Manhandling bike on gravel

[KScanes]

Hello all.  I have a gravel drive about two cars length leading to my garage. The V-Strom lives in the garage and the car lives on the drive, as is fitting. There is enough room to manoeuvre the bike round the car and I have no problem riding out of the garage round the car onto the road.

It is getting the bike backwards into the garage that is a pita. Not too hard to man handle the bike to alongside the car, it is the backwards S over fairly deep loose gravel and up over the concrete hump into the garage that is a struggle (and yes I have dropped the bike once.)

I’m thinking along the lines of trying rubber matting or similar that I can put down for the last few metres, and take up again; it’ll need to be reasonably stiff not sag much under the tyres.  Has anyone tried similar or perhaps got some other solution or advice?

Cheers.

[Joe Rocket]

Easy life route, ride the bike into the garage and do a 5 point turn. I have a slope to mount if I try to push it in the 'right way round' to ride out.

 

[Barbel Mick]

Could you dig out a bit and fit these where needed then refill??
https://www.sure-green.com/products/porous-pavers-grass-gravel/pp40-grass-gravel-porous-paver-black.php?product=264&utm_source=adrac&utm_medium=shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI16vimOCF3gIVSOJ3Ch2TVAU-EAQYAiABEgKK8fD_BwE

[Fat Rat]

Wouldn't it be easier to ride it in and wheel it out backwards?

[TLPower]

I also suffer from gravel drive syndrome but with a downward gradient. It is a pain as I have to sweep the sticky stones off the pavement and back onto the drive as well as struggling with the 'bike. We had decided on Indian stone but thanks to Bargain Mick's suggestion I may save us a couple of quids.   

I did lay some paving stones down the side wide enough to push the 'bike out forwards but it means pushing it backwards into the garage and onto the 'bike lift.

And yes I have dropped it pushing it backwards onto the lift

[Hugo Magnus]

Concrete

[SimonF]

Not my idea, but saw this on You Tube. You can get the bearings off Amazon quite cheaply.

[Freddyfruitbat]

I'd go with a turntable - either DIY or off-the-shelf if you're feeling flush:

https://www.motorworks.co.uk/vlive/Shop/Parts.php?T=6&Q=ACA33131
or


EDIT: bugger, Simon beat me too it   
 

[wurzel]

Ride the bike into the garage, do a sidestand 180 turn, ride out when needed, that's what I do, no effort needed once perfected.

[TLPower]

Have a look at where the Super Duke stand is mounted, straight onto the the engine case.

I like this turntable https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Centre-Stand-Turntable-40cm-16inch-Bike-Motorbike-Motorcycle-EasyTurn-/292430438088

[wurzel]

Good point tlp,  I might refrain from doing it on that bike, thank you.

[Mr Nick]

That's why I fitted the sidestand relocator to the 990 - didn't like the idea of the stand on the cases.

[Graham62]

I made a lazy susan turntable with some checker plate and some 12 inch Round Lazy Susan Turntable Bearing.
https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwi9zNS_34beAhXH4ncKHd_3CYMYABAUGgJlZg&ohost=www.google.co.uk&cid=CAESEeD2ED7V4ctl8tIVHF2AStQc&sig=AOD64_0FadpuszkcFda6jUxBVZTqO8N5Hg&ctype=5&q=&ved=0ahUKEwiwrM2_34beAhVJLcAKHWe3DAAQ9aACCD8&adurl=

[Freddyfruitbat]

I wish my garage was wide enough to do a 180-degree spin; if so I'd have a turntable in there myself.  But as this are, by the time I'd got my turntable out and put it down on the drive, wheeled the bike on it and turned  it round, and then picked it up again it's really not worth the extra hassle...

[KScanes]

Thank you all for your suggestions and advice. I may explore the turntable idea - good excuse for another gadget .

[mrp192]

A friend uses one of these and seems very manoeuvrable.
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-mcd1-motorcycle-dolly/