Backing a Voyager out of garage with sloped driveway

[Toku57]

Originally Posted by BonVoyager

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.

Good tip. It’ll no doubt be an interesting adjustment. I’m also curious to see how it will feel holding it on my work parking garage exit incline. About 1 day in 5 I have to wait on the incline behind cars for a few minutes while waiting for the light and it’s about a 15% grade.

[cactusjack]

I ride a 1000 lb Harley touring bike. I have a short, sloped driveway. When I park my bike, I turn it around in the garage so I can just pull out forward. I don't like to back it down because there is a point where I can't touch my feet down due to the angle.

[BonVoyager]

Originally Posted by Toku57

Good tip. It’ll no doubt be an interesting adjustment. I’m also curious to see how it will feel holding it on my work parking garage exit incline. About 1 day in 5 I have to wait on the incline behind cars for a few minutes while waiting for the light and it’s about a 15% grade.

Holding it in inclines isn’t an issue for me, it doesn’t seem to be much different than my lighter bike even with my Fiancé on the bike with me, I can still one foot it.

[BonVoyager]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I ride a 1000 lb Harley touring bike. I have a short, sloped driveway. When I park my bike, I turn it around in the garage so I can just pull out forward. I don't like to back it down because there is a point where I can't touch my feet down due to the angle.

Your bike weighs 901lbs, the Voyagers with ABS weigh 895lbs and non-ABS Voyagers weigh 886lbs.

[JD Hog]

Originally Posted by Toku57

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

Here is the info on the one I have.

OTC 1545

It's a little expensive but it does have longer lifting pads that work much better for the Voyager frame.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by BonVoyager

Your bike weighs 901lbs, the Voyagers with ABS weigh 895lbs and non-ABS Voyagers weigh 886lbs.

A stock 2011 Harley Davidson Ultra Limited might weigh 901 pounds. I'll bet mine's closer to 1000. I've never weighed it, though.

[mbarr10]

Sloped driveway 45' long and has walls. Be careful backing up. The bike is longer than you think
http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=45155

[BonVoyager]

Originally Posted by mbarr10

Sloped driveway 45' long and has walls. Be careful backing up. The bike is longer than you think
http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=45155

I half joke that I need a backup camera for my Voyager so I don’t back into anything, and one up front because sometimes you can’t see past the fairing when you need to in situations like manuevering the bike around in really tight spaces (like the garage).

[Toku57]

Originally Posted by JD Hog

Here is the info on the one I have.

OTC 1545

It's a little expensive but it does have longer lifting pads that work much better for the Voyager frame.

Cool - that's one of the ones I've been considering for that very reason.

[DragonLady58]

Originally Posted by BonVoyager

I half joke that I need a backup camera for my Voyager so I don’t back into anything, and one up front because sometimes you can’t see past the fairing when you need to in situations like manuevering the bike around in really tight spaces (like the garage).

Yea, well, I've banged up the ass end of my pipes over the years, and for pulling trailers and for traffic stuff going on behind me, I have a backup camera system, that way I can see whats going on behind me.
Measured my bike and my friends Vaquero....my bike is almost 10' long, the Vaquero being slightly longer....from the tip of front fender to the very end of rear fender.
I've scratched, dented, and dinged my pipes just by backing into high curbs, walls.
Backup camera helps avoid this....
My front and rear system is also hooked into a DVR should anyone run over my ass....
Safety first guys....

[JD Hog]

Originally Posted by Toku57

Cool - that's one of the ones I've been considering for that very reason.

It's a great lift and is low enough to slide under the bike when it is on the kickstand. When you lower the bike it comes down slow and smooth even if you push the pedal all the way down.

[Toku57]

Originally Posted by JD Hog

It's a great lift and is low enough to slide under the bike when it is on the kickstand. When you lower the bike it comes down slow and smooth even if you push the pedal all the way down.

Do you need to set something like a 2x6 underneath the kickstand to bring the bike somewhat upright before raising and lowering it?

[JD Hog]

Originally Posted by Toku57

Do you need to set something like a 2x6 underneath the kickstand to bring the bike somewhat upright before raising and lowering it?

Nothing at all. My bike is stock as far as the kickstand and shocks and it will clear as long as the front wheel is full left and not full right.

[DragonLady58]

What JD said. As long as the tab on your Idaho adapter is up against it (the frame), all you gotta do is grab your handlebar, hold it firmly, jack it with your foot, bike will raise and settle on jack.
If your floor is smooth, you can turn your bike around like that. Just Be Careful....I don't suggest twirling the bike around on the jack unless you have some straps on it for safety....

[mbarr10]

all you gotta do is grab your handlebar, hold it firmly, jack it with your foot, bike will raise and settle on jack.

I do the same thing, But I sit on the bike and jack it up with my foot till it settles in place. (I also wear a belt and suspenders ) I have a Sears jack. And I use a Home made chock for the front wheel. The thing with me is I dropped the bike in the driveway last year and could not pick it up by myself. Nice to know the crash bars below the bags work GREAT and protect them. Very embarrassing, yet your only Stupid if you make the same mistake twice. And I'm Not going there !! Been there and it Sucks.