Can't get the speed right in traffic .
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,473
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spor...6329499116220/ Have a read .
Stage III
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Newcastle
I have been thinking of getting a new bike and have test ridden a couple of different makes and its quite amazing how poorly some bikes run off the dealers showroom. I rode a second hand Harley Roadster 17 model just to get a feel for that type of sportster and it was dreadful. The bike had a different exhaust, different air cleaner and a supposed upgrade to match but the bike backfired terribly, struggled to idle and surged all the time when held at a steady throttle opening, making it really difficult to ride in traffic. On the open road it went fine but around town it bordered on being dangerous.I also rode a Ducati Scambler from the same dealer and it was really bad as well, again it had an aftermarket exhaust [Akoprovic] but it had not had a tune up to suit and it also surged and backfired as well. I casually mentioned my concerns to the salesman who basically dismissed me as being to fussy. My own feeling is that the current crop of fuel injected bikes are really sensitive to aftermarket modifications and need a competent person to tune them correctly to get the best out of them.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 1,601
I have been thinking of getting a new bike and have test ridden a couple of different makes and its quite amazing how poorly some bikes run off the dealers showroom. I rode a second hand Harley Roadster 17 model just to get a feel for that type of sportster and it was dreadful. The bike had a different exhaust, different air cleaner and a supposed upgrade to match but the bike backfired terribly, struggled to idle and surged all the time when held at a steady throttle opening, making it really difficult to ride in traffic. On the open road it went fine but around town it bordered on being dangerous.I also rode a Ducati Scambler from the same dealer and it was really bad as well, again it had an aftermarket exhaust [Akoprovic] but it had not had a tune up to suit and it also surged and backfired as well. I casually mentioned my concerns to the salesman who basically dismissed me as being to fussy. My own feeling is that the current crop of fuel injected bikes are really sensitive to aftermarket modifications and need a competent person to tune them correctly to get the best out of them.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,037
Likes: 1,811
From: Kalifornia
Midpegs
I too get some of what you mention, and its mostly learning the HD engine oddities. Being that the firing order is a very odd one, it can be hard to hold the throttle as such to keep RPM constant. My throttle is SOOOO touchy sometimes too. But it is as others have said, a matter of experience, ON THE HD. combine the high, wide spaced gearing with the odd firing order, the heavy flywheels, and surging is in its nature, or design.
As was mentioned, it sounds like you need to use lower gears, and just master throttle holding. The high torque of the HD engine also hurts because any twitch of the throttle and the bike surges forward. All bikes do it but the sporty is a bit more prone to it. About the only bikes I have ridden that were not prone to this were 4 cyl bikes. Never ridden a 6 but they probably are not either.
Another method, seriously, is light use of the REAR brake as you are holding the throttle steady. I am referring to speeds in the 5-15 mph range. Any more and it should be easy with the right gear and steady throttle.
I too get some of what you mention, and its mostly learning the HD engine oddities. Being that the firing order is a very odd one, it can be hard to hold the throttle as such to keep RPM constant. My throttle is SOOOO touchy sometimes too. But it is as others have said, a matter of experience, ON THE HD. combine the high, wide spaced gearing with the odd firing order, the heavy flywheels, and surging is in its nature, or design.
As was mentioned, it sounds like you need to use lower gears, and just master throttle holding. The high torque of the HD engine also hurts because any twitch of the throttle and the bike surges forward. All bikes do it but the sporty is a bit more prone to it. About the only bikes I have ridden that were not prone to this were 4 cyl bikes. Never ridden a 6 but they probably are not either.
Another method, seriously, is light use of the REAR brake as you are holding the throttle steady. I am referring to speeds in the 5-15 mph range. Any more and it should be easy with the right gear and steady throttle.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,037
Likes: 1,811
From: Kalifornia
Yup you did. I thought it was me at first LOL. I see no reason to NOT use the clutch (in the friction zone), but it should be used with the rear brake too. You'd be surprised at how well they can be handled at low speeds that way.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 270
Likes: 64
From: Camotes Islands, Cebu, Philippines
I know I am feeling the difference as you do with speed control I think it is mostly to do with the naturally sensitive throttle system now, injectors and all...
Plus the fairly high power to weight ratio. And not horsepower, more torque really. I also ride a FXSTC big twin but at 800+ pounds, the blip of the throttle has a good bit more iron to move to try and hunt for the speed than my sportster does. Although in traffic I have had to learn to keep my rpm's up to hold position, I do NOT like the way it sounds or responds at 2700+ rpm. I ride a Harley because I like the grunt you feel at lower rpm's and tend to ride there just for the fun of it. Since that is why many of us ride Harleys in the first place.
It may take some getting used to. My 800cc Suzuki that I also ride runs at least 1500 rpm higher at any given speed,, and that one never seems to have the speed hunting in traffic issue. But I never really connected the dots as they say as to why until this thread.
Personally, if it is safe enough, I would be letting it hunt, and enjoy the lower rpm/higher gear and deeper sound. Now if it tends to put me into the rear bumper location on a cage,,, then yeah, I do not go that far.
I like to keep the SPORT in sportsters....
Plus the fairly high power to weight ratio. And not horsepower, more torque really. I also ride a FXSTC big twin but at 800+ pounds, the blip of the throttle has a good bit more iron to move to try and hunt for the speed than my sportster does. Although in traffic I have had to learn to keep my rpm's up to hold position, I do NOT like the way it sounds or responds at 2700+ rpm. I ride a Harley because I like the grunt you feel at lower rpm's and tend to ride there just for the fun of it. Since that is why many of us ride Harleys in the first place.
It may take some getting used to. My 800cc Suzuki that I also ride runs at least 1500 rpm higher at any given speed,, and that one never seems to have the speed hunting in traffic issue. But I never really connected the dots as they say as to why until this thread.
Personally, if it is safe enough, I would be letting it hunt, and enjoy the lower rpm/higher gear and deeper sound. Now if it tends to put me into the rear bumper location on a cage,,, then yeah, I do not go that far.
I like to keep the SPORT in sportsters....
I know I am feeling the difference as you do with speed control I think it is mostly to do with the naturally sensitive throttle system now, injectors and all...
Plus the fairly high power to weight ratio. And not horsepower, more torque really. I also ride a FXSTC big twin but at 800+ pounds, the blip of the throttle has a good bit more iron to move to try and hunt for the speed than my sportster does. Although in traffic I have had to learn to keep my rpm's up to hold position, I do NOT like the way it sounds or responds at 2700+ rpm. I ride a Harley because I like the grunt you feel at lower rpm's and tend to ride there just for the fun of it. Since that is why many of us ride Harleys in the first place.
It may take some getting used to. My 800cc Suzuki that I also ride runs at least 1500 rpm higher at any given speed,, and that one never seems to have the speed hunting in traffic issue. But I never really connected the dots as they say as to why until this thread.
Personally, if it is safe enough, I would be letting it hunt, and enjoy the lower rpm/higher gear and deeper sound. Now if it tends to put me into the rear bumper location on a cage,,, then yeah, I do not go that far.
I like to keep the SPORT in sportsters....
Plus the fairly high power to weight ratio. And not horsepower, more torque really. I also ride a FXSTC big twin but at 800+ pounds, the blip of the throttle has a good bit more iron to move to try and hunt for the speed than my sportster does. Although in traffic I have had to learn to keep my rpm's up to hold position, I do NOT like the way it sounds or responds at 2700+ rpm. I ride a Harley because I like the grunt you feel at lower rpm's and tend to ride there just for the fun of it. Since that is why many of us ride Harleys in the first place.
It may take some getting used to. My 800cc Suzuki that I also ride runs at least 1500 rpm higher at any given speed,, and that one never seems to have the speed hunting in traffic issue. But I never really connected the dots as they say as to why until this thread.
Personally, if it is safe enough, I would be letting it hunt, and enjoy the lower rpm/higher gear and deeper sound. Now if it tends to put me into the rear bumper location on a cage,,, then yeah, I do not go that far.
I like to keep the SPORT in sportsters....