Riding a Heavy Harley®
Harley-Davidson® motorcycles are American-built masterpieces. That means they’re rough, tough, meaty bikes that’ll have anyone feeling a bit nervous out of sheer respect. Heavier motorcycles certainly can be a bit intimidating, especially to new riders or those used to lighter frames, but once on the move, a heavy bike doesn’t feel as such. Heavy motorcycles have their advantages as well, including some that actually make them easier to ride! At Texas Harley, it pains us to think some potential Harley riders might look elsewhere out of fear of a heavier motorcycle. Instead of trying to undercut each point about what might make heavy bikes intimidating, we want to focus on the benefits — or at least some tips to keeping your iron steed under control.
Keep reading for more information or, if you’re more interested in checking out some awesome motorcycles for yourself, head into our Bedford, Texas dealership. We proudly serve Irving, Arlington, Dallas, and Fort Worth, Texas.
Riding Posture
Experienced riders understand that riding stance has a lot to do with how a bike handles. This can be felt when learning to take corners on a motorcycle for the first time, when it’s less about turning the controls and more about leaning into the corner, using your own body to help guide the bike. Sitting up straight with your head up and eyes forward is great for keeping a heavy bike under control. Just as lifting your gaze promotes balance, it also forces you to tilt the bike rather than your head and body to make turns. Sitting up straight allows the bike to do the hard work for you. Just keep up straight, and straighten or extend your inside leg in the direct of turns to keep things steady.
For more control on turns or tight riding at slow speed, keep your elbows out. This stance will give you a more responsive angle to position for turns. Accentuate the lift in the opposite elbow on turns for even more control! Pointing your feet in the direction you want to go can also be a big help. The first step in executing a sharp turn is to put down the foot on the side that you want to turn, so it’s the right foot for right turns and the left foot for left turns. Now, point that foot to where you want to go. This will adjust your riding posture correctly.
Practice Makes Perfect
It’s no secret that the ideal ride is a smooth one, and your Harley motorcycle will make you a happy rider as long as you can find the sweet spot for cruising. Heavy bikes assert themselves without much prompting, so the key to a smooth ride is just staying calm and letting your bike do the hard work. Stay steady in traffic, especially when moving at slower speeds, and perform all braking, throttling, and steering adjustments with smooth, complete action. Sudden changes in direction or speed can jerk your bike out of that smooth spot, or worse, right out from underneath you. Stay off the front brake at slow speeds, as it can cause the front wheel to tuck suddenly with the weight. You won’t be able to stop yourself from falling if you get that far! Lean on the rear brake, though do so as smoothly as possible. Squeeze the front brake as gently as you can until you come to a stop.
Tips for Parking
Perhaps it’s not the most thrilling part of riding a motorcycle, but parking with a heavy bike can be a little tricky if you don’t know what to do. Look for flat, smooth ground to park your bike, as it’ll provide the most stability. A slight uphill incline can help to keep your bike from leaning too far over. When pulling the bike off its side stand, turn the bars fully to the right until they lock then grab the right handle with both hands, making sure you also grab the brake lever.
As long as you understand the difference in riding a heavier motorcycle, you’re sure to have just as much fun on a heavy Harley as any other bike. Hopefully some of these heavy bike riding tips with calm your worries and help you realize that heavier motorcycles are nothing to be afraid of. If that’s the case, don’t hesitate to call or head into Texas Harley for your chance to give one of these awesome bikes a test ride. We’re located in Bedford, Texas, and serve Irving, Arlington, Dallas, and Fort Worth. Come in today and talk with our team of Harley experts who are ready to answer all your questions and help you find the bike of your dreams.