Help with stops...
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 179
Likes: 10
From: Switzerland
Do you use your front brake to come to a final stop? You probably shouldn't if you have the problems as described in your initial post.
From what you write above you seem to be able to handle a bike: how slow can you go with the RGU before having to put down a foot, i.e. before she wants to fall over?
Can you use rear brake and clutch to keep the bike upright when moving (very slowly)?
Especially if you can say yes to the last question then you really shouldn't have any issue keeping the bike upright when fully stopped as you should already know right before that point in which direction (obviously: left or right) she will be want to lean over and how quickly/aggressively so. Do you understand what I'm trying to say? It enables you to anticipate where you need to put your emphasis of strength when stopped to keep her upright and steady. Maybe this helps... Oh, and also: practice helps. ;-)
I do have to say, though, that the RGU does require more control than for instance my FLD. The RGU is top-heavy and that means she pulls left and right when stopped. This is not a bike for a featherweight; some body strength is required. And full feet on the ground at stops.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
Lots of good info here.
I'm almost exactly your size/weight. I have a '16 FLHTK also but it isn't a Low. I had my seat lowered, though, so it's pretty much the same.
I have thick sole/heel boots.
I look up and forward while stopping.
I use the friction zone-proper use of clutch and rear brake makes the bike stand up. Do this all the way to the stop.(check out "Ride Like a Pro" video).
Practice in an empty parking lot til you get the hang of it. Practice occasionally, even after you figure it out. It's a skill that can use regular honing.
I'm almost exactly your size/weight. I have a '16 FLHTK also but it isn't a Low. I had my seat lowered, though, so it's pretty much the same.
I have thick sole/heel boots.
I look up and forward while stopping.
I use the friction zone-proper use of clutch and rear brake makes the bike stand up. Do this all the way to the stop.(check out "Ride Like a Pro" video).
Practice in an empty parking lot til you get the hang of it. Practice occasionally, even after you figure it out. It's a skill that can use regular honing.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 515
From: georgia
the wife usually stays still for me like the others said practice and be easy with the front brake it can cause you a problem I practice using only two fingers on the front brake and gentle with them you can actually use one with time ,you know the you are my number one
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
I've got great balance. Almost 45 years old. Can still slalom. A half a block one wheels on the dirt bike. And yep she sits still. I figured coming in here I would get some good advice. Thought maybe it has something to do with the rear settings on the shocks. Ok then let's add another question. What is a damn good tire pressure gauge that works well on the limited?
I agree with others, that bag on top would give me nightmares. Even if its only 20lbs it's in the hardest place to carry weight. Also your wife being heavier than you (mine is too) makes for a little more challenge than a lighter passenger. My wife is 27lbs heavier and our oldest son is 15lbs lighter than me...makes a night and day difference. Obviously that's just something we have to cope with as riders, but a bag up top like that is going to really amplify the issue.
One thing that's great for me is to practice my 3 - 5mph driving skills. I sometimes find ways to get it in on my daily commute. For example in the parking lot at work, or pulling up to a red light I'll try to approach as slowly as possible that last 10 feet (as traffic will allow). I try to see if I can keep my feet up until the light turns green. This seems to help a bit.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,863
Likes: 3,727
From: St. Charles, MO
Lots of good info here.
I'm almost exactly your size/weight. I have a '16 FLHTK also but it isn't a Low. I had my seat lowered, though, so it's pretty much the same.
I have thick sole/heel boots.
I look up and forward while stopping.
I use the friction zone-proper use of clutch and rear brake makes the bike stand up. Do this all the way to the stop.(check out "Ride Like a Pro" video).
Practice in an empty parking lot til you get the hang of it. Practice occasionally, even after you figure it out. It's a skill that can use regular honing.
I'm almost exactly your size/weight. I have a '16 FLHTK also but it isn't a Low. I had my seat lowered, though, so it's pretty much the same.
I have thick sole/heel boots.
I look up and forward while stopping.
I use the friction zone-proper use of clutch and rear brake makes the bike stand up. Do this all the way to the stop.(check out "Ride Like a Pro" video).
Practice in an empty parking lot til you get the hang of it. Practice occasionally, even after you figure it out. It's a skill that can use regular honing.
I went from a Deuce to a Limited. The change in low speed balance was significant.
Any weight above the wheel axles will magnify this. The higher the weight, the more the effect.
As suggested here also - remove the tour pak and practice above in a parking lot. Add the weight back on one piece at a time. Try to keep from packing on top of the tour pak.
Best of luck!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 111
Likes: 5
From: Northern Il
Thanks guys for all the help. Just woke up and fired up the pc. I am so happy with this forum! You guys are great. My first day off is Wed morning. Am going to reread this thread a few times then think about everything on here while coming to a stop. Since I have not been stopping the same way every time I will try out things on here repetitively and see what works better for me. So far the only thing I wont really do on the bike is park in gravel and I hate doing a u turn in the road on this thing so I am just not going to do that again. In a little more than two weeks we are going to take our first real trip on the bike. I have been leaving the bag on there to get used to it. It will be for clothes on the trip. With the helmets we bought, they barely fit in the tour pak, we needed a place to put them when we were stopped so the pak is full with helmets hence the bag for out clothes. The left side bag is full of rain gear and her leather coat. Right side is my leather plus room for odds and ends. Going from Sterling Il to Green Bay, staying for a day there then up through Door County. We will only have one day to ride to the top of Door then back down to GB so if there is a have to see thing let me know(Cant stop at every light house and winery in one day (-: ). I have been learning ride planner and yes I am very excited. Been waiting over 20 years to start this part of my life. Two more years and the youngest will be in college. So cheers to all you guys for all the help and advice I have gotten on here. With the help of the forum I put together my dream bike in one year with all the right stuff on the first shot (even the highway pegs setup) with only one tiny little regret. The tour pak organizer in the trunk. I cant put anything in the pouches with the helmets in there. O WELL! Thanks again!!!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,806
Likes: 281
From: Green Country Oklahoma
It's a skill and confidence which you have to teach yourself by practicing following the suggestion in these posts. I've been riding full dressers for last eleven years first one gave me hell of a time even though it was lighter and I was younger. But now the Limited is my 3rd one and it's about 40 lbs. heavier and I'm not a boy anymore but it doesn't feel heavy or out of control and I'm not stronger then before it's just a skill and confidence learned over the years and riding crap load of miles.