2-Up Stopping Issues
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 650
Likes: 355
From: connecticut
It's frustrating because we have over 50k miles together in all conditions. We can damn near stop and balance with no feet down. But when it's time to put the left foot down, things can get wiggley to a point where I need to bend the bars right to make the bike lean left.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 719
Likes: 69
From: Waxhaw NC
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.
Riding a big bike at highway speeds is easy. Moving through a parking lot or stopping is where the skill comes in
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 701
Likes: 72
From: SA TX
Stopping
I usually don't drop my feet until at a complete stop. I usually come to a stop from around 5-10 mph. I also get my feet on the floorboards soon as I engage clutch. The only time you will see me with feet down is when I have a balance issue. That happens sometimes depending on unplanned stops from slow speeds due to traffic.
Tell your passenger to either keep body in line with the bike or lean as you lean. But, to be consistent so that you can adjust appropriately
Tell your passenger to either keep body in line with the bike or lean as you lean. But, to be consistent so that you can adjust appropriately
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 631
Likes: 279
From: Arkansas
Ask your wife to gentle squeeze you with her knees when you are approaching a stop. This will keep her centered and in her place on the seat as you come to a stop. My wife and daughter have this dialed. Passengers have to participate.
I also use both front and rear brakes, engine compression and even the clutch to come to a complete stop before I put my foot down. Things are always more stable when you are using both brakes and stay in the so called "Friction Zone".
I agree with what others here about practice. My son learned to ride his RK slow long before he ever rode it fast. We would practiced on the DMV motor cycle license course on the weekend when they were closed and he passed the test on an 800 lb bike at 17
I also use both front and rear brakes, engine compression and even the clutch to come to a complete stop before I put my foot down. Things are always more stable when you are using both brakes and stay in the so called "Friction Zone".
I agree with what others here about practice. My son learned to ride his RK slow long before he ever rode it fast. We would practiced on the DMV motor cycle license course on the weekend when they were closed and he passed the test on an 800 lb bike at 17
My last girlfriend had never rode, so I explained the "rules of the road" and took her on some easy, slow rides. After a while I noticed she always squeezed her legs ever time I took off, I thought there was a cable between the throttle and her legs, it was automatic
She eventually got comfortable and relaxed once she figured out I was a very safe driver.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 123
From: Spokane, WA
Checking your six o'clock close to the stopping point will tell you whether or not you need to worry about having someone rearend you and in turn keeping the back brake applied, otherwise if its just you and the bike there then what's the point of keeping the right foot on the brake?
Last edited by Nickatnyt; Jun 20, 2017 at 06:54 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 439
From: va
I'm having issues stopping 2-up. Combined, we're about 450#. Put on Pro-Action shocks and cruising is awesome. BUT- when I get below 5 mph approaching a stop, the bike gets drifty. I use the rear brake the final few seconds and keep the fork square. I'd say 70% of stops are smooth but the remainder are sketchy.
When ride solo, problems are gone. I really have no idea what's going on with my passenger as far as body position but she does sit still. But she did say something about pushing back on foot boards and packing weight into backrest.
SO- looking for POSITIVE suggestions to tell my passenger that may help with the stopping issue. Flame on, please!
When ride solo, problems are gone. I really have no idea what's going on with my passenger as far as body position but she does sit still. But she did say something about pushing back on foot boards and packing weight into backrest.
SO- looking for POSITIVE suggestions to tell my passenger that may help with the stopping issue. Flame on, please!
Find a perfect highway ( good luck ) and release your grip -- does the bike got Lt or rt ??? do it with and without your rider
Jack the bike up - remove all chain/belt tension -- try to move swing arm , have some else look for the slightest of movement
Your problem gets worse with more weight on back something's moving
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,104
Likes: 13,047
From: Texas, USA
I have seen riders get "wobbly" during the last 30 or so feet of braking because they bring the bike to a very slow speed too quickly. What I mean by that is they brake hard until they are 30 feet behind the vehicle in front of them and then coast at 2-3 mph the last 20 feet. By coasting so slowly balance becomes more difficult. To help with balance they turn the front wheel back and forth and the bike is more subject to center of gravity issues (leaning to one side).
Speed helps maintain balance. I brake smoothly until I am a several yards behind the vehicle in front of me and then I brake more firmly the last few feet until stopped and then I put my feet down. This way I am not going so slow the bike wobbles or starts to lean. I don't mean that I'm braking so hard I'm locking the wheels up or causing the passenger to slide forward.
Speed helps maintain balance. I brake smoothly until I am a several yards behind the vehicle in front of me and then I brake more firmly the last few feet until stopped and then I put my feet down. This way I am not going so slow the bike wobbles or starts to lean. I don't mean that I'm braking so hard I'm locking the wheels up or causing the passenger to slide forward.
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
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 377
From: Georgia
The problem with using the front brake that last foot or several is that you ingrain that habit into muscle memory. At some point you will grab it in an emergency and dump you both. I'd bet u turns are hard for you too.
As some Have said, take a "ride like a pro" class. You won't believe how much it helps.
The wife and I are closer to #450 than #400 and it eliminated that for me. I didn't realize just how much it would help.
As some Have said, take a "ride like a pro" class. You won't believe how much it helps.
The wife and I are closer to #450 than #400 and it eliminated that for me. I didn't realize just how much it would help.