Advice on a bike
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1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Advice on a bike
I've really wanted a touring bike. I currently ride a smaller metric and I want to go with a harley. I like fairings and bags. The problem is, I'm now unsure if I can handle a big heavy ride.
I've rode an electra glide classic and I did fine. Actually it seemed very easy to ride. The problem is when I was backing an electra out of the drive the other day, I turned the bars left, the bike came unbalanced and fell over on the left. Not sure what I did wrong if anything. I'm 5 ft 6, and can flat foot with a slight bend in the knee.
Do you think this bike may just be too much for me? Would I be better off with getting one and lowering it? Or should I just go with a softail and forget the fairing and bags?
Thanks!
I've rode an electra glide classic and I did fine. Actually it seemed very easy to ride. The problem is when I was backing an electra out of the drive the other day, I turned the bars left, the bike came unbalanced and fell over on the left. Not sure what I did wrong if anything. I'm 5 ft 6, and can flat foot with a slight bend in the knee.
Do you think this bike may just be too much for me? Would I be better off with getting one and lowering it? Or should I just go with a softail and forget the fairing and bags?
Thanks!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
It depends some on what you will do with the bike. If you never ride more than two hours a day, then I would say a Softail would be fine. But if you intend to ride some long days, the bagger would be better. Being 6 foot, I can't comment on how to get comfortable on the bagger, but know a lot of riders your height ride them.
Beary
Beary
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 24,287
Likes: 4,027
From: Western MN
I've really wanted a touring bike. I currently ride a smaller metric and I want to go with a harley. I like fairings and bags. The problem is, I'm now unsure if I can handle a big heavy ride.
I've rode an electra glide classic and I did fine. Actually it seemed very easy to ride. The problem is when I was backing an electra out of the drive the other day, I turned the bars left, the bike came unbalanced and fell over on the left. Not sure what I did wrong if anything. I'm 5 ft 6, and can flat foot with a slight bend in the knee.
Do you think this bike may just be too much for me? Would I be better off with getting one and lowering it? Or should I just go with a softail and forget the fairing and bags?
Thanks!
I've rode an electra glide classic and I did fine. Actually it seemed very easy to ride. The problem is when I was backing an electra out of the drive the other day, I turned the bars left, the bike came unbalanced and fell over on the left. Not sure what I did wrong if anything. I'm 5 ft 6, and can flat foot with a slight bend in the knee.
Do you think this bike may just be too much for me? Would I be better off with getting one and lowering it? Or should I just go with a softail and forget the fairing and bags?
Thanks!
The bike didn't become "unbalanced", it's weight or momentum shifted and caught you unaware, and it got away from you. Was the driveway on a slope for example?
As another just said, the softail is an excellent bike also. All in what you want. I say go for it!
Harley dose sell a lowered touring model, which should fit you better, the Bike will still
weight the same if that is a problem. Did you try the Street Glide, or Road Glide Models?
They are only lowered in the rear, and don't have the tour pack, (top trunk) but will weight
less then a full touring model with a tour pack. Good luck, and welcome to the family.
weight the same if that is a problem. Did you try the Street Glide, or Road Glide Models?
They are only lowered in the rear, and don't have the tour pack, (top trunk) but will weight
less then a full touring model with a tour pack. Good luck, and welcome to the family.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 39
From: Olive & Oak
A lot of women, on the forum, ride touring bikes. Go over to the QOTR and meet them. I am sure that they won't steer you wrong.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/the-q...kers-only-139/
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/the-q...kers-only-139/
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 211
From: Independence, Missouri
There isn't a guy here, or girl for that matter, who can stop their 800 pound touring bike from going down once it goes far enough over to the left or right. Especially if it happens suddenly and/or if there are conditions like a slope, to deal with. Having your bike fit you to reduce the opportunities is a good thing, but we have all dealt with a bike laying on its side. (Or will soon enough.)
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,158
Likes: 2,565
From: CT/FL
They say it's not the weight but how it's carried. You know how easy the touring bike is to ride once it gets going. Practice will help you when slow or stopped (watch some of those cop videos). Pushing backwards is hard for everyone. I sometimes hold onto the rear crash guard to get better leverage backing up.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,088
Likes: 1,962
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
First of all, welcome to the forums from NC.
Second, you must have longer legs than me as I'm about your height and I had my RK lowered. At any rate, it's a matter of getting use to the extra weight and what to do or not to do in certain situations, similar to the metric bikes. I went from a 'lighter' Sportster to a Road King, if you can call a 580 lb. Sportster light.
A touring bike is certainly not at all too much for you. Take a look at the Ride Like A Pro DVDs, and they will show anyone can ride a big bike proficiently.
As someone else mentioned, the QOTR forum might offer additional suggestions and experiences. Good luck.
Second, you must have longer legs than me as I'm about your height and I had my RK lowered. At any rate, it's a matter of getting use to the extra weight and what to do or not to do in certain situations, similar to the metric bikes. I went from a 'lighter' Sportster to a Road King, if you can call a 580 lb. Sportster light.
A touring bike is certainly not at all too much for you. Take a look at the Ride Like A Pro DVDs, and they will show anyone can ride a big bike proficiently.
As someone else mentioned, the QOTR forum might offer additional suggestions and experiences. Good luck.