Tiger Tales 16: How to Lift a Fallen Motorcycle

By the Law Tigers
America’s Injury Lawyers Who Ride

How to Lift a Fallen Motorcycle

CAUTION
If done incorrectly or under poor footing, lifting a fallen motorcycle can be dangerous and cause serious injury. Try to get help first and remember, you don’t want anybody else to get hurt. You need to think clearly, use common sense, and be in good physical condition. Keep your body and back straight, lifting only with your legs. Maintain control of the motorcycle and never twist your body while lifting. Check the motorcycle for damage prior to riding it again.

The ideal situation for lifting a motorcycle is as follows:

1. Have the lifting technique demonstrated by a qualified professional.
2. Practice with a qualified professional.
3. Have the qualified professional evaluate and coach your lifting technique.

Step 1: Assess Yourself
Take a few minutes to calm down and relax. Seeing your bike lying on its side is a traumatic experience, but it generally happens to everyone eventually. Spend a few minutes asking yourself questions and talking yourself through it: are you hurt? Are you able to pick up your motorcycle in a normal situation? Do you want to pick up your motorcycle? Is it safe to pick up your motorcycle? It’s best if you get help. If someone helps you, be sure to warn them not to touch the hot exhaust pipe, not to lift by the turn signals, etc. Also make sure they lift correctly. You don’t want someone else getting hurt.

Step 2: Assess the Environment
If you are in danger from on-coming traffic, get away from your motorcycle and seek a place of safety. Let law enforcement respond and take control of the scene before picking up your motorcycle. Take a look at the ground: do you have a solid surface to lift from? Is there gravel? Is the pavement wet? Are you right next to a ditch? You don’t want to slip and get pinned under your bike.

Step 3: Assess the Motorcycle
Turn it off using the engine cut-off switch or the ignition switch. Turn off the fuel supply valve. Spilled fuel is common, so use caution (though usually you need sparks, flame, or an ignition source to have a fire or explosion.) If the motorcycle is lying on its right side, put the kickstand down and put the motorcycle in gear. If the motorcycle is on its left side, you can’t put the stand down and can’t put the motorcycle in gear. Make a mental note of these facts. You don’t want to pick up your motorcycle and then immediately drop it onto its other side!

Technique I: Facing Away from the Motorcycle – For Large Motorcycles-Preferred Method for any Size

1. Turn the handlebars to full-lock position with the front of tire pointed downward.
2. Find the “balance point” of the two tires and the engine, engine guard, or footpeg. The motorcycle will be fairly easy to lift until it reaches this point because it’s resting on its side. Once you start lifting from there, you are responsible for most of the weight of the bike.
3. “Sit” down with your butt/lower back against the motorcycle seat. Be sure to keep your back straight and your head up. Put your feet solidly on the ground about 12 inches apart, with your knees bent slightly.
4. With one hand, grasp the handgrip (underhand, preferably), keeping your wrist straight.
5. With your other hand, grip the motorcycle framework (or any solid part of the motorcycle), being careful to avoid the hot exhaust pipe, turn signals, etc.
6. Lift with your legs by taking small steps backwards, pressing against the seat with your butt and keeping your back straight. On slippery or gravel surfaces, this technique probably won’t work. On inclined surfaces this can be very dangerous.
7. Be careful not to lift the motorcycle up and then flip it onto its other side! If possible, put the kickstand down and the bike in gear.
8. Set the motorcycle on its kickstand and park it safely.

Technique II: Facing the Motorcycle – For Small and Medium-Sized Motorcycles-Alternative Method

1. Turn the handlebars to the full-lock position with the front of the tire pointed skyward.
2. Find the balance point of the two tires and the engine, engine guard, or footpeg. The motorcycle will be fairly easy to lift until it reaches this point because it’s resting on its side. Once you start lifting from there, you are responsible for most of the weight of the bike.
3. Stand very close to the handlebars. Plant your feet about shoulder-width apart with the lower handgrip in between them. Use both hands to lift. Keeping your back straight and your head up, lift carefully, keeping the handgrip close to your body. Use your leg muscles for power, and not your back muscles.
4. Be careful you don’t lift the motorcycle up and then flip it onto its other side.
5. Set the motorcycle on its kickstand and park it safely.