Mountain Riding Techniques
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 271
Likes: 66
From: Canada
Agree with the suggestions to feather the clutch. I used to teach motorcycle safety - amazing the number of people who don't want to ride the clutch because they're afraid they'll hurt something. I demo'd on my Harley for years doing at lock circles draggin' the back brake riding the clutch and revving the engine. Still original clutch.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 123
From: Meridian, Idaho
I have seen a lot of people threatened and really terrified on some mountain ranges. In Idaho there are 114 named mountain ranges. So... you better know how to ride in the mountains. If you feel confident on flat ground, cornering on flat ground, understanding what lugging the motor is. Then just treat the mountain uphill and downhill like you're on a flat road, because you are. Downhill to low of a gear you will be in a very high RPM range or you will be applying your brakes way to much. Not good on miles, and miles of downhills. Or to high of gear in uphill you will lug the motor. When you come up on traffic in twisties , you can pretty much crawl these bikes .
Just like the Coach said above. Friction zone, gas/clutch/brake, focus.. once learned you can pretty much come to a complete stop and still not fall over or wobble all over the place. Take your hands OFF the front break going real slow...Don't even put your hands over the lever like a dirt bike rider. Look through the apex of the turn all the way through where you are going to wind up. Where you look you go, Don't look down on slow speed.
Only thing I would not do is as stated above to shift my weight off center of the bike. IMO
It's not like your are on a Snow Mobile, or old school Honda Big Red 3 wheeler. Let the bike do the work. Center your self as normal and stay in that position, relaxed or not . Stay in the seat the correct way. Fun thing to do is go watch a LEO do a slow speed course. Dead center of the seat his *** does not move one bit off the seat.
Grab some beers and watch a couple of these videos to give you some tips.
Just like the Coach said above. Friction zone, gas/clutch/brake, focus.. once learned you can pretty much come to a complete stop and still not fall over or wobble all over the place. Take your hands OFF the front break going real slow...Don't even put your hands over the lever like a dirt bike rider. Look through the apex of the turn all the way through where you are going to wind up. Where you look you go, Don't look down on slow speed.
Only thing I would not do is as stated above to shift my weight off center of the bike. IMO
It's not like your are on a Snow Mobile, or old school Honda Big Red 3 wheeler. Let the bike do the work. Center your self as normal and stay in that position, relaxed or not . Stay in the seat the correct way. Fun thing to do is go watch a LEO do a slow speed course. Dead center of the seat his *** does not move one bit off the seat.
Grab some beers and watch a couple of these videos to give you some tips.
Last edited by GriffinDenim13FLHX; Sep 11, 2015 at 07:36 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,216
Likes: 6,129
From: Black Hills
Had to deal with this in CO last week. I saved myself the aggravation and pulled off and took a few pics, by the time I was done they were gone.
A lot of the time the people were from out of the area, not familiar with the roads and maybe not familiar with the mountain driving, so there was a wide range of abilities and experiences. I found it more relaxing to not have drivers in front of or behind us.
A lot of the time the people were from out of the area, not familiar with the roads and maybe not familiar with the mountain driving, so there was a wide range of abilities and experiences. I found it more relaxing to not have drivers in front of or behind us.
Tourer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 251
Likes: 40
From: Silver City, NM
If no room to give then use the "Friction Zone". As they said before watch the motorman videos
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,712
Likes: 9,219
From: Snow Hill, NC
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
Get the video "Ride Like a Pro" learn the technique (Fiction Zone) of low speed parking lot riding and apply the technique to riding in the mountains. Carry a little RPM, feather the clutch and hold back the speed with a little back brake.
There are times when pulling off and waiting is just not a safe option. Ride to the top of Pikes Peak or Mt. Evans in Colorado and you will find that there are no places to pull off, especially near the top where the curves are the worst and the cars are the slowest.
As far as a car being able to go faster that a bike in the corners, don't think so.
Bill
There are times when pulling off and waiting is just not a safe option. Ride to the top of Pikes Peak or Mt. Evans in Colorado and you will find that there are no places to pull off, especially near the top where the curves are the worst and the cars are the slowest.
As far as a car being able to go faster that a bike in the corners, don't think so.
Bill
