Keep'n it Real.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk, Va
I hadn't riden in 20 years and just bought an Electra Glide Classic. Talk about being uncomfortable and nervous. I told the G/F no 2 up riding until I figure this thing out. Now 2 months later I'm completely comfortable.
Take your time you'll do fine. The best advice someone told me was quit trying to drive the bike, just relax and ride it.
Take your time you'll do fine. The best advice someone told me was quit trying to drive the bike, just relax and ride it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: New Hampshire
Lots of good advice here, especially the practicing and waiting a while before having the GF join you. One thing you should be aware of is that after a couple months off from riding, your skills most likely deteriorated quite a bit. So jumping on a strange bike, and riding only a little bit before adding a passenger to the mix, was rushing things a bit.
Every spring, I start from the very beginning while still in the yard; clutch practice while duck walking the bike. As my muscles "remember", I add other elements including visualization of getting out of the driveway and up the hill. Then there are a couple of short rides, before getting to the longer rides (like going to work). Yeah, and backing the beast up, is rarely comfortable for me (5'6", 130 pond female), but I've only ridden the SG for one season, so I figure it will come to me eventually.
Every spring, I start from the very beginning while still in the yard; clutch practice while duck walking the bike. As my muscles "remember", I add other elements including visualization of getting out of the driveway and up the hill. Then there are a couple of short rides, before getting to the longer rides (like going to work). Yeah, and backing the beast up, is rarely comfortable for me (5'6", 130 pond female), but I've only ridden the SG for one season, so I figure it will come to me eventually.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Longwood, Florida
I've been riding large bikes for about 13 years. Rode small bikes as a kid. I layer my old Goldwing down a few times when making a slow U-Turn or turning it around in my driveway. I've never done that with my Ultra Classic or SG (which I own now). What I do sometimes to this day... I get road fixed during a turn. I've learned when taking exits off I-4 (Orlando area) that have steep curves, to simply slow down and force myself to look where I want to turn and not get fixed on the road itself. Some of my friends like to drag foot pegs during turns. They are comfortable on their bikes. That is not something I go out of my way to do but I plan to add floor board extenders so this might happen more often after that small upgrade. My wife rides with me from time to time but for the most part I ride solo. My wife is comfortable with my handling of the bike. But I take my time and don't tailgate. Be careful when you ride with a large group. Group rides are fun but you have to stay alert.
Last edited by JCCASH; Jan 10, 2012 at 07:23 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: Chicago burbs
I'll give you my thanks for your service as well. Always have and always will support the troops no matter the branch or experience. THANK YOU!!
That being said I was exactly where you are. I rode my Honda Shadow 750 for about 5 or 6 years until trading it in in 11 for my first Harley, an 07 Cop King. I go from a 5 speed 750cc with drag bars to a HUGE 103ci 6 speed with 16 inch apes. And I'm about 5'7 or 5'8 ish at 39 years old. Talk about MAJOR difference. But between Sept 2011 and Nov 2011 it went from about 8100 miles to over 11k now. I am confident enough to have my 8 year old son or my wife (who has only rode twice in her life. Both with me. She's deathly afraid of em) with me now. I'm not immune to accidents, or drops nor do I pretend to be either. You can't be too confident. ALWAYS be on your toes. Even when you feel that connection between you and machine. Riders can get too complacent on their bikes (I've done it too). So practice enough to be confident on it. But always be cautious even after you're confident on it. My 2 cents.
That being said I was exactly where you are. I rode my Honda Shadow 750 for about 5 or 6 years until trading it in in 11 for my first Harley, an 07 Cop King. I go from a 5 speed 750cc with drag bars to a HUGE 103ci 6 speed with 16 inch apes. And I'm about 5'7 or 5'8 ish at 39 years old. Talk about MAJOR difference. But between Sept 2011 and Nov 2011 it went from about 8100 miles to over 11k now. I am confident enough to have my 8 year old son or my wife (who has only rode twice in her life. Both with me. She's deathly afraid of em) with me now. I'm not immune to accidents, or drops nor do I pretend to be either. You can't be too confident. ALWAYS be on your toes. Even when you feel that connection between you and machine. Riders can get too complacent on their bikes (I've done it too). So practice enough to be confident on it. But always be cautious even after you're confident on it. My 2 cents.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 759
Likes: 34
From: Virginia
Good advice on "just riding" to build your confidence on your new bike, but I can't tell you how much better my Ultra Classic is since I installed a new "LOW" seat. I'm somewhat challenged height-wise myself. I'm 5'8" and getting shorter every year. Do a search on a Reach Seat, maybe pick up a used one from the Classifieds from a forum member. I thought I had squandered A LOT of money on a bike that I wasn't going to be comfortable riding until I installed a lower seat. Made a HUGE difference - solo AND 2-up.
Last edited by RoadHog659; Jan 10, 2012 at 12:03 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 290
Likes: 1
From: Ventura, CA
It's been said but watch the Ride Like a Pro Video and practice what it teaches you. Remember that at slow speed, your upper body should be vertical. You don't lean with the bike at slow speed. Try it, it really makes a difference. Also, the video teaches you to ride the rear brake and slip the clutch at slow speed. Tell the person on the back to just sit and not try to help, especially at slow speeds. Any movement from the back will make you want to fall over at slow speeds. The most critical part is just as your stopping. There's not much room for your feet to move on the ground with these big bikes.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 31
From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
I debated sharing this thread or even asking for advice as the ego gets in the way, We Marines are hard headed this way but Im going to keep it real :
Last summer I took MSF an got my motorcycle license, by June I have a naked sv650. Rode it 3000 miles over the summer 1/2 solo an 1/2 two up.
Sold the bike in October and in Dec bought my dream bike (road king classic) at 35 felt confident an good. Rode it the 1st time last week for 100 miles an then took it out on Saturday with my G.F an I have to be honest I was a little afraid sometimes of the ride, I didnt feel confident at slow speed an turn esp walking the bike and stopping.
I dont want to drop the bike or worse hurt anyone but I just didnt feel the control and confidence I felt before with my other bike this bike felt heavier (im 5'8). I didnt feel great about the ride and second guessed myself, is this bike to much for me is it to big to powerful or do I just need more solo experience.
Ive been thinking about this for 3 days an wanted to hear from my fellow Harley riders if this is normal and if anyone has felt this or had a similar experience after getting a heavier bike and what the best next step is.
Thanks!
Last summer I took MSF an got my motorcycle license, by June I have a naked sv650. Rode it 3000 miles over the summer 1/2 solo an 1/2 two up.
Sold the bike in October and in Dec bought my dream bike (road king classic) at 35 felt confident an good. Rode it the 1st time last week for 100 miles an then took it out on Saturday with my G.F an I have to be honest I was a little afraid sometimes of the ride, I didnt feel confident at slow speed an turn esp walking the bike and stopping.
I dont want to drop the bike or worse hurt anyone but I just didnt feel the control and confidence I felt before with my other bike this bike felt heavier (im 5'8). I didnt feel great about the ride and second guessed myself, is this bike to much for me is it to big to powerful or do I just need more solo experience.
Ive been thinking about this for 3 days an wanted to hear from my fellow Harley riders if this is normal and if anyone has felt this or had a similar experience after getting a heavier bike and what the best next step is.
Thanks!
First thing "Gyrene" .... leave the GF home and ride solo for a while. It's harder to do slow speed stuff with someone wiggling around behind you. Don't be afraid to tell her you are afraid you'll drop the bike with her on the back. She won't call you a ***** (at least not to your face
) for it. Just let her know you want to get some seat time before she rides, to keep her safe.You will drop the bike...... it's going to happen, sooner or later. Get a rug, and carefully lay your bike down on the engine guard. Have someone help you with this so you don't drop it hard. Practice picking it up. There's a sticky on how to do that on the main page. https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...llen-over.html
Before you again try it with the GF on the back...... teach her how to be a fender bunny. Tell her not to move around suddenly, or lean out to the side. Let her know that slow speeds are especially critical for her to sit still. Make her get off when you are going to walk the bike, or back into a parking spot. Have her push if you need the extra help.
EMPTY PARKING LOT...... practice slow speed turns where you won't get run over by a truck if you drop it.
Last edited by shooter5074; Jan 10, 2012 at 02:09 PM.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 394
Likes: 29
From: Georgia
When you do transition to two-up:
Make her hold you real tight during the slow maneuvers. It minimizes her tendency to try and auto correct the lean, or tendency to try and lean with you. If she's holding you tight, it feels like just you doing the maneuvers. Turn your head. Look at where you want to go, and keep your head UP. Look down, go down. Remember that. Don't suck in that clutch, and use rear brake only.
Ben
Make her hold you real tight during the slow maneuvers. It minimizes her tendency to try and auto correct the lean, or tendency to try and lean with you. If she's holding you tight, it feels like just you doing the maneuvers. Turn your head. Look at where you want to go, and keep your head UP. Look down, go down. Remember that. Don't suck in that clutch, and use rear brake only.
Ben