I'm looking for advice or tips
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From:
I'm looking for advice or tips
I have a new 2007 Ultra Classic, my 1st Harley. I was looking for some advice or tips when stopping, especially when i have my wife on back. I seem to be off balance when i come to a stop. Especially tough on hills.
thanks
thanks
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 9
From: Lincolnton, NC
RE: I'm looking for advice or tips
What seems to help me is to transtion more from the front to the rear brake in the last 10 feet or so. Other than that, I don't know except to tell her to sit still, I had to do that with my wife.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
From: Lebanon, Missouri
RE: I'm looking for advice or tips
I've encountered the same problem. Especially with Michelle on back and the bike loaded for a trip.
My suggestion to you is to use the rear brake ONLY once you have slowed. This will allow you to be a little more manueverable.
Hope this helps.
My suggestion to you is to use the rear brake ONLY once you have slowed. This will allow you to be a little more manueverable.
Hope this helps.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 534
Likes: 1
From: Lakewood,CA
RE: I'm looking for advice or tips
Make sure you're not straddling a gutter when entering a parking lot. It really sucks when your feet don't touch the ground as soon as you expect them to. The advice about transitioning to the rear brake for the last bit is good. Obviously if you're on a hill you'll want both feet down and a hand full of brake after you stop....I second the rider's course and then plenty of practice.
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 477
Likes: 1
From: Ventura County, CA
RE: I'm looking for advice or tips
A passenger on the back can really mess you up if she moves around while you are slowing to a stop. I'm lucky that my wife is a veteran passenger and I don't have that problem. Also good advice ( as mentioned above ) use your rear brake only .. if your front wheel is turned as you stop it could yank you right down to the ground. Especially if you are on an incline or the road is off camber. 
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 403
Likes: 0
From: Antioch, CA
RE: I'm looking for advice or tips
Straight Line Stops: Keep your line of sight high directly ahead on the horizon, do not look down, use both brakes together(squeeze front, press rear) progressively firmer, keep the bars square.
Stops while turning: Best - Straighten then stop as above.
If that is not option I suggest practicing solo until you are comfortable - use the same squeeze/press technique, but with less pressure, and as your speed drops transition to more pressure on the rear brake and less on the front.
The shortest stops with the least amount of drama are straight line stops as described above.
If your passenger is moving around while you are stopping you need to have a conversation. Generally she needs to just sit back there quietly and not shift her weight when you are manuervering or stopping. When turning she needs to look over your inside shoulder and keep her shoulders aligned with yours.
I highly recommend the MSF BRC for both riders and passengers. Even if the only time they ride is during the BRC they become better passengers. Of course the risk is they will decide they want to move to the front seat on their own bike.
Stops while turning: Best - Straighten then stop as above.
If that is not option I suggest practicing solo until you are comfortable - use the same squeeze/press technique, but with less pressure, and as your speed drops transition to more pressure on the rear brake and less on the front.
The shortest stops with the least amount of drama are straight line stops as described above.
If your passenger is moving around while you are stopping you need to have a conversation. Generally she needs to just sit back there quietly and not shift her weight when you are manuervering or stopping. When turning she needs to look over your inside shoulder and keep her shoulders aligned with yours.
I highly recommend the MSF BRC for both riders and passengers. Even if the only time they ride is during the BRC they become better passengers. Of course the risk is they will decide they want to move to the front seat on their own bike.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 248
Likes: 4
From: Fort Worth, Texas
RE: I'm looking for advice or tips
I would suggest riding solo for a few days...it's easier to get the feel of the bike without the extra weight & movement of a passenger. I think that you will find that the Ultra is a very well balanced bike...it just takes some getting used to.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 104
From: Prescott, AZ
RE: I'm looking for advice or tips
way too much to teach here... as suggested take the Riders Saftey course NOW before you drop your new bike... the course will teach you more than you can imagine....