Backing a Voyager out of garage with sloped driveway

Toku57 · 03-20-2018, 01:40 PM

My driveway has a moderate downhill slope all the way to the street, which is about 40 ft. I park my Bandit on the right side of my garage, and rather than back it out to the street, I cock the front wheel to the left so I can swing the bike out to the left side of the top of the driveway, then I turn it back to the right so I can then drive it onto the street. Easy enough on a 500 lb. bike with a 58.5 inch wheel base on my sloped driveway.

But I'm wondering whether that'll be the case with a Voyager. Does anyone have a situation similar to mine and can tell me whether my current method will still work, or will I'll have to back it out to the street?

Spondulas · 03-20-2018, 01:56 PM

My Voyager was 8.5 feet long from the forward arc of the front wheel to the furtherest protrusion on the rear fender. The steering wasn't particularly short. So you will have a challenge.

My situation was the same as yours and I found I had to do all I could do on the first effort, then handle bars all the way to the other side and back up a couple of feet and then repeat the first maneuver again. I got bonus points if I could keep it in edge of the garage to do all the juggling around on a flat surface but lost points if it got out into the driveway and I had to content with the slope. f I got really crossed up, I had a sidewalk that I could drive onto to get a little extra room. First time took several tries but after that I could get it on the first try. Forget trying to push it uphill to get a little wiggle room. I

UnrealDemon2004 · 03-20-2018, 02:15 PM

I do it, no problem...2 car driveway

Sent from my LG-H700 using Tapatalk

Toku57 · 03-20-2018, 02:37 PM

Thanks guys. On my Bandit, I can use slope to my advantage when swinging it out of the garage to give me a little momentum to swing back up towards the garage and more easily point the front downhill. But with the Voyager's extra length and weight I don't see this happening. I might have to adjust my technique to swing out in a larger arc out to the path running from the driveway to the front door, and use the extra room that should provide to get pointed to the street.

redjay · 03-20-2018, 02:42 PM

I sat on my Voyager and pushed it out of the garage (in reverse) with my feet.
Once it clears the double garage door I make an arc and turn the Voyager at 90 degrees to the garage. Then I start the bike and continue the other 90 degrees on the driveway until I am facing the street.

Once a heavy bike is leant over and reaches a certain point it takes a very strong person to stop it going to the floor. I tried and failed.

TX1700 · 03-20-2018, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toku57

My driveway has a moderate downhill slope all the way to the street, which is about 40 ft. I park my Bandit on the right side of my garage, and rather than back it out to the street, I cock the front wheel to the left so I can swing the bike out to the left side of the top of the driveway, then I turn it back to the right so I can then drive it onto the street. Easy enough on a 500 lb. bike with a 58.5 inch wheel base on my sloped driveway.

But I'm wondering whether that'll be the case with a Voyager. Does anyone have a situation similar to mine and can tell me whether my current method will still work, or will I'll have to back it out to the street?

Toku57, I back mine down a 20' drive and turn into the sidewalk so I can drive in to the street. If I back it into the street the angel is so steep that I would lose touch with the ground and drop the bike. If I have a car parked behind the m/c I have to jockey the m/c out. I have been doing it for about 4 yrs and you just got to be sure you are on sound footing every step.

Toku57 · 03-20-2018, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX1700

Toku57, I back mine down a 20' drive and turn into the sidewalk so I can drive in to the street. If I back it into the street the angel is so steep that I would lose touch with the ground and drop the bike. If I have a car parked behind the m/c I have to jockey the m/c out. I have been doing it for about 4 yrs and you just got to be sure you are on sound footing every step.

Thanks TX1700. Judging by your pic, your driveway slope is similar to mine, but shorter in length. I'd do something similar to what you do, except since I don't have a sidewalk I'd have to angle it quicker across the driveway onto the path to the front door, and the path is only about 5' from the garage door. I think it's doable if I lean gently into the incline as I'm angling for the path to keep from "highsiding". Would just have to be careful like always to not put my feet down on twigs or wet leaves, etc. as I'm backpedaling it out.

It's too bad dealers and private sellers don't let you take bikes home to try this stuff out before you buy.

DragonLady58 · 03-20-2018, 03:59 PM

Build yourself a Lazy Susan or a turn table....and go down forward....just my 2 pecos.
Gadgets has a writeup....

OldSchool · 03-20-2018, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DragonLady58

Build yourself a Lazy Susan or a turn table....and go down forward....just my 2 pecos.
Gadgets has a writeup....

Great Idea and much safer too.

recumbentbob · 03-20-2018, 06:57 PM

Here's a great video on building a MC turntable.
Paul does a Great job on all his videos.

Toku57 · 03-20-2018, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DragonLady58

Build yourself a Lazy Susan or a turn table....and go down forward....just my 2 pecos.
Gadgets has a writeup....

Great idea for those who have enough room in their garage, but I'm not that guy. Heck, I barely have room to turn a 1/10 scale model Voyager on a kitchen lazy susan in mine

.

But here's a great vid on one that even I could build if I did have room. I'd use a bigger base so you could actually put the kickstand down to park your bike though.

This guy's looks even better, although he just gives a brief overview of how he built it:

**JD Hog** · 03-20-2018, 08:17 PM

I just use my motorcycle lift for spinning the bike around. Quick and easy and it didn't cost more money for a bike spinner device.

**plumber63** · 03-20-2018, 08:54 PM

Maybe one of these would work for you.

Toku57 · 03-20-2018, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD Hog

I just use my motorcycle lift for spinning the bike around. Quick and easy and it didn't cost more money for a bike spinner device.

I’ll need a lift too. What kind of lift do you have?

BonVoyager · 03-20-2018, 10:46 PM

My garage driveway is up hill from the regular driveway. I back my Voyager out and turn perpendicular to the driveway either right or left, doesn’t seem to matter and then turn the wheel and point it down the driveway and go, really isn’t hard at all. I will admit, it was a little nerve wracking at first because this bike is 365lbs heavier than my Volusia.

One other note, these bikes are a bear to reverse on anything that isn’t remotely level, so make sure you think ahead when parking. You don’t want to be in a situation where you need to back it up hill.

Also, I take my calves and lock them against the passenger floorboards and lever my legs from there to get some extra pull when backing the bike up.

03-20-2018, 01:40 PM	#1
Toku57 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 109	Backing a Voyager out of garage with sloped driveway My driveway has a moderate downhill slope all the way to the street, which is about 40 ft. I park my Bandit on the right side of my garage, and rather than back it out to the street, I cock the front wheel to the left so I can swing the bike out to the left side of the top of the driveway, then I turn it back to the right so I can then drive it onto the street. Easy enough on a 500 lb. bike with a 58.5 inch wheel base on my sloped driveway. But I'm wondering whether that'll be the case with a Voyager. Does anyone have a situation similar to mine and can tell me whether my current method will still work, or will I'll have to back it out to the street? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-20-2018, 02:42 PM	#5
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,927	I sat on my Voyager and pushed it out of the garage (in reverse) with my feet. Once it clears the double garage door I make an arc and turn the Voyager at 90 degrees to the garage. Then I start the bike and continue the other 90 degrees on the driveway until I am facing the street. Once a heavy bike is leant over and reaches a certain point it takes a very strong person to stop it going to the floor. I tried and failed. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-20-2018, 03:59 PM	#8
DragonLady58 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Somewhere South of Alaska.... Posts: 2,351	Build yourself a Lazy Susan or a turn table....and go down forward....just my 2 pecos. Gadgets has a writeup.... __________________ --------------------- Don't start no schit, there won't be no schit.... My Sarcasm is directly proportional to the amount of Stupidity involved --------------------- VBA#03239 VROC#37400 VRA --------------------- 2014 Vaquero 2001 Nomad FI 2003 Street Glide (sold) 1500 Meanie, fresh rebuild (sold) 90s BUBF Bobber (sold) 2001 UltraCycle FatPounder (Sold) 1975 HD ElectraGlide (Sold) 1982 Kawasaki Z1 Chopper (Sold) Suck It Up & Ride!
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03-20-2018, 06:57 PM	#10
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	Here's a great video on building a MC turntable. Paul does a Great job on all his videos. __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
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03-20-2018, 08:17 PM	#12
JD Hog Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Placerville, CA Posts: 2,946	I just use my motorcycle lift for spinning the bike around. Quick and easy and it didn't cost more money for a bike spinner device. __________________ Jim Diebolt 2015 Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS The Black Kaw 2005 Vulcan Nomad Sold 2006 Honda 1800 VTX (Freebie) Sold 2008 Harley Ultra Classic Sold 2001 Harley Ultra Classic Sold Hangtown, Kalifornia VBA #2625
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03-20-2018, 01:56 PM	#2
Spondulas Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Dickson, Tennessee Posts: 110	My Voyager was 8.5 feet long from the forward arc of the front wheel to the furtherest protrusion on the rear fender. The steering wasn't particularly short. So you will have a challenge. My situation was the same as yours and I found I had to do all I could do on the first effort, then handle bars all the way to the other side and back up a couple of feet and then repeat the first maneuver again. I got bonus points if I could keep it in edge of the garage to do all the juggling around on a flat surface but lost points if it got out into the driveway and I had to content with the slope. f I got really crossed up, I had a sidewalk that I could drive onto to get a little extra room. First time took several tries but after that I could get it on the first try. Forget trying to push it uphill to get a little wiggle room. I
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03-20-2018, 02:15 PM	#3
UnrealDemon2004 Jr. Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: York, PA Posts: 1	I do it, no problem...2 car driveway Sent from my LG-H700 using Tapatalk
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03-20-2018, 02:37 PM	#4
Toku57 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 109	Thanks guys. On my Bandit, I can use slope to my advantage when swinging it out of the garage to give me a little momentum to swing back up towards the garage and more easily point the front downhill. But with the Voyager's extra length and weight I don't see this happening. I might have to adjust my technique to swing out in a larger arc out to the path running from the driveway to the front door, and use the extra room that should provide to get pointed to the street.
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03-20-2018, 08:54 PM	#13
plumber63 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 984	Maybe one of these would work for you. __________________ Troy Donat VBA #02401 2015 Voyager 2006 1600 Nomad black(sold) 2016 Salem, Antlers, 2017 Eureka Springs, Lake George, Antlers 2018 Custer NR, Antlers
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03-20-2018, 10:46 PM	#15
BonVoyager Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Brodheadsville, PA Posts: 187	My garage driveway is up hill from the regular driveway. I back my Voyager out and turn perpendicular to the driveway either right or left, doesn’t seem to matter and then turn the wheel and point it down the driveway and go, really isn’t hard at all. I will admit, it was a little nerve wracking at first because this bike is 365lbs heavier than my Volusia. One other note, these bikes are a bear to reverse on anything that isn’t remotely level, so make sure you think ahead when parking. You don’t want to be in a situation where you need to back it up hill. Also, I take my calves and lock them against the passenger floorboards and lever my legs from there to get some extra pull when backing the bike up. __________________ My thread: http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=47004 Last edited by BonVoyager; 03-20-2018 at 10:48 PM.
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