Softail riding tips.
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
From: Telford, U.K.
Softail riding tips.
Well the weather is slowly improving? and the day is drawing closer when I shall be taking out the Harley for our maiden voyage. As its over 30 years since I rode a motorcycle on the roads I was wondering if anyone had any tips for me regarding driving style with the Evo.
I know the Evo is a heavy old thing compared to the Jawa 350 I rode in the 70s so I know not to let it lean over too far when stationary but how does it behave when going around corners,.....I did ride it a couple of hundred yards round to my garage and the weight soon went away after a few yards..
..........Alaso bear in mind I am 64 so I'm not quite the physical beast I used to be so what precautions should I take, any hints and tips will be much appreciated.....
I know the Evo is a heavy old thing compared to the Jawa 350 I rode in the 70s so I know not to let it lean over too far when stationary but how does it behave when going around corners,.....I did ride it a couple of hundred yards round to my garage and the weight soon went away after a few yards..
..........Alaso bear in mind I am 64 so I'm not quite the physical beast I used to be so what precautions should I take, any hints and tips will be much appreciated.....
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Not sure what I can add other than it is a great handling machine. IMO
As you noticed the weight goes away when riding.
Nothing special about it, just ride it.
If you haven't taken the advanced riding class in a while I would recommend doing it again just for a refresher.
As you noticed the weight goes away when riding.
Nothing special about it, just ride it.
If you haven't taken the advanced riding class in a while I would recommend doing it again just for a refresher.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 356
Likes: 9
From: Denton, MD
I'm 62 and started riding again about 7 years ago, I had a 350 Honda in 1976 and then I bought a VTX1800 Honda in 2009, I had only ridden once from 1976 and that was in about 1988 for about 20 minutes on an old Harley 1200. When I test drove the Honda I had to walk it off the lot until I got the feel of it and it came back very easy. I still was very careful with the extra weight it will get to you once in a while, just be aware. Have lots of fun it brings back such great memories.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
From: Telford, U.K.
Cheers Texashillcountry, I've never taken an advanced riding class, passed my test back in the day when the tester used to jump out into the road in front of you for your emergency stop......different world. I've never taken any type of class, just learnt it intuitively and now I'm reading about countersteering
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
From: Telford, U.K.
I'm 62 and started riding again about 7 years ago, I had a 350 Honda in 1976 and then I bought a VTX1800 Honda in 2009, I had only ridden once from 1976 and that was in about 1988 for about 20 minutes on an old Harley 1200. When I test drove the Honda I had to walk it off the lot until I got the feel of it and it came back very easy. I still was very careful with the extra weight it will get to you once in a while, just be aware. Have lots of fun it brings back such great memories.
Cheers...the plan is to have fun and just enjoy myself on sunny days just going here and there, glad you're enjoying yourself.
FWIW, I got my first HD a couple of years ago (my FXR), and then bought an Electra Glide last year.
I've ridden forever, lots of different bike, but all much (much!) lighter than the FXR.
When I first got it, it took me some time to get used to the weight. I came to learn that I had any number of bad habits that a heavier bike doesn't forgive.
After climbing that learning curve, and then getting the FLH, it was learning curve all over again. That thing is HEAVY. I mean really.
Took a few months and a few thousand miles to really get acclimated to it.
Funny thing is, having gotten used to the FLH, the FXR now feels light as a feather. Last fall I took a spin on a friend's Ducati. Good grief! It felt like it wasn't even there. Hard to believe that is the sort of bike I used to ride.
Anyway, if I have a point here its that I truly think spending time learning how to ride a heavy motorcycle has really made me a better rider. But it does take some time to get acclimated to them.
I've only ridden a Softail a couple of time here and there. My guess is they are somewhere between the FXR and the FLH on the heavy-meter. I'm sure if you take it easy, spend some time piffing around the neighborhood, do some parking lot practice, etc, you'll be fine.
I've ridden forever, lots of different bike, but all much (much!) lighter than the FXR.
When I first got it, it took me some time to get used to the weight. I came to learn that I had any number of bad habits that a heavier bike doesn't forgive.
After climbing that learning curve, and then getting the FLH, it was learning curve all over again. That thing is HEAVY. I mean really.
Took a few months and a few thousand miles to really get acclimated to it.
Funny thing is, having gotten used to the FLH, the FXR now feels light as a feather. Last fall I took a spin on a friend's Ducati. Good grief! It felt like it wasn't even there. Hard to believe that is the sort of bike I used to ride.
Anyway, if I have a point here its that I truly think spending time learning how to ride a heavy motorcycle has really made me a better rider. But it does take some time to get acclimated to them.
I've only ridden a Softail a couple of time here and there. My guess is they are somewhere between the FXR and the FLH on the heavy-meter. I'm sure if you take it easy, spend some time piffing around the neighborhood, do some parking lot practice, etc, you'll be fine.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
From: Telford, U.K.
Cheer Omaha that's what I intend to do, find a quiet carpark somewhere and just get used to the weight and slow speed behaviour. I'm not exactly intimidated but...........
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 344
Likes: 6
From: WV
When motorcycle enforcement came along I was grand fathered in. I used to ride a lot until around 1975 then not too much through 1995 then I went nearly 20 years of no riding. Getting back on I was a little nervous that I might not have very good control and scratch up my new ride. lol. But turned out I was a much safer rider now days than I ever was before. Old age I guess.
But the hardest was slow speed balance I guess. I found a few vacant lots and practiced feet up sharp turns at very slow speed and it helped me a lot. I also want to say with these heavy bikes always get on when moving it around in the garage and don't try to push it by walking along side like with a smaller bike. If it goes over the other way, even just a little bit, they are about impossible to hold. Also If you're not used to having a brake peddle then keep that in mind too. The peddle is different from having a brake lever down there.
Be safe and enjoy man. Riding is great and I had almost forgotten just how great it is.
But the hardest was slow speed balance I guess. I found a few vacant lots and practiced feet up sharp turns at very slow speed and it helped me a lot. I also want to say with these heavy bikes always get on when moving it around in the garage and don't try to push it by walking along side like with a smaller bike. If it goes over the other way, even just a little bit, they are about impossible to hold. Also If you're not used to having a brake peddle then keep that in mind too. The peddle is different from having a brake lever down there.
Be safe and enjoy man. Riding is great and I had almost forgotten just how great it is.
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Cheers Texashillcountry, I've never taken an advanced riding class, passed my test back in the day when the tester used to jump out into the road in front of you for your emergency stop......different world. I've never taken any type of class, just learnt it intuitively and now I'm reading about countersteering
It is given on a very small bike but it is real useful for new riders or someone who hasn't ridden for a long time.
Learning intuitively only teaches you the things that you have already come across. A class will cover more and you will be more ready in the future.
I take the advanced class every few years.
It's always a learning experience.