Lowering
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 339
Likes: 9
From: Washington
You should not be 'backing up' while sitting on your bike! That is bad practice and can lead to disappointment. I don't believe any bike training course teaches it. If you were my size you would have backed up your bikes out of the saddle from day one! I can't flat foot my Glide and have no need to......
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,425
Likes: 1,418
From: pensacola fl
That could be way more disappointing. So I get off the 900 lb RG, get in front of the handlebars and push it? I could understand standing next to it and pulling it back, but I wouldn't. Way easier to sit on the bike and push against my backrest.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
However if you visit a Harley dealer you will see the staff wheeling bikes around from in front, as you describe, although that is not anything I would try or recommend. I've been wheeling my umpteen pound Glide from beside it for 26 years and other bikes for almost 50, it seems you have some catching up to do!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Thanks for the compliment, but it does not make sense to back up while sitting on a bike, especially a heavy one. Check bike training courses.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 692
Likes: 34
From: Texas
Admittedly, when I push my bike into my driveway, I get off and push it into position. But say, backing into my parking spot at work, five feet or so, I stay on the bike and work it in.
As to the OPs approach to lowering his bike, how much is that supposed to lower the bike.
I approached the need to get closer to the ground two ways - had mean city modify my saddle and it provided about 1-1.5 inches and lowered my shocks 1 inch.
As to the OPs approach to lowering his bike, how much is that supposed to lower the bike.
I approached the need to get closer to the ground two ways - had mean city modify my saddle and it provided about 1-1.5 inches and lowered my shocks 1 inch.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,425
Likes: 1,418
From: pensacola fl
Nope, you wheel it from beside it. You've apparently never done a bike training course. Try pushing it backwards up a slope while sitting on it. If you've been backing up like that from day 1 I can understand why you think it may be 'better', but it is also unwise, as it is easy to lose your footing.
However if you visit a Harley dealer you will see the staff wheeling bikes around from in front, as you describe, although that is not anything I would try or recommend. I've been wheeling my umpteen pound Glide from beside it for 26 years and other bikes for almost 50, it seems you have some catching up to do!
However if you visit a Harley dealer you will see the staff wheeling bikes around from in front, as you describe, although that is not anything I would try or recommend. I've been wheeling my umpteen pound Glide from beside it for 26 years and other bikes for almost 50, it seems you have some catching up to do!
However you stated this, "Get off it and push it backwards". You may have meant something else, but to "Push it backwards", key words being PUSH and backwards. To "Push" the bike "Backwards" you would need to stand in front of the bike.
You could "Pull" the bike backwards, and maybe that is what you meant.
Last edited by eaglefan1; Jun 28, 2016 at 07:27 AM. Reason: Spelling
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Unfortunately you did NOT quote my ENTIRE message. I stated I do understand standing on the side of the bike.
However you stated this, "Get off it and push it backwards". You may have meant something else, but to "Push it backwards", key words being PUSH and backwards. To "Push" the bike "Backwards" you would need to stand in front of the bike.
However you stated this, "Get off it and push it backwards". You may have meant something else, but to "Push it backwards", key words being PUSH and backwards. To "Push" the bike "Backwards" you would need to stand in front of the bike.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 908
Likes: 117
From: Texas....6ft from the sun
Nope, you wheel it from beside it. You've apparently never done a bike training course. Try pushing it backwards up a slope while sitting on it. If you've been backing up like that from day 1 I can understand why you think it may be 'better', but it is also unwise, as it is easy to lose your footing.
However if you visit a Harley dealer you will see the staff wheeling bikes around from in front, as you describe, although that is not anything I would try or recommend. I've been wheeling my umpteen pound Glide from beside it for 26 years and other bikes for almost 50, it seems you have some catching up to do!
However if you visit a Harley dealer you will see the staff wheeling bikes around from in front, as you describe, although that is not anything I would try or recommend. I've been wheeling my umpteen pound Glide from beside it for 26 years and other bikes for almost 50, it seems you have some catching up to do!
What's next? "don't get off the right side of the bike because someone says so"
Sorry to the OP for this topic getting hijacked.
Last edited by Sturgis67; Jun 28, 2016 at 09:48 AM.