Mountain Riding Techniques
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Bloomfield, NM
I've watched bike/car track races on tv, car always won on the tracks that were nothing but twisties - and those were sport bikes, not Harleys. I recently read an article that said the top end sport bikes with electronic stability control (I have no idea how that works on a bike) can finally compete with equivalent cars. If you're following a Honda Civic and come up to a tight curve, and he's got the ***** for it, you'll be dragging metal on a Harley long before you could keep up. If you're talking about sport bikes, I wasn't.
Last year for our HOG fall color run we shared the road with a car club that included Porches, Pantaras and a couple of Farraris. The only time they got ahead of us was on the straight aways. Maybe they weren't trying, but neither were we.
In the real world, which is what the OP was inquiring about, the bikes are always waiting on cars in the curves. You might want to address that issue instead of suggesting that cars could go faster if they wanted to.
Bill
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
That I agree with, and even said that's been my experience, too. But just to say cars are slower, suggesting they can't out corner a Harley, I can't agree with, and sorry if that wasn't what you meant and I took it wrong. It does take a lot of the fun out of it getting an over loaded truck or trailer rig, or a timid driver, in front of you where you can't pass. I took some (stupid, in old age retrospect) chances passing cars on mountain roads in my youth; now I just frown and bear it. Hope the young fellows taking chances today live long enough to realize that isn't wimping out, but good sense.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Snow Hill, NC
Well Ray is fine but his brother Carl is the one messed up...Carl has already said he was quitting motorcycles...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: SW Minnesota
I agree, having ridden the Alps and some other hairpin climbs over the years. I have an older 5-speed bike and the one reason I can see for changing to a 6-speed would be to lower overall gearing a little, to give a better first gear for those very situations, climbing steep hills/mountains 2-up and fully loaded.
Moving up to a newer bike with a factory sixth speed will work against you.
Example: My '06 is the last year of the five speed TC88's. The first gear ratio is 10.110. Fifth (final) gear ratio is 3.350.
A 2007 TC96 has a first gear ratio of 9.312, and a sixth (final) gear ratio of 2.790.
In 2009 (the OP's bike) the ratios were slightly lowered to 9.593 in first and 2.875 in sixth, where they remain, but note that the first gear is still geared higher than the TC88's five speed's first gear.
The newer bikes have steadily gained weight as well, which will work against you in slow speed manuevers.
Last edited by MNPGRider; Sep 13, 2015 at 02:36 PM. Reason: correct spelling
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 347
Likes: 7
From: NJ
in a uphill hairpin, i would make sure whatever vehicle in front of you clears the turn completely before you start turning. you don't want to stop mid turn.
And riding the friction point might be the correct method, but i personally don't like having the clutch in when i'm making a turn because the bike can fall over if it's not under power.
And riding the friction point might be the correct method, but i personally don't like having the clutch in when i'm making a turn because the bike can fall over if it's not under power.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
Unless you shop carefully for a replacement tranny for your bike, you won't gain a lower first gear, but a higher final gear. The gain in a factory six speed is in a lower rpm in sixth gear, not a higher rpm in first. The Screaming Eagle six speed for a 1990 bike is part number 33101-03A, and gives you a overdrive of .89:1, and mimics the gear ratios in the first five gears (as per description in the Screaming Eagle parts catalog).
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
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From: Bloomfield, NM
This is the method that motor officers use to negotiate parking lots like they do and still maintain control or whip a U-Turn within 2 lanes. Changing transmissions and other methods are not going to work. The bike will only go so slow before it falls over unless there is some power to the rear wheel to keep the gyro effect of the bike going.
Take the time and effort to learn this technique and you will no longer worry about a slow car on mountain road, or making a U-Turn on a 2 lane highway, or having to duck walk through a parking lot. Don't learn it and you will never be comfortable at slow speeds.
Bill
Last edited by billnourse; Sep 14, 2015 at 08:28 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I've already done the sums, just haven't followed it through yet! Using a Baker DD6 but replacing my stock 24T with a 25T (26T if I can find one), instead of the 27T/28T compensator they supply, achieves what I described - a lower first gear and also a higher top gear. Sorted - just need to splash the cash - except I have a lot of other stuff to do on the bike first!