If your driveway goes downhill, away from the house, all you have to do is a 3 point turn in the driveway. Or slowly go backwards down the hill.

 

I would advise against a three-point turn around unless you have a lot of level space before heading downhill. I'd back it down while sitting on it.

Many of the times people drop their bikes are when they aren't moving fast. I've dropped two bikes so far, and both were on hills.

With the first, a Kymco Bet&Win 250, it only weighted 340 pounds. I parked it on a hill where the right side dropped off quite a bit. When I got ready to go, I did the same as I always did and rocked it off the center stand...and it fell away to the right, the downhill side. I wasn't prepared at all for the weight when it got off center.

The other time was with my Burgman 400. I went to turn around in a one-lane driveway and the bike started to tip. (Why do they only tip to the downhill side???) The only thing I could do by the time my foot touched the ground was to slow the fall down. I couldn't stop it.

Your 650 is heavier yet than either of these two bikes. You can keep it upright very easy as long as you don't give it a chance to tip over. Backing it down while sitting on it will give you the ability to keep it from going over too far.

Chris

 

If you don't have the space to turn the bike 180 degrees using the 3-point turn method, take a look at these:
http://www.gadgetjq.com/motorcycle_turntable.htm
http://www.pashnit.com/product/park-n-move.html
http://www.turnabike.com/

Don

 

I have to park mine on a concrete pad next to the driveway near the garage door and usually have to negotiate thru and around cars parked in the driveway. Getting in is easy, I pull into the driveway, and then do a powered duck walk up the driveway and left around the VW bug that is always parked in the same spot and onto the pad I referred to. Getting out is a little trickier. But is typically the reverse of pulling in. Start the bike and back it onto the driveway around the VW and down the driveway between the VW and the wife’s Honda. I always do this with the engine idling so if I misjudge the distance or angle between the cars (which I often do) I can easily pull forward back up the driveway a little and readjust before rolling back again. I just roll backwards into the street and do a two point turn to get going.

If the wife car is not there it's a lot easier I just duck walk it backwards (again in idle) sideways across the driveway and then do a left turn and ride down and out the driveway.

It just takes practice and slow and steady movements keeping your feet out and down ready to catch the bike before it starts to tip too far. BOth hands on the brake using the trailing wheel to slow you (i.e. the rear wheel going up the driveway and the front (gently) when backing down.) Also be careful of your throttle inputs, keep them small and smooth. One thing to be aware of is that if you have short legs and the angle of the driveway with the street is steep you may not be able to touch down as the bike rolls down and over the gutter lip especially if the is a crown to the roadway. Best to have a little speed 1-2 mph at this point to carry you across the gutter and out into the street.

 

3 point turn. I do it every day. Don't jab the brakes.

 

I strongly recommend you back it out Larry and use the rear brake when doing so - the front brake will just lock and the bike slide if you use it alone, as the wheel is unweighted.

If you try and ride it down without having had sufficient general experience with the Burgie there is a good chance your next post on this site will be asking how to fix the damaged bodywork, and I'd hate to hear that.

 

+1!

There are pros and cons to having the engine running. One of the cons is that you could end up accidentally giving it gas when you don't want it. Another con is that the 650 is easier to back up when the engine is off. With you being on an inclined, that shouldn't be a problem.

I back out each morning with the engine running on my 400. It gives the engine a chance to warm just a bit before giving it the gas to go up the hill to the main road. It also gives me the ability to give it some gas to go forward if I find I didn't back up straight and I'm going to scrape one of the cars.

Chris

 

Stop listening to all these "safety minded" folks. Do what the cool-kids are doing these days!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maNiybuyOek
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWWnf0niufk

(Maybe I'm kidding) (but maybe I'm not! :shock: )

Or, skip the turning-around-thing, and just park like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2KKxANfOu4

 

Cool idea! I'm going to remember that one!!

Chris

 

With our porky scoots, and weak side-stands, I think that trick is better used by the dual-sport/sportbike crowd!

I had never tried this with the Burg. i just went out to the garage. I found the clockwise (as seen from the top) spin was the only option, as the weight while on the side-stand is so heavily biased to the rear.

I won't be trying that trick again, I don't think!

 

larrysb,

Back out down a steep driveway, go slow and keep centered. If your driveway is really steep and meets a steep street, turn as you hit the street and keep the bike pointing uphill. If the hill is steep enough the front tire will slide and you'll need to use a little rear brake to help stop. I just let the front slide as long as you stay centered you will be ok. After some experience even the steepest slopes will cause no fear, just remember to always point the front of the bike uphill.

Thanx, Russ

 

I strongly recommend you back it out Larry and use the rear brake when doing so - the front brake will just lock and the bike slide if you use it alone, as the wheel is unweighted.

Wow. I must be some sort or highly skilled stunt rider then, because all I ever use while walking a bike is the front brake. This is probably because every motorcycle I've ever owned has the rear brake on the right foot. It's pretty hard to use the back brake with both feet on the ground. :lol:

Anyways, don't get too caught up on using "only" the rear brake while walking, or low speed maneuvering. Just be smooth and don't jab on the brakes and it works just fine. Hell, on the 400 with its linked brakes, you have no choice but to use the front brake anytime you want to stop.

 

...Just be smooth and don't jab on the brakes and it works just fine. ...on the 400 with its linked brakes, you have no choice but to use the front brake anytime you want to stop.

Agreed on the first part. The last line is only partly true. Older 400s have linked brakes. The newer ones do not.

Chris

 

One thing I've learned (the hard way) is that when you are on a sideways slope, the bike will want to fall off to the downhill side far easier than the uphill side. I believe the reason for this is because when the bike is vertical the tire is actually touching the ground on the side of the tire and not the bottom. This means that the weight is directed towards the non supported side of the tire and so is easier to tip. The trick I learned is to make sure you are leaned a bit towards the uphill side instead of trying to stay level. This will combat this tendency to tip over when on a sideways slant.

A 3 point turn is definitely difficult till you learn how to do one well. Backing down is certainly easier. I would practice the 3 point on a shallow slope before attempting a larger slope. Good luck.

David

 

If you don't have the space to turn the bike 180 degrees using the 3-point turn method, take a look at these:
http://www.gadgetjq.com/motorcycle_turntable.htm
http://www.pashnit.com/product/park-n-move.html
http://www.turnabike.com/

Don

Those are cool.

 

Corners, what you suggest will probably work for most driveways but given we don't know how steep Larry's driveway is I'd rather be conservative. My comments are based on my own experiences of two steep driveways in houses I owned. The first was a gravel driveway on a 30 degree slope and around 100' long whilst the second was a 40' 45 degree slope concrete surface. :shock:

Believe me when I say the front brake would not hold when backing down those.

 

I back-pedal the bike out. I make use of my brakes and mirrors.

 

You have pedals???

 

Not only does my driveway slope down, but my garage floor slopes up (there's a drain in the middle). My technique is kind of like rowing. I push with my legs while using the bars for a little steering as needed. I can usually move the beast around enough to point downhill once I'm out of the garage.

 

Corners, what you suggest will probably work for most driveways but given we don't know how steep Larry's driveway is I'd rather be conservative. My comments are based on my own experiences of two steep driveways in houses I owned. The first was a gravel driveway on a 30 degree slope and around 100' long whilst the second was a 40' 45 degree slope concrete surface. :shock:

Believe me when I say the front brake would not hold when backing down those.

45 degrees!? The bike would tip over backwards. Are you sure? Here's a crazy steep driveway, and it's not 45 degrees. This is an example of a steep driveway posted by home inspectors to laugh at...

 

Not only does my driveway slope down, but my garage floor slopes up (there's a drain in the middle). My technique is kind of like rowing. I push with my legs while using the bars for a little steering as needed. I can usually move the beast around enough to point downhill once I'm out of the garage.

looks like driveway and my technique too but I add just good French-Canadian bad words to the process.......

 

personally I take 2 quick lefts at the garage and then go straight, but if you like my ex wife has a series of lectures she will send you free of charge on this particular subject

 

1. I don't move the burg 650 (short of to center-stand it) without sitting on it. Don't need another herniated disc.
2. If you can (slope of your driveway considered), 3-point turn it with the front facing downhill (if slight), or slightly pointed downhill with the downward slope opposite of the kickstand (right-side of bike facing downhill). Do this when you park, so all you have to do is drive it straight out or turn it slightly to get out when you are ready to go again.
3. If your slope is too steep to feel comfortable with either of the above, the you'll have to back it out and down your driveway.

Regardless of which you choose, never forget these two important things:

1. ALWAYS USE YOUR EMERGENCY BRAKE, ESPECIALLY ON A HILL OF ANY KIND!
Let's not discuss failure to do so...
2. NEVER, EVER, FOR ANY REASON, CENTER-STAND YOUR BURGMAN FACING UPHILL!
You WILL need lots of help pushing it off if the hill is steep enough, like in enough people to LIFT it and you both!

 

Seems to me that when backing up the bike, the front brake is the one to use as it's the trailing brake going backwards. Using the back brake would be akin to using the front brake when moving forward.

 

Seems to me that when backing up the bike, the front brake is the one to use as it's the trailing brake going backwards. Using the back brake would be akin to using the front brake when moving forward.

If I was walking it down hill I would use both.