Female biker struggling with manual handling

[Maidofdartmoor]

I passed my bike test at the end of February, and now have a 2002 yellow Honda hornet, 599cc.

I find it light and nippy, and have done hundreds of miles on it already without a single problem.

The only problem I have, is trying to get it into my garage at the end of every ride. I live in a council estate, and halfway up the street there is a block of garages.

The garages are all down the side of a steep hill, and its a narrow area. So not only is there a steep incline in the equation, but also a steep adverse camber when aligned with the garages. Which makes it even harder to push the bike back up a slight slope into the garage. 
 

The bike has to go in backwards, because if there are cars parked outside the garage is either side of me, I’m unable to push the bike backwards up the hill.

 

I usually ride down into the garage block, turn the bike around, ride back up, and then back the bike into the garage. But if the garage area is blocked up with cars, I’m unable to turn the bike around and get completely stuck.

 

The best bet is to reverse down into the block of garages, which eliminates the needs to turn the bike around. But I struggle to push it backwards over the pavement at the entrance, even though it’s only a slight incline.

 

To make matters worse, I’m always watched by several unkind neighbours, who are worried that they might get their cars scratched, and keep telling me that I shouldn’t have the bike and it’s too heavy for me to handle. I’ve never had any problem handling the bike, except in this horrendous garage block. I’ve dropped the bike once already, and was unable to pick it up on my own, so it was very embarrassing.
 

It’s probably difficult to advise me without seeing the area, but I feel sure that there must be a better way to manage things without access to a man’s strength?

 

It never occurred to me when I did my bike license, that my garage would prove to be the most difficult and dangerous part of biking!

[Mickly]

If there’s room to spin the bike round either in the garage or just out side, what about one of these?

There’s several versions so just have a look on line.

You could of course pivot turn it on the side stand but I think that would need a bit of grunt.

Edited Monday at 20:45 by Mickly

[Fiddlesticks]

Hi.

There's nothing like being watched by people to mess up your slow speed / manual handling confidence!

There are some things you can do when it comes to technique, moving the bike around, and even lifting it. Doodle on a Motorcycle (YouTube) did a series on this as she needed to be able to lift her Triumph Tiger.

But when pushing uphill you sort of come up against pure physics and might need other options.

If there's room to turn the bike inside the garage you can get/make turntables fairly cheaply ( https://www.motorworks.co.uk/motorcycle-turntable-aca33131-4.html ) - but you'd need a centre stand.

[Maidofdartmoor]

Thanks guys! For some reason my bike doesn’t have a centre stand, but maybe I could find one to fit it. I might have just enough space to turn the bike, if I get rid of my other bike which is in there.

I think the turntable is a great suggestion, I’ve never even heard of such a thing.

[Patrik]

As you said, it’s difficult to advise  without seeing the area.  Fiddlesticks and Mickley came up with some good suggestions. I feel that maintenance stands and trolleys are ridiculously expensive, considering that one can build these things out of scrap with a bit of skill and a welding torch. I'd look at various turntables and then take the best sides of the different models to suit my requirements and build my own, thus possibly eliminating the need for a centre stand too.  I have a few ideas in my head how this could be done.  Maybe you know someone creative nearby with a mig welder? 

 

 

Another idea coming to my mind would be an electric winch affixed to the rear of your garage with a wireless remote to assist you over the pavement? Something like this: 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/326415409014?_skw=electric+winch&itmmeta=01JV3C9R4YCNBRC9KK99GG8F9Z&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1cF%2Facn4NV%2F%2BQ%2Ba%2FhOqvVUlmC5zJnpk%2FruF3sBvrydE0qjzZG0jiaV1q0v1RMXzQVViA5HIo0AfsOLdS%2F3zbEOla8A4tggLbNi%2FzoaWPySTwzF5JtavRir8F5Z7pl02W0ywcj53JaRMg8fJj5ljvnGhSuNKW9W6p9Ef7Aq4C7rTynXKd1fMrIitHRLYxtfmESxfhJeyKOMZV3cfYFKJypwmjyEyzj7klsMNivIjNmSwXduGDvkaMMJy1I8EPzBYuyQ9RGwZ3FcA4L03D1iqLHhElFWV45Ul9IKYW0C7TzGv3Q%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR9qCp-zYZQ

 

Or if you don't have mains electric in your garage, get a 12V winch and use an old car battery.  Plenty of them cheap on ebay.

 

The remote I would make wireless with a kit like this:

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125016065164?_skw=433mhz+remote&itmmeta=01JV3CMX0FMA7W530VQFR1CGS4&hash=item1d1b89c48c:g:RnAAAOSwE4JhnKZR&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1eNdtcNfGQPAznlv16WE1WWYaD8Z36V3J4fQeONiXmyQbfsiC3YnWppiTpnBF0EJfaU4ZWH6K9XLJfcEHhJzooodqSQOcfdjyEGEpgP4Oy4YpRuH7lDLk7oNR%2FzRXXqXUmQQotZXhyXc8W9u4Lgy2G27EyJ5DtU27hGxKWB9A%2BlxPKrV1U0VcTVBNMBXSBtvVEafd2F%2B3Hs%2FgyEp%2By36s3I0kEZKhlPbbSsKgS1qQllm3Z6UTKoukVNQ1Nc53HBGEM%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR8bQ0-zYZQ

 

And finally, here is the absolute budget solution:  buy a bag of ready cement and flatten out your pavement / kerb?

 

Just don't overestimate a man’s strength.  I really struggle sometimes with my bike too and the prying eyes of  neighbours and bystanders are very annoying. Men's egos get easily bruised.  But you know that you know something which they don't know:  bikes are heavy and require skill, something most tin-box pilots don't even know how to spell.

[Bender]

9 hours ago, Maidofdartmoor said:

Thanks guys! For some reason my bike doesn’t have a centre stand, but maybe I could find one to fit it. I might have just enough space to turn the bike, if I get rid of my other bike which is in there.

I think the turntable is a great suggestion, I’ve never even heard of such a thing.

The above swivel dies not need a center stand, just the side stand.

 

It does have a bit of a ramp to get it up but you could use a longer wooden one to help get it on, as it's a dolly you have more options for manoeuvring when spinning it around...

[RideWithStyles]

One aspect of their continued rudeness and inconsideration, is if they block the access to the garages which you have right to get too, so any damages in polite manner is on them for not allowing access and space as it is a shared space?

 

The hornets weren’t the lightest bikes of there type in that era Im sort of getting the idea of the set up but I think your inexperience of not using the bikes advantages, Physics is easily overlooked.

as fliddles sort of touched on:

You can do the dealership spin bike round on a ten pence  with virtually no strength : use the side stand, stand to the left of the seat, lock the steering, gently pull the far bar and the other hand the rear grab rail towards you using your body as to prop or pole to lean against, doesn’t need much just a few inches just so the tyre(s) are less weighted or off the ground abit because they are your contact/friction points,then it will spin on the centre pole (the side stand) when you move around to the left or right.
 

So at first your trying to move a large brick with loads of contact and spreaded out weight which is more difficult to move when it’s layed down much like a bike, if you was to put the brick on its one corner edge you can spin it easily, which will be what you’ll be doing.

the other is why not just use the motor sat on or standing by its side to drive the bike up, then if your worried of it getting away from you you can turn the bike off and leave in gear, just use the clutch to modulate how much the bike moves and any given moment without having to worry about the brake

Edited Tuesday at 07:45 by RideWithStyles
Add the vid

[Capt Sisko]

A bit tongue in cheek, but if you swallow your pride and accept a bit of mechanical help for the slope, a small 12v electric winch run off a battery might be the answer. That along with the wheeled stand will see your neighbours posting videos of you showing off on YT!

 

[Fiddlesticks]

Another thought - would a ramp made of wood help bridge the dip next to the pavement and smooth out the slope?

[Throttled]

15 hours ago, Maidofdartmoor said:

....The best bet is to reverse down into the block of garages, which eliminates the needs to turn the bike around. But I struggle to push it backwards over the pavement at the entrance, even though it’s only a slight incline.

 

 

 

You are not alone. I have to negotiate cars to get to my lock up. I have to do a 90-degree turn and then walk the bike backwards into the garage. There is a slope, but it does not sound as steep as yours and I don't have to bump over a pavement. That sounds the hardest part and would a bit of wood in the gutter help? You clearly can physically do it, and it sounds like hating to have to do it, is the real problem.

 

When you go back on the bike, do you sit on it and paddle backwards, or do you get off and walk it backwards? I feel more confident sitting on the bike and paddling backwards.

[Throttled]

This just popped up on my YouTube feed;

 

 

[Maidofdartmoor]

5 hours ago, Throttled said:

 

You are not alone. I have to negotiate cars to get to my lock up. I have to do a 90-degree turn and then walk the bike backwards into the garage. There is a slope, but it does not sound as steep as yours and I don't have to bump over a pavement. That sounds the hardest part and would a bit of wood in the gutter help? You clearly can physically do it, and it sounds like hating to have to do it, is the real problem.

 

When you go back on the bike, do you sit on it and paddle backwards, or do you get off and walk it backwards? I feel more confident sitting on the bike and paddling backwards.

I literally cannot push the bike backwards while sitting on it, unless I’m on a level surface. Instead, I put it on the side stand (leaning over dangerously because of the adverse camber) then stand in front of the bike and use all my strength and weight to pull it upright and shove it backwards into the garage. Although I find it difficult, I’ve never dropped the bike doing this. Only when there were cars in the way and I couldn’t get it at the right angle.

People have this idea that motorbikes are like bicycles, so they park partially in front of my garage and ‘leave me a gap’ at the side. I found this gap a real struggle even on my little 125, never mind with the Honda hornet & panniers.

Unfortunately, my insurance company assures me that I will always be liable for any damage if I scratch a car in this situation, because it’s a stationary vehicle, even if badly parked.

All extra anxiety.

[Throttled]

14 hours ago, Maidofdartmoor said:

I literally cannot push the bike backwards while sitting on it, unless I’m on a level surface. Instead, I put it on the side stand (leaning over dangerously because of the adverse camber) then stand in front of the bike and use all my strength and weight to pull it upright and shove it backwards into the garage. Although I find it difficult, I’ve never dropped the bike doing this.

 

I think that is the most secure way to move a bike backwards, as seen in the YouTube video. I take it you leave the side stand down whilst pushing? I hope you gain more confidence by the fact you have not dropped it that way.

[onesea]

On 12/05/2025 at 21:18, Maidofdartmoor said:

I passed my bike test at the end of February, and now have a 2002 yellow Honda hornet, 599cc.

I find it light and nippy, and have done hundreds of miles on it already without a single problem.

The only problem I have, is trying to get it into my garage at the end of every ride. I live in a council estate, and halfway up the street there is a block of garages.

The garages are all down the side of a steep hill, and its a narrow area. So not only is there a steep incline in the equation, but also a steep adverse camber when aligned with the garages. Which makes it even harder to push the bike back up a slight slope into the garage. 
 

The bike has to go in backwards, because if there are cars parked outside the garage is either side of me, I’m unable to push the bike backwards up the hill.

 

I usually ride down into the garage block, turn the bike around, ride back up, and then back the bike into the garage. But if the garage area is blocked up with cars, I’m unable to turn the bike around and get completely stuck.

 

The best bet is to reverse down into the block of garages, which eliminates the needs to turn the bike around. But I struggle to push it backwards over the pavement at the entrance, even though it’s only a slight incline.

 

To make matters worse, I’m always watched by several unkind neighbours, who are worried that they might get their cars scratched, and keep telling me that I shouldn’t have the bike and it’s too heavy for me to handle. I’ve never had any problem handling the bike, except in this horrendous garage block. I’ve dropped the bike once already, and was unable to pick it up on my own, so it was very embarrassing.
 

It’s probably difficult to advise me without seeing the area, but I feel sure that there must be a better way to manage things without access to a man’s strength?

 

It never occurred to me when I did my bike license, that my garage would prove to be the most difficult and dangerous part of biking!

 

If the the garage is rented from the council approach them about blocked access?  Highlight you cannot use the facilities they are charging you for because of the obstructions.

Inability to turn round etc, 

 

Move to alternate garage block? Or just better located garage?

 

Have you got sticker on garage door?  Sounds daft but can help - just don't mention motorbike big sign to thieve's.

 

As for the comments, that sounds like a matter for police deliberately blocking access then making comments. 

 

Although I get the feeling you are too nice a person for any of that and on going agro it will cause.

 

As others have said turn table or side stand twist.

Making it look difficult:

Making it look easy: 

 

 

 

I can and have done it and it's easy once you have knack.   Find somewhere flat to try it.

 

My advice on manual handling a bike is ride up hill & roll back down hill and try and avoid it all together.

 

Which isn't much help.