How do i handle the weight?
Discussion
Ive given up my 700 and gone back to a 125 ( and looking at a buell) as i cant handle the weight of a proper bike.
Im 80 odd kg and quite slim and i really want a bigger bike but i find it so difficult to move around the garage and struggle to catch it if anything happens out on the road.
So what do other smaller lads do with a big bike?
Im 80 odd kg and quite slim and i really want a bigger bike but i find it so difficult to move around the garage and struggle to catch it if anything happens out on the road.
So what do other smaller lads do with a big bike?
Donbot said:
Not be a massive fanny?
I found practice made perfect - I'm about 70kg and toothpick arms.
Best method I've found is to keep lean angles as minimal as possible, take your time wherever possible as it's easier to catch when the pace is slower, and brace it with your hip if you need to. This is a fairly naked though, whether I could muscle a Harley round or a fully loaded 1250 GS is another matter!
If you are worrying about dropping it, see
https://www.rideapart.com/photo/3651481/picking-up...
Or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPcTqT9IsIE
Or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWrsyP1tJuM
Or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfsUZDA8CoI
As for riding with a ‘heavy’ bike, practise more and get training.
https://www.rideapart.com/photo/3651481/picking-up...
Or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPcTqT9IsIE
Or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWrsyP1tJuM
Or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfsUZDA8CoI
As for riding with a ‘heavy’ bike, practise more and get training.
Edited by Pica-Pica on Thursday 7th November 15:47
Just keep the bike as upright as possible when manoeuvring and take your time...if in doubt, get off and then get back on when it's pointing the way you want.
That's what I have to do with my '02 Mille which is notoriously tall and top heavy for a sports bike and I'm 5'6" and approx. 75kg.
That's what I have to do with my '02 Mille which is notoriously tall and top heavy for a sports bike and I'm 5'6" and approx. 75kg.
A500leroy said:
Ive given up my 700 and gone back to a 125 ( and looking at a buell) as i cant handle the weight of a proper bike.
Im 80 odd kg and quite slim and i really want a bigger bike but i find it so difficult to move around the garage and struggle to catch it if anything happens out on the road.
So what do other smaller lads do with a big bike?
Think you need to have a word with yourself, my ex missus was 5ft 4" and 65kg's and could comfortably handle any of the 200kg+ bikes I owned whilst we were together, you need to have a bit of confidence in yourself, they really won't fall over as often as you'd think, some further training on low speed handling might be an idea, you shouldn't really have any issues with most normal bikes, although the taller stuff can be awkward if you are short in the inside leg department.Im 80 odd kg and quite slim and i really want a bigger bike but i find it so difficult to move around the garage and struggle to catch it if anything happens out on the road.
So what do other smaller lads do with a big bike?
Have a look at bikes like the speed and street twins and the like, they have traditional low seats and should be really easy to handle, as should the smaller Harleys if they float your boat, they are still heavy but the centre of gravity is low.
Edited by Jazoli on Thursday 7th November 15:41
Find a bike with a lower centre of gravity?
I bought my ex-misses a Suzuki Bandit 600 after she passed her test.... kept dropping it all over the place because 1) She was short and 2) All the weight was high up. Replaced it with a 1000cc Cagiva Raptor which has a lower CoG and she was fine with it.
I bought my ex-misses a Suzuki Bandit 600 after she passed her test.... kept dropping it all over the place because 1) She was short and 2) All the weight was high up. Replaced it with a 1000cc Cagiva Raptor which has a lower CoG and she was fine with it.
super7 said:
Find a bike with a lower centre of gravity?
I bought my ex-misses a Suzuki Bandit 600 after she passed her test.... kept dropping it all over the place because 1) She was short and 2) All the weight was high up. Replaced it with a 1000cc Cagiva Raptor which has a lower CoG and she was fine with it.
I think this was the issue, it was a xsr700 i got rid of after learning on a MT07 the difference was quite amazing, i could just about handle the MT but with the XSR being taller i really struggled just moving it around and had to twist myself at a funny angle to get it moving.I bought my ex-misses a Suzuki Bandit 600 after she passed her test.... kept dropping it all over the place because 1) She was short and 2) All the weight was high up. Replaced it with a 1000cc Cagiva Raptor which has a lower CoG and she was fine with it.
Is it still in gear??? 
Im 56kgs and 5 3" and I am fine on my lowered F700GS (normal height seat) and its ~209KGs. The GS' have a very low centre of gravity (petrol tank under the seat, which probably helps)
I ride all year without too much issue, only dropped it once when the clutch stuck, but no one saw (so it doesnt count), I had the bike up in a flash; thank goodness for watching youtube videos on how to pick up big bikes when you're on the smaller side.
If i need to move it on a slope I just get off and push it (I have engine bars so helps give me other options for holding the bike).
If youre anywhere near Oxford youre welcome to swing your leg over it. As much as I love other bikes, the f700 is probably the best bike for me, plus heated grips, ABS and traction control as standard are God sends. Currently on 36K miles and going strong.
Im 56kgs and 5 3" and I am fine on my lowered F700GS (normal height seat) and its ~209KGs. The GS' have a very low centre of gravity (petrol tank under the seat, which probably helps)
I ride all year without too much issue, only dropped it once when the clutch stuck, but no one saw (so it doesnt count), I had the bike up in a flash; thank goodness for watching youtube videos on how to pick up big bikes when you're on the smaller side.
If i need to move it on a slope I just get off and push it (I have engine bars so helps give me other options for holding the bike).
If youre anywhere near Oxford youre welcome to swing your leg over it. As much as I love other bikes, the f700 is probably the best bike for me, plus heated grips, ABS and traction control as standard are God sends. Currently on 36K miles and going strong.
Edited by Dift on Thursday 7th November 16:18
Learn to handle a bike, ie manually. I find, sidestand side, grab bar and then something like the rear grab handle. It really helps having a good strong purchase on it, and you'd be hard pressed to drop it, with the sidestand down like this, even being a massive fanny.
IN garages tight spaces etc, get a bike dolly (machine mart do one for less than a £100), or try something like a Constands paddock stand on castors. helps manoeuvrability.
But definitely work on reducing your fannyness!
IN garages tight spaces etc, get a bike dolly (machine mart do one for less than a £100), or try something like a Constands paddock stand on castors. helps manoeuvrability.
But definitely work on reducing your fannyness!
Edited by poo at Paul's on Thursday 7th November 16:33
Stop skipping leg day at the gym and get on wth it..
Or, on a more helpful note, try to find the centre of balance... you should be able to hold it upright with very, very little effort.
If you can't push it easily, as said, check it isn't in gear, and check all the brakes aren't binding on.
Or, on a more helpful note, try to find the centre of balance... you should be able to hold it upright with very, very little effort.
If you can't push it easily, as said, check it isn't in gear, and check all the brakes aren't binding on.
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