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Originally Posted by crookedspoon
Just wondering: Are you able to pick up your fully-loaded dropped bike by yourself (in the middle of nowhere)?
Seems important enough when traveling far from the beaten path but my bad back just doesn't allow it. Unsure how much of an issue that could be when overlanding. (Kawaski W650, 195 kg (429 lb) (dry))
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I don't think it is essential that one is able to pick up their flopped-over motorcycle by themselves.
Yesterday, whilst riding in southern Italy, my ST 1100 tipped over on its side while I was trying to make a tight U-turn on a secondary road. 20 years ago, when I was 45, I would have been able to pick it up by myself, but I know from unpleasant experience (an attempt to pick it up 4 years ago that injured my hip and back) that I can't pick it up by myself anymore. For what it's worth, the ST 1100 doesn't fall over flat, it just leans at about a 45° angle.
Anyway - the bike was lying in the middle of the road, exactly on the centerline stripe, so I just stood in front of it and waved down the first car to come along. The driver was more than willing to help, and a few moments later, another driver stopped and got out. The three of us then set the bike upright, and I got on it and rode on.
So, as long as you plan to travel on roadways (and not way off in the forest like the picture in the post above), I wouldn't worry about not being able to pick the bike up if it tips over. There will always be helpful and friendly people around to assist you in righting it.
Michael
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