Handling Trouble with Mama on back!
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh
Handling Trouble with Mama on back!
I'm 5'8" 180 lbs and recently bought an 06 CVO Ultra. Had the detachable docking hardware installed for the tour-pak. When I ride with my wife, I keep the tour pak on. I find it hard to balance with Mama riding with me (she is about 140 lbs- would kill me if she knew I 'm writing her weight!) If the bike is lowered, would I be able to control/balance it better? Am I better off going with a different/lighter bike? I wear riding boots, but feel very uncomfortable when I come to a stop or need to make tight turns, etc. (I've been riding for about 15 years) Don't want to drop the bike and risk injury. Would appreciate some help. Thanks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
Are you comfortable riding the bike solo? Can you flat foot it? You may be more comfortable on a Heritage or something like that, but I would be very reluctant to give up a CVO Ultra! The only thing that will make you better is practice. Start practicing slow manuevers solo, as your confidence builds you'll feel better about hauling mama around. That Ultra will handle like nobody's business, you just have to make it your bitch!
Are you familier with the slow-speed techniques that are taught on the "Ride Like a Pro" DVD's? I'm sure if you practice plenty in a parking lot you will get a whole lot better. Even after 15 years of riding. You may want to buy an used Electra Glide, use it to get really good, and then sell it. All you have to do is to put pipe insulation on the crash bars etc and you won't do any real damage at all. Even if you want to use your bike. I had been riding for a very long time before I decided to get really good at parking lot maneuvering. I was really surprised at how much better I got. I thought I was a good rider already. Also, you may want to take an advanced rider course. Even though they are called advanced, it just means you've already taken the beginners course.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 974
Likes: 13
From: Chesapeake Virginia
I have a year and a little over 8K miles on my new to me Ultra. Most of my miles have been solo but I had a hard time for the first 6 months with my wife on the bike. I am 6'1" and my wife is 6'2" and over 140 ( I won't write down her actual weight). I have a Zepelin seat that is pretty wide especially when it is aired up. I put a lowering kit on it but had tire to fender rub and took it off. My biggest issue was stopping too fast with her on. When I started slowing down sooner it got easier every time we rode and now it is much better. When solo I don't have any issues any more and expect to get better with time both solo and 2 up. I spent 32 years on a shovel head low rider and it has really taken some time to get away from that style of riding. I will put the shovel back on the road this summer and am looking forward to the learning curve to ride it again.
Give it some time. Good Luck!
Give it some time. Good Luck!
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 3
From: Open Road, USA
I have sorta the same problem, but my wife is a little heavier than yours and most of my problems her not bracing her self on stops and helmet banging or just sliding forward on the seat. I have a hard time backing into a parking place if the passenger boards are down, always hitting my calfs on them. I just keep practicing and hoping...
Joe
Joe
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 772
Likes: 4
From: ohio
I think its just gonna take some practice riding the new bike two up. There is a learning curve with any new bike let alone riding two up. I put most of my miles on solo. When the wife joins me for the occasional ride, its weird and uncomfortable for the first few miles til I readjust my riding habits.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
The most important thing is to practice. Like was said earlier, practice solo with the tight turns and stops. Get really good at it (if you're not already).
When I got back into riding a little more than 4 yrs ago I rode the bike solo for a couple of months then had my wife take her car to a parking lot a few times and I'd ride her around there to get used to the added weight. We do OK now.
Make sure she knows what to do and what not to do, especially at slow speed maneuvering and stops.
If you lower the bike your ride comfort will be compromised. When I first got the Harley I had it lowered front and rear. The ride sucked. After I got more comfortable with the size and weight I had the stock suspension put back on and we are reasonably comfortable.
I have a lower seat (Sundowner) that still needs the nose narrowed and some Red Wing logger boots. I feel pretty confident with her on back. I also have the Ride Like a Pro 5 DVD and it's helped a lot. I'm maybe 5'7" and 160 lbs so I'm sure you can do it.
Good luck.
When I got back into riding a little more than 4 yrs ago I rode the bike solo for a couple of months then had my wife take her car to a parking lot a few times and I'd ride her around there to get used to the added weight. We do OK now.
Make sure she knows what to do and what not to do, especially at slow speed maneuvering and stops.
If you lower the bike your ride comfort will be compromised. When I first got the Harley I had it lowered front and rear. The ride sucked. After I got more comfortable with the size and weight I had the stock suspension put back on and we are reasonably comfortable.
I have a lower seat (Sundowner) that still needs the nose narrowed and some Red Wing logger boots. I feel pretty confident with her on back. I also have the Ride Like a Pro 5 DVD and it's helped a lot. I'm maybe 5'7" and 160 lbs so I'm sure you can do it.
Good luck.