Entirely different? Hardly....they're both heavyweight cruisers.

If you had, say, a Slim and a ZX-14R then you'd have two entirely different animals.

OP unless you're a rank beginner I don't see any problem switching between the two bikes you mentioned. I don't find it difficult riding my Road King and Triumph Trophy (a sport touring bike).

 

I don't have any issues changing bikes, but I remain aware it may have been a while since I rode it. By the time I have gotten out of the driveway and around the first corner, all the muscle memory comes back. even with my right hand shift sporty. The Bonneville had grabby brakes, so I would take extra care to brake hard and soft at first when it had been a while since I rode it. If you have grabby brakes, fix them. I think grabby brakes gets more people into trouble than handling or shifting. My friend just got a new bike, grabbed too much brake and dropped it, did it again. Now he wants to fix the brakes. It is usually an easy fix, maybe he should have done it on day one.

If you ride each enough, it will be automatic, if you do not, then you need to be careful and practice weaves, braking, etc until you are once again proficient on that motorcycle.

I think it is easier for me as my second and third bikes are different styles. While I no longer have my Bonneville, it was set up as a Thruxton. Same for my sporty, just so different. I think it would be a little harder if I still have my old road king and this one. Yet, even those seem really different. Seats, bars, tank size, windshield, throttle cables instead of fly by wire. But I do agree that two similar bikes have a better chance of catching you reacting as though you were on the other one. As for lean angle, that is why I owned the other bikes.

 

Thanks for the replies.


To clarify, it is not a question of being able to ride the different bikes, the question is about getting so used to the handling of one bike, and then thinking that that handling applies to the other bike.


So, for example, the lean angle of the Triumph Bobber Black is significantly more than the Softail Slim S. So, if I got used to going through corners faster, and leaning more on the Triumph, and then tried the same with my Slim, I might be going way to fast, and end up in an accident.


Sounds like most do not feel it is much of a problem though, so no worries. And... good for me. No reason not to look at a second bike!


R,
Sanjuro

 

Not sure if the triumph has self canceling blinkers or not... But the switch will definitely be on the left side not both, that might trip you up at first... lol

 

I say no! My bikes are about as different as you can get!

 

I cant tell you how many times I've gotten off my motocross bike and gotten right on the Harley and visa versa. Or gone riding with a friend on my Softail and swapped for my bagger half way through the ride.

 

Does this mean I'm doomed if I get a third street bike?!?
I don't care. Show me another bike raffle ticket! I want more!

 

That is kind of how I feel about my bikes only compare the Road King to more like a Sportster, especially when I take the fairing off.

 

Not a problem, especially on a decent midwinter day I'll take the RK, the Fireblade, and the dual sport for a spin one right after the other.

Think of the bikes as mistresses-yes, they may ride differently, but the variety IS the spice of life!

 

I would not ride any bike if the lean angles were within my ability (under normal riding conditions) to drag anything.
Dragging a peg is what got my best friend killed.
I have a Triumph T100 with the front sag adjusted higher than stock because it was set too low from the factory so the lean angle is higher now.
Stock was 35 degrees . Now it is around 38 or so.
My Harley Deuce was 33 degrees stock but the front end rides an inch higher due to four inch over tubes and a raked neck so probably 38 also.
Your best bet is to fix the lean angles in the first place.
With 38 degrees the very idea I could scrape a peg is laughable unless I was trying to outrun an angry biker club chasing me.
One night they did chase me with a gun out and I will admit I scraped a bit getting away.
True story.
I had no idea counter steering would even let me do that to a Harley in a corner at high speed.
Never want to do it again either.