Hill hold feature inconsistency
Hill hold feature inconsistency
Why does Harley's Hill Hold feature work in Neutral on my Pan America but not on my RoadGlide? My PA is a '22 model and my RG is a '20 model. Has the MoCo upgraded this feature for newer bikes, or is this just an anomaly with the PA? Either way, it's nice being able to move to Neutral while still having the Hill Hold engaged.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,974
Likes: 5,478
From: Woodlands, MB, Canada
Vehicle Hold Control, aka hill hold doesn't work in neutral on my 22 Road King either.. The owner's manual states that it will de-activate if you rev the engine, shut off the engine, or put the transmission in neutral.
I guess they figured neutral hill hold would be an advantage for a bike that's meant to go off road.
Shame.. Sometimes I want to have both both feet on the ground and both hands free to adjust something while I'm holding on a hill.. (One at the end of my driveway to be specific)..
I guess they figured neutral hill hold would be an advantage for a bike that's meant to go off road.
Shame.. Sometimes I want to have both both feet on the ground and both hands free to adjust something while I'm holding on a hill.. (One at the end of my driveway to be specific)..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,492
Likes: 30,781
From: Pennsylvania
Why does Harley's Hill Hold feature work in Neutral on my Pan America but not on my RoadGlide? My PA is a '22 model and my RG is a '20 model. Has the MoCo upgraded this feature for newer bikes, or is this just an anomaly with the PA? Either way, it's nice being able to move to Neutral while still having the Hill Hold engaged.
Vehicle Hold Control (VHC)
VHC uses brake pressure to keep the motorcycle from rolling backward when it is stopped on an incline, making it easier to ride away when starting on an incline, such as a hill, a bridge or a parking ramp. The VHC holds brake pressure when activated and prevents the motorcycle from moving after the rider has released the brake controls. The system holds brake pressure until the rider actuates the throttle and clutch to pull away.
NOTE:
VHC is not intended to be used as a parking brake.
Activation: The rider activates VHC by applying extra pressure to either the front brake hand lever or the rear brake foot control after the motorcycle has come to a complete stop. A VHC indicator light will illuminate to confirm that the rider has activated VHC and the ABS system will hold brake pressure after the rider releases the brake control.
Deactivation: VHC is deactivated automatically as the rider begins to pull away from a stop, or if the rider applies and releases either brake control. VHC may deactivate if rider aggressively revs the engine with clutch lever pulled in. VHC will also deactivate if the rider lowers the side stand on models with a side stand sensor (not in all markets) or shifts into neutral on models without a side stand sensor. VHC will deactivate when engine stops running. VHC will deactivate after approximately five minutes In most situations, the indicator light will flash and the VHC will release if there is no rider action. (VHC may deactivate in less than five minutes to prevent overheating if being used often on steep grades.)
The PA probably has updated mechanical and software.
Last edited by CoolBreeze3646; Jan 12, 2023 at 08:26 AM.
Supporter
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,405
Likes: 4,841
From: Colorado
I am stunned! Paint my ***** blue and kiss my ***!
Never heard of Vehicle Hold Control before this thread. VHC is the most fantastic feature to come along and was totally needed.
God bless engineers. Give them a problem and they will come up with a solution.
I had always considered that the problems of starting from a stop on an incline was just part of living in the real world. This one feature is motivating me to take a look at a new or late model bike.
Never heard of Vehicle Hold Control before this thread. VHC is the most fantastic feature to come along and was totally needed.
God bless engineers. Give them a problem and they will come up with a solution.
I had always considered that the problems of starting from a stop on an incline was just part of living in the real world. This one feature is motivating me to take a look at a new or late model bike.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 290
Likes: 218
From: NH
You can put both feet on the ground. That's the beauty of the hill hold. But, you do need to keep in gear with the clutch lever in, so at least one hand will be tied up. Also, after squeezing the brakes hard enough to activate hill hold don't touch the brakes again or it will deactivate.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 22,999
Likes: 11,439
I am stunned! Paint my ***** blue and kiss my ***!
Never heard of Vehicle Hold Control before this thread. VHC is the most fantastic feature to come along and was totally needed.
God bless engineers. Give them a problem and they will come up with a solution.
I had always considered that the problems of starting from a stop on an incline was just part of living in the real world. This one feature is motivating me to take a look at a new or late model bike.
Never heard of Vehicle Hold Control before this thread. VHC is the most fantastic feature to come along and was totally needed.
God bless engineers. Give them a problem and they will come up with a solution.
I had always considered that the problems of starting from a stop on an incline was just part of living in the real world. This one feature is motivating me to take a look at a new or late model bike.
2020 was first year RDRS was offered. It was to be standard on Touring starting in 2021. But HD rolled that back and it was an option on some .
Still not standard yet.
Also if you see HC in yellow in speedometer it means hill control is on.
Last edited by smitty901; Jan 12, 2023 at 02:07 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,465
Likes: 6,327
From: pacific northwest
My RG Limited also has hill hold and needs to be in gear to work, also would like it to be true hands free but it is what it is, that be said never had it on any other bike and got along fine.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 647
Likes: 151
From: Tampa, FL
I forget the brand for the clutch that does not the lever to be pulled. I’ve seen the demos where the bike idles in first gear as if it was in neutral. I wonder if the HC will still work with that clutch since it’s “in gear” or if it includes the clutch sensor in the programming.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 786
Likes: 603
From: Alberta
The answer is one of those “you can please some of the people some of the time……….”
I had a Limited with RDRS and the feature I liked best was hill hold. Something you could actually feel working. As for it holding your bike on a hill in neutral I wouldn’t trust it anyways and would instinctively use the front brake, so it would be a redundant feature for me. In my opinion it’s designed for an active riding scenario.
I had a Limited with RDRS and the feature I liked best was hill hold. Something you could actually feel working. As for it holding your bike on a hill in neutral I wouldn’t trust it anyways and would instinctively use the front brake, so it would be a redundant feature for me. In my opinion it’s designed for an active riding scenario.
