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KMC Safety Officer's Corner
How To Lift a Fallen Bike

Although we don't like to think about it, at some point in time we will have to lift a downed bike. There is a RIGHT and a WRONG way to lift a motorcycle. Do it the WRONG way, and you could suffer back or other personal injuries as well as causing damage to your bike.

Do it the RIGHT way and you will have no problem lifing your bike by yourself while minimizing the possibility of personal injury and/or additional damage to the bike.

In order to get the most out of this tutorial, first view the step by step pictures below. Then, watch the related videos at the bottom of this page. Finally - gently lay your bike (or better yet, your friend's bike ) down and practice this lifting technique. You will be amazed!

Thanks to Dewey Hemba, KMC Safety Officer, for providing us with this important and valuable tutorial.

Step-1
Step 1 - Turn off your bike by placing the Run/Stop switch in the STOP position
Step-2
Step 2 - If you can safely reach the ignition switch, turn it off as well. Steps 1 & 2 will minimize the chance of the bike starting while lifting it.
Step 3
Step 3 - If you can safely reach the gearshift lever, put the bike in gear. This helps prevent it from moving.
Step 4
Step 5 - If the bike is on its right side, put the jiffy stand in the down position.
Step 5
Step 6 - Position yourself on the seat side of the bike with your back toward the bike.
Step 6
Step 7 - Squat down so that your butt is against the seat and your feet are extended in front of you. Your knees should be slightly bent. This maximizes your leg strength.
Step 7
Step 8 - With the hand closest to the handlebars, grab the handgrip closest to the ground and pull up so the handlebars are turned the maximum amount. If the bike is on the right side, also grip the front brake lever to lock the front tire.
Step 8
Step 9 - With your other hand, grab a solid, firm part of the bike. Don't grab the fender because you could bend the sheet metal or cut your hand.
Step 9
Step 10 - Lean back so that there's a straight line from your shoulders to your hands to your feet.
Step 10
Step 11 - Take very small steps backwards toward the bike - 2 to 3 inches at a time.
Step 11
Step 12 - As the bike becomes upright, raise your torso so you become upright as well .
Step 12
Step 13 - As the bike comes close to being completely vertical,it should be leaning against your butt. Keep it leaning slightly against you for the next step.
Step 13
Step 14 - Move the hand that was holding the handgrip to the opposite handgrip.
Step 14
Step 15- Move the hand that was holding the bike frame to the handgrip that was previously closest to the ground.
Step 15
Step 16 - With the bike still leaning against you and each hand holding a handgrip, rotate your torso to face the front of the bike. The bike should now be leaning against your hip.
Step 16
Step 17 - Straighten out the front wheel.
Step 17
Step 18- Check to make sure the jiffy stand is down.
Step 18
Step 19 - Now let the bike come to rest on it.
Take a deep breath and congradulate yourself!
 
Video Demonstration of lifting a bike that is lying on it's right side.

To watch how to lift a bike lying on it's left side, click HERE
All images and content of this page property of Kettle Moraine Chapter - Copyright © 2009 Kettle Moraine Chapter