HELP. Layed the bike over when parking.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 843
Likes: 43
From: Louisiana
Its called doing a dip just before the bike is completely stopped. They teach that in the Ride Like a Pro DVD. As you come to a stop, just slightly turn the front wheel to the left as you put your left foot down. Your right foot will come off the brake pedal when you are stopped as the bike leans back to the right. Give it a try and you will feel things just happen as they should.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 843
Likes: 43
From: Louisiana
Am I getting to old (77) I got a 2013 EG Classic. my weight 145, wife 155
progressive mono tube up front. HD Premium adjustables in the rear.
went for a ride today. went to stop for lunch a Mac D's went into the parking lot, made a left turn into a parking spot, slowed to a stop and down it went.
I also have trouble in stop and go traffic, seems like if I dont have the front wheel pointed exactly straight when comming to a stop i have a heck of a time trying to hold the bike up right. this is just when the bike comes to a stop. (NO I am not using the front brake)
would putting a lowering kit on front & rear lower the center of gravity and help? been riding off and on for years since 16, but this bike is a hand full 2 up.
any help on what I am doing wrong would help......
Or is it time for me to get a trike or give it up all together, But I'll miss the wind in my face and scraping the boards in the curves........
Ed
progressive mono tube up front. HD Premium adjustables in the rear.
went for a ride today. went to stop for lunch a Mac D's went into the parking lot, made a left turn into a parking spot, slowed to a stop and down it went.
I also have trouble in stop and go traffic, seems like if I dont have the front wheel pointed exactly straight when comming to a stop i have a heck of a time trying to hold the bike up right. this is just when the bike comes to a stop. (NO I am not using the front brake)
would putting a lowering kit on front & rear lower the center of gravity and help? been riding off and on for years since 16, but this bike is a hand full 2 up.
any help on what I am doing wrong would help......
Or is it time for me to get a trike or give it up all together, But I'll miss the wind in my face and scraping the boards in the curves........
Ed
Just wondering, can you flat foot on the bike?
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 1
From: Seattle Wa.
I could handle them all OK, but the wife's butt complained so she needed a couch chair.........
Yes I can flat foot at a stop
ED
Last edited by wildchild2; Jul 4, 2014 at 11:33 PM.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 1
From: Seattle Wa.
Yes, I found that out very quick, it is when I am within 5 ft. of the complete stop, I have to move the bars just a small bit to correct for the balance, as the bike is very wiggely at that slow speed. and just as i come to a complete stop and the bars are not straight the bike has a tendency to fall in the direction the bars are pointed.
Ed
Ed
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 1
From: Seattle Wa.
Its called doing a dip just before the bike is completely stopped. They teach that in the Ride Like a Pro DVD. As you come to a stop, just slightly turn the front wheel to the left as you put your left foot down. Your right foot will come off the brake pedal when you are stopped as the bike leans back to the right. Give it a try and you will feel things just happen as they should.
Ed
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 104
From: Prescott, AZ
OK,, when you come to the complete stop - HOW are you stopping the bike,, rear or front??? If that front brake is touched as the handle bars are turned,,,, it will pitch and could very easily go down. I was taught, stop Straight and put both feet down evenly - if you are stopping and putting left down first - then you are most likely stop/lean - even if the lean left is slight = 800+ pounds + short legs + age... ouch... I am 64 and 5'6" I speak from experience.. been on my bagger for 10 years... have stock rear shocks... Corbin seat + red wing boots help me to be flat footed... Now my bike is an 04 so this next suggestion can not be done.. However, yours can
I would do this in a heart beat - I sat on one of these a while back. WOW, what a difference it makes...
Have a Very good friend John S out of Virginia - turned 81 Dec 2013 = met him on www.rftw.org in 2011 - he still rides with them and just made all his motel res for 2015... My Hero..
Michael
I would do this in a heart beat - I sat on one of these a while back. WOW, what a difference it makes...
Have a Very good friend John S out of Virginia - turned 81 Dec 2013 = met him on www.rftw.org in 2011 - he still rides with them and just made all his motel res for 2015... My Hero..
Michael
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
If you can flat foot I don't see any benefit of lowering the bike. They are the height they are for a good reason, not to provide the basis for lowering them! I reckon the advice above covers things pretty well, plus plenty of time in the saddle. We have to ride these things while we can still manhandle them and I wish you many more years - heck you're only ten years older than me!
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Advanced
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 78
Likes: 1
From: Walbridge Ohio
I had the same problem with my 08 FLHTC. Stopping was an issue for me and made me very uncomfortable. I watched Ride like a Pro on you tube and came to this conclusion. I am on the rear brake. If the front wheel goes one way or the other just before completely stopped ( and it usually does for me although I try to keep it straight ) I throttle up a little and use the friction zone to keep me up while using rear brake. This really does stand the bike up and helped me alot. After practicing this a few times I have become more comfortable and confident at stops. This works for me.. Your results may vary...