2-up balance question
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
RE: 2-up balance question
Lawdoc, she did see our Dr. about her knee. Had an MRI on Thurs. Still waiting for the results.
She only put her foot down, because she thought we were going over. We weren't, but she didn't know that...and, after her little spill she took in class, she's extra nervous about it now.
Thanks, everyone for all the advice. JBaker, I think that's my problem. I'm just letting the bike drag slowly to a stop and it's in those times that the bike seems unstable. I'll try using a little more authority on the brakes and see what happens. I'll try that at first when riding solo.
Thanks again, everyone for the advice.
She only put her foot down, because she thought we were going over. We weren't, but she didn't know that...and, after her little spill she took in class, she's extra nervous about it now.
Thanks, everyone for all the advice. JBaker, I think that's my problem. I'm just letting the bike drag slowly to a stop and it's in those times that the bike seems unstable. I'll try using a little more authority on the brakes and see what happens. I'll try that at first when riding solo.
Thanks again, everyone for the advice.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 592
Likes: 1
From:
RE: 2-up balance question
Lot of good points here. In addition to your wife sitting still and not "helping" you, have her keep her eyes focused in the direction of travel. If she is looking down the road with you, looking through turns with you, she will be a much better passenger.
When I get stuck in traffic or have to do low speed manuevering 2-up, I find it helps to keep your eyes as far down the horizon as possible. This is good to do anyway, but it really helps keep the bike upright when you have a fidgety passenger. When you come to a stop, keep your eyes on roof of the car in front of you. Don't look down.
When I get stuck in traffic or have to do low speed manuevering 2-up, I find it helps to keep your eyes as far down the horizon as possible. This is good to do anyway, but it really helps keep the bike upright when you have a fidgety passenger. When you come to a stop, keep your eyes on roof of the car in front of you. Don't look down.
Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 69
From: Northford, CT
RE: 2-up balance question
Tell her to squeeze her knees together when you come to a stop. Funny as it sounds it will center her on the bike. Riding 2 up takes pratice and time.
I told my wife never move when we come to a stop or when we are leaned over in a turn. Guess when she shifts in the seat or streches her legs. Yes, only at stops or turns! Guess over the years I have learned to correct for it with out thinking about it.
I told my wife never move when we come to a stop or when we are leaned over in a turn. Guess when she shifts in the seat or streches her legs. Yes, only at stops or turns! Guess over the years I have learned to correct for it with out thinking about it.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 29,598
Likes: 19
From: Oregon
RE: 2-up balance question
ORIGINAL: JeffreyLebowski
Lot of good points here. In addition to your wife sitting still and not "helping" you, have her keep her eyes focused in the direction of travel. If she is looking down the road with you, looking through turns with you, she will be a much better passenger.
When I get stuck in traffic or have to do low speed manuevering 2-up, I find it helps to keep your eyes as far down the horizon as possible. This is good to do anyway, but it really helps keep the bike upright when you have a fidgety passenger. When you come to a stop, keep your eyes on roof of the car in front of you. Don't look down.
Lot of good points here. In addition to your wife sitting still and not "helping" you, have her keep her eyes focused in the direction of travel. If she is looking down the road with you, looking through turns with you, she will be a much better passenger.
When I get stuck in traffic or have to do low speed manuevering 2-up, I find it helps to keep your eyes as far down the horizon as possible. This is good to do anyway, but it really helps keep the bike upright when you have a fidgety passenger. When you come to a stop, keep your eyes on roof of the car in front of you. Don't look down.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 325
Likes: 21
From:
RE: 2-up balance question
ORIGINAL: JBaker421
Put both feet down and use the front brake for the last few feet. 70 percent of your braking is supposed to come from the front brake anyway due to weight transfer. If you use the rear brake all the way to a stop, you obviously don't have that foot for balance if you need it.
Put both feet down and use the front brake for the last few feet. 70 percent of your braking is supposed to come from the front brake anyway due to weight transfer. If you use the rear brake all the way to a stop, you obviously don't have that foot for balance if you need it.
Did I mention NO!!!!!
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 246
Likes: 1
From: Hartselle, AL
RE: 2-up balance question
"Ride Likea Pro" DVD... the slow speed manuevers will greatly help
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,553
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From: South Okanagan, BC
RE: 2-up balance question
Don't know if this will help but when I was ridingas a passengeron the RK Custom, I found that just before we came to a stop, if I reached back &held onto the backrest & braced my feet on the pegs & gently pushed Back, I didn't slide into him; my back was fully centered with the bike, & I no longer leaned too far one way or the other....
Hope her knee is healed soon
Hope her knee is healed soon
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 323
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From:
RE: 2-up balance question
Come to a stop with authority,pick a spot put your left foot down first,dont put your right foot down until you are completely stopped you need to use both brakes together,if you come to a stop using only the front brake you may get to join those who have layed there bike down...when you take off place your right foot on your peg/floorboard as soon as your start moving bring up your left foot..practice this and it will become second nature you wont even realise you do it..