Top 5 most difficult motorcycles to handle at low speeds...

[..]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPyl1gL92VM



The top 5 easiest, heavyweight, motorcycles to handle at low speeds!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhO8FQkX_M8

[LTD]

and of course the motorman is right about these motorcycles hes the man.

[Oldfishguy]

Well, I'd have to say he is spot on.

I've taken a similar course at least once a year for quite some time now.  Usually 10 of us in the class for the day with 2 instructors.  I've seen all sorts of bikes in these courses; the longer the wheel base the more difficult it is. With that being said, a good rider can make ALL the difference up in short order.

When a BMW tips over it is quite an event as they go horizontal with little effort.  Saw a guy dump his 1600 twice before lunch and he just rode away at that point. I've seen quite a few folks with saddle bags almost snap their ankles as they try to keep a bike upright.  Ones foot gets pinched between the bag and the asphalt; pop the clutch and power out of the lean is quickly learned.  Many dual sport bikes are almost like cheating in these type of courses; with the short wheel base and low first gear they are an ease to handle.  

Those of us with an Interstate have the added burden of the front fairing is connected to the fork, unlike modern bikes with the fairing connected to the frame.  Our balance point changes more dramatically as we do full lock deep leaning turns.

For those that want to get better at these slow maneuvers I suggest starting in a parking lot and doing figure 8's.  Step up from there and make them tighter to where you can do them on a two lane road with ease.  At that point you are ready for a class.  You can do this on your own but an organized class is much better; the instructors will pick out things you are not noticing and quite honestly the peer pressure will push you to be better.  Many of these maneuvers are low speed, this is the first level of courses.  The next level steps up the speed in maneuvers as the level of difficulty ramps up.  Fun and intense days no doubt about it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u_cY0ja1s4



      

[vanavyman]

Surprised he doesn't mention the GL1500 Goldwing.  Maybe too old.  I find it a lot harder to ride at low speeds comparted to the GL1800.  I'm far from an expert, but have ridden several Goldwings and Valkyrie Interstates.  The GL1800 is still the easiest to ride and handle.  My Valkyrie Interstate is too top heavy to compete with my GL1800.  Still love the bike but like riding the GL1800 more.  I've not owned a Standard or Tour for more than a couple months so can't really compare them.

[hubcapsc]

I test rode a Springfield, it had a drive-by-wire throttle as best
as I could tell. That throttle or a DCT transmission seem like
they would be more difficult to deal with at low speed.

-Mike

[cookiedough]

why in these turning courses do the owners of these 20k and up cycles take off the side saddlebags if they know if tipped will scratch them up costing big bucks to replace or repair?

I would think is your money you spent on the course and your cycle you can do what you want with your cycle on the riding course.    I would take my side hard saddlebags off on my tourer and Interstate for sure.

about 13 years ago when I bought my valk I/S I was comparing and test drove a 1500 goldwing same week.  The 1500 wing turning around in the street to go the other way scrapped bottom turning tightly around vs. the valk I/S never did, had me sold on that right there, let alone all that extra tupperware on the bubbly 1500 wing.  Reverse gear was nice though I could have used it about 5x's in my 13 years for sure on my VAlk I/S needing help 3 of those 5x's luckily someone else came by to push me backwards or I was toast.

[Tazman11]

I need to make it a point to practice slow speed maneuvers more. I bought his new videos ($20 delivered) so that I don’t practice my bad habits. I’ve been riding for 45 years and filled with bad habits. Last weekend I took a class at the local Harley dealership. Learned a ton. Sunday rained from 9-1 with 25 mile winds.

[Oss]

the older I get the worse I get    


I need to take a morning and just do figure 8 after figure 8 on the Valk as I find the bmw 1150 so much more in tune with me being my everyday rider

Why does it seem harder to do in a full face than the half helmet, is it my neck is stiff?

[Jersey mike]

I think part of the issue is inexperienced riders going big. Also before taking the course, get accustomed to your bike instead of trying to do it all/learn it all in a weekend. Experience and being in a comfort zone with your bike’s controls is a huge part.

[Jess from VA]

This one looks pretty challenging at slow speed.   (well, at any speed actually)

RoadDog is 17 feet long and weighs almost 3300 pounds, more than the entire car its engine came from!  Motor 153.3 cu in (2,512 cc) Chevrolet I-4.



I wonder what the turning radius is (90 feet)?  

Can you see this thing on the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap?  Maybe at 11MPH.  

And who in their right mind would ride on the back seat?

[DarkSideR]

"Has got to be" meaning this is just some guy talking about what he thinks.. having most likely never ridden any of the bikes he's talking about.

[Rams]

Personally, I do agree with the Motorman, HDs do handle better at low speeds than most other cruisers, that includes our fat ladies.   They should, the physics all support the Motorman's claims.   

Having said that, it all makes sense, they are better at slow speeds because they are designed to be better at the speeds their engines are designed to operate at.   Never mind all that vibration.   It probably helps the tires vibrate around in tight places.   I wouldn't know, I ride a fat lady that doesn't vibrate. 

Rams   

[signart]

Any Valk will handle better at slow speeds the lower it is, for that matter the lower the seat is.
The same Valk, my long gone Tourer, handled much better at any speed with a Corbin than with a Big Boy Ultimate.
The Corbin went with the Tourer when it was sold, because it had rubbed a patch of paint off the tank that was only visible with any other seat installed.

[john.esher]

I would take my side hard saddlebags off on my tourer and Interstate for sure.

I rode professionally for about 10 years and instructed for 7 of those. We ALWAYS made the students take off the saddlebags, particularly in the first week. It wasn't so much for the falls, it was for the motor to motor collisions...

I have been hit by students numerous times inside exercises when they just couldn't handle the extra traffic.

[hubcapsc]

They made me take the saddlebags off of this thing when I test rode it  ...





-Mike

[Rams]

They made me take the saddlebags off of this thing when I test rode it  ...



-Mike

I gotta say, that's not the most attractive ass end I've seen by a significant margin. 

Rams

[..]

They made me take the saddlebags off of this thing when I test rode it  ...



-Mike

I gotta say, that's not the most attractive ass end I've seen by a significant margin. 

Rams