Quote:
Originally Posted by evermore
Optimal weight? As light as possible.
That is the short glib answer but the useful answer is this one:
- highest weight you can still lift by yourself.
Frankly, I don't know what that is for myself even. I was able to lift my loaded DR650SE and I was able to lift my unloaded KTM 990 but can I lift a KTM 1190 Adventure R with hard panniers, the option I am considering next? I don't know..
A little off-topic but are there any aids for lifting bikes? Jacks? Harnesses? That might change the answer to this as well...
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The below video makes it look easy ... and it's true, a BMW Boxer is easier as cylinders rest on the ground, so bike is not flat on the ground. In mud or sand, this technique does not work so well.
A BMW is much easier to lift ... but a bike with panniers is easier too as panniers keep bike UP a bit, easier for you to get under it and get it up right.
With a loaded KTM 1190 first thing to do is get help if you can. Then take off as much luggage as possible.
I've lifted a fallen KTM 950 with just a tail pack on it. It was pinning the fallen rider ... so I had to lift it solo. He was screaming in agony so my adrenalin was pumping ... NOT GOOD. (This is when guys ruin their back for life)
I was lucky. I got it up enough so he could crawl out from under it ... then the two of us hoisted it up right. A real BITCH! This was on loose desert sandy dirt. But the KTM lays down very flat ... it's hard to get the lift started using the technique shown in video below. I tried backing into it ... could not do it ... my feet just slipped as I tried to push. Also, no good hand holds on the bike.
If fallen on a hill and you don't care about scratching up your bike, try spinning the bike round so that you can lift it up from the UP HILL side ... but once put up right the common disaster is the bike topples over the other side ... and tumbles on down the hill.
Been there, done that.
BMW bike lifting video - Yahoo Search Results
Evermore,
I remember your ride report on ADV Rider from S. America. Great stuff.
Would you really trust a KTM vs. your DR650 in Bolivia or Mongolia?

Did you ever have problems with your DR650 in S. America?
I've owned 3 KTM's ... still have my DR650 at 55,000 miles and counting.

