Question for you experienced riders
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 709
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From: Little Rock, AR
Question for you experienced riders
How consistent are you on the way you ride your Dyna? What I mean is this: Is there days that you seem to do everything right and then you have a day when you do some little thing that you know that you could have done better? Like maybe a slow turn, shifting, braking or coming to a stop and not putting a foot down just right. I know that all of this should be second nature, but I have times when I just seem to screw up on a few things. The main one for me is the slow turn and all of this is after being back on a bike for the last 2 years. I DO try to be very alert when I ride, but being 72 years old, I know that I am not like I was at 42. I would like to hear of any of your inconsistentcies.
Thanks
Thanks
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,456
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From: PacNW; Beacon of Conservatism in a Sea of Liberals.......AZ Snowbird; Just another Conservative
When three of us met up to ride to the First [Annual] NW Dyna Gathering, I asked one of the other guys to take the lead after awhile because I recognized that I wasn't feeling "sharp" enough. I work 3rd shift and had gotten a couple hour nap when I got home and before meeting up with the other riders. On a big sweeping curve going over a Pass in the Cascades, I was taking a picture on the roll and did an unplanned lane change that made me realize I wasn't at me best. My thought processes, control and riding movements didn't feel "fluid" like they normally do; they felt more like strobing or stop-action. When I recognized it, I tried to concentrate and force myself back to normal, but that only added stress which compounded things. After switching to sweeper position, I was able to relax as I relied more on the other two riders to set the pace, lane selection and other ride issues.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: In your head rent free
Everything you do has inconsistency. We are all human.
Experience reduces this, but more importantly, it allows you to recover faster and better when you do slip up. Sort of an organized chaos at times.
Find a way to safely push your comfort zone. Make sharper than normal turns when you can. Zig-Zag on empty roads. Let the bike show you what it can do, don't fight it. A Dyna is an awesome platform to ride. It will still be in complete control long after your nerves have backed you down.
My inconsistency: I wobble to the right at a slow speed stop. Not a lot, but it is there.
Experience reduces this, but more importantly, it allows you to recover faster and better when you do slip up. Sort of an organized chaos at times.
Find a way to safely push your comfort zone. Make sharper than normal turns when you can. Zig-Zag on empty roads. Let the bike show you what it can do, don't fight it. A Dyna is an awesome platform to ride. It will still be in complete control long after your nerves have backed you down.
My inconsistency: I wobble to the right at a slow speed stop. Not a lot, but it is there.
Last edited by Toypuller; Sep 3, 2009 at 06:43 PM.
man we all have days like that... hell my buddy got off his new bike 3 days ago and just let go... KICK STAND IDIOT! he grabbed it, and it pulled him over with him... ha ha ha 0 damage, pegs and crash bars caught it... hell i broke down last night on the CB500 i am building for my wife... PUSHED it all the way home (about 1/2 mile) when i got there she said "did you turn on the gas, i know you shut it off" i told her "hell ya! you think i am an idiot" when she went inside... i turned on the gas, fired right up! it happens man!
Banned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 953
Likes: 1
From: underground
i hope i am able to ride when i"m 70, only 50 here,10,000 miles a year for the last 3 yrs and still make some mistakes. your doing alright,just ride more often and be careful. be sure and cover your rear brake when doing wheelies,in case you have to bring that front wheel down fast.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 967
Likes: 104
From: Tampa Bay, Florida
man we all have days like that... hell my buddy got off his new bike 3 days ago and just let go... KICK STAND IDIOT! he grabbed it, and it pulled him over with him... ha ha ha 0 damage, pegs and crash bars caught it... hell i broke down last night on the CB500 i am building for my wife... PUSHED it all the way home (about 1/2 mile) when i got there she said "did you turn on the gas, i know you shut it off" i told her "hell ya! you think i am an idiot" when she went inside... i turned on the gas, fired right up! it happens man!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
Yup... I have on days and off days. Some days everything feels good and I'm jammin' on it and riding aggressively and I'll drag the pipes a bit in a corner... other days, I'm just cruising along, trying not to hit anything or fall over.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 133
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From: Western New York
Well, at 63 I find I have to ride when all is in my favor. I'f I'm feeling off or if the weather isn't just right I put it off for another day. My problem has been bad ankles from an accident and my legs cramp up when I come to a stop and can't get them down in time! I do wish the bike had a damn tack as I find myself in 4th a lot when maybe I should be in 5th or top gear. In general, I find I have to ride more cautious then I did when younger.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
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From: S.E. MO
Like everyone else said everyone has there days you just hope you dont screw up big in the wrong situation.
Biggest thing i see every once in awhile is coming to stops. Usually I can roll to a complete stop nice and smooth before putting my feet down. Every once in awhile though its like my first week on the bike lol
Other day coming home from a trip I guess I was day dreaming and came across the yellow line a little going around a curve. I really have no idea what happened but luckily I have enough miles under my belt I didnt let the car coming spook me and I corrected myself.
Biggest thing i see every once in awhile is coming to stops. Usually I can roll to a complete stop nice and smooth before putting my feet down. Every once in awhile though its like my first week on the bike lol
Other day coming home from a trip I guess I was day dreaming and came across the yellow line a little going around a curve. I really have no idea what happened but luckily I have enough miles under my belt I didnt let the car coming spook me and I corrected myself.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 241
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I agree 100%. There are days when you can just get on it and tear up the town. Then there are days when you just get where you want to go and even some days when you say "I should have taken the truck (or car)". Like everything in life nothing is perfect all the time. We ride because its our passion. If its all we had to worry about we would be perfect. But with everything life throws at you you are bound to have an off day. All we can do is always be aware of whats going on around us, come home rubber side down, and ride safe....