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@wasplover avatar
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2016 Vespa Sprint 150
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2016 Vespa Sprint 150
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UTC quote
This sounds absolutely silly but I couldn't seem to find a picture or a post that answers this... so here goes. If an MP3 falls over on her side, how many wheels are touching the ground? I'd imagine one of the front wheels would be in the air, wouldn't it? Do you "roll" her back upright, or do you need considerable strength/technique to pick her up like a traditional bike?
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Honda CTX700N
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UTC quote
You'd have to right it using the same technique as you would for any normal heavy bike. Yes, one front wheel would be off the ground - maybe both depending on the terrain if falls on Razz emoticon

dk
@old_as_dirt avatar
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Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
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@old_as_dirt avatar
2007 GTS
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UTC quote
the answer to your question is: 0 wheels touching the ground.
@fuzzy avatar
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Veni, Vidi, Posti
. . 2008 Blue MP3 400. . di Peluria Orso .... 1993 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 ....... 2013 Honda NC700XD; 2017 Versys X300
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@fuzzy avatar
. . 2008 Blue MP3 400. . di Peluria Orso .... 1993 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 ....... 2013 Honda NC700XD; 2017 Versys X300
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UTC quote
If the suspension gets locked, unlock it before righting the bike.
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The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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UTC quote
Actually, if lifting alone, I'd advise locking the suspension while the bike's on the ground - but with the wheels positioned as they would be if the bike was upright. This will make it easier to lift due to weight distribution and also make sure the bike doesn't topple over onto the other side after lifting!
@fuzzy avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
. . 2008 Blue MP3 400. . di Peluria Orso .... 1993 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 ....... 2013 Honda NC700XD; 2017 Versys X300
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Location: South Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@fuzzy avatar
. . 2008 Blue MP3 400. . di Peluria Orso .... 1993 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 ....... 2013 Honda NC700XD; 2017 Versys X300
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UTC quote
jimc wrote:
Actually, if lifting alone, I'd advise locking the suspension while the bike's on the ground - but with the wheels positioned as they would be if the bike was upright. This will make it easier to lift due to weight distribution and also make sure the bike doesn't topple over onto the other side after lifting!
If all three wheels off the ground so this can be done I agree. I have seen someone try to lift with suspension somehow locked on way down and they are trying to lift against the opposite wheel a major leverage disadvantage. The bike will not always go totally horizontal and the near side wheel is then high and the far one low.
OP
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UTC quote
jimc wrote:
Actually, if lifting alone, I'd advise locking the suspension while the bike's on the ground - but with the wheels positioned as they would be if the bike was upright. This will make it easier to lift due to weight distribution and also make sure the bike doesn't topple over onto the other side after lifting!
Yea I had that image in my head where after a tremendous effort lifting up the bike, it would topple over the other side easily and quickly due to my perceived weight distribution of the vehicle...

So after reading the responses I get the impression that if an MP3 falls to her side on a flat road and if the wheels are in the right position, it's likely that you can lock the suspension with the wheels in the position that would have been if the bike was upright, after which you can lift up the bike and "roll" her back standing up. That sounds easy enough for a bike-lifting-challenged person like myself...

Thanks guys.
@ramblerdan avatar
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2009 MP3 400
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@ramblerdan avatar
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UTC quote
I think it would sit a tad higher, as the front struts will be unloaded when you lock 'em.
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mp3 500
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Yahoo! Something I actually have done. 2nd day I had it. trust me you do it you will most likely yank it up before you even think about it. Addrinaline in a great thing at a time like this,, mothers have lifted cars during a panic situation. I just went OH SH&T and lifted and it was up. 8)
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Piaggio Mp3250
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Piaggio Mp3250
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UTC quote
I'm told you face away from the scoot, put your hands under the machine, behind you, and walk the scoot upright.

never tried it mind, it's what I was told.

fay.
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Molto Verboso
MP3 500, Honda PCX
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@jerryw avatar
MP3 500, Honda PCX
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UTC quote
I weigh about 145 at most and have picked mine up at least 4 times in the last year. You need the technique. Face away from the bike, hold with arms spread to the front and back, then put your butt under the seat as much as you can and then extend your legs to lift it. It goes up. There is a thread on here about this, also a video somewhere.

It is not fun. The front wheels can become locked one down and one up and this doesn't work. Turn the bike off and then back on and they will release. The only way to lift the bike is front wheels locked level or unlocked.

Old as dirt is right - 0 wheels are on the ground. The bike is a beast. Avoid dropping but don't give your self hell if it happens. It can fall in a bunch of ways, usually traveling very slow of stopped and not always your fault. In one place I was turning on old asphalt and the roadway broke away while I was turning. Another time a car came out of a business suddenly; I stopped quickly, put my foot down into a hole in the road.
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Midnight Blue MP3 400 "Trixie"
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Midnight Blue MP3 400 "Trixie"
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UTC quote
I've seen the video on this technique of using the small of your back, but frankly, I don't know if we really need it because of those useful bars on either side of the seat.

In anticipation of the day that I might drop the bike, I decided to practice getting it upright. I put the bike gently on its side and tried the above techniquue, but had some difficulty getting it up. When I turned around and grabbed the handle bar and the seat grab bar closest to the ground, I could lift my 400 right up. I practiced with the suspension unlocked because I figured if wound up on the ground there probably would not have been any time to hit the lock switch.
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UTC quote
How to:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPjYweKeiLk

Wayne B
⬆️    About 2 months elapsed    ⬇️
@proweddingphotos avatar
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'09 Piaggio MP3 400
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UTC quote
HARLEY TYPE CRASH BARS FOR MPS.....custom made
I'll be 65 in March, have osteoparosis and I crack ribs really easily.

That said, I was glad to find out about learning this "correct way to up a downed bike".

Yesterday, I got to try it on my new MPS4 400! It did not work for me, as I could not get low enough on the bike to get any lift, even with my legs spread and knees bent as much as I could get them. Tried to put a butt cheek into it, too. That didn't work.

Finally, help arrived to help me right it. Then I found out that, sure enough, I'd cracked another rib!

I cracked a rib in the spring trying to lift my used 250 that I traded in on my new 400, I picked it up quickly facing it. Embarrassed over dropping it. I quickly jurked it upright....again cracking a rib.

NOW, THIS MAKES ME THINK ABOUT GETTING CRASH BARS CUSTOM MADE FOR IT (LIKE ON HARLEY'S), THAT ONLY LET IT GO OVER PART WAY AND MAKE GETTING IT UP A LOT EASIER! Anyone know of anyone who has done this?
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'09 Mp3-500 - Gone Now
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@bravotwofour avatar
'09 Mp3-500 - Gone Now
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Location: Happy Valley, Oregon
UTC quote
Re: HARLEY TYPE CRASH BARS FOR MPS.....custom made
proweddingphotos wrote:
NOW, THIS MAKES ME THINK ABOUT GETTING CRASH BARS CUSTOM MADE FOR IT (LIKE ON HARLEY'S), THAT ONLY LET IT GO OVER PART WAY AND MAKE GETTING IT UP A LOT EASIER! Anyone know of anyone who has done this?
If you use the search function and enter the words 'crash bars' and select 'Mp3 Discussion', you will find a number of threads with useful information. Hopefully something will work for you and no more rib-cracking lifting required!
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