Backing up 05 Road King
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Backing up 05 Road King
My husband just got me an 05 Road King Custom and I feel uncomfortable moving it backwards and forward while sitting on it. The guy at Harley showed me how to move it while standing/walking next to it. My husband says I shouldn't move it that way. Does anybody have any tips on moving how you move your bike?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 10
From: Mass
..while it is of course possible to be moving a bike around by walking next to it and holding the bars...I don't recommend it either..it's kind of tricky doing it...lean it too far towards you and the weight goes from kinda heavy...to BOOM..it's on the ground..in a split second once you lean it just a little too far towards you...much more control sitting on the bike..you shouldn't have to be moving it around that much shut-off anyway..It's not easy for anyone if it makes you feel any better..these things weigh 800 plus pounds..and if you hit a slight incline trying to push it..it sucks..use the engine whenever you have to move it if you feel you can't do it manually
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 410
Likes: 3
From: Central North Carolina
I'm in agreement with the other folks....I won't move a bike without sitting on it....and I'm 6'5" and weigh 260 lbs. When you're walking beside the bike, it's just too easy to lean it either towards you or away from you and it's going down...either on you or you're going to end up on top of the bike trying to keep it from going down. The best thing to do is to sit on the bike and "duck walk" it to wherever you need it. It's also a good idea, as mentioned in the other posts to make sure that the passenger pegs/boards are in the upright position.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 6
From: Lapeer , Mich
do not try to move them around standing beside the bike , now with that being said like with all bikes you just have to watch were you park , you watch for holes you do not try to back up a hill and so on , did not say your height or weight [ of course ] but my wife is like 5 ft and 100 lbs and rides a 04 Heritage and dose a great job , and any body that says they have never needed a push backwards at one time or another is lying or a newby to riding , did lower hers 2" allaround , I am 6' and 230 lbs and have had to have a push a few times so if you want to ride just enjoy , and I know if you need any help there would be about 20 guys there to help
Last edited by 1st 96 ultra; Jun 12, 2011 at 04:06 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
Good advice above. Just keep the center of the bike under you at all times and you will be fine. I was backing mine out of the garage and going a little fast and turning at the same time. The next thing I knew the bike was laying on the engine guard that quick. Go slow and be careful in reverse
Last edited by EW1959; Jun 12, 2011 at 07:12 PM.
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If you really need to move it around, and can't "duck walk" it, what I do is be on the left side of the bike, have my right hip next to and against the seat and tilt the bike up off of the side stand. Leaving the side stand down, move the bike around where you want, and if it becomes too much, just set it down on the side stand. Just don't push it up and over center. You can even let the side stand drag a little. Just practice it on flat ground and get comfortable with what is good for you.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
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From: Denham Springs, La
If you really need to move it around, and can't "duck walk" it, what I do is be on the left side of the bike, have my right hip next to and against the seat and tilt the bike up off of the side stand. Leaving the side stand down, move the bike around where you want, and if it becomes too much, just set it down on the side stand. Just don't push it up and over center. You can even let the side stand drag a little. Just practice it on flat ground and get comfortable with what is good for you.
Sitting on the bike with the backward duck walk..and the front brake is your friend..