Many riders struggle with how to ride a heavy motorcycle, especially at slow speeds and in tight turns. This is complicated even more if they are not an experienced rider.
While my recommendation is to always start with a manageable motorcycle in its size, weight, and power. Many riders find themselves on a big heavy motorcycle as their first ride. This week we will look at some tips to help handle a bigger motorcycle.
Before we get into some tips on handling a heavy motorcycle. Let's talk briefly about why riding a larger motorcycle is more difficult than a smaller bike.
Why riding a larger motorcycle is more difficult
It all comes down to the physical size of the machine. This affects the overall weight, and larger motorcycles typically have more power than smaller motorcycles.
This is one reason why you see all new rider courses with smaller cc motorcycles on the training range. Putting an 800 lb cruiser or a 200HP sportbike in the hands of brand new riders would be the recipe for disaster.
But, that is the exact position that many riders put themselves in when they purchase their first motorcycle. They buy their dream bike or they talked into buying a larger bike than they need by their friends who ride or an over eager salesman.
Another important factor to consider is bigger motorcycles tend to be more expensive, so dropping the motorcycle becomes a bigger fear for the rider as well. Nobody wants to see their expensive touring bike laying on its side at a stop sign….it hurts the pride and the wallet.
So, my advice is always to purchase a used smaller motorcycle and then after a year or two look for something bigger.
If you do this you will be safer, you will learn to ride quicker, and for most people it will save you money in the long run then starting out on a big, heavy, expensive cruiser or a lightning fast sportbike.
Let's look at weight and how that affects the new rider.
New riders tend to make a lot of small mistakes when riding a motorcycle that are more pronounced the heavier the motorcycle is. If I pull up to a stop on a Honda Grom and I am slightly out of balance at the stop it is not a big deal. At a stop I can have a significant amount of lean angle on a Grom and still be able to keep the motorcycle upright because of the light weight.
But, if I make the same mistake on my Honda Goldwing or a Harley Street Glide I will be picking it up off the ground. Because once it leans so far all you can do is get out of the way…it is going over for a nap.
So the margin for error is much smaller on a larger, more powerful motorcycle. This not only applies to the weight of the motorcycle but the brakes and especially the throttle of a more powerful machine. New riders often lack the braking finesse and the throttle control required to ride a small motorcycle smoothly. This problem is much worse depending on the power characteristics of the motorcycle.
Proper technique is key to riding any motorcycle
There is a world of difference between riding a Honda Rebel…a good starting motorcycle option and riding a Harley Davidson Road Glide or other heavy cruiser. Especially if you are not proficient with the technique of riding a motorcycle.
Technique is huge…technique is one thing that you can carry with you from the smallest motorcycle to the largest most powerful motorcycle on the road and it always applies.
The technique for making an emergency stop on a small motorcycle is exactly the same on a larger bike. The technique for making a u -turn on an MSF range bike is exactly the same as the technique on my Fat Bob.
The difference is, the smaller motorcycle is more forgiving of sloppy technique than the larger motorcycle. Let's face it…we all have sloppy technique when we are learning a new skill.
If you are having trouble handling your heavy motorcycle you don't have a motorcycle problem, you have a technique problem.
Remember, technique will always be learned quicker and with less potential repercussions on a smaller motorcycle.
When I was teaching new rider classes I would have riders who could perform the u turn with no problem within the designated box on a small training bike. But, I would often correct their technique.
The reason for that is I know that if they tried the same u turn with the same technique on a larger motorcycle, they would not be successful. The smaller motorcycle will allow you to make mistakes that a bigger motorcycle will penalize you for.
Develop these techniques to improve your skills riding a heavier motorcycle
Here are several training exercises that can help you increase your technique. Whether you are riding a small starter motorcycle or riding a heavy motorcycle. The techniques taught here will be more easily accomplished on a smaller motorcycle. They are also a great starting point for the rider of a heavy motorcycle as well.
Stop in Control
The first technique you want to develop on a heavier motorcycle is being in complete control at a stop. This is probably one of the biggest areas where heavier bikes are dropped the most often and it is attributed to bad technique.
The primary things to focus on are keeping the handlebars straight at the stop, head and eyes up, and I like to finish the stop using just the rear brake. So just the last few feet of the stop are completed with the rear brake.
If a heavier motorcycle is just a little bit out of balance at that stop it will fall over to its side. By using the rear brake to finish the stop the motorcycle will be much more balanced at the stop.
Stop and Go
Once you have developed a proper stopping technique you can move onto another exercise that will help you practice this skill over and over until it becomes your habit for riding.
This exercise is called the stop and go and this exercise will help you develop the muscle memory so that every stop is performed with the correct technique.
Remember, our goal is not just stopping the motorcycle, our goal is to focus on the correct technique. In the earlier exercise you developed the proper technique…now you are repeating that technique over and over to make it a habit.
Turn from a stop
Another area where riders struggle with a larger motorcycle is turning from a stop. So they pull up to a stop sign and have a difficult time making that left or right turn within their lane.
I have a video focussed on the proper technique of turning from a stop. Again you can find all of these resources at MCrider.com/hb.
The techniques you will want to develop in order to turn from a stop are looking where you want the motorcycle to go, turning the handle bars before you begin the turn, and using the friction zone to smoothly get power to the rear wheel.
I keep mentioning the word technique…that is the difference between being able to ride a smaller motorcycle and a larger motorcycle. If you develop good technique it will carry with you to any motorcycle you throw a leg over…big or small.
Making a u turn on a heavy motorcycle
Remember, the technique you should have learned in your new rider class for making a u turn on the small training motorcycle will be exactly the same on a larger motorcycle.
Proper technique is one of those things you can carry with you to any motorcycle you ride.
The u turn exercise helps you put a lot of different techniques together in order to accomplish the u turn…especially on a larger motorcycle.
If you found these tips useful consider becoming a Member of MCrider at MCrider.com/support. Get access to the forums for direct feedback and develop these skills and more with the several training exercises in the Field Guide.
