down on a traffic light.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 240
Likes: 1
down on a traffic light.
I have done about 5000 miles on my Heritage Classic. I am a new rider. I still have problems coming to a stop and yesterday as i left expressway and came to a stop light on the exit, I dropped the bike. Actually the highway peg on my left side held the bike halfway and no damage except my pride. Why did it happen? I feel that I depend too much on my left foot and lean the bike more to my left and slight turn of steerin to left exaggerates and sets up a vicious circle and I cant hold the bike up any more. I am 67 yrs and 140 lbs. I would like as many comments and tell me how can I be more comfortable on stops. Has this happened to some of you?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,682
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX
RE: down on a traffic light.
Sounds like you are overthinking the stops, prematurely readying for the put down of your left foot, which imbalances the bike. You need to approach a stop thinking completely vertical. Use your foot brake a little sooner than the front (hand) brake if that is the only way to get there. The last thing you want to do is put your foot down in a stop. It's (signal if turning) brake, slow, down to first, clutch in, stop, foot down. And until stopped, the bike should have no lean whatsoever. Perfectly vertical.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
RE: down on a traffic light.
If you haven't already, the best thing you can do for your riding experience is take a Motorcycle Riders Course. The tips, confidence, and experience you will gain will be invaluable.
Regards,
Bill
Regards,
Bill
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 2
From: SouthEast Michigan
RE: down on a traffic light.
Stop straight. Your wheel turned and applying the front brake at the same time make it easier to fall down.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 899
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
RE: down on a traffic light.
ORIGINAL: billnourse
If you haven't already, the best thing you can do for your riding experience is take a Motorcycle Riders Course. The tips, confidence, and experience you will gain will be invaluable.
Regards,
Bill
If you haven't already, the best thing you can do for your riding experience is take a Motorcycle Riders Course. The tips, confidence, and experience you will gain will be invaluable.
Regards,
Bill
I'll only add to keep your head up and don't look down at the front wheel or road when coming to a stop.
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RE: down on a traffic light.
Harley offers a course called the Riders Edge and I highly recommend it. Fast stops and ANY turning used to scare the doo-doo out of me which is bad because you need to stop and turn on a motor cycle. It used to be that I could make a sharper U-Turn or any turn in my Ford F-250 Crew cab than I could on a motorcycle. After taking the course and learning that the bike isn't going to tip over my confidence and ability has risen dramatically. I can now make a U-Turn and stop quickly on my Road King with no problem, although my U-Turns still needs to tighten up some that will come with practice. The course is well worth the money in my book and besides, you might get a discount on your insurance if you take it.