Rockette kick to get on bike with tail bag? Method?

[lucydad]

All,

So I am using this dismal wet cold rainy windy weather to rig up the large tail and side bags on my V7R.  However, I have found getting on the bike, since I am height challenged (somewhere between one of Santa's elves and Dwhalin the dwarf) that swinging my leg over is difficult. I note lots of pictures of bikes loaded up on racks very high.  How the heck do you get on and off the bike?  Is there a method?  Do I need to be a Rockette and do a high kick?

Ordered a large Ortlieb bag today, on sale.  It may be the best all around solution.  Probably need some attachment stays/loops too, but I will get those once I have the bag.  One of these days it will dry out enough for some camping.  Sun is supposed to reappear Wednesday. 

As always, thanks for sharing your experience!

[PeteS]

On my dual sports its like getting on a horse. Left foot on the left footpeg and swing my leg over.

Pete

[canuguzzi]

Easiest way I found, hold the left bar with left hand standing at a 45 degree angle toward the guages.

Bring you right leg back up toward your butt.

Grab the ankle with you right hand palm and fingers under your instep.

Lift and turn and your leg goes over the seat and over any bag you might have.

Practice and it is very fast, effective and no one even notices what you did.

[HDGoose]

I don't understand the question. But I sit down on most motorcycles. With legs bent.

My modifications to every bike I own is to have a custom built seat made. And adjust suspension to my weight and riding style.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I'm pretty inseam challenged, and when I'm packed up with stuff on the back, I get on from the *right* side in case my Rockette kick doesn't quite make it. I saw a guy kick over a V11S at the Wisconsin rally.. it just laid there running until we could run over and help him pick it up.

[cloudbase]

On my dual sports its like getting on a horse. Left foot on the left footpeg and swing my leg over.

Pete

This.  Easy peasy.

[wrbix]

Leaning a bit away from bike, raise R leg up like you're going to do the tailor leg cross thing (i.e. Knees not together), with right hand assist leg over seat between yourself and the tank, drop down into position.

[oldbike54]

 Drift alert  Does anyone make a ride off centerstand for the V7 ?

  Dusty

[canuguzzi]

Drift alert  Does anyone make a ride off centerstand for the V7 ?

  Dusty

If it is for when you are at home, easy way is a section of 1/4" plywood onto which you put a section of 3/4" plywood where the tires sit (screw the plywood together). The bike will go up on the stand super easy and while not a ride off, a light nudge moves it off nicely. It won't rock off by itself though.

Seems most center stands are a liability avoidance design thing. Big effort to get the bike up, sits way too high once on and a bugger to get off.

The Norge with loaded luggage is nearly impossible to get on the center stand.

[malik]

The large Ortlieb is pretty big (gigantic even). As you develop into your touring & rationalise you will likely find that you won't get anywhere near filling it. That's OK, plenty of room for temporary extras.

 I have found these Andy Strapz Smart Strapz work well for large & even awkward loads - http://www.andystrapz.com/products-details.php?productId=29&productCategoryId=17&Level=1 - I once packed an extra fuel tank (empty) on top of everything else. Nowadays, I find the large Rok straps handle the load on the seat well & are more convenient. Crossed over from the rear to the pillion footpeg (or it's equivalent on the racer). I find the stretchy end is best on the right hand sides - easier to tighten. Easy on, easy off.

For tying a load to the rear rack, I use Andy Strapz Piggyback Strapz - the wet weather gear & other odds & sods sit under the  piggyback.

As for getting on & off when loaded - bike on the side stand, right leg over the saddle, between the tank and the bag on the seat.

Mal

[charlie b]

I have to slide right foot through the 'gap' between tank bag and trunk/duffle.  I usually 'help' my foot up with my right hand.  Sliding back off is harder, resulting in a funny looking skip.

I keep telling myself I should just not use a tank bag on trips anymore, but, I like having it handy during a ride.

If the bike is on the centerstand I will stand on the left peg and then swing foot over, only if on solid surface.  I can rock my bike off the centerstand while seated.

[Sasquatch Jim]

  I just levitate up until high enough, then move sideways until over the saddle.
 Then it is a simple matter to de-levitate down onto the saddle.
  However, with my leg disabilities getting worse, I am no longer able to do this.

[catneck]

Bike in gear on sidestand. Both hands on controls. Ease off stand. Squeeze clutch lever. Start bike.
Next bit needs to take place quickly. Left foot on left peg, stand on peg, ease out clutch. Swing right leg over as you ride off.

[oldbike54]

Bike in gear on sidestand. Both hands on controls. Ease off stand. Squeeze clutch lever. Start bike.
Next bit needs to take place quickly. Left foot on left peg, stand on peg, ease out clutch. Swing right leg over as you ride off.

 Ahh , the Will Rogers/Tom Mix method , well done 

  Dusty

[mentalfloss]

Ahh , the Will Rogers/Tom Mix method , well done 

  Dusty

That is called a "Pony Express mount"!

[oldbike54]

That is called a "Pony Express mount"!

 The Pony Express might have actually worked had they used motorbikes 

 Cool , thanks for the education 

  Dusty

[fotoguzzi]

Park parallel to the curb/sidewalk you'll 6" taller.

[wymple]

I am vertically challenged, 5'8" was only seen on my best days as a young fellow. I do a Rockette kick with ease on my Cal II. It leans too far over for me to want to mount it like a horse. I do use the horse mounting technique on my GS850 Suzuki, as it stands up much straighter.

[ChuckH]

I ride with a tank bag and with my tent and sleeping equipment strapped across the passenger's seat, so I have to fit into that narrow opening on the rider's seat.  So, with the bike on the side stand and while I'm standing on the left side of the bike holding the left handle bar with my left hand, I lift my right leg and bend it at the knee so I can catch my right pant leg (Roadcrafter riding pants) with my right hand.  Continue lifting and set my right foot and lower leg on the seat and just push across the bike.  Been doing it that way for years.

By the way, Yoga three days a week really helps maintain some level of flexibility in those joints.

[sturgeon]

I'm still flexible enough to reach down and grab the cuff of my pant leg, and just lift my leg/foot over the seat (31" inseam, 36" seat height on my 800GS). But the cowboy mount/dismount works too.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I prefer to think of it as a "Chuck Norris kick", not Rockette, much more macho that way... 

Seriously though, I do as PeteS says if the tail pack/box is too tall.

[fubar guzzi]

Until most recently I always pushed my bike bout everywhere I went,do not recall havin a need to mount it !!!

[Guzzistajohn]

Until most recently I always pushed my bike bout everywhere I went,do not recall havin a need to mount it !!!

Funny Tom!

[steven c]

 This may help!
http://www.image-management.com/MobilityAccess/SpecialtyPatientLifts/Lift_Pictures.htm

[Shorty]

Dusty hit the nail on the head:  Get a center stand.

[jas67]

This may help!
http://www.image-management.com/MobilityAccess/SpecialtyPatientLifts/Lift_Pictures.htm

Just mount that on a trailer with a big boom.     Pull that behind the bike, then you can mount/unmount anywere.   

[oldbike54]

Until most recently I always pushed my bike bout everywhere I went,do not recall havin a need to mount it !!!

 Yep , and it is kinda tough to mount or dismount sans side stand 

  Dusty

[cee2cee]

This should work for you....

[ohiorider]

A little bit of satire.  Just having some fun as we prepare to leave Cody WY during a ride out west in 2011.  The hardest part of this mount-up was getting the bike off the side stand after getting in the saddle.  Stand had sunk slightly into the gravel, causing her to lean way over!  Nobody ever said Breva 1100-based bikes were light!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKZkXe6DSSc

I do wish I had a video of me getting off and on the R100GS returning home on 2009, with its "Hitler's Revenge" spring loaded side stand, that required me to hold the bike up while getting off, then putting the side stand down.  Compounded the problem when the charging system failed on the final leg of the trip, and I had to lift my leg over a car-size battery strapped to the passenger part of the saddle, all the while holding the bike up with no help from the side stand.

[oldbike54]

 Damned athletic move there Bob 




















 Especially for an old guy 


  Dusty