Picking Up A Bike?

Question

My wife just got herself a bike (Rebel 250cc).She has never road a bike before in her Life , A freind claims that if a woman cant pick up a bike she has no buseness riding it .I disagree and see a lot of ladies smaller than my wife riding some big machines ,Do you agree or disagree and what is the best way of picking up a bike .

Answer 1

There is no reason a woman should not ride if she can't pick up a bike on her own. I'm not sure if I would be able to pick up my bike if as it weighs 2.5 times my own weight. I did look around add found this site http://www.pinkribbonrides.com/dropped.html that shows women picking up large bikes by themselves, and give good instructions on how to do it. It would be good information to review.

Answer 2

For a first bike, it might be good advice. I started on a small bike (Kaw 500) and when you are on it, if it tilted past 45 degrees, it was hard as anything to right.

My dad has an ultra classic and I don't know many people who could just pick one up easily.

Instead of dumb rules like that, she should just ride a bike she feels comfortable with. You're not going to get much smaller than a Rebel if she can't pick it up. I saw a woman (looked about 120 lbs) at Rolling Thunder who was riding a soft tail deluxe and she needed help backing it into a parking space. I think that's just stupid.

Answer 3

I dropped my 800 pound Nomad a week or so ago. I'm big enough to pick it up with the handlebars. This won't work for your wife. There is a technique to doing it. you can probably find a video demonstration on youtube. you stand with your back facing the seat and squat down. You grab the bike with both hands (where depends on what type of bike) and then you stand up, using your leg muscles to lift the bike. If the bike is down on the right side, make sure the kickstand is extended so it doesn't fall over to the left.

Answer 4

I think there are some big bikes out there that would provide men with the same challenge and I wouldn't suggest they not ride. One could say the real challenge is never to get in that situation in the first place. The Rebel 250 is a great starter bike for your wife. Next time your friend brings it up tell him that he really shouldn't be driving his car unless he can pick up a corner of it while changing a tire.

Answer 5

A lot of people who ride would not be able to pick up a fallen over bike by themself if it were on its side, this includes men also . There is a trick to it , and it`s exactly as Sgiandub stated . The more experince you get the less likely tou will drop a bike, but it can happen to anyone. I`ve done it and my riding buddies have done it . none of us are begginer riders either.

Answer 6

Hmmm, have to be strong enough to pick up a bike to ride it? It's a good thing that rule doesn't apply to truckers. I doubt there's very many that can pick up the front end of a Freightliner. Besides, careful bikers very seldom have their bike down, so those guys with all the experience must not be very good riders.

Answer 7

size doesn't matter when lifting a bike. I know a woman that has a 2003 FLHTC weight about 800 lbs. She weighs 115 lbs.
The trick is learning how to right the bike properly. If it falls on the right side, pull the kickstand into the down position, have your wife squat with her back to the bike grabbing the handle bar with the left hand and the seat with her right and lift with her legs and pushing against the bike it will slowly right its onto its stand. If it falls to the left then the stand doesn't come into play and she will have to balance it when upright.
Take an AMA approved safety course or get the video by Jerry Paladino "Ride like a pro".http://www.ridelikeapro.com/

Answer 8

I disagree with your friend's statement. Some of the best riders in the world, such as Valentino Rossi (140 lbs) probably couldn't pick up their own race bikes. I have been riding for over 15 years and have taught many people to ride. As long as they have a good grasp of throttle control, and the handling of a motorcycle, they should be fine and will continually improve with more riding. The bike that your wife has selected lends itself perfectly to your wife's application. The key aspect in any learning scenario is to have the proper safety equipment and training grounds, ie large parking lot and protective clothing. As for your friend, it seems as though he may be opposed to women riding in general.

Answer 9

I agree back up to bike bend knees and grab handlebar grip that is the lowest and saddle or frame then straighten tilt and lift.
Remove any loose or removable luggage and even if you are a big burly bloke get someone to help if possible. Swallow your pride to save your dignity
Best to turn the handlebar so that the lower grip is against its stop nearest to the tank.
Unfortunately I have had to use this practice to right my bike on a couple of occasions

Answer 10

Do you thing a guy/ girl can pick up a gold wing or a boss hoss themselves. No but it does help if you can. Ok so my sister's boyfriend ended up braking his arm rollerskating and had to leave his bike at our house. Well sis thought it would be nice to push it into the garage. She ended up dropping it on her ankle and ended up in the emergency room with a bad sprain. The bike only suffered a few scratches.