Keep dropping the damn bike!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
Focus
I found do not look to the sides when stopping. Focus only on stopping and looking forward so you can see the angle of the bike and adjust. After a complete stop then look for traffic.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,984
Likes: 5,220
From: Michigan
JMHO;
It may be beneficial to have the bike lowered (front & rear), which also lowers the the center of gravity of the bike, and it's passengers.
I can imagine how much more difficult for me it would be if my bike was 2" higher than it is currently.
FWIW, one or both of my feet are touching the ground as my bike comes to a complete stop.
If you keep both feet on the floorboards until the bike stops and it is slightly tilted, there's a much higher risk of you being unable to keep the bike from tipping over.
It may be beneficial to have the bike lowered (front & rear), which also lowers the the center of gravity of the bike, and it's passengers.
I can imagine how much more difficult for me it would be if my bike was 2" higher than it is currently.
FWIW, one or both of my feet are touching the ground as my bike comes to a complete stop.
If you keep both feet on the floorboards until the bike stops and it is slightly tilted, there's a much higher risk of you being unable to keep the bike from tipping over.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Never use the front brake to stop. Only to slow you down. Use the rear brake to make that last little move to stop. Make sure your passenger sits perfectly still. If they have to shift weight, shift to the left as that will be where your left foot will be down. If you start to go to the right, you will take your foot off the rear brake, and use the front brake to actually stop. That is bad.
After being off a bike for 30 years, I had lots of trouble with my heavy *** Road King when a passenger was on. They'd see an "almost stopped" situation as an opportunity to move around.
After being off a bike for 30 years, I had lots of trouble with my heavy *** Road King when a passenger was on. They'd see an "almost stopped" situation as an opportunity to move around.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
I haven't had that problem, even with a passenger, but when I come close to stopping I only use my index finger to break, gently, don't crank down on that sucker
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 14
From: navarre ohio
first thing, can you reach the ground rite. you don't have to be flat footed, but you need good enough footing to control the weight of the bike. second is, it is a heavy bike. you need the strength to wrestle it around.
a lowering kit makes a world of difference. im 5'8", i was about to sell my bike after it almost fell over on me a few times. all it took was an inch drop in the rear so i could reach the ground rite.
keep the bike uprite and strait when coming to a stop. i use both brakes to slow down, then only the front for the last foot or so.. if you try to come to a complete stop with the rear brake, by the time you put your feet down, you could already be leaning, to the side
a lowering kit makes a world of difference. im 5'8", i was about to sell my bike after it almost fell over on me a few times. all it took was an inch drop in the rear so i could reach the ground rite.
keep the bike uprite and strait when coming to a stop. i use both brakes to slow down, then only the front for the last foot or so.. if you try to come to a complete stop with the rear brake, by the time you put your feet down, you could already be leaning, to the side
