First touring model road test
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,054
Likes: 1,819
From: Kalifornia
Sorry, I thought you had read the entire thread. Am referring to Jerry Paladino's, Ride Like a a Pro. He has DVDs of his course, and franchises actual training courses. He's a former motor officer, and teaches the same skills.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 222
Likes: 53
From: Lancaster, PA
Handi, you can pick up one year old bikes for nearly 10K off the original price. Her is one I just found in 2 seconds on my local CL. If you are after the TP, I would say it's cheaper to get a bike with it on already than to add. You can make them detachable and many you will find have already been done in the used market. Seats can be changed to get you lower to the ground on the Ultra models.
https://york.craigslist.org/mcy/d/20...990060826.html
https://york.craigslist.org/mcy/d/20...990060826.html
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 941
From: Lincolnshire, IL
I too went from a 2009 Yamaha 950 to a 2015 Ultra Limited 4 years ago and I couldn't be happier. I took the Advanced Riders Course and bought the "Ride Like A Pro" DVD before I bought the Ultra Limited and glad I did.....I recommend the DVD! My best advice is to just take it slow and learn the "feel" of the new, larger machine and friction zone. It's a no brainer to go straight and fast, anyone can do that, but a very different "skill set" at 5mph in a parking lot or making a U-turn. Slow speed confidence and proper use of the rear brake is the key.......just practice, practice, practice and in no time you'll be great.
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,054
Likes: 1,819
From: Kalifornia
I too went from a 2009 Yamaha 950 to a 2015 Ultra Limited 4 years ago and I couldn't be happier. I took the Advanced Riders Course and bought the "Ride Like A Pro" DVD before I bought the Ultra Limited and glad I did.....I recommend the DVD! My best advice is to just take it slow and learn the "feel" of the new, larger machine and friction zone. It's a no brainer to go straight and fast, anyone can do that, but a very different "skill set" at 5mph in a parking lot or making a U-turn. Slow speed confidence and proper use of the rear brake is the key.......just practice, practice, practice and in no time you'll be great.
Question
I mentioned a lot of head buffeting when I got back and the salesman apologized for not telling me how to open the front vent on the fairing. He said that is supposed to prevent that. Is this true?
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,054
Likes: 1,819
From: Kalifornia
Handi, you can pick up one year old bikes for nearly 10K off the original price. Her is one I just found in 2 seconds on my local CL. If you are after the TP, I would say it's cheaper to get a bike with it on already than to add. You can make them detachable and many you will find have already been done in the used market. Seats can be changed to get you lower to the ground on the Ultra models.
https://york.craigslist.org/mcy/d/20...990060826.html
https://york.craigslist.org/mcy/d/20...990060826.html
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 185
Likes: 132
From: Tampa area, Florida
like you, i was also a returning rider after a long break.
the big bikes are certainly intimidating... however......... once you get on, you realize that its no different than a small bike.
it wants to stay up. use good mechanics and youll be fine. if you drop it, dont sweat it.... those engine/bag gaurds will dave the bike and as long as you dont get your leg caught underneath, you wont break it
you will feel comfortable in a few hundred miles. most of the problem is in your head, not in your body.
for the record, i am almost 50 and in serious need of knee replacements. (yes, i wear a knee brace under my jeans). i was nervous as hell getting back on that Electra Glide Standard.
i play with my friction zone at stop lights all the time..... your neurons and muscles will be sore at first.............. but its a good sore. you got this.
get what YOU want.............. your body will adapt!
as for female riders who think that bagger is too big?? its NOT!!!!
females often have better balance and more "fine motor control" and can finesse that big b*tch better than a man.
Laura Klock was a middle aged mom when she set records on a harley bagger at the Bonneville Salt Flats going 143.659 mph in 2006, and bested herself at 196.797 mph, 5 years later
if mamma dukes can roll 200mph in a road glide, you can certainly enjoy 45-60 mph around town and on a country ride. just ride defensively
ps.... with so much education and media about "watch out for motorcycles", i have found the roads MUCH MUCH safer and people more conscientious of bikes than even a decade ago
the big bikes are certainly intimidating... however......... once you get on, you realize that its no different than a small bike.
it wants to stay up. use good mechanics and youll be fine. if you drop it, dont sweat it.... those engine/bag gaurds will dave the bike and as long as you dont get your leg caught underneath, you wont break it
you will feel comfortable in a few hundred miles. most of the problem is in your head, not in your body.
for the record, i am almost 50 and in serious need of knee replacements. (yes, i wear a knee brace under my jeans). i was nervous as hell getting back on that Electra Glide Standard.
i play with my friction zone at stop lights all the time..... your neurons and muscles will be sore at first.............. but its a good sore. you got this.
get what YOU want.............. your body will adapt!
as for female riders who think that bagger is too big?? its NOT!!!!
females often have better balance and more "fine motor control" and can finesse that big b*tch better than a man.
Laura Klock was a middle aged mom when she set records on a harley bagger at the Bonneville Salt Flats going 143.659 mph in 2006, and bested herself at 196.797 mph, 5 years later
if mamma dukes can roll 200mph in a road glide, you can certainly enjoy 45-60 mph around town and on a country ride. just ride defensively
ps.... with so much education and media about "watch out for motorcycles", i have found the roads MUCH MUCH safer and people more conscientious of bikes than even a decade ago
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,054
Likes: 1,819
From: Kalifornia
I have a nephew in PHX that is my size or shorter, and he rides an ultra. His wife, similar sized, rides a SG. I figured if they could I could. Yesterday belayed a lot of concerns I had. No matter what I ride I will practice the lessons on the Ride Like a Pro dvd. Its just not smart not to know how to handle any bike they way they do. I have always watched even racers of road bikes for better riding skills. I never had any desire to race, but they are definitely skilled and I can always learn.
Its amazing how far you can lean a Honda XL600 dual sport into a curve, on knobbies, with counter steering. I'm talking with the pegs near scraping on asphalt in a left hand curve, with right front wheel angled away from the turn, yet still have full control. I could take that bike and stay on the heels of my brother in law on his Honda ST1300, in the curves.
I try to never quit learning about riding, safe riding.
Its amazing how far you can lean a Honda XL600 dual sport into a curve, on knobbies, with counter steering. I'm talking with the pegs near scraping on asphalt in a left hand curve, with right front wheel angled away from the turn, yet still have full control. I could take that bike and stay on the heels of my brother in law on his Honda ST1300, in the curves.
I try to never quit learning about riding, safe riding.