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[oya]

Hey,  I just picked up an esseesse9, rode it around town a bit and love it. I've made it a habit to see how I'd need to lift up a bike in case I drop it, so I removed the front turn signals, put down a blanket, and tried the usual back-to-the-seat and lift with the legs technique, but wow, I just couldn't get the leverage I'd expected. Tried from a couple angles, but the bike is so top heavy and lays down pretty horizontal that it was difficult getting my feet underneath me. Had to get a roommate to help lift a little and once I got the tires on the ground and angle up a little it was heavy, but fine.

Anyone figure out a better way? I'd hate to drop the bike on some isolated road somewhere without an assist.

Thanks!

[Crissa]

There's multiple techniques, most aimed to give you leverage.  I'm sure Don will have the specific one that works on an SS9 but have you tried these postures?



My bike is much lighter, but I have laid it down wheels up a slope.  I put my knees on the ground, lock the front brake, and pin the handlebar against the bike to give as much leverage as possible.

-Crissa

[Squelch]

That monkey lift just looks like a recipe to have the bike fall over onto the monkey's legs. I understand that it's a matter of "just stop lifting once the bike is up," but if someone is used to lifting their bike solo (and is used to that full weight) and all of a sudden they have a nice counterweight to help, the bike might go up (and over) a lot faster.

[Richard230]

My Zero with its Power Tank is really top heavy and there is no way I can lift it up by myself. So I purchased a MotoBikeJack (lots of ads in motorcycle magazines and on YouTube) that has allowed me to lift my bike easily if falls over. However, it is a bit heavy and bulky and I don't keep it on my bike, but instead in my garage, where my bike has fallen over a couple of times. If it was to fall over in the wild, I would need someone else's help to lift it. However, you might be able to make one of these relative crude devices yourself and save the approximately $100 purchase price. All you would need is a cheap come-a-long with a strap, a steel hook at both ends and a stiff pole at least 4 feet high, preferably one that folds or comes apart to fit in a small space. Making the pole and foot out of wood would make the device lighter, if not as durable.

[DonTom]

My Zero with its Power Tank is really top heavy and there is no way I can lift it up by myself.

I discovered the same.


I just ordered one.


Have you used yours yet?


-Don-  Auburn, CA

[Richard230]

My Zero with its Power Tank is really top heavy and there is no way I can lift it up by myself.

I discovered the same.


I just ordered one.


Have you used yours yet?


-Don-  Auburn, CA

Yes I have used it. My Zero fell over against the wall of my garage and I could only access the bike from the opposite side. While it had not fallen completely over, I just didn't have any leverage to lift it up from the off side.  Although the build quality is kind of crude and the metal parts look like they were buiilt and painted in the guy's garage, it did lift my bike as advertised and did so without any drama.