Touring tracking
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,115
Likes: 1
From: CA
RE: Touring tracking
I've gone a few miles on open roads with my 05 RK Classic without using the handlebars. I do have to lean slightly to the left, but it is very stable. I noticed that the further back I lean, the easier it is to steer with your body english.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,652
Likes: 5
From: The sticks in SC
RE: Touring tracking
Road Glide's like an arrow, I like to cruise on the long country roads around here that have long sweepers and cruise with the CC on and steer with my body. Hands are always close just in case 
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,015
Likes: 5
From: Alaska
RE: Touring tracking
03 Heritage and 06 Ultra. Neither "pull" but each will eventually drift according to load, weigh distribution, wind, road surface, etc.
I find I can steer by putting a hand out to catch the wind.
For the nervous nellys, you don't do it in traffic, in town, in a group, or on bad pavement. But if you are out rolling up serious miles you have to stretch those arms, hands, and shoulders once in a while. No big deal.
I find I can steer by putting a hand out to catch the wind.
For the nervous nellys, you don't do it in traffic, in town, in a group, or on bad pavement. But if you are out rolling up serious miles you have to stretch those arms, hands, and shoulders once in a while. No big deal.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Roswell, Ga
RE: Touring tracking
ORIGINAL: AK_Hog_Herder
For the nervous nellys, you don't do it in traffic, in town, in a group, or on bad pavement. But if you are out rolling up serious miles you have to stretch those arms, hands, and shoulders once in a while. No big deal.
For the nervous nellys, you don't do it in traffic, in town, in a group, or on bad pavement. But if you are out rolling up serious miles you have to stretch those arms, hands, and shoulders once in a while. No big deal.
SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO SHAKE OUT YOUR ARMS. I FIX MY FLYING PANT LEGS SOMETIMES TOO. THEY BLOW UPWARD AT TIMES.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
RE: Touring tracking
The bike veering off is just the road surface,most roads are crowned for water runoff .Or it should be.In all the years I have ridden with hands off the bars,that is my observation.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 837
Likes: 1
From: NORVA / Pittsboro, IN
RE: Touring tracking
ORIGINAL: Pastor John
I think you guys have it all wrong. The rotational forces of the earth against the universal transverse merchator pushes all things to the left. Try this experiment: go out into the front yard and close your eyes. Pinch your nostrils closed with your left hand, and then try to walk in a straight line for 100 yards. Then turn around and look at your path - you have most likely veered left off your intended course. Then go back and try the same thing, but this time close your nostrils with your right hand. You will usually track straight in this second attempt, because you have overcome the geographic forces. This has a lot to do with the Chinese spy satellite killer technology, but I'm not allowed to tell you any more.
I think you guys have it all wrong. The rotational forces of the earth against the universal transverse merchator pushes all things to the left. Try this experiment: go out into the front yard and close your eyes. Pinch your nostrils closed with your left hand, and then try to walk in a straight line for 100 yards. Then turn around and look at your path - you have most likely veered left off your intended course. Then go back and try the same thing, but this time close your nostrils with your right hand. You will usually track straight in this second attempt, because you have overcome the geographic forces. This has a lot to do with the Chinese spy satellite killer technology, but I'm not allowed to tell you any more.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
From: Hampton, VA
RE: Touring tracking
ORIGINAL: Hdbiker1450
Wasn't sure how to title this post. A buddy of mine has an Ultra Classic. He can put her on cruise and take his hands off the bars and just cruise along. My 02 RK won't do that. No cruise, but tightening down the throttle lock and letting go makes the bike veer left. I have to lean everything right in order to ride. Something wrong with the bike, or am I just not sitting square on her?
Wasn't sure how to title this post. A buddy of mine has an Ultra Classic. He can put her on cruise and take his hands off the bars and just cruise along. My 02 RK won't do that. No cruise, but tightening down the throttle lock and letting go makes the bike veer left. I have to lean everything right in order to ride. Something wrong with the bike, or am I just not sitting square on her?
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 385
Likes: 13
From: longtown
RE: Touring tracking
after 2 trips back to the dealer to have the alignment checked onmy 06 ultra without any success,the owner of the dealershipand i rode each others bike.he told me afterwards that it was within harley specs,which consists of using a spring gauge,if it takes less than 2 lbs of pull,its within specs.he also explained to me that if i moved the front heim on the motor it would help.all i had to do was lengthen the front heim 4 turns,after taking the top one out,move the front and then move the top heim so it just drops back through the hole.i did this and helped mine tremendously.