2-Up Stopping Issues
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,760
Likes: 22,963
From: North Carolina
Call George or DJ up at Pro-Action in Beaver Falls, PA. Talk with them, they have a wealth of knowledge and can definately help you.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 113
Likes: 8
From: Fl
I occasionally have same issue with my 15 Limited. Solo is fine, two up occasional issue. Recently installed tour pack quick disconnect system. Without tourpack on, single or two up, never an issue. If it makes sense I feel that the point of balance is a lot lower. When the tour pack is on and two up, that extra weight a little higher (higher point of balance) has meant I have to work harder/focus for smooth stops. Like riding with 80 lbs in your tour pack or in the bottom of your bags,
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,878
Likes: 1,075
From: Utah
Thanks for all the posts! A lot of good ideas- now that I reflect some, think I have the most trouble when momentum gets broken down too quick and crawl up to a stop and feeling the passenger get tight. But- all great info and re-reading every post.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,302
Likes: 275
From: Milton, Delaware
I've found that using the front brake on stops causes the front of the bike to 'squat'. Then, when I'm almost stopped and I ease up on the front brake the front end then extends again. For me, this caused a bit of the unsteadyness that you described when riding 2 up. I've learned to use only the rear brake in that last 5 feet or so. The bike then 'squats' evenly. It works for me.
Also, keeping your head and eyes up and look through the car ahead of you helps to keep the bike steady.
You mentioned that your wife pushes down on her floor boards when you're coming to a stop. She may unknowingly be pushing harder with one leg than the other, causing you to slightly counter it. This would cause that little wiggle as you come to a stop. As someone else mentioned, maybe you could have her squeeze your hips with her knees instead of pushing with her feet.
Also, keeping your head and eyes up and look through the car ahead of you helps to keep the bike steady.
You mentioned that your wife pushes down on her floor boards when you're coming to a stop. She may unknowingly be pushing harder with one leg than the other, causing you to slightly counter it. This would cause that little wiggle as you come to a stop. As someone else mentioned, maybe you could have her squeeze your hips with her knees instead of pushing with her feet.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,908
Likes: 3,512
From: At home.
When solo I can stop real slow, using rear brake and the friction zone, hell I can even stop for a second without putting my foot down, then go. But I usually stop using the rear brake or even both brakes and my left foot hits the ground as I come to a stop.
When two up I come to a stop quicker, and finish it up with the front brake, and both feet hit the ground at the same time as the bike stops. This is to help catch the weight of a possible shifting passenger.
When two up I come to a stop quicker, and finish it up with the front brake, and both feet hit the ground at the same time as the bike stops. This is to help catch the weight of a possible shifting passenger.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 140
From: NY
I wish there were a magical answer but the only advice I can give is, it takes practice.
I ride 2-up quite a bit with the Mrs. as the passenger. The one thing I practice when I am alone is, trying to see how slow I can go until I actually have to put a foot down. When I have a passenger, when I have to stop, I will downshift and brake. When I get to about 5MPH, I will pull in the clutch and apply the brakes and drift to a very slow stop finally putting a foot down.
I ride 2-up quite a bit with the Mrs. as the passenger. The one thing I practice when I am alone is, trying to see how slow I can go until I actually have to put a foot down. When I have a passenger, when I have to stop, I will downshift and brake. When I get to about 5MPH, I will pull in the clutch and apply the brakes and drift to a very slow stop finally putting a foot down.
I do the same thing you suggest.
But just to add 1 more thing i do is just as the bike stops i also lock my arms while holding the forks (& bike) as straight as possible @ the same time so the forks dont move either way (left or right) that may be giving him the SKETCHY FEELING while stopping he's describing.
Scott
Stage III
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
From: Missouri
From the passengers point of view, it seems when the left leg comes off the floor board to the ground the handlebars always turn to the right and the bike lists to the right. I like it much better when you put both feet down and we're "steady as she goes" so to speak.
I know we get stiff (I'm going to regret saying that, I'm sure) when riding, but I think it has to be a conscious thing every time we come to a stop, to work together. I sit still and hold pressure on the floor boards, facing forward, no pressure on the back to throw the weight over the back tire or off balance.
I read all the posts and will try each of the suggestions to see what works best. Thanks for the input fellow riders.
I know we get stiff (I'm going to regret saying that, I'm sure) when riding, but I think it has to be a conscious thing every time we come to a stop, to work together. I sit still and hold pressure on the floor boards, facing forward, no pressure on the back to throw the weight over the back tire or off balance.
I read all the posts and will try each of the suggestions to see what works best. Thanks for the input fellow riders.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,877
Likes: 659
From: Yuba City, Ca.
======================
I do the same thing you suggest.
But just to add 1 more thing i do is just as the bike stops i also lock my arms while holding the forks (& bike) as straight as possible @ the same time so the forks dont move either way (left or right) that may be giving him the SKETCHY FEELING while stopping he's describing.
Scott
I do the same thing you suggest.
But just to add 1 more thing i do is just as the bike stops i also lock my arms while holding the forks (& bike) as straight as possible @ the same time so the forks dont move either way (left or right) that may be giving him the SKETCHY FEELING while stopping he's describing.
Scott
The only advice at this point I can give is, practice, practice, practice. Like I stated earlier, I am always trying to see how slow I can ride when coming to a stop before I have to put a foot down. I've been riding so many years that I don't even really think about it anymore. When I ride 2UP, I can practically come to a complete stop before putting a foot down. That just came from lots of road time with a passenger.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 178
Likes: 79
From: El Paso
I have found that I do better if I come in to a stop a little bit hotter vs. very slow. I use both brakes, keep the handle bars locked perfectly forward, check for a safe place to plant my foot, keep my eyes up and forward, and brake to a complete stop. I then put down my left foot keeping my right foot available to hold the rear brake if needed. This has been working for me. Once in a while, I will also put my right foot down if I feel it is needed because I did not execute the stop perfectly. I then get my balance corrected on my left foot and get my right foot back on the brake. We live in the foothills of the Franklin mountains and almost every stop is on a slope.
My wife and I also ride a tandem bicycle. We have a lot of experience balancing at stops. I actually find it easier to balance at stops on the motorcycle vs. the bicycle. On the motorcycle there is a lot more weight sitting lower on wider tires holding up the riders making it easier to balance as long as you keep it vertical. On the tandem, there is 350+ pounds up high on a 20 pound bike with skinny tires . It gets interesting if both the captain and the stoker are not in sync.
My biggest fear is having my left foot slip on the road. We have taken a tumble on the tandem because of such an incident when I put my foot down on a painted road arrow that was wet and slick. A tumble on a 900 lb motorcycle would be much more consequential.
My wife and I also ride a tandem bicycle. We have a lot of experience balancing at stops. I actually find it easier to balance at stops on the motorcycle vs. the bicycle. On the motorcycle there is a lot more weight sitting lower on wider tires holding up the riders making it easier to balance as long as you keep it vertical. On the tandem, there is 350+ pounds up high on a 20 pound bike with skinny tires . It gets interesting if both the captain and the stoker are not in sync.
My biggest fear is having my left foot slip on the road. We have taken a tumble on the tandem because of such an incident when I put my foot down on a painted road arrow that was wet and slick. A tumble on a 900 lb motorcycle would be much more consequential.
Last edited by FredCa; Jun 21, 2017 at 10:49 AM.