I've been riding my sportster for over 4 years now, and ride all the time. I love it around town, and on road trips up to 2-300 miles. It seems not only uncomfortable, but a bit of a hassle to go much further, let alone multi-day trips. I want to take my riding to the next level, so I'm looking at baggers.

I was looking at Road Kings initially, and test rode one 2-up not long ago. It felt great, and I handled it no problem. My friend let me ride his Street Glide, and I liked it, but thought it was a bit heavy in parking lots. Then my friend let me ride his Ultra Classic. I circled it around a big parking lot 1 time, and parked it pulling straight in. I just did not feel comfortable with the weight of this bike. When parking, I felt like I was too high up to stand safely. I was seriously worried I was going to drop it. Was this all in my mind, or are they just difficult in parking lots?

I really like the comforts and conveniences of the UC for the highway, but how do you get used to parking lots and the heaviness without beating it up? I don't want to drop this kind of money to end up scratching it all to Hell learning how to handle it. I really like the UC, but may fall back to the RK if I can't figure out how to warm up to this beast.

How did you guys get started with your UC? Did you feel like I did? Perhaps I just didn't ride it long enough, or simply needed a lower seat?

 

Lowered or "reach" seat would help. I just rode and rode and rode. Sometimes I still get un-easy backing or manuevering around parking lots.

Just takes time. For me its the big fairing makes it look bigger than it is. You were fine on the Road King but the Ultra scared you? Same frame

 

All it takes is time and a lot of practice.

 

Forward motion

 

can't be afraid of it. I think a lot of it could be in your head. They are big bikes don't get me wrong but having confidence makes a lot of difference. You would get used to it quickly.

 

A lower seat may help but these bikes are just plain heavy. I have a lower seat and it is lowered front and rear one inch. I went from a Heritage to the FLHTK a year ago, big difference. After 10k+ miles I am handling it well but realize I have a lot of learning still to do. I took the "Ride Like a Pro" course which has helped a lot and i practice slow speed manuevering with cones on a course set up as suggested in the Ride Like a Pro video series. I have dropped it but it really doesn't hurt one to drop it, they are well protectected with the engine gaurds being made at an angle that surprisingly the thing just lies down on its side with no damage and the tilt sensor shuts it down for you. The challenge then becomes learning to pick it back up but that is all about technique too. Practicing the Ride Like a Pro examples has got me to the point I have leaned it over far enough turning in a 24 foot diameter circle at about eight to ten mph that i have dragged the footboards without dropping it. It scared me at first but the point is you can do that you just have to get over the fear of doing something that does not come naturally. If you want one go for it you will get used to it and the comfort it gives you while long distance cruising is worth the extra effort.

 

What's your inseam? I'm short, with a 29" inseam and thick legs. For my RK, I lowered front/rear an inch, put a much lower seat on it, and got a kickstand extender. Now I can plant my foot for the most part.

 

I have a sporty for around town and the UC is my main bike. When I get on the sporty, it feels like a toy. Love it around town and very short trips, but the UC is for the long haul.

You will just have to ride the touring bike to get use to it. It took me at least a year to get use to the UC. I am now comfortable with it in most all situations. Like I already said the Sporty now feels like a toy. The sporty is great for around town because is is so nimble.

Once you take an UC on a road trip, you will never go back.

 

+1 here.
Been riding lots of bikes for years, even GoldWings. My favorite bike so far is my UC. I could not imagine having another bike and I do a lot of in town riding during the summer months.

The UC is my main source of transportation during school months. Even with that, it still causes me to pucker up sometimes in parking lots or weird intersection stops. But as everyone here says, "It takes time to get used to".

 

you have to ride it and when your done ride it some more
You will be suprised how quick you will get used to it