Going up steps or curbs.

[Robert]

There is not much info on this topic and while I rode my bike to my sons house and it started to rain he has an entrance that is big enough and covered so it was a great place for my bike. I had to go up a 6 inch step though. I was able to do it without a problem, but this got me to think.

 I have heard all kinds of stories non really substantiated as to its ok or a real problem or no no. I was wondering if anyone has any information or experience good, bad or indifferent as to how or why not to do it. When I go to the malls I will park on the raised portion at the entrance or in the parking lot and that also is about 6 inches high. I have seen those cop motorcyclists go up and down steps but never heard much discussion on the topic.

One time I went up a curb or step and when I came down I just tapped the bottom of the engine. The pan was there and so the engine was protected since I didn't hit hard.

[Dragunslayer]

There is not much info on this topic and while I rode my bike to my sons house and it started to rain he has an entrance that is big enough and covered so it was a great place for my bike. I had to go up a 6 inch step though. I was able to do it without a problem, but this got me to think.

 I have heard all kinds of stories non really substantiated as to its ok or a real problem or no no. I was wondering if anyone has any information or experience good, bad or indifferent as to how or why not to do it. When I go to the malls I will park on the raised portion at the entrance or in the parking lot and that also is about 6 inches high. I have seen those cop motorcyclists go up and down steps but never heard much discussion on the topic.

One time I went up a curb or step and when I came down I just tapped the bottom of the engine. The pan was there and so the engine was protected since I didn't hit hard.

Robert as long as you ain't running the stairs like they do in the chase movies you will be fine. Just take care not to get crazy and damage a wheel or blow a fork seal. LOL

[Jess from VA]

Depends on the bike and suspension (and rider).

It's one thing to go up one reasonable height step to a new level.  It's another to go over an obstacle where once the front wheel is over, the bike drops back to level until the back wheel has to hop over it.  I used to practice in grocery parking lots going over double dead men then a quick 180* turn and over two more, all the way down a line of them (like trials riding).  On my Yami DT 360.  I'm not doing that on my Valks.

One thing is certain, if you don't have enough suspension to get over your obstacle (or good balance skills), you will stop abruptly, then go over one way or the other.

Dragging any oil pan is not a good thing either.  

[Dragunslayer]

Depends on the bike and suspension (and rider).

It's one thing to go up one reasonable height step to a new level.  It's another to go over an obstacle where once the front wheel is over, the bike drops back to level until the back wheel has to hop over it.  I used to practice in grocery parking lots going over double dead men then a quick 180* turn and over two more, all the way down a line of them (like trials riding).  On my Yami DT 360.  I'm not doing that on my Valks.

One thing is certain, if you don't have enough suspension to get over your obstacle (or good balance skills), you will stop abruptly, then go over one way or the other.

Dragging any oil pan is not a good thing either.  

Good point I did not think about when he got to the top of the stairs LOL, or the initial drop as you start down.

[Robert]

Thanks for the input,

Yup suspension travel is pretty good on these but Jess not looking to try that on my Valk. We all have to negotiate things. I was kind of wondering how and what other people do and the safety of it on the bike, not to mention not destroying the bike. 

I know not to let the bike come down on the pan but it was one of those scenarios that the suspension went over the obstical and I was braking and did it at the wrong time and bounced on the suspension allowed it to tap the pan/shield 

Truth is while I have been riding for roughly 20 years I have always had road bikes and never really got into the tight turns and lane change maneuvers slow maneuvers and such. I am a pretty good driver and can do all of the above but want to take things to the next level. On this bike I am much more inclined to experiment and explore. The 1500 did not lend itself to this type of driving so with the 1800 its like lets see what I can do. I am always inspired by the guy on the Goldwings that really know what they are doing and make mince meat out of the sport bike guys. Some also posted that our bikes are not an adventure bikes and I agree but have taken this bike off the road on fairly hard packed surfaces and not had a problem and wound up at destinations that were awesome. I think the bike can do it.

Have a mental pic of Dragon's icon and the bike being replaced by the Valk.

Goldwing  gets low
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOWBwNQ3x7M

Goldwing with 2up vs KTM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-VyTWdN5i8

[Pete]

When going up, always approach a curb or step at a 90 degree angle. Failure to do so can cause the front wheel to tuck into the the curb or step and stop and you fall over. The faster you are going the more violent the tuck and the harder the fall.