Can dropping Ultra be prevented?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,068
Likes: 0
From: North East
RE: Can dropping Ultra be prevented?
ORIGINAL: AustinRider
watch the Ride Like A Pro DVD... it's full of great information.
One thing he tells you that I had already learned - if you hit the front brake at very slow speed will turning even very slightly it will pull the bike to the ground like a magnet. At very slow speeds I use the back brake. When completing a stop I use both together and keep the front tire straight. (you should keep the front tire straight when stopping anyway)
You CAN lean at slow speeds doing U-turns and tight turns by combining the use of the throttle, clutch (friction zone) and back brake. Ride Like A Pro goes over all this. I had already picked up on a lot of the techniques they teach before buying the DVD. Its a great learning tool and a worthwhile investment.
As previously mentioned, the larger Harleys with engine guards don't normally fall all the way over. They land on the engine guard and damage is minimal. And the common occurance is at very slow speed.
watch the Ride Like A Pro DVD... it's full of great information.
One thing he tells you that I had already learned - if you hit the front brake at very slow speed will turning even very slightly it will pull the bike to the ground like a magnet. At very slow speeds I use the back brake. When completing a stop I use both together and keep the front tire straight. (you should keep the front tire straight when stopping anyway)
You CAN lean at slow speeds doing U-turns and tight turns by combining the use of the throttle, clutch (friction zone) and back brake. Ride Like A Pro goes over all this. I had already picked up on a lot of the techniques they teach before buying the DVD. Its a great learning tool and a worthwhile investment.
As previously mentioned, the larger Harleys with engine guards don't normally fall all the way over. They land on the engine guard and damage is minimal. And the common occurance is at very slow speed.
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: Can dropping Ultra be prevented?
ORIGINAL: grinner
I dropped mine practicing Ride Like a Pro.
I can maneuver better than all my buddies now as a result ofpracticing and tipping over a couple times. I don't even notice now when I make a u-turn in a parking lot and expect my friends to follow me. Often I'm waiting at the exit onto the street and they're still behind me walking their bikes or in other ways looking foolish. Someday I want to take a motocop class. I strive to be able to maneuver like some of the guys on this forum can.
I dropped mine practicing Ride Like a Pro.
I can maneuver better than all my buddies now as a result ofpracticing and tipping over a couple times. I don't even notice now when I make a u-turn in a parking lot and expect my friends to follow me. Often I'm waiting at the exit onto the street and they're still behind me walking their bikes or in other ways looking foolish. Someday I want to take a motocop class. I strive to be able to maneuver like some of the guys on this forum can.
. You can also try the spongy pipe wrap from the hardware store. It saves the Chrome rails. At our ERC a girl completely removed her bags from her SG leaving just the front bag guards.As for them going over all the way? There are the Engine Guard and bag rails to stop them form rolling all the way over at slow speeds. I have dropped 2 types of bikes, Harley Deluxe and a Yamaha 650. The Deluxe had bags and a tour pack...At no time have I done any major damage...minor scratches but nothing to fret over.I haven't dropped my Ultra yet..the only thing I am really worried about is the lower fairings in that type of drop situation.
vindyl -- sounds like you've been lucky. In my case...I have a bad back, I only fight a tipover so far then I try to let it down easy....I'm so worth more then a couple of paint scratches.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Central DE
RE: Can dropping Ultra be prevented?
Yep, front brake in a slow turn is what got me.
Fortunately, only the primary cover got scraped
and one of the guys that I was riding with had a spare.
It was a quick fix but,
Pride is still sore tho.[&o]
Fortunately, only the primary cover got scraped
and one of the guys that I was riding with had a spare.
It was a quick fix but,
Pride is still sore tho.[&o]
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,642
Likes: 6
From: Forest Lake, Mn
RE: Can dropping Ultra be prevented?
Ain't never had that front brake at a slow speed problem with the Cap'n. Guess I must have practiced enuff. 
( see pic)
As to the maneuvering with apes, it is actually much easier, it is the force and momentum lever thing from physics. The longer the lever (in this case, distance from the front wheel contact patch) to the point of force, where your hands and arms apply the force (handlebars) the easier it is to control. Not sure that is too clear. If you exert 10#s of force, 1 foot from the point, that is 10 ft/lbs. The same 10#s of force, 2 feet from the point, is 20ft/lbs.So on and so forth. Now, back to the thread, 2 types of bikers in the world, those that have been down, and those that are going down. Been riding longer than I care to admit sometimes, and have been down more times than I care to admit at times. And I guess the only sure fire cure is a trike.
And the topper of the wholeOOPS, I dropped itsaga. We witnessed a guy drop a Boss Hoss at the gas pumps of a Holiday gas station. Talk about denting your pride, and busting your a$$ to get it back up. Think I'll stick to the chopper and the flh.
My dumbest drop -back in my indulging days, left the tavern, got to the first stop sign, DUH, you mean I HAVE to put my foot down,EVERYTIME I stop.Who's idea of a joke is that?
( see pic)As to the maneuvering with apes, it is actually much easier, it is the force and momentum lever thing from physics. The longer the lever (in this case, distance from the front wheel contact patch) to the point of force, where your hands and arms apply the force (handlebars) the easier it is to control. Not sure that is too clear. If you exert 10#s of force, 1 foot from the point, that is 10 ft/lbs. The same 10#s of force, 2 feet from the point, is 20ft/lbs.So on and so forth. Now, back to the thread, 2 types of bikers in the world, those that have been down, and those that are going down. Been riding longer than I care to admit sometimes, and have been down more times than I care to admit at times. And I guess the only sure fire cure is a trike.
And the topper of the wholeOOPS, I dropped itsaga. We witnessed a guy drop a Boss Hoss at the gas pumps of a Holiday gas station. Talk about denting your pride, and busting your a$$ to get it back up. Think I'll stick to the chopper and the flh.
My dumbest drop -back in my indulging days, left the tavern, got to the first stop sign, DUH, you mean I HAVE to put my foot down,EVERYTIME I stop.Who's idea of a joke is that?
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: Lousiana
RE: Can dropping Ultra be prevented?
Dropped mine practicing slow turns in a parking lot. No damage to the bike.
I agree with the rest - two types of riders -those that have dropped them and those that will. I would rather drop mine in a controlled situation than out on the street somewhere.
I agree with the rest - two types of riders -those that have dropped them and those that will. I would rather drop mine in a controlled situation than out on the street somewhere.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
From: S.E. Michigan
RE: Can dropping Ultra be prevented?
ORIGINAL: Arizona
Mine almost went down when I stopped on an uneven spot on a dirt road that was at a slight angle. I held onto her and fought it for dear life and somehow stopped it and brought it back up - tweaked my wrist in the process but I saved her!!!! I have no idea how I did it though - the right foot board was flexed upward on it's pivot if that gives you an idea of how far over it was.
I think it was like one of those cases of superhuman strength where a 100 pound mother lifts a Crown Victoria off of one her kids!
Mine almost went down when I stopped on an uneven spot on a dirt road that was at a slight angle. I held onto her and fought it for dear life and somehow stopped it and brought it back up - tweaked my wrist in the process but I saved her!!!! I have no idea how I did it though - the right foot board was flexed upward on it's pivot if that gives you an idea of how far over it was.
I think it was like one of those cases of superhuman strength where a 100 pound mother lifts a Crown Victoria off of one her kids!
[IMG]local://upfiles/46392/046EC69D07C34AB18E70BE3DA8C5C4DF.jpg[/IMG]
Banned
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 3
From: Fugitive from justice
RE: Can dropping Ultra be prevented?
39 years on bikes, never dropped one except last week when I was moving one away from dance pole with engine off while parked in the house.......I didn't realize jiffy stand had retracted due to loud music playing..........I went to lean it over and it kept going till it rested at about 40 degrees.....I yanked and yanked till a guy we call "high pockets" eased up in front and reached over with his right hand and pulled the bike upright for me.
High Pockets is about 6'4" and thankfully a easy going type.
Friend, if you are dropping your bike so often, then you really need to examine each and every instance till you fully understand exactly how it happened and then be real with yourself and determine if you can correct those causes or if you need a trike.
This stuff about "there are those who have and those who will"...is not a given and you shouldn't settle for it.....Prevention is the cure, not expectation.
High Pockets is about 6'4" and thankfully a easy going type.
Friend, if you are dropping your bike so often, then you really need to examine each and every instance till you fully understand exactly how it happened and then be real with yourself and determine if you can correct those causes or if you need a trike.
This stuff about "there are those who have and those who will"...is not a given and you shouldn't settle for it.....Prevention is the cure, not expectation.