New to Harley big bikes. Need riding advice
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 368
Likes: 2
From: Yantis, Texas
New to Harley big bikes. Need riding advice
I just bought a 2009 Ultra Classic with 18,000 miles and it is loaded. My wife and I had a dream to ride when we retired. Well, this bike was such a great deal we decided to get our retirement bike now. I have had 175 , 450, 750 Hondas and a 1200 Virago. So I have ridden a lot over the years but never anything this big. I will be taking a two day riding course and will get my M certificate by taking the course. The main reason I am taking the course though is to start out as good as I can with motorcycle safety and riding knowledge even though I have ridden in the past. This is my first Harley. So, I am quite intimidated by the size and want to be a great driver since my wife's safety will be in my hands. Please offer this novice to the big bikes all the advice you want. I will be like a sponge. If you were a little intimidated at first with the size, how did you overcome that? Are the big bikes as hard to ride as they first look? Thanks in advance for your expert insights.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,086
Likes: 154
From: Buffalo, NY
Well first I would get some experience & miles on the bike before you put the wife on the back. Nothing like a heavy bike with another maybe 150# sitting up high. Plus only the real slow riding is tough <5mph
Last edited by Markymannn; Nov 25, 2012 at 03:17 PM. Reason: ..
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 10
From: San Angelo, Texas
You can read books and post and get lots of advise, but the best advise anyone can give is GO RIDE IT. Get a few miles under your belt, get comfortable with the bike then put her on back and enjoy it! Remember when you do add her to the mix, and get ready to travel, pick low first, then the tour pac...keep the CG low...and NEVER stop learning!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
When I bought my new 07 Ultra in 2006, I rode by myself for a month or two until I felt comfortable. Do NOT turn the the handlebars and pull the front brake only, when coming to a stop. Believe me it will pull you to the ground. You are going to love the bike and so will your wife. Get the "Ride Like A Pro" dvd and you will be glad you did.
I had my wife on the back of the Fat Boy hour 1 after getting it. Never rode before either but did take the class. Stay close to home on side streets with little or no traffic. Maybe even a mall parking lot when it's closed. Everyone's different, but for me the best way to learn was to practice with a passenger. There is non substitute. Just remember that the slow speeds (starting and stopping) are when the load is most heavy/dangerous and likely to tip. Until I got enough hours under my belt, I made sure to tell the wife the same. She would always want to shift around at a stop light because she figured it was safest when we were stopped. It threw me off for a while until I got used to handling the bike. Enjoy!!!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 127
From: Coastal Carolina
As the poster above said, the toughest thing is riding slowly. Buy the "Ride Like a Pro" video for slow riding techniques. Then practice them! Wait several hundred to a 1000 miles (hopefully no more than a month) before you put your wife 2-up. Don't learn the slow motion techniques for the first time with your wife aboard. You will master them quickly then you can ride the crap out of it with your wife aboard!
ENJOY!!
ENJOY!!
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 864
Likes: 28
From: Mt. Pleasant SC
LOL you just said his wife weighs 150# She'll kick your *** if she knew you said that. then again what do I know that maybe a compliment.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Rockledge
I had a 1996 classic and had no problem with the wife she has always been a good rider even at lights I could control the bike . She is abt 6 ft I am 5'6". Strange thing happened when I bought a street glide the pegs are too far forward and because I have a rough time now at slow speeds. I'm now learning how to put my feet down again where I can walk the bike .
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 864
Likes: 28
From: Mt. Pleasant SC
Best thing i learn was how to lock the front wheel, but braking the front wheel only works if the wheel in on the ground
just take it easy ride a bunch of less crowded roads. get use to it little by little, then put the wife on the back
just take it easy ride a bunch of less crowded roads. get use to it little by little, then put the wife on the back