LT dead lift

[xrmattaz]

Or, "I don't want her hurt!". My story.....

Several days ago, whilst messin' with the LT in the driveway, I put her one the sidestand.....or so I thought. When I got off the bike, she listed to the left and rolled forward, me hanging on to the handlebars.

Things got bad.

She continued on over, and the weight seemed to me unbelievable, but I was NOT going to let her hit the ground! She was gently laid over, me trying to find the "tipover bar" to no avail. Resting on the sidestand offered some relief. I imagined letting go would cause the bike to bypass the tipover wings and cause major abuse to the left sidecase and fairing, so I held her up.

I've owned several dozen motorbikes in my 45 years, and am quite aware of the "get backwards and inch it up thing".....but tried this to no avail. She was not coming up.

So.....my 6'5" 220+ pound male-ness took effect, and I "wrenched" her up just using the handlebars! I was pleased at the effect, as I now had my "new" bike upright and on the stand again.....safe!

Woke up the next day to some extremely sore musculature (perhaps even moreso than the day I "rode" my quad off the back of the pick'em up truck when the ramps went south.....). Hehe.

Today, several days later.....I'm home from work with a severely tweaked back. I've two previous herniated discs, but this one is BAD. I cannot walk, cannot get up out of a chair without first getting on my knees, etc.

My baby is still perfect, but I'm a hurtin' unit.

Hopefully nothing permanent, should I have just let her fall?? Looking at the angle of the sidestand/pavement at the time, just seemed like she would have bypassed the wings and tipped on over to the fairing/sidebag??

I'm interested in your horror stories.....and bored sitting on the couch.

[Daman858]

My one and only tip over (so far) happened when I tried to take her off the center stand using the method in the owner's manual. She listed to the right as I stood on the left trying to keep her upright with all my might. Finally, she went over on the right side. I had my neighbor help me right her (bribing him with a case of his favorite adult beverage to keep quiet about this) and upon checking her out, I found only a tiny abrasion on the bottom of the crash bar. I used one of those plastic pot scrubbers from the kitchen and then some Son of A Gun and you cant see a mark!

I hope that you will be feeling better and that there is no permanent damage to you!

I have now gotten into the habit of leaving her in 1st gear, then putting the side stand down which shuts the engine off. I take out the tranny slack and then I know she will not move.

[riderup1]

I made the mistake of trying to stop mine from dropping in a parking lot with an angle to it...and my left foot ended up under the rear saddlebag as the bike slowly rolled forward. The bike went down quite softly as I felt all the tendons tearing in the ankle slowly until the ankle finally broke. Never again will I try to stop my LT from falling.....its fallen twice since and only scraped up the rubber bumper on the wing a little bit...and my ankle still hurts 3 years later..

[CWF]

Let me get this straight......when it fell the weight was unbelievable.....you have a history of back problems and a herniated disk and now after telling us you can't get out of a chair without getting on your knees first you are asking if you shoudn't have just let it fall?

Well shoot no you shouldn't have let her fall you undeserving piece of crap....it's an LT for God's sake (grin)

All joking aside...I hope you get feeling better and always let it fall!!! Better a broken bike than a broken back.

[eljeffe]

I've learned, both from personal experience and stories like this, to just let her fall. She can fall pretty hard without damage:

http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/misc.php?do=downloadfile&i=528

Here's how you pick her up:

http://2munsons1.home.comcast.net/revspickup.mov

[ranks]

3 drops, and you can't tell, unless I show you.

Let her fall. Your health is more important that some scuffed wings !!

[havnablast]

I ahd a 2000 lt. It feel once because of the slope it was on adn the side stand didn't lock. ONce I played volleyball for 3 hours and with tired, short legs I stepped in a hole and I didn't have enough lft in me to hold it up once it started leaning. They both left minor abrasions to the crash bars. I got up tight on the bike and lifted with my legs. I was suprised how light 800 and something pounds get when you're embarassed and worried about your baby. I have a 2005lt now and hopefully have learned from my mistakes. Happy riding.

[Bayliner2052]

Of all the warnings in the owners manual and stickers on the LT, they need one to tell you to let her fall.

I feel your pain, I have 3 busted disks and have correctly stood my LT up 4 or 5 times with no ill effects. Follow the directions.

[prospector23]

I am so glad to hear I'm not the only one this has happened to! I'm new to the LT, and just did a solo cross-country tour on it as my first experience on it (see my post under "Ride Tales" for details). My second day out, I was feeling pretty comfy with the bike after a few hundred miles. Too comfy, it seems. I was on a stretch of deserted desert about 15 miles east of Twenty-Nine Palms, CA on SR62 and decided to stop at a turnout to take a picture of this desolation with no sign of human habitation in sight in any direction (we just don't see things like this in the Northeast!). I popped down the side stand, hopped off the bike, then opened the top case to get out my camera. This last act gave the bike an ever-so-soft nudge forward, and it rolled off the side stand and started to list to the left. OH NO! I scooted around to catch it, and managed to stop the downward motion, but couldn't move it back up at all. After about 30 seconds of agonizing effort, and no success, my muscles started to give out and the bike started to move towards the pavement again. I now understand the term "exorable". It finally came to rest gently on the two bars fore and aft, with me standing dejectedly beside it, wondering how heavy this bike really is (I've raised a couple of others without difficulty in the past). Well, I don't have to tell you but I will anyway: I couldn't lift it myself. As I looked up and down the deserted two-lane, I realized I hadn't seen another vehicle in some time. After a while, I was elated to note an approaching cage with a woman driving and a male passenger. SAVED! They sped right by. I imagined the woman telling her husband that this might be one of those tricks that "outlaw bikers" use to make people stop so they can rape and rob them. Well, if so, the man had more sense and convinced her to turn around. I explained what had happened, and jokingly asked the guy "How's your back?". "Actually his back isn't too good," the wife says, but the guy jumps out of the car and starts LIMPING over to me and the LT! Well, with him holding onto the front brake lever to keep the bike from rolling and me pushing up again, we did it! It was only then that I remembered the advice someone on this site had given me to always park the LT in gear when using the side stand, so that's what I did, and now I do it religiously, almost never putting the transmission in Neutral. In fact, I've started that practice when parking my Harley now, too, even though the side stand has a catch to keep it from rolling forward. I've learned you can never be too safe! After I thanked my saviors profusely, I grabbed the camera to get that shot. If I could figure out how to attach a photo to this post, you could see what I mean by "deserted desert"--I only took the one shot--it looked the same in every direction!

Bill

[Lynn_Keen]

I've ridden big bikes, mostly Gold Wings, over the last 25 years. All that experience has taught me that if it's gona fall then my only option is to get all my body parts out of the way. I've also gained quite a bit of experience picking these monsters up. So, lesson learned: Don't try to stop a falling 800# motorcycle. Generally the damage, if any, will be minimal and your back will thank you!

[strsout]

I dropped my 3 times. Twice on the road, at very slow speed and with the front well turned and then ... !!!! **** Apply breaks.
I know, I know... don't tell me I should not do it. I new it before I did.
But this is I.
I didn't try to stop it.
The wife and I just jump out to the side it was falling and let it go.
The third one was new for me:
I had removed the front well for tire replacement, (my first time), and I had 'recoil' (is it a English word?) the brake pistons in order to put the wheel back.
I also had the bike complete naked. Nothing, on top. Not even the seat and not even the gear stick change were on place. I had it removed for lub and clean.
So, with the new tire on, I decided that would be a god idea to do a detail wash on the bike.

I use a screw drive to put the bike on Neutro and jump on top of it (remember, no seat) and roll back of my garage (a maybe 5% down to the street).

Guess what?: you have no breaks when you first try to apply it.
The bike start doing backwards towards my car, parked on the street, right in front my garage...
The only option I could think on that moment was dropping it side ways...
Very dumb especially because few hours later a friend of my just told me that "Remember that you will have no breaks when you push the pistons...".

[xrmattaz]

Thanks for the good thoughts and experiences! I knew I wasn't the ONLY one.....heehee.

I'm a forty five year old mountain bike endurance racer (not bragging!)....and this was the single most difficult physical challenge ever for me.

Hurts real good! Not.....

[gdroege]

Sorry to hear of your back pain. Hope it heals quickly. Most all of us have learned the hard way. When I first saw the bike, I wondered why it had bumpers! I soon found out the hard way too, but fortunately without injury other than to my feelings for the experience.

[dckotwicki]

Last year I dropped my '03 LT, thinking the side stand was down. Parked it on a crowned rode. Mis-took the side stand hitting the pavement for sull extention. It went down slowly. Addrenalin took over and I "muscled" it up with my wife... mostly me. Later that day while putting it on the center stand,I felt a pain that was similar to my right hip being "struck" by lightning. Later that night I had considerable difficulty rolling over in bed. Next morning, my wife had to put my sox on for me.

We were 750 miles away from home on the bike. I thought my riding days were finished. Back still bothers me. Will not pick the bike up that way again.

[bob_menton]

I dropped my first LT, a '99, three times. In each case I slowed its descent, but did not try to stop it. No damage to me; little damage to the LT. Replaced the black plastic tip-over bumpers, and once, the chrome saddle bag protector (more expensive, but still, not too bad).

The '02 LT has yet to go over, in 36,000 miles. I've found the secret of not dropping the LT, and generous guy that I am, I'll pass the secret on to all y'all.

It's called ..... luck (the good kind).

- Bob

[dglenn1]

My LT is on the way, maybe mid December. I am curious as to how far over from center can the bike get before its going over? Is this something you arer worried about at every stop or is it only a concern on the occasional mishap. I'll be new to the LT and new to motorcycling and I'll have to take the bike home from the dealership it will be shipped to. Just looking for as much information as possible (I should probably start my own thread, sorry if this derails this discussion.) The stories so far have been helpful. Thanks.

[fas]

[QUOTE=xrmattaz]Or, "I don't want her hurt!". My story.....

Matt,

Hope you are feeling better.

So my best man grew up in Idaho and skied white powder all the time. I grew up in Pittsburgh and thought I could ski. We're in Vale having a great time and I decide I can follow him because I am the athlete and he is "just an accountant." My wife had to take off my pants for the next few weeks as I could barely walk. I flew over a big bump, landed on my back and slid a LONG way down the hill. The airforce was so NOT impressed with my back they said I could not fly. Then comes the 800# K12 falling over IN MY OWN GARAGE as I was too dumb to fully extend the side stand and it was in neutral. I've dropped mine 3 times. Never since I started parking it in neutral. And I am very thorough about checking the side stand for FULL DEPLOYMENT. The side pieces on the bike do a great job of catching it when it hits. If you lay on the ground and look really thoroughly you can find the ding where she has landed. Very minor. My vote is let her drop if she is over that delicate line of balance. One man is not designed to hold up that much mass.

[dshealey]

You can lean the bike over maybe 15 degrees with it stopped, if you are a big guy! :D Much past that, and get out of the way!

The greatest mistake people make when they first start riding the LT (me included) is to use the front brake too hard when the bike is just about stopped, WITH THE WHEEL TURNED, even a little. That is a sure recipe for learning how to pick the big lady back up. Just make sure you know where you are going to stop, where your feet will need to come down to be sure it is a good surface, and above all, just make sure the bike is moving straight ahead with the wheel straight for that last couple of feet.

She is a little more demanding than most other bikes at walking speed, but she sure makes up for it when moving! You may grimace when stopping, but the smile returns quickly when moving again.

Don't worry about it too much though, you know, "Self fulfilling prophecy". You do get used to it though, and after a while you won't even think about it any longer unless on a rough surface.

[LJSMITH1]

I've dropped mine no less than 4 times since I got it in Sepetember. It is much more top heavy than any other bike I have ever ridden (HD's, Ninja, Yamaha, etc.). The last time I dropped it was at a stop sign with my GF on the back. We both just jumped off and let it drop. The embarassment ensued with my GF making a few choice comments, followed by an old man in a beatup Celica asking if I needed help picking it up...then a racerboy on his sport bike happens to ride by and also offers his help. Man...how embarassing is that...I felt like a total TOOL :o :o :rolleyes: ..

I have picked this bike up both ways, and if you have to pick it up facing the bike, do so with your knees bent and use your legs.

One last habit to get in to when riding this bike, use the rear brake for all stopping efforts under 5mph. As others have said here, using the front brake when rolling to a stop is a sure recipie for embarassment/injury. I even use just the rear brake when I make tight u-turns and can even allow the handlebars peg out at the lock. :D It almost feels like trick riding!

Except for these little mishaps, the K1200LT is much more fun than I ever thought possible.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

-Larry

[Hulkster]

Or, "I don't want her hurt!". My story.....

Several days ago, whilst messin' with the LT in the driveway, I put her one the sidestand.....or so I thought. When I got off the bike, she listed to the left and rolled forward, me hanging on to the handlebars.

Things got bad.

She continued on over, and the weight seemed to me unbelievable, but I was NOT going to let her hit the ground! She was gently laid over, me trying to find the "tipover bar" to no avail. Resting on the sidestand offered some relief. I imagined letting go would cause the bike to bypass the tipover wings and cause major abuse to the left sidecase and fairing, so I held her up.

I've owned several dozen motorbikes in my 45 years, and am quite aware of the "get backwards and inch it up thing".....but tried this to no avail. She was not coming up.

So.....my 6'5" 220+ pound male-ness took effect, and I "wrenched" her up just using the handlebars! I was pleased at the effect, as I now had my "new" bike upright and on the stand again.....safe!

Woke up the next day to some extremely sore musculature (perhaps even moreso than the day I "rode" my quad off the back of the pick'em up truck when the ramps went south.....). Hehe.

Today, several days later.....I'm home from work with a severely tweaked back. I've two previous herniated discs, but this one is BAD. I cannot walk, cannot get up out of a chair without first getting on my knees, etc.

My baby is still perfect, but I'm a hurtin' unit.

Hopefully nothing permanent, should I have just let her fall?? Looking at the angle of the sidestand/pavement at the time, just seemed like she would have bypassed the wings and tipped on over to the fairing/sidebag??

I'm interested in your horror stories.....and bored sitting on the couch.
The beast can put a hurting on you. At slow speed while doing drills with her I leaned her to far and try to catch her with my left leg from falling. She popped my left hamstring and couple days later the back of my leg was completely black and blue. Could not walk for several days.

Next time I just let her go. Always can buy some plastic. The beast will always win. I am 6'6" and 280lbs. Hope this makes you feel you are in good company.

Hulkster

[xrmattaz]

Yep, next time the beyotch goes down! I'm still laid up with my back troubles...will hit the ER in the morning if not much better. It's MRI time, again! Yeehaw.

Wish I had some spectacular tale concerning this incident, rather than a simple "I didn't fully deploy the sidestand, and obviously wasn't paying attention at the time".....

Going to see Carrot Top again tonight in leetle Preskit. If that skinny farger makes me laugh and hurt....I'll put the hurt right back on him. Pocket full of marbles perhaps??? Sneezing/coughing and laughing never felt so darn good!



The beast can put a hurting on you. At slow speed while doing drills with her I leaned her to far and try to catch her with my left leg from falling. She popped my left hamstring and couple days later the back of my leg was completely black and blue. Could not walk for several days.

Next time I just let her go. Always can buy some plastic. The beast will always win. I am 6'6" and 280lbs. Hope this makes you feel you are in good company.

Hulkster

[marks146]

Or, "I don't want her hurt!". My story.....


I refer you to my response to another similar post.

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showpost.php?p=18069&postcount=35

You might benefit from reading it because, "misery likes company";)

[xrmattaz]

Sorry to hear your tales of woe!

Mine was nothing more than a moment of forgetfulness/not paying attention. I saved her from any damage whatsoever, but did nasty things to my back.

Worked twelve hours yesterday, with Percodan breaks every four hours or so....today made it five hours, then had to go home for rest.

At least my baby is still pristine!! Can't ride 'er yet, but she's sitting pretty in the garage.