I ride 4 different bikes, each has its own personality. You have to know your bikes and your limits. As we all know the first six months of owning a new to you vehicle is the riskiest time when you are getting to know the vehicle. Once you get comfortable with all the controls and the handling your memory function should take over. Practice, practice. Enjoy the ride!

 

What you 're referring to is called muscle memory.

Any normal pattern of continuous muscle use, whether it be eyes, arms, hand etc can develop a rythum or pattern as the reaction becomes more efficient and the body adjusts so it's movements can be faster and more anticipatory.

Your concern is spot on as most movements and patterns are learned.

So, owning two harley touring bikes where all controls and functions are basically the same and in the same location and the weight of the bike is similar = good.

Owning a Harley touring bike and a cbr 1000 might require different skills and reaction times, controls are in different locations, etc. This could cause muscle memory problems, especially in a panic situation.

It's not a problem, till you have one and it's only a problem if you don't recognize it. You sir have identified a problem, the solution is up to you to determine.

 

I have a 17 Breakout and in the summer I'm going to buy my first Metric bike, a 18 CB1000R. The controls are the one thing that is going to be the biggest learning curve for me.

 

I jump back and forth from my RoadKing to my Sportster without a thought.

 

Gotta be careful jumping on a Limey bike that you don't try shifting with the brake!

 

There's about 250 lbs, a lot of size and handling differences between my shovel and the Road King, I have no issues swapping between them. Takes about 50 feet for the old muscle memory to kick in.

 

I have 24 bikes and try to put 1K at least on them during the year. All H-Ds so controls are the same. The only minor issue is that some the cruise is on the right and others on the left. Some the 4 ways are activated by pushing both turn buttons the same time and the new ones by a hazard button.

Some dual disc, some single disc and some with ABS. During the last 15 years the mix included Kawasaki, Honda, Ural and trike. The most difference is between two wheels, side car and three wheels.

Never had an operational issue switching to another bike. When I visit my son in Vegas I ride his BMW RT1200T or the Suzuki M109. No problem.

Safety on a bike is following distance, object avoidance, emergency braking skill and situational awareness. Very little to do with the make being ridden.

 

I have 4, 5, 6 speed and no shift variable belt drive bikes, Harleys, Hondas, Urals and a Yamaha, motorcycle, scooter and sidecar rigs, and even one with a handlebar rear brake lever. Once I get used to one, it's never a problem hopping on and riding off. The only thing I get mixed up once in a while are the turn signals, they're different on every kind. There is a danger of getting a speeding ticket going from a 750lb 40hp Ural sidecar rig to the 1200 Sportster...

 

Time was bikers only had one bike and sank their bucks into it- it was their everything.
The age of excess is annoying.

 

A good musician can play anything.