Riding a full dresser tips

[ital916]

It has metzler marathon 880s on it. Getting more confident every day on it. Had the boards dragging at times today when practicing tight turns and u turns. Had a big moment on it though, went to adjust my visor so took one hand off the bar and it got some HUGE headshake, thought it was going to spit me off but managed to get it under control (undies promptly changed haha.) I can see, once I've gotten used to it that I will be able to throw it around a bit.

I think the supermarket workers were thinking why the hell this dude is riding in circles in the car park.

[BMWST?]

It has metzler marathon 880s on it. Getting more confident every day on it. Had the boards dragging at times today when practicing tight turns and u turns. Had a big moment on it though, went to adjust my visor so took one hand off the bar and it got some HUGE headshake, thought it was going to spit me off but managed to get it under control (undies promptly changed haha.) I can see, once I've gotten used to it that I will be able to throw it around a bit.

I think the supermarket workers were thinking why the hell this dude is riding in circles in the car park.

some bikes do that ,check the tyre pressures

[Tricia1000]

From an instructor point of view, I would strongly recommend learning and practising slow speed manoeuvring technique, so that you can control the bike, virtually effortlessly through traffic, rather than constant foot up, foot down, foot up.
Secondly, you will need to plan where and how you will stop, at say traffic lights, or more importantly on badly cambered roads. If the road falls away to the left or right, you will need to stop on a slight angle maybe, depending on your size and strength. As someone has already said the hardest bit, will probably be manoeuvring it into a parking space, so where possible always reverse in, (unless that would mean going uphill) so you can ride out. (I made that mistake, with my first heavy bike, a long time ago, and almost gave myself a hernia trying to get the bike back out of the space again.. Once the bike is moving, of course, the weight will look after itself, but cornering and such, be aware of where the weight is distributed for best contact with the road..

Oh.... and enjoy it... You are living your dream........

Tricia1000
RoADA (Dip)
Consultant to NZTA
Roadcraft School of Motorcycling Ltd.,
0800 4 LESSON

Hey guys n girls.

I've just picked myself up an 2011 model (2012 reg) vn1700 voyager as my work/commute/long distance/short distance/do everything beast. Was going to go to Tauranga today but having only had it one day and not having ridden it much yet, felt a bit off. Always listen to the voice in the head aye. Just wondering if anyone who rides the bigger tourers has any tips or advice on handling them, especially around the tighter stuff.

[Bison]

It has metzler marathon 880s on it. Getting more confident every day on it. Had the boards dragging at times today when practicing tight turns and u turns. Had a big moment on it though, went to adjust my visor so took one hand off the bar and it got some HUGE headshake, thought it was going to spit me off but managed to get it under control (undies promptly changed haha.) I can see, once I've gotten used to it that I will be able to throw it around a bit.

I think the supermarket workers were thinking why the hell this dude is riding in circles in the car park.

Just wondering if you got the PM I sent you on your riding?

Bison

[Bison]

the hardest bit, will probably be manoeuvring it into a parking space, so where possible always reverse in, (unless that would mean going uphill) so you can ride out. (I made that mistake, with my first heavy bike, a long time ago, and almost gave myself a hernia trying to get the bike back out of the space again..:

I solved that problem and park face in, downhill all the time. Easy to solve without being a pro-wrestler...ride a Goldwing GL1800 with reverse.

[ital916]

Hey Bison, yup got your pm, were some good tips, still getting used to the weight but much better now, able to do u turns and pull into tight spots without hassle. Today is the first day riding with a passenger so should be good!

I don't know why they don't put a reverse on most of the full dressers, she is a 1700 but could do with a reverse haha.

[Bison]

The extra weight is not as much a concern if you treat it like you are starting/turning on a hill. Bit more revs and use just the first bit of clutch friction zone. I used to train our riders to do u turns from a dead stop on fully equipped Road Kings on very steep hills. Throttle up, revs up, bike stays up. You can see how I use it in those videos on my website. Yolu could also consider counter-balancing by shifting the "outside" bum cheek 1/2 way off the outside of the seat...away from the lean. (Hope this is not too graphic?) This will give you more confidence to lean into the turn a bit more.