BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

What is the issue with getting on the bike, I just stand by the side and hook my leg over. I am only 5ft 8, are you guys really short or not athletic enough to swing your leg over. Maybe get a smaller bike 

Casbar wrote: What is the issue with getting on the bike, I just stand by the side and hook my leg over. I am only 5ft 8, are you guys really short or not athletic enough to swing your leg over. Maybe get a smaller bike 

hear hear...

Leg is not the problem, it's the boot on the end that occasionally comes into contact with a bit of £250 plastic trim o the pannier lid.

So stick some of that clear film on the right side lid and be careful. Could always use a step ladder  8)

Na, don't do anything stick on and instead of a step ladder I have a left footrest. I reckon whatever extra weight is transferred from that when I get on is nearly all transferred to the wheels not the side stand as the bike does little more than stand more upright when I initially apply weight to the peg.

RTman10 wrote: Leg is not the problem, it's the boot on the end that occasionally comes into contact with a bit of £250 plastic trim o the pannier lid.

Exactly, same here.  I'm 6 foot tall and also happen to compete in marathons regularly, it's not a lack of athleticism.  For whatever reason the dang black heel still nicks the pannier every once in a while.  I say everyone should do what makes them comfortable, there is no right or wrong answer.

I park my right below my bedroom window and just jump on it like I saw one cowboy do it with a horse in a movie. I don't recommend trying this with a stock seat nor beads for obvious reasons.

wethead wrote: I park my right below my bedroom window and just jump on it like I saw one cowboy do it with a horse in a movie. I don't recommend trying this with a stock seat nor beads for obvious reasons.

Genius!  The other option would be a fireman's pole.  :))

timminator wrote:
Exactly, same here.  I'm 6 foot tall and also happen to compete in marathons regularly, it's not a lack of athleticism.  For whatever reason the dang black heel still nicks the pannier every once in a while.  I say everyone should do what makes them comfortable, there is no right or wrong answer.

I'd suggest that you look into a product called "Scuffblocker."  It's under development by the administrator of another forum, BMWSportTouring, the same guy who makes the reflective pre-cut kits fo the back of the bags.  Scuffblocker is a series of 3M paint protectors cut to fit the top of your panniers specifically to prevent the kind of scuffs that dragging a boot across the bag causes.  They're custom cut to fit your bags and they're just about invisible once installed.  I have them on my RT.  Due to hip and knee issues I drag a boot on the top of my right box much of the time.  With these in place, the marks come right off with a wet finger. 


I have no connection to the product, the other forum, or the company, I"m just a satisfied customer. 

What I really do is life a leg straight up over the seat; because I have a big backpack sitting on the rear seat and it's impossible to swing a leg over the back seat.

So by osmosis I never scuff the pannier.

I scuff the tank only.

I had the Motorrad Vinyl strip kit put on panniers. Great paint chip and scuff protection product. They are designed so the pre cut edges match the contours of the pannier - the only way you can really tell they are applied is by feeling for the edges of the vinyl. It was worth it for me because I don't get that horrible " just scuffed the paint feeling " anymore.

I have been mounting the bike by grabbing handlebars, standing (left foot) on the foot peg, and then swinging my right leg over. Been doing this for the last 7 years no problem with the side stand, saves kicking the side case

All these discussions about how to get your leg over, reminds me of the days of been a teenager out with your mates !!!
:alas: