Parking my M8 Fat Boy regularly on a hill. Will it damage the engine or cause issues?
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From: Seattle
Parking my M8 Fat Boy regularly on a hill. Will it damage the engine or cause issues?
Around where I live cars in the area require a specific parking pass but a law here allows these pass zones to be used by motorcycles for free at any time.
I use these spots all the time, but the nearest ones to me are on a notably steep incline.
The cars use these by spots because they have ebrakes and what not, but I never see motorcycles there.
Is there a reason why?
If I park diagonal to the curb(front wheel up) I can easily leave the bike in 1st gear and when I go to start the bike I can just roll backwards down the hill and start the bike when it's level.
But OFC to prevent the bike from rolling down the hill I have to leave it in gear. Doesn't that strain the engine or other parts?
What if I leave the bike in Neutral and get a lock or something that pulls and secures the brake lever down? would that harm the brakelines/ABS sytem?
I don't want to rely on a wheel chawk because then I'd have to start the bike on the hill and it's quite steep. I can put one down after the bike has parked to make sure if something does give up, the bike wont roll into the street.
I use these spots all the time, but the nearest ones to me are on a notably steep incline.
The cars use these by spots because they have ebrakes and what not, but I never see motorcycles there.
Is there a reason why?
If I park diagonal to the curb(front wheel up) I can easily leave the bike in 1st gear and when I go to start the bike I can just roll backwards down the hill and start the bike when it's level.
But OFC to prevent the bike from rolling down the hill I have to leave it in gear. Doesn't that strain the engine or other parts?
What if I leave the bike in Neutral and get a lock or something that pulls and secures the brake lever down? would that harm the brakelines/ABS sytem?
I don't want to rely on a wheel chawk because then I'd have to start the bike on the hill and it's quite steep. I can put one down after the bike has parked to make sure if something does give up, the bike wont roll into the street.
Last edited by FranBunnyFFXII; Jul 11, 2024 at 07:46 PM.
Popular Reply
Jul 11, 2024, 05:06 PM
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From: Pine Flat Dam/South Bay Area, CA
If the bike is able to roll when the transmission is in first gear, the hill is too steep.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 13,455
Likes: 34,511
From: Pine Flat Dam/South Bay Area, CA
It will be fine, Fran. Other riders may not be parking there because they doubt their level of skill and are fearful of dropping their motorcycle. From a mechanical standpoint, you won't damage anything parking on a hill in first gear to keep your bike from rolling.
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HDF Community Team
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From: Seattle
Thank you for the replies!
I'm just curious at how steep of a grade at which you should not do this I guess.
It's quite a hill, definitely breathing heavy to get to the top of it just 1 block up.
I'm just curious at how steep of a grade at which you should not do this I guess.
It's quite a hill, definitely breathing heavy to get to the top of it just 1 block up.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Pine Flat Dam/South Bay Area, CA
If the bike is able to roll when the transmission is in first gear, the hill is too steep.
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From: Pennsylvania
Is it possible to park diagonal with the rear tire against the curb? I would still leave it in gear.
I was taught to back the bike in with the rear tire against the curb so you could start it and just drive off without backing into traffic.
I was taught to back the bike in with the rear tire against the curb so you could start it and just drive off without backing into traffic.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2018
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From: Seattle
The incline is to steep to park any other way, and still be able to leave without immediately needing to throttle out once the bike is started. It's steep enough that I think it might make it difficult for the engine to cycle the oil.
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