanks for the tips and for posting this for others.
Great Video Paul , thanks . I was struggling to get a grip on something firm with my left hand when lifting and found using a soft tie (strap for tying down a bike) around the saddlebag guard , then looped around my wrist made the lift much easier , I also carry a small light tarp strap to bind the front brake to the grip.
