This is a money tip! Fairly new rider here, I hope to never have to do this, but I filed it away just in case. I didn’t think there’s anything you can do by yourself to back out a 790lb bike on an incline.
I ride both a Goldwing with reverse and a Harley Ultra Limited. While vacationing with my wife, I rented a Harley and got into a pinch where I was facing downhill in a spot. Oops, forgot, I wasn’t on a Wing! I’ve heard this technique before about compressing the front forks and releasing the front brake to get the bike to move back. It works!! Love your videos Paul.
Wow, that was a fantastic technique! I've seen big Harley riders get into trouble with exactly this kind of incline situation. Thanks for great advice!
I’ve totally been in that incline situation before! I wish I would’ve known that brake technique at the time. Luckily I had enough room on each side that I could move forward and backward a little bit at a time and managed to turn myself around. Got it done but it was nerve-wracking and embarrassing. Thanks so much for the great info as always Paul!
It has happened to me once while at work with 3 other Sgt's I knew when I as pulling in it was not going to be good. I had to pushed up the incline. It has never happened again ha ha.
Good stuff!! I remember rocking my 1,000-pound cruiser to get out of downhill parking situations. I just bought a new Gold Wing, which has a reverse gear, and that is a lifesaver!!
Nice video Paul! And while backing up to park next to another bike, make sure you give ample room on your left-hand side to compensate for how much your bike tilts to the left while on the kickstand. (you'll lose at least a foot of space when the bike leans left)
What an excellent video. 1) small movements w/ the handlebars, 2) that front brake, .front fork technique is superb. Thanks so much. I just learned two great techniques. I'll go practice today.
Extremely helpful and instructive video!! I personally own a 2022 Honda Rebel CMX1100 DCT (can’t use a foot shift lever anymore) and backing this bike uphill is no easy task! Some would say that because it’s an automatic/manual (paddle shifters) that it should be easy, but I have to use the same technique that you demonstrated when on a moderately steep grade. Fortunately this bike has a parking brake which helps tremendously in those situations. Thank you, and I will definitely continue to practice this technique. 🙏🏾👍🏾✌🏾
Love that trick for backing up, I use it all the time. It can definitely get you out of a pinch. I think the demonstration was too short though. Can you show us until you get to the top of the hill? 😂 As always, great video brother!
I always watch out for little sticks or leaves on the ground too when pushing back. Step on one of those with your pivot foot and you might be in for a little scare 😂.
Excellent video we’re well done and presented, compact to the point lots of info in a short time. Thank you very much ! I just subscribed - looking forward to you viewing your videos.
This very thing happened to me yesterday, after leaving a friend driveway it was easy to let the roll down backward, however, when I reached the end of the driveway the bike stopped and now I had to back it up hill to get on the road. I was stuck, but thank god; to my left there were a sidewalk where I was able to escape maneuver.
Ha Ha I feel your pain but it sounds like you got lucky ha ha. Thank you for taking the time to watch and for sharing your experience. I really appreciate it.
Thanks for the great tip! I personally have quite a short inseam, so it's very difficult for me to walk the bike backwards while I'm sitting on it, as I am unable to get both feet flat on the ground. So I end up pulling forwards into the spot most of the time, and then manually pulling the bike back out when it's time to leave, which is quite annoying. At first glance it looks like it might be hard for a short rider to use your technique on a hill. But maybe with enough practice I can get it to work.
Wonder what happens with a BMW motorcycle that has anti-dive technology when attempting to back up hill using front brake and neutral gear pisition; the question, will the bike dive and bounce back to get that same reversing movement result?
That's a good question. I have to say the I don't know the answer to that one. If you figure it out let me. Thank you for watching and for your question.
Ok, who has been on a group ride and have some duck walking guy dressed up like a biker with a scowl on his face waddle right up behind you or otherwise mess things up for you?
A nice video but the techniques will only work if you’re tall enough to paddle. If you’re vertically challenged and/or a high seat height these examples won’t work. I’m 5’5” and my seat height is 835mm, 32.87”, so I can only get one foot flat on the ground or the very tips of my toes with both legs. Do you know any similar tips to use while standing next to the bike?
Yeah, that works if you’re 6 foot tall and 225 pounds and 5 foot,7 and 140 pounds I had my motorcycle lowered to inches so I can get my feet on the ground. There’s no way I can use that technique I don’t have to mass Who are the strength? Maybe when I was in my 50s I could do that but not when I’m 86
PARKING. One more reason I dont like group rides. Mainly chapter rides. It looks like a clown show by the time parking is done. And the bikes are parked leaves a vision while you are eating etc. Thats one reason I practice 90 degree turns at 5 foot rolling and from a stop. To set up the back in. I just think you should look professional while conducting ALL aspects of controlling rather than riding a motorcycle. Rant over
Ha ha what you said is so true. There are only a couple clubs I know who practice parking. Thank you for taking the time to watch and for your comments.