HELP. Layed the bike over when parking.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,875
From: Western South Dakota
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
That's awesome.
These beasts do not like the slow moves and are most easily prone to getting off balance during this time.
You might try getting street glide shocks as this would lower you a tad which may help.
Progressive 940's or 944's would probably do it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,581
Likes: 6
From: Deer Park, Texas
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...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 127
From: Coastal Carolina
The easiest answer is keep the bars straight when you are stopping. I know you said you stay off the front brake, but if you are putting both feet down you have to be using the front brake. Low speed, turned wheel and front brake will take it down. If you aren't using the front brake, as someone already said, and are keeping your right foot on the brake, you almost certainly are leaning to the left when you put your left foot down. if the bars are turned to the left as well, you create another condition ripe for falling to the left.
As far as maneuvering at slow speeds (making those low speed turns), get the Ride Like a Pro video. It has great, easily mastered techniques for maneuvering these heavy bikes at low speeds. The "dip" is one of them, although I don't remember it being used in a stopping situation, but rather to help align the bike for a sharper turn (as in pulling into a parking space). But don't take the instruction second hand. The video is cheap and will help you enjoy your bike more and whip it around parking lots and u-turns with ease.
As others have said, you are an inspiration. I'm on the eave of 60 and it is encouraging to hear that others are riding into their late 70's.
As far as maneuvering at slow speeds (making those low speed turns), get the Ride Like a Pro video. It has great, easily mastered techniques for maneuvering these heavy bikes at low speeds. The "dip" is one of them, although I don't remember it being used in a stopping situation, but rather to help align the bike for a sharper turn (as in pulling into a parking space). But don't take the instruction second hand. The video is cheap and will help you enjoy your bike more and whip it around parking lots and u-turns with ease.
As others have said, you are an inspiration. I'm on the eave of 60 and it is encouraging to hear that others are riding into their late 70's.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 326
Likes: 22
From: Panama City, FL
You don't say whether or not you have this problem when riding alone. If it only happens when your 155 lb wife is behind you ........ well, what are the chances you can get her to seriously consider loosing about 30 lbs? If you really can put both feet flat lowering it won't help you at all. I'm guessing you're about 6' tall and at just 145 lbs you must be awfully slim. Even if your bike is straight up that 155 lbs behind you, leaning just slightly one way or the other, can cause you to loose it. And, have you actually seen the scale when your wife is on it? Women have a habit of being less than honest when it comes to their weight. Just maybe you got 165 lbs behind you! Just sayin ......
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
The Drop Seat Kit looks fairly easy to install. They did forgot about the guys who run the HD alarm siren. Also factor in the cost of side cover paint if you don't have a vivid black bike.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 127
From: Chandler, Arizona
You don't say whether or not you have this problem when riding alone. If it only happens when your 155 lb wife is behind you ........ well, what are the chances you can get her to seriously consider loosing about 30 lbs? If you really can put both feet flat lowering it won't help you at all. I'm guessing you're about 6' tall and at just 145 lbs you must be awfully slim. Even if your bike is straight up that 155 lbs behind you, leaning just slightly one way or the other, can cause you to loose it. And, have you actually seen the scale when your wife is on it? Women have a habit of being less than honest when it comes to their weight. Just maybe you got 165 lbs behind you! Just sayin ......
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 52
From: South Jersey
I have one more tip for you. Take the tour pak off. It becomes a different bike very nimble and much easier to handle. I put a quick detach kit on my EG classic and it feels like my old SG. That your pack makes the bike top heavy and adds about 45 lbs yo the rear.
Try it, you'll love it!
Try it, you'll love it!
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 245
Likes: 2
From: NE NC
I bet it goes to the same side most every time. I bet you are looking down anticipating it at every stop. Stare straight ahead and slightly up and past the roof of the car in front of you or about that height while you are coming to a stop. That is what fixed me having to catch the bike when I came to a stop with my wife onboard.
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Joe Kucinski
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Two great tips above. Anyone who has ridden a tandem bicycle will tell you to learn to ride the darned thing by yourself, before taking a passenger! Same applies to riding a motorcycle. You can further reduce the top heavy nature of the beast by only half filling the gas tank. All these tips, of course, are to help you gain experience and confidence, so when the two of you set off on that coast-to-coast run you've been promising yourselves, loaded up with the kitchen sink, you are both up to speed and rarin' to go!
