Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > Gettin yer leg over....

[Jools]

Yep, it's one of those rip the pi$$ out of Jools if you want threads, cos I have trouble getting my leg over...well, on the bike that is...well, now I think about it...enough, back to the plot.

I know that leathers restrict your movement a bit, but when I get on the bike it's always a bit of a struggle swinging my leg clean across the saddle. After every rideout, on either one of my bikes, there are those tell tale scuff marks across the back of the seat unit where my boot or my leg has just clipped it. I don't suppose it helps that the seat height on both my bikes is about equal to my inside leg measurement but I've also noticed it on lots of other peoples bikes...I'm not alone...you know who you are...

Funny thing is, I've been doing karate training for years, and although I'm no Jackie Chan I can still kick either leg above my head height...so why do I have so much trouble getting on the effin bike without leaving black boot marks

Alright so I couldn't kick that high with leathers on, but it's not because I'm old, decrepit and inflexible...just old and decrepit. Perhaps it's the side I dress and the weight of my massi.....

Whatever, I know it sounds daft but has anybody got a foolproof method of getting on the bike cleanly without a ladder or one of those things they used to get knights onto a horse.

BTW...I'm fine when I'm actually on the bike......allegedly




If this post has raised a chuckle then it may be subject to status of your humour. Remember your sanity may be at risk if you do not keep up your monthly laughter repayments

[Gaz 748]

Wear slippers

[CK]

Ask Sadie to give you some 'special' exercises Jools

[Jools]

I've tried that, but then my tray of cocoa and hob nobs keeps falling off the petrol tank and my dressing gown belt gets caught in the gear shift...everytime I go to change gear it tightens the belt and makes me fart

[749er]

I think I bend my leg at the knee to help keep the boot of the seat unit

[Jools]

Oh, by the way, that dressing gown thing isn't the 'special' exercises....

Mind you, I don't think the 'special' exercises that Sadie is giving me are very good...I mean, all she says is "Here, put on this balaclava, go down into the garden and hide in the coal shed for three weeks"...I mean...how does that help anybody?

[749er]

Originally Posted by Jools

Oh, by the way, that dressing gown thing isn't the 'special' exercises....

Mind you, I don't think the 'special' exercises that Sadie is giving me are very good...I mean, all she says is "Here, put on this balaclava, go down into the garden and hide in the coal shed for three weeks"...I mean...how does that help anybody?

are you in the SAS?

[Loz]

Jools
I've read this thread and there seems to me to be a variety of issues troubling you at the moment. I suggest that scuff marks on the seat unit are the least of them.

[Bionicle]

Im a shortass so i put my left foot on the foot peg push down straightening the leg at the same time as swinging my right leg over, works for me

[Melnie Mouse]

Originally Posted by 749er

I think I bend my leg at the knee to help keep the boot of the seat unit

Yes this option is the best, ESPECIALLY if the bike is tall. Try it, you put your knee on the seat and 'pivot' your bent knee on the seat which means your boot is in the air, and a swift over you're on, no scuff marks, and for bikes like the multistrada where it's a tall bike anyway but the pillion seat is higher, most people have to do that to get on those anyway!

Try it.... It's also worked for my shorter female friend who had trouble swinging her leg over the bike was always afraid of kicking it over the 'wrong' way, she's found it a great help.