Can you folks upright a Nomad alone

Hi Gang!!
I apologize for lurking on your sight the last several months. But as I'm planning on buying a bike, I wanted to read what you owners say about the different models. For me it has come down to two models, the VTX1300 or the pre 2009 Nomad. Anyway I'm about three weeks from making my move and I just wanted to ask you folks a question or two.
Today I'd like to ask you folks if you can upright a Nomad alone in the event that you lay it down. I ask this because a post on a Harley sight mentioned he was glad to have had help in lifting his downed hog.
I've owned five hogs a 61, 63, 70, 74, and 1975 and although they were heavy for their day you simply half uprighted them onto the crash bars then changed position and finished the uprighting. As I recall the Harley literature it always stated that they weighed somewhere in the high six hundred pound range.

Thanks!!
Tom

[dogdoc]

these Nomads run close to 800 lbs wet/loaded. yes one guy can upright them alone. After you watch the video on how to do it you can do it. Welcome aboard. Hope you get the Nad, the best bike. :-)

Dennis

[MarkG]

It is not difficult to get the Nomad back on two wheels. Several videos on youtube, etc. Primarily remember to get in low, grab the handle bar and crash bar, then just walk it up.

[cactusjack]

Welcome to the Nomad Nation from the Grand Canyon State!

Yes, I can and have. Gravity overcame my bike one afternoon and it ended up dropped on its right side in the right turn lane at an intersection. It was afternoon rush hour and traffic was heavy. Nobody around me offered to assist me, and the jerk in the BMW behind me honked his horn at me. I was still straddling the bike and I grabbed the bars and stood it back upright, then rolled it out of the way of traffic.

BTW, that isn't the recommended way of doing it. There is a technique where even a small woman can get a large bike back on two wheels. I did what seemed expedient at the time.

[caddman11]

Welcome from NW Indiana and congrats on your 1st post. You can stand your bike back up alone, the crash bars make it a lot easier, but it's loads easier with two people.

I ended up setting mine down in my backyard in the grass because I snagged a dog rope. The one thing I will recommend is if your position isn't the greatest, let it go so you don't get hurt. I was on the bike and ended up twisted with lousy foot position and hurt my back. But being embarrassed, I quickly got it back up on two wheels before anyone could see. I had just gotten the Nomad and I was use to my HD which was lighter. I thought I could muscle the Nomad, but found very quickly that I was mistaken. The best advice that I can give is when moving the bike, always keep it perpendicular to the ground. Never lean to bike over to shorten a turn!!!!

[desertdog]

Dropped my new 08 Nomad the 2nd week I had it, backed it out of the garage, drive has a slight slope to it. Turned the front wheel, and as it dropped to the street, I grabbed the front brake.

Big mistake. Down it went on the crash bars. So I followed the video demonstration and picked it right back up. Of course, not wanting the neighbors to see put some extra oomph in my lifting it back upright. (Did not even scratch the chrome on the bars).

So to answer your question, yes you can do it, but like others have said, better not to drop it.

However, when you do, you can get it back upright.

[landman]

welcome aboard from wyoming,go with the nomad and you won't
be disapointed.

Hi Guys!!
Thanks for all the helpfull responses. Also, I looked at some of the videos and they helped in refining my technique(mentally). Although as cactusjack, DesertDog and caddman11 alluded, the haste, embarrassment and or danger of a situation means you have to be almost on automatic pilot to get through safely and with a shred of whatever dignity is left after a spill.
That extra poundage of the new machines had me a little concerned.
Because if you ever watched a weight lifting contest as little as a couple of pounds makes the difference between can and can't do.
Also, this touches on what is one of the main negatives of the vtx and that is the lack of availability of rear crash bars. I don't think that I could ever get comfortable knowing that the bike may not clear my leg in a spill. One crash bar ain't enough for my peace of mind.
Thanks Again!!
Tom

[dandolfn]

I found out just yesterday that it's possible to pick up my Nomad by myself.

I was sitting in my garage after a nice drive, just smiling to myself and not quite ready to have the ride come to an end.

Finally, I turned off the ignition and went to get off the bike and realized I hadn't put the kickstand down. Over she went.

The crash bar held her up that much, and I was able to lift it back the rest of the way by myself.

No quick fix for feeling dumb, tho.

:-)

[dogleg]

Not to change this to a Nomad vs VTX thread but I've owned both.

The biggest issue I had with the VTX was passenger comfort. My wife sat so high on the back that she always experienced severe buffeting. Even a 21" windshield all the way up did not help.
With the Nomad, she sits a lot lower and no longer has the buffeting. Now she always wants to ride which is fine by me.

Just for reference I'm 5'11" and she's 5'5".

One more thing......Welcome to the board.

[ringadingh]

Check out a couple websites as mentioned. It shows how a 120lb woman can lift our bikes back up by using the proper techniques.

[dogdoc]

hey Dan you got that same affliction as me. head up a** and dreaming. been there done that. :-)

[waterman]

As everyone has said it can be picked up. I have done it twice myself. Just put one hand on the saddlebag crashbar and the other one on the handle bar and put your butt in the seat and lift.

[Cajunrider]

Welcome Tom. I may be prejudiced, but I'd get the Nomad if I were you. Look for a left over 2008 and save a bunch of money possibly. I dropped mine once in my driveway and picked it up by putting my butt against the seat while grabbing the handlebar grip and rear crashbar. Just slowly walk it up that way. If it falls on the right side, put your sidestand down as a precaution from picking it up too high and dropping it on the left side. If it falls on the left side, just be extra careful not to roll it over on the right side. Good luck on your purchase.
Mitch

[cactusjack]

A buddy of mine pinned himself against his SUV when his V2K went over in his garage. ::)