Moral of the story: don't buy something you can't pick up. Fits right in there with don't buy something you can't afford to lose. And, don't buy something that's quicker than your reactions. That last one was my downfall.
Sorry, but an Africa Twin is hardly what most consider a "heavy bike." Watching this just reinforced the fact that with older riders (like me), shouldn't even make the attempt to pick the bike up. The hospital bill for the hernia repair just ain't worth it. Let alone a cardiac arrest. This guy was too exhausted to ride after getting the bike back to vertical. Imagine trying this on a hot summer's day? So forget all that, buy and ride whatever you want, but just don't ride out of cell phone range. That's the rule this 70 year old rider follows.😉 Plenty of 60- and 70-year-olds around here riding 800lb Goldwing's and 900 lb. Harley Davidsons. Someone will come along to help you right the bike soon enough if you do loose your footing. If you really want to go off the beaten track, just don't go it alone.
Great idea to practice at home to see what you're up against 👍. I've done the same with my Royal Enfield Interceptor. As a70yr old woman i haven't got a hope in hell of picking it up so I use the Eastbound Motowinch( made in the Netherlands). Works well and fairly compact. Just have to make sure to pack it on top of the bike(not a side pannier) for easy accessibility. Interesting to see which method of lift worked for you.
I think the lift method has a lot to do with your height. On my old bike Honda NC 750X the bar and handle method worked well. But on the AT I couldn’t get the right amount of leverage. Fortunately the bar-only lift worked. Would have been easier if it wasn’t my 4th lift attempt 🤪
I have tried the handlebar, the butt facing the seat and both were a real struggle. I faced the bike on my knees and reached under 3/4 of my arm length grabbing something. I used my arms like a fulcrum while push and got the bike up 1/2 way and than just pushed with legs and walked it right up. Easiest method for skinny lanky taller people with bad back and knees.
Well that's one bushtucker challenge I don't want to do... I had to lay down after just watching. Very brave to do it on camera, I take my hat off to you. Ant and Dec would be very proud 👍.
Man I really felt for you. I dropped my Vstrom years ago, it's not a heavy bike compared to the AT but for the life of me could not get it back up on its wheels. Thankfully, a very nice trucker saw me and stopped to help me out. One of the things I do always carry around with me now is a velcro strap to lock the front brake while I'm lifting and I've often used the lifting method from the handlebars.
@@StormcrowIV Very good tip, I'll have to try that uhm... next Spring, we got our first good snow storm here in Montreal so the bike is hibernating now under her blanket in the garage. :)
I have a KTM 690 Enduro. I'm pretty strong and I had a hard time picking it up on the trail. Flat surface is one thing, but try on a rocky, muddy hill after 4 hours of hard riding!
Felt that. Just my two cents but the first method, if you have the flexibility is to get your rear end pushing against the seat and look upwards as it helps to keep you’re back straight but option number two is a mate 😂 enjoy 👍
Well, I guess you just proved to everyone on RU-vid that you can get it up at your age. And quite impressively too! I’ll be looking to change from my NC to the Transalp in a couple years. Now I’m curious as to how tough that bike is to pick up!
Great video. I'm 71 & had a 2016 cb500x with crash bars,panier rack with cases & tail bag rack just over 200kg & I've had a knee replacement.Great bike but couldn't pick it up with out help. Purchased a KTM 390 Adventure its capable bike. Well done it puts large ADV bikes into perspective for us older folk 😊.Well done.
I always use the method that was successful for you, point front wheel to the sky and lift with opposite handlebar. I'm 61 (so getting there!), and have dropped my T7 three times on the trails. Managed to lift it back up this way. Out of f breath but did it. I now also use a rally raided g310gs bmw. I think as we get older, small is the way to go! Thanks for sharing 👍
Thanks for doing this. I dropped my AT and couldn't lift it on my own (there was a bit of adverse camber which didn't help, but not enough to be an excuse). A mate dropped his GS (1150) and that was almost easy to get back up again, that boxer engine having a low centre of gravity is no joke.
@@AfricaTwin-Stuff I found rocking it on the cylinder head case gave me just enough momentum, but I am with you in the sense that it's a big heavy lump. I'm actually looking to get the NC750x dct, or the CB500X as my next bike, from my VFR800F
After 50 years old, we loose few mm of height every year. In addition, we loose our strength and the muscles we had... This is the reason that i overtook the Africa Twin and bought the new Transalp. Few months ago, as i was having some maintenance at my Honda Varadero, i missed few details and it laid on the ground. Despite few years ago it was very easy to lift it up again, i spend almost half an hour of unsuccessful tries to lift it (about 300 kg bike). I sold it! Now i feel much more comfortable with the Transalp, since i know that i can lift it simply myself.
correct, always with amate off-road. Chances are that you can be also wounded while falling, or fall in the mud and it would be impossible to raise the bike alone. This is a golden rule. Always with a mate!
The way you lift the motorcycle with your core and legs in this video is a valuable demonstration of an effective and back-safe technique! It’s a must-learn skill for every rider! I recommend to watch the instructional series Say No To Slow by Chris Birch, especially episodes EP12: Fallen Bike Recovery and EP13: Stuck Bike Recovery. These provide crucial insights on lifting your adventure bike in challenging situations, which are not commonly found on RU-vid.
You're absolutely right. I never ride on dirt without a mate. Tar not a problem, low risk of falling off and there's usually traffic for help. Well done.
Very true this. That's why I got rid of my XT 600 E I couldn't handle very well. I know its weight is nothing compared to an AT, but I dropped it regularly whilst trying to maneouver it in gravel parking lots. It got to the point that I asked my husband to park her out, it annoyed me every time.
During my second ride on my new Honda CB500x this summer, exactly what you showed in your last video happened to me. I had just refuelled (17 litres) and there was a heavy storm. Just as I slammed my leg over the bike I couldn't hold the top heavy machine. My foot got stuck under the engine and I had to wait for help to get out from under it again. It happened fortunately in front of my coffee shop and help came quickly. The damage was limited to a broken clutch lever. Fortunately, no physical problems. Not only the weight of the bike is important but also where the centre of gravity is.
Morning matey The handle bar lift method has always been my preferred way of picking the bike up. At 72 I’m trying not to lay it down. Fingers crossed. Heading to Europe in July for some serious twisty bits.
Thanks for the video next time I go off roading on my own I will take a cable tie and lock the front brake on. It looks like that would have helped you a lots
I am 66 years old and I ride on HONDA NC750 DCT. Nothing bad happens - by the way, the weight of Africa and NC750 DCT are almost the same. And we are both great at being able to drop and pick up a motorcycle. Life experience, the desire to live and enjoy life at our age are much more valuable than in youth. Good Luck!
I dropped my VStrom & couldn't lift it so it stayed on its side 3 days before I got help from a neighbor. Sold it & got my NC700X. If I drop a top-heavy bike away from home I'm stranded. I see girls riding 900 pound bikes & wonder if they've ever tried picking it up. I'm 67 & soon I'll be on my first small bike in 50 years. Maybe a Triumph 400.
Had the same problem with my triumph tiger 800 in the shed too had to get my wife to help me with it. Have sold it and looking a small capacity light weight adventure bike haven’t found one yet.
And that's why I'm thinking about getting one of the new Suzuki 250 V-Strom. Put some dirt tyres on it and for the type of dirt roads I do it should be fine.
I’m 53 and weigh 60 kg and only 168cm tall… I’ve had many drops with my standard Africa Twin, mostly on my own, I can normally lift the big girl up with the luggage on… I always carry a Velcro strap to lock the front brake on and leave it in gear with the side stand down. I use a different method, I face the bike get down low and push forward with my legs, give it a go, it is much easier on the back 👍🏼
Fortunately the adrenaline from a crash certainly helps. I single handedly unflipped my Honda Rincon 4x4 after unexpected traction during a power slide. No way I could do it under normal circumstances
I wonder if people should carry those lifting straps you can use for moving appliances? I wonder if they can be used in this application for leverage somehow.
Geez! I thought this was the last video we were going to see! Well done! I hope you went for a cold one after that. I like the idea of Betty's Eastbound Winch. I haven't seen one before. I can't find a retailer in SA. So, I'll have to import it. But with the value of our currency (which is something like your muscles), it'll be a big outlay. In the meantime, I'll keep riding with my mates (with big muscles 😊).
Take any luggage off you can to lighten the load if your on your own. I had misfortune to be on my own and drop my versys 650GT fully loaded panniers and top box and fully fuelled 21 litres at 0 mph, I was only 56 at the time and was on my own, took all my effort and some swear words to get it back up. Only afterwards did I think about the extra 15kg of luggage I could have removed to make it easier.
You've 20 years on me and that's something I wouldn't try unless I had to ( happened on a single track downhill lane while turning) - respect for.havong a.go
I enjoyed your video, thanks for posting. I have been thinking that I need to have a practice at lifting My Tracer 900. More for the mental reassurance that I could lift it if I needed to and partly that I know I have lost a good bit of strength after a combination of covid lockdowns, retirement and minor health issues. It only takes a second of inatention to drop your bike and we could all do it, luckely the only time my tracer was on the ground, I stalled on full lock leaving a petrol station, My two riding buddys were there to lend a hand.
Hi Adrian, Thank you for sharing this excellent video with us, I feel your pain and it does give me something extra to worry about now although Im still on my NC750 and WAS looking to change , maybe I will have a re rethink. I'm pleased you did get it in the end but I'm just imagining being out there on your own fully fuelled and loaded or even in full view of everyone for the embarrassmentof it all. Mayber my NC is safe for a while. Maybe I should have a practice like you did. Thanks mate and take care.
Well, I am 61 and 85kg, used to be 95 - 98kg and can already feel my strength is reducing. I try to exercise every day but it is as if it does not help. I did not try to lift a bike lately but I assume it will not be as easy as in the past.
I downsized from a 1500cc goldwing to a RE interceptor (not a light bike for a 71 year old) and i don't want to even consider dropping that, because I'm pretty sure sure I would need help to get it upright but that's not going to stop me riding, well done by the way for at least getting yours shiny side up by yourself even if it was in the shed.
Moral of the story - don't sell your NC750X. As a fellow geriatric I did this with my NC, reckon I could do that in sets of 20 reps if nobody was watching. Not that much lighter but the distribution.
I know what you went through to get it back up. When I had mine (before I swaped it for an NC) i dropped it in a car park with a bemused audience. It's amazing when your face is bright red, how strong you become. It's a great bike, enjoy.
I look, and it hurts...either training or selling and taking something up to 180 kg...my friend is not a solution. Well done on the post, it's food for thought.
This is the main reason I've decided not to put crash bars or panniers on my cb500x, at my age I'm really appreciating the relatively light weight of the bike.
Deja vu. Dropped mine, with a brimmed tank of fuel (that makes a big difference). Could not lift it. Got weaker every time. Eventually a taxi driver stopped and helped. Out on a trail I'd have no chance. As I'm Billy NoMates, my lovely Africa Twin had to go. 👍
Yes. It creeps up on all of us eventually. I’m still sad about the day I decided to give up dirt biking and that was 10 years ago. So it’s day at a time from now on.
Daarom heb ik mijn Crosstourer ingeruild voor een NC750X DCT. That's why I traded my Crosstourer in for an NC750X DCT. To my own surprise: I like the NC much more than the Crosstourer.
Thanks for the video, I downsized from a 2020 VStrom 1050XT to a 2022 VStrom 650 to finally a 2023 CB500X for the same reason. I miss that 1050 grunt but not the heft.
Yes that is very tuff but i've noticed it seam's to be easier to pick up from the handlebars contrary to to the usual way and i am glad you have highlighted it here
Thanks. I think it’s got something to do with the front wheel facing away. And also I can quickly have a straight back so I can use my legs most efficiently.
It’s always a good idea to test lift your bike by yourself. Just to figure out which method is the best for you, your weight and … I’m travelling with my AT for a long time now and dropped my bike several times, so nowadays I know it’s all about technique. And you definitely have to improve your technique. 😅 But respect, that you where still able to lift your bike. 💪 Good job!
... A good rule to go by it to have the dealer or seller lay the bike on the ground, if you cannot pick it up, don't buy it. . Now imagine, you are on the trail, mud, rocks, water crossing, sand, up hill or down hill, where the bike is stuck or you cannot get a good solid footing to lift the bike, etc., etc. . You are hot (or freezing), tired, fully dressed in your riding gear, then as you try to lift, something "pops" in your back, leg, knee, shoulder, etc. NOW, what do you do? . DON'T RIDE ALONE. Jeff
yeah 246kg takes a bit to get back up . I've done that with mine but not on purpose, mine got away from me when my foot slipped while i was moving it out of the way and i had to lay it down because i couldn't get back under it enough to hold it up after i got my footing back. , i would prefer not to do it again but I'm glad i had crash lower bars because it rested on them , i don't really feel bad now if i scratch it because i already did that 😭
Dang. I have not tried to lay my AT down as I am not at all confident I can pick it up. My "pro" tip is use the handlebar method you finally did try first - max leverage and max strength available at the get go. I do find that after about 3 attempts its a quickly declining curve on the strength front. I did drop my BMW GSA with a full tank and panniers (onto my very expensive mahogany garden table which then had a perfect bike profile bite out ot it and which also flipped up over the bike and hit me in the face) and even tho its quite a bit heavier than the AT was actually pretty easy to pick up as it rests on its cylinder . The AT does not feel in any way lighter to pick up than that so yep your right - ride with a mate1
I dropt my old Africa Twin 8 years ago in Sweden. A lot of Baggage an cold rain doesnt make it easier. Now i sell my 800 gs and want to buy a 2018 Model Africa Twin with Dct to try it again 😅
Too bad nobody makes clamp on wedges for the crash bars to help “lift” it by raising the angle to more like the boxer style BMW gs 1250 adventurer. To keep the bike from lying flat on its side. Maybe like a “floor board” forward style foot resting narrower than the handle bars obviously, but strong enough to prop up the bike if dropped.
I've seen people buying some gadgets that help lifting bike part way. Dropped my Super Tenere couple times. It was not fun lifting it. Usually, people rush to lift bike up as quickly as possible and that is when injuries happen. Don't ask how I know 😄
I'm 64 and just about managed my ZZR1200 at 270 kg, I never want to have to do that again ever. Needed a long lie down in some kind of recovery position. Looking now for a Z1000sx, something a bit lighter and maybe a NC750X in my 70's providing I'm still here of course.
Can feel your pain. I'm 66 this year, and am coming back after having severed my right quadricep tendon { no bike related }, after about 5 months. Did the other one, under similar circumstances, back in 2017. Bike of choice? 2023 Tiger 1200 Gt Pro. As you could imagine, dropping it, at the moment, is causing me a bit of concern. So yeah, while its killing me not riding at the moment, I need to let my head overrule the heart. And NO, i don't want to downsize, to a smaller machine.
Surely you can find one rider mate who could accompany you for runs? I dropped my bike and even with a friend we struggled to lift it as the engine tank was facing down a steep gradient. It would have been easier first trying to turn the bike on the ground so that the wheels were facing down the slope but that would have made a real mess of the bike as it was all rocky and stoney.
Ok to be honest i watched your video and when out in the garage and tried to pick up my 2016 A/T. Yup its heavy but i found the handle bar lift easy and frame and bar lift a little harder, but im 6.2 and 110kilo, so i think that was in my favour in saying this you are correct best ride with a friend. Great video. Thanks for sharing, mate.
Far out Adrian... glad the heart-attack test failed ;) My 500X with full luggage on would be a similar lift. I had to do it on Coolah Tops when the bike fell and crushed my helmet. It was also a downhill "lie". I made several attempts and began to get very anxious, then decided to sit for a while. That was when I remembered what I was shown at the MadADV off-road training day. He made us all lie the bikes down and try the various methods. Lifting by the bars, with front wheel pointing skywards, was by far the easiest way. He did show us a little different to how you did it. You were essentially "too close" to the bike for the full leverage benefit. Stand facing the bike, a bit further away than you were, basically start with your feet just outside where the left bar-end is, then lift with that good back-protecting technique that you have, walking in a tiny bit as you lift, to keep your feet under the point of most weight. I did this at Coolah Tops and it was "almost" effortless, compared to my previous, grunting efforts! and, of course, you'll always be a celebrity to me ;-)
I picked up my dr650 after it fell over in the shed the other day , I think I pulled every muscle in my body 😂😂😂. You're right, ride with a mate to help pick up the bike🎉!🎉
I've always loved your content on the NC750x (which I bought) and now following your 'antics' here:) Having owned several GS's both 1250 and 850 they are just too heavy (as you have proved with your AT) to pick up. I am now 60 and have a Crf300l Rally with a wet weight of 153kg - let's me explore solo with relative peace of mind. Wondering, respectfully, why you went for big bertha AT and not the Africa Single?? BTW did I say that I love your content! All the best//Marc
Thanks mate. The AT will be used for touring with the very occasional gravel road thrown in. Weight is good for this as it makes the bike more stable and planted. Also wanted tubeless tyres and cruise control and wanted to experience DCT.
No reason why you should believe this but when you first revealed to the World the existence of an AT in your portfolio, I clenched the proverbial as I thought of the downside, namely the new exercises required to own one! My own tiny 700 DCT locked a front wheel on a dirt track and lay down to rest but because Honda are just so damn clever, it ended-up resting on the pannier cases. So, even though mightily embarrassed, this 74 year old semi-cripple was surprised to get the job done!
Like Golf shops that let you swing a club in simulation, maybe motorcycle dealers should let you try and pick a bike up off the ground before you buy it. 😂😂. I’m glad you didn’t hurt yourself. 🎉
Hi mate you see these guys with goldwings and harleys lifting there bikes back up but they are able to get there butt into the bike and use there legs and walk it back up most have crash bars as well fitted so it raises the bike as well to make it easier you would have to be sitting on your arse then trying to get leverage from that position to try to walk it up "not gonna happen "to much weight at to lower angle trying to deadlift it im 64 and i dont think id be able to do it either .
Great demonstration of the difficulty; it does sort of seem that you're half-remembering the techniques. Now possibly you're adapting them for your dodgy knee, but both lifts were done the difficult way. First lift you need to get your butt down into the seat once the rear wheel engages and walk it backwards. You've done the easy part of getting wheels to ground but then you're trying to lift the entire bike up from above the bike (Bit like trying to pull yourself up by your bootstraps) - instead, getting down and butt-to-seat lets you walk backwards. The bike isn't going to slide away if the wheels are on the ground, so the only place it can go is up. Second lift I had hopes for but again you did it the diffiuclt way around. Turn the bars the way you did and then stand yourself to the left of the bar (in between the bike and the camera) facing the bars. Then get down into a squat and hold by the end of the bar (Again, knee might have been the issue here!), then a nice strong core engagement to protect the back and stand upright. You should be able to get it high enough now that walking forwards will bring it to the balance point. All in all, yes go riding with a mate! :D
I prefer testing on grass; less chance of damage on the bike and usually more traction for the feet. Alas; I dropped the Quota in the back country north of Ely Nevada, on a muddy road. A buddy had to lift it as I couldn't find any traction. Not sure how he did!
Being such a tall bike with a penny farthing front wheel, does make the pick up all the more difficult. I won’t buy another bike with a 21” wheel again, not to mention the handling difference.
Haha but you did it! Did the same test a while back... was so close getting it up, but had to call for the wife to give that extra little push... not embarrassing at all! :D
Glad you took the time to learn about the recovery process and challenges. Now you need to armor up and simulate an emergency exit. Or at the very least, a super crotch splitter. Maybe even a handlebar handstand?? I have done a few of those when I was younger. There is always the famous skid mark-wheelie. The things you learn when you are 10 years old.
Glad my sense of humor is still in check. The first five seconds of your video had me thinking... check your shorts. Glad it was not a real drop. In case your wondering, I have dropped both my bikes a number of times. All part of the fun. Also had a few near misses. The soft sugar sand burn-in kind. You just roll into deep sand and tilt lower and lower until you are on your side. The XR slid sideways into a quagmire rear-tire first a while ago. I am a little younger than you... but my philosophy is, if you don't crash it, you are not trying hard enough. The game is to learn the ways your bike crashes and the tactics to avoid said events. Stretch a set of whoop-de-doos by hopping off the ground. Try to clear that table-top and nose down in. Get stuck a few times and let your wife laugh it off. Jump into a lake to shed your quasi cow ka-ka skin! Have your wife video the whole event. Might be good for 100,000 views. When presented with a trail split, always take the road less taken. Gotta go. I have a honey doo-doo to do.
It's a lovely bike, but why do us Old Geezers (Me included) choose these heavy old beasts. Comfort on the highway for sure but, just imagine trying to lift that after a drop at an intersection with a whole load of Mum's in their SUVs queuing behind, late for the School run..... Shivers!
I like your sense of humour,greetings from Hockenheimring On the flat surface it just about works, but hardly a chance off-road, my respect 👍 Try the Honda NC 750, it won't be much easier or what do you think
I had to look away a few times I’m afraid as my knees and back Started to hurt watching. I have a Tenere 660. Not as heavy as your Honda. One or two drops no problem but anymore than that and I’m toast. And then there’s luggage on a trip. The wet weight of the motorcycle you buy should be one of the biggest considerations because there WILL be a time when you have to pick it up.
Agree. But having to lift a dropped bike is just one of the hazards of bike ownership. There are a lot of life-threatening things as well. But a bit of danger spices up life.
I am 60 and dropped my 430kg bike for the 2nd time in as many years (there is a message here somewhere from the Universe for me that I am going to ignore). Don't know how but I actually lifted that bike by myself up, but I am worried that I may not be able to do it next time. I bought at auction a sub 200kg (less then 1/2 the weight of my Indian) CB500X and it must have belonged to an old fart that decided to give it all away because it came, amongst many things, with one of those ratchet bike lifts. He had a bike lift for a 200kg bike. I can lift that thing with one hand and not even breaking a sweat. Anyway, I am going to that THAT lift with me on my 430kg bike anytime I go on a road trip alone. rsm8
I had a blackbird. That was 250 wet. I know exactly what your dealing with. Why i went for base model. 20 kgplus is a big difference. Your a tuff bugger really. You used your upper core.
Wow, that really surprised me. You're a big guy (6'4"??) so I was thinking it wouldn't be so difficult for you. But then again, I recently dropped my cb500X on a downhill section of gravel road and had to get help lifting it as it was facing down in the gutter. Fortunately, you're a good, experienced rider so can't see you ever dropping it with normal use.
