2-Up Stopping Issues
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 36
Likes: 5
From: Southern Ontario
No flames here. Excluding any center-of-balance issues the technique I use when coming up to a stop, solo or 2-up, is at approx 5 to 8mph I put both feet out and use the front brake to "quickly" stop. I don't "lurch" myself or passenger forward doing this, but I also do not slowly roll dozens of feet at 3mph either before coming to a stop.
I hope I explained my method well enough.
regards,
I hope I explained my method well enough.
regards,
My passenger does outweigh me a little, and this seems to work fine for me.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
But a frequently helpful suggestion for a passenger is to sit still while stopping and waiting until the operator has the bike fully stopped and feet down before moving to look around or over your other shoulder or such. Many a passenger does chose to start looking around or moving around once the bike is nearly stopped, and that can be troubling for the operator.
Some time spent in a large empty parking lot would probably help the three of you; you, her and the bike. Nothing fancy, just some time spent practicing stop and discussing things.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Too damn funny! Fiancé won a tandem at a local event a week ago. That thing is nothing but a conflict machine. She thought I wasn't peddling hard enough up a hill so she bit me on the back!! Did I mention she's a little ornery?
On the bike, I can feel the tension when stopping at times
On the bike, I can feel the tension when stopping at times
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,613
Likes: 1,606
From: Eastern Ohio
I do not agree with the guys saying to use the front brake in the last couple of feet so you can put both feet down. I use the engine rpm, rear brake, and clutch in conjunction to stop the bike in the last few feet. I can stop fully then put my left foot down. I hold the rear brake with my right foot. Holding the rear brake in the event of a rear collision will help keep the bike from lifting in the rear. If only holding the front brake in, the rear end will come up and throw you over the handlebars. Maybe take a couple msf courses. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Keeping the rpm's up will add to the gyroscopic effect of the motor and help balance the bike. Come to a stop, then plant a foot. When starting out, feet up and then go. All using engine rpm and clutch management. Never a foot on the ground while moving, unless very very slow parking lot maneuvers. YMMV.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,521
Likes: 57,072
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
I don't see anything to get alarmed about. Ask Mrs L to relax at all times, just pretend she's an elegant sack of potatoes (other vegetables or inanimate objects are available!). That leaves us with you and much the same applies. If you tighten your arms and hands when slowing down the bars cannot move that little they need, to stay easy and give you a smooth stop.
You have plenty of miles between you, so just take some time out, ride to some local attractions, cafes or whatever you prefer, with you both practicing relaxing then chatting through any change in experience. Or you can try riding a tandem! Now THAT will give you both some encouragement to coordinate.......
Do you have an intercom?
You have plenty of miles between you, so just take some time out, ride to some local attractions, cafes or whatever you prefer, with you both practicing relaxing then chatting through any change in experience. Or you can try riding a tandem! Now THAT will give you both some encouragement to coordinate.......
Do you have an intercom?
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
I do not agree with the guys saying to use the front brake in the last couple of feet so you can put both feet down. I use the engine rpm, rear brake, and clutch in conjunction to stop the bike in the last few feet. I can stop fully then put my left foot down. I hold the rear brake with my right foot. Holding the rear brake in the event of a rear collision will help keep the bike from lifting in the rear. If only holding the front brake in, the rear end will come up and throw you over the handlebars. Maybe take a couple msf courses. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Keeping the rpm's up will add to the gyroscopic effect of the motor and help balance the bike. Come to a stop, then plant a foot. When starting out, feet up and then go. All using engine rpm and clutch management. Never a foot on the ground while moving, unless very very slow parking lot maneuvers. YMMV.
A motor officer once advised me to learn how to use the front brake and clutch to hold a bike at a stop. He said you never know when you will get in a situation where the right foot has to hold the bike up at a stop. It happened to me once on a steep incline with loose gravel on the left side of the bike. I've become pretty good at twisting the throttle while holding front brake.
Our msf instructor said he considers an accident in progress anytime the riders foot is off the footboard while the motorcycle is moving. So I practiced that a lot. About the only time I purposely put my foot down while the bike is moving is maneuvering around tight spaces in the garage. Even then it feels wrong.
Beary
Last edited by beary; Jun 20, 2017 at 02:48 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 428
Likes: 35
From: Calgary Alberta Canada
I'm 325 wife is only a 100 but had similar issue with her leaning out to "see" etc just at moment when i needed her to sit still . LOL She has her own bike so that solved that. I was reading about leaning back issue. if she counteracts the forward weight enough the front end may become light. I would not use front brake below 5 to 10 mph as it will put you down faster then a sumo wrestler if you make any mistakes. Back brake tends to make bike stand up .