Who is riding Touring Harley for the first time?
#1631
Basically every oops, almost and dammit I experienced happened at very low speeds or when stopping. The message came through loud and clear: "You MUST practice all the slow speed stuff and different stops". Tight circles, F8s, 90 degree turn-ins (as in parking spaces) U turns....I did all of these solo. Think "1000 pound bike and 200 pound rider to equal at least 1200 pounds to manage". Then comes my 135 pound wife, gear, leathers and whatever else. Suddenly we're not that far from 3/4 ton of overall weight for the rider to manage. Easy enough at 20 mph and greater, but 5 mph down to stopped can be the bear.
One of the harder maneuvers on a big touring bike (and 2-up) is making a slow-speed hard right turn into a tight parking space and coming to a smooth balanced stop. Best to practice those efforts on empty lots and between the lines.
One of the harder maneuvers on a big touring bike (and 2-up) is making a slow-speed hard right turn into a tight parking space and coming to a smooth balanced stop. Best to practice those efforts on empty lots and between the lines.
#1632
#1633
Also, if you are parked pointing in, you can try a U-turn from a stop, to turn out. You don't need much room ahead of you to make that turn.
#1634
Thanks man! Will definitely do that....I downloaded a series titled, "Ride Like a Pro" and it focuses on finding the friction zone, slow turns, etc. for large bikes. I'm signed up to take a class with them in a couple of months as well. I'm certain that there is a lifetime of learning when it comes to control at slow speeds. Thats where I struggle the most!
#1635
I just bought my first touring bike. A 2018 Electra Glide Ultra Classic. I love it so far.
I had a 2005 Honda VTX 1300c for several years and sold it. I missed riding since I sold that bike and finally got another. The wife and I like to ride two up and she really likes the comfort of this one.
It is about 300 lbs heavier than the VTX and that is taking me a little getting used to but the ride is so smooth.
I had a 2005 Honda VTX 1300c for several years and sold it. I missed riding since I sold that bike and finally got another. The wife and I like to ride two up and she really likes the comfort of this one.
It is about 300 lbs heavier than the VTX and that is taking me a little getting used to but the ride is so smooth.
#1636
Did that once years ago in a parking lot. I had no idea something could hit the ground that fast!
#1637
Basically every oops, almost and dammit I experienced happened at very low speeds or when stopping. The message came through loud and clear: "You MUST practice all the slow speed stuff and different stops". Tight circles, F8s, 90 degree turn-ins (as in parking spaces) U turns....I did all of these solo. Think "1000 pound bike and 200 pound rider to equal at least 1200 pounds to manage". Then comes my 135 pound wife, gear, leathers and whatever else. Suddenly we're not that far from 3/4 ton of overall weight for the rider to manage. Easy enough at 20 mph and greater, but 5 mph down to stopped can be the bear.
One of the harder maneuvers on a big touring bike (and 2-up) is making a slow-speed hard right turn into a tight parking space and coming to a smooth balanced stop. Best to practice those efforts on empty lots and between the lines.
One of the harder maneuvers on a big touring bike (and 2-up) is making a slow-speed hard right turn into a tight parking space and coming to a smooth balanced stop. Best to practice those efforts on empty lots and between the lines.
#1638
I guess I'm not supposed to post in this thread. But dang! Sometime I just can't help I myself!
Bought my 1st touring HD 56 years ago. Age 15.5 in CA (they let u ride solo on a m/cycle then). See my signature picture.
BTW, when shopping for one, the Pasadena dealer asked if I knew how to ride and I said yes (I did know). So he sent me out onto busy Colorado Blvd by myself for a test ride. That's trusting. I bought it.
Bought my 1st touring HD 56 years ago. Age 15.5 in CA (they let u ride solo on a m/cycle then). See my signature picture.
BTW, when shopping for one, the Pasadena dealer asked if I knew how to ride and I said yes (I did know). So he sent me out onto busy Colorado Blvd by myself for a test ride. That's trusting. I bought it.
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CanadianRocky (03-24-2018)
#1639
From the Ride Like a Pro series, practicing all the friction zone, throttle, rear brake and eyes are great stuff and soon become muscle memory. But really pay attention to the tip about NEVER using the front brake while coming to a stop with the bars turned any amount at all. You'll take a nose dive so fast it'll make your head spin. It hasn't happened to me (yet), but I've come very close a couple of times.
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Squidbilly* (06-25-2018)