Road Bike Suspension Tuning

Harley-Davidson knows how to properly lift a fallen motorcycle: video instructions

In most of Russia, the motorcycle season has long ended, but there are places in our vast country where motorcyclists feel at ease even in winter. There, if snow falls, it is considered force majeure. We are, of course, talking about the south of the country: where the city of Sevastopol, the city of Sochi and other southern Meccas for motorcyclists are located, where ride two-wheeled vehicles most of the year.

But, despite the favorable climatic conditions, bikers should not relax here either. After all, you never know what can happen along the way; an emergency situation can easily turn into a real accident. This means that the motorcycle will end up on its side. And it’s also good if only the hardware suffers, and not the rider. But here a pressing question immediately arises: how to lift a fallen bike? Harley-Davidson explained how to lift even a heavy motorcycle. It is interesting that even a fragile girl can cope with such a task. So let’s remember it and remember it!

First , make sure the engine is turned off. This may seem obvious, but a person is often disoriented after laying the motorcycle on its side, it may not be clear to him. This way you will prevent engine overhauls due to oil starvation.

Step two. If the motorcycle falls on the right side, lower the stand. This will save you if you overdo it a little when climbing, and the bike starts to fall on the other side too much. If the fall occurs on the other side, where there is no stand foot, control the lifting of the motorcycle more carefully, watch the lifting angle.

The third important detail is to make sure that the gear is engaged. This way, your bike won't leave you anywhere once it's on its wheels.

Attention! Ignoring any of these nuances may lead to another fall!

How to put a heavy motorcycle on wheels, even if you are a fragile girl?

If the motorcycle is lying on its right side.

Sit on the edge of the seat as close to the front edge of the bike as possible. Grasp the steering wheel with your left hand, and with your right hand, grab the frame or structural element from behind that will not come off, such as a seat.

We begin the climb. Important! Never lift the bike with your hands or your back. No force needed here. The idea is to lift the couch potato using the strongest muscles in your body—your legs.

Here's what it looks like in the video:

Video taken from YouTube channel Motorcycle Shows in 4k

Walk backwards with your feet until both wheels touch the ground. The bike will still be at an angle when this happens, so you're not done at this point.

Lower your butt to the center of the seat, grab the grip with your right hand, if you feel uncomfortable, continue to push the bike with your feet.

If you have a tall bike (or are too short), you may need to sit lower on the seat to continue lifting the bike further. Visually control the rise, and once the bike is upright, it will either rest against the kickstand, or, if the kickstand is on the other side, you can easily grab the standing bike and roll it to safety.

As you can see, with this lifting technique, the 7th grade physics course works for you. The simplest system of levers - and how effective!

Good luck on the roads! Don't fall and always stay on horseback!

007_MOTO_0810_054

A convenient way to evaluate the range of operation of the suspension is to snap a plastic clamp onto the feather, allowing it to move freely.
A convenient way to evaluate the range of operation of the suspension is to snap a plastic clamp onto the feather, allowing it to move freely.

BRIEF GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Handling is the ability of a motorcycle to respond to driver commands. The faster and more accurate the response, the better the handling.

Stability is the ability of a motorcycle to stay on a given course and return to this course after external influences (road irregularities, wind, etc.).

Stiffness is the ability of the suspension and frame elements of a motorcycle to withstand loads that occur during movement, such as, for example, twisting of the fork during braking.

A shock absorber is an element designed to dampen vibrations in the suspension. On modern motorcycles it is always hydraulic.

The elastic element absorbs the forces arising from the action of road irregularities on the wheel, as well as dynamic changes in the motorcycle’s weight distribution during acceleration, braking and cornering. As a rule, this is a steel coil spring (but there are also springs, torsion bars, compressed gas, rubber dampers...).

Compression is the suspension stroke during which the elastic elements and shock absorbers are compressed.

Rebound is the suspension stroke during which the elastic elements and shock absorbers are released.

Spring preload is the force with which the spring is compressed in the suspension element at rest.

front fork (telescope) is the most common type of motorcycle front suspension. It consists of two stays (right and left), in which a hydraulic shock absorber and a telescopic spring are installed, and two traverses - upper and lower.

Suspension travel - the value is measured along the vertical travel of the wheel axis. However, the suspension element itself can have either more (front fork) or less (rear shock absorber) travel.

Road Bike Suspension Tuning

Personal experience of lifting a light motorcycle

Considering that I have a ybr 125, which weighs about 120 kilograms. There were never any problems lifting it. We just take it and lift it :-). But it turns out there are whole instructions on how to do it correctly. It may be useful for girls, because... They have less strength.

1) Turn the steering wheel so that the front wheel points upward.

2) Find a fulcrum at the steering wheel, feet shoulder-width apart. We take the handlebars with both hands and slowly lift the bike.

3) Do not overdo it so as not to drop the motor on the other side, because... As soon as the motorcycle is more or less level, set the kickstand and park it.

This is what such a rise looks like in photographs:

Part one. Overcoming mental barriers.

Perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of being a jerk is the fear of "Busting Your Ass" (BYA), as scientists call it. This is a very real and probable occurrence associated with goat riding, other stunts, and motorcycles in general. Here are some tips: 1. Start small. You are not Harry Rothwell, and you may never be. So don't rush until you know you're ready. 2. Never confuse your intentions with your capabilities. See point one. 3. Wear protection. I always wear a helmet, gloves, boots, jacket, and back protection when riding. In fact, it pays to dress entirely in leather. If you don't wear all these things, and you fail at being a goat, you will become scarred, deformed and unattractive to the opposite sex.

How to lift a heavy motorcycle from the ground

But the situation changes when you have a big bike. It will no longer be possible to lift him behind the wheel. Therefore, we need to act differently.

1) Turn the steering wheel so that the front wheel points to the ground.

2) Stand with your back to the side of the motorcycle and sit on the saddle. At the same time, the legs are 30 cm apart from each other. The knees are bent.

3) Hold the steering wheel with one hand, and the passenger holder or any other convenient place with the other.

4) Then we gradually move back. The motorcycle is behind us. Those. We're essentially lifting him up with our butts :-).

5) As soon as you see that the bike is almost level, place it on the stand.

6) Do not overdo it, so as not to drop the motor on the other side.

Here's what lifting a big bike looks like in pictures:

Part two. Equipment.

To goat, you first need a motorcycle. Any will do. Personally, I have a friend who rear-wheels his GoldWing. For simplicity, I'll assume you're riding a sportbike, although the process is the same for any bike. Crossbows are good for goats because they are cheap to fall on. In this regard, it is also convenient to borrow motorcycles from friends.

Here are questions to ask your bike: 1. Are you in good shape? 2. Does your throttle turn easily? 3. Does your clutch work well? 4. Do you have a working rear brake in case you save my ass?

If there is even one negative answer, you should find a new motorcycle. If your bike isn't responding, don't worry, they're usually eerily quiet.

Dangers of the above tips on how to raise an enduro motorcycle

The above tips related to lifting the bike from a relatively flat surface. But if the bike fell into a puddle or mud, or there was gravel and pebbles. Then you won't be able to lift the bike so easily. The wheel may slip when lifting.

Actually, it’s difficult to advise anything specifically. But always think before you act! So that the spendthrift doesn’t crush you. You can somehow fix the wheels so that they don’t move anywhere when lifting and calmly lift the motorcycle.

In general, of course, I wish everyone not to drop their horses!

From the gas or through the clutch?

There are different ways to lift a motorcycle onto its rear wheel. I call these combinations. I propose to consider a method of lifting the bike onto the rear wheel through the clutch. This method also has different variations, let’s consider everything sequentially. You can often hear a lot of debate, but which is more correct: lifting the motorcycle from the gas or through the clutch? Here you need to understand that lifting the motorcycle off the gas is a very limited range of the engine. Whereas, when working through the clutch, you set the number of revolutions yourself by releasing the clutch and transferring them to the rear wheel. If everything sounds so easy, then why is there this controversy? Because in reality, in reality, everything is somewhat more complicated.

Errors that prevent you from lifting onto the rear wheel.

Let's look at the most common ones, based on my experience. The first is the wrong grip. Namely, a grip that is not set or set incorrectly prevents accurate dosing of gas. In turn, the sharp and jerky operation of the gas makes you nervous. The next thing is to simultaneously open the gas and release the clutch. This results in a dip at the beginning of the climb and the bike shooting up after it. Here, slow, smooth release of the clutch. Just like in the previous example, the bike ejects with a delay.

How to pick up a fallen motorcycle and turn it around?

A motorcycle is not a bicycle; you can’t just sling it over your shoulder. For most motorcyclists, the fall of their unit is equal to a heart attack, as thoughts immediately run through them about possible repairs and scratches on the body. Only later, after a quick inspection and a liter of valerian, the question arises, how to lift the motorcycle so as not to cripple it even more, and also without tearing off your loved one’s back?

I remember my first attempts to lift a heavy road bike, after it could not stand on the side stand, which went into the sand and the motorcycle nicely lay on its side. I had never dropped such a heavy unit before, and I was ashamed to call Chip and Dale for help. It seemed to me that I was giving birth while I was trying to lift him, and after about an hour of persuasion, “Come on, a little more!” I just wanted to give up and call a tow truck.

It is possible to lift a motorcycle using only your arms and shoulder girdle, provided that it is really small and light.

But if you try to restore the vertical position of something sofa-like in this way, then you can say goodbye to your back, and there are legends that the back is a necessary thing.

The strongest muscles in the human body are not in the arms, but in the legs. Moreover, as when riding, we control the motorcycle by squeezing it with our legs, but not with our hands, then we will have to lift it with the help of our legs. The principle of leverage, with which some were ready to turn the whole world upside down, will help lift a motorcycle. The best support point in the human body is the lower back. Therefore, no lifting with your arms, but only back support and leg strength!

• Stop the engine if the motorcycle is running
• Unload the motorcycle from excess attachments, bags, cases
• ​ Prepare for lifting, align the wheels, fold down the step, change gear
• ​ Rest your lower back on the most comfortable point, most often this is the base of the tank
• ​ Grab parts of the frame with your hands to hold it and help yourself
• ​ Spread your legs not too wide and not too far, so that it is convenient to rise
• Gently, swinging upward, push the motorcycle

I note that sometimes, to celebrate, the driver literally throws up the motorcycle and... knocks him over on the other side! Do not do it this way. I personally know a pilot who, precisely because of this trick, bought a complete set of plastic for his liter sportbike instead of replacing one side. Control the rise of the motorcycle by walking slowly towards it as it rises.

Correct landing.

The seating position on a motorcycle is also very important. Try to hold on with everything you can and cannot, your knees are pressed in static tension to the tank, but not too much, your left leg is holding on to the footrest, your right is on the brake. Your arms are tense, but it is important to watch your hand and control the amount of gas. This is, perhaps, the very minimum of correct landing. The body, in a good way, should strongly help lifting onto the rear wheel, but it is extremely difficult to immediately put it into operation. Therefore, it is important to follow the minimum landing recommendations so as not to mess up the lift.

How to quickly turn a motorcycle around on the spot?

The problem of a standing motorcycle turning around, when there is no room for maneuver, happens either in a very bad fall, or in off-road travel conditions, when the terrain makes it impossible to run around with a heavy motorcycle.

A method that works in 80% of cases.

Yes, before you do this, look around to be sure that you won’t make things worse by getting caught on something, tripping, or getting your footrest buried in the mud. Works ideally on tall motorcycles and side steps, with a center stand you will have to put in more effort.

• We remove everything unnecessary, bags, trunks
• We grab the steering wheel with one hand, pushing it to its extreme position, and with the other hand we grab part of the frame
• We lean the motorcycle strongly towards ourselves so that its weight rests only on the stand, the front wheel and you. If the footrest is central, then you need one end of it to come off the ground
• Using the footrest as the main point of support, we move the motorcycle on it around its axis

Part five. To press the clutch or not to press the clutch?

If your bike has a lot of power and/or light weight, you don't need a clutch, you can just lift the front wheel with traction. GSXR-750, Bandit 1200, Blackbird (my bike), TL1000, VTR1000, R1, ZX-9 and many other bikes with a ton of torque and not too heavy, can be lifted simply by turning the throttle too much or not too much. Quickly close and open the gas, and the front wheel will rise into the air. Other bikes require the use of a clutch (a lever on the left side of the handlebar). I guess if your bike has enough power, you don't need my help.

How to lift a motorcycle

Often comrades are afraid to travel on a motorcycle, especially alone. And the main concern is not to raise the equipped horse in case of a fall. From this problem a short video was born:

• Journey,
• motorcycle school,
• fell,
• a fall,
• enduro

• Pazukha
• Alexander
• December 3, 2021 at 6:54 pm
• 3
• ?
  

  Comments (55)

• PR0SPER0

December 4, 2021 at 9:00

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• Stasentius
• December 4, 2021 at 10:50 am
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• PR0SPER0
• December 4, 2021 at 11:03 am
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• borisovich
• December 4, 2021 at 11:21 am
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What nonsense. The technique of lifting a heavy motorcycle is a technique like riding, counter-steering and progressive braking. If you can’t lift it, does that mean it doesn’t suit you? With the same success, one can say that a motorcycle school is from the evil one, and riding should be “by itself”, “in the blood” and other nonsense. And the last question: if you are a girl, then what? Not driving anything at all? If you follow your logic, then yes. If you follow the logic of the author of the post, then a girl needs to clearly know the technique and then she can do everything without any problems:

• Takeda1977
• December 4, 2021 at 11:32 am
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• December 4, 2021 at 11:37 am
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Golda is 408 kg and the girl is 60 kg.