Handling a Heavy Harley-Davidson® Motorcycle

A heavy motorcycle can be a dream to ride. The extra weight improves its stability, which improves your overall ride. But to enjoy this benefit, you need to maintain control of your massive machine. Riding a heavy motorcycle poses its unique challenges alongside its unique perks. We rounded up the top tips for riding with ease below. For all your Harley motorcycle needs, visit Texoma Harley-Davidson®. You'll find us in Sherman, Texas.

Watch Your Posture

The way you align your body on your Harley motorcycle affects your ride experience. Good posture makes it easier to stay in control and boosts your balance. It also lets your Harley motorcycle do most of the work for you. It also reduces the strain on your body so you can stay on the road longer. The heavier the motorcycle, the more relevant these benefits become.

The ideal positioning is shoulders straight back with your head centered and your gaze straight ahead. Your body tends to naturally follow the angling of those key things. Ever notice your car slowly veers to one side when you point at something? It's because your body is following your gaze and shoulder. Watch your alignment to keep your Harley bike centered on the road.

It's easy to hop onto your Harley motorcycle and exhibit picture perfect posture. It's much harder to maintain it throughout the ride. Check in with yourself as you cruise around town and check your posture at different points during your trip.

One thing to watch is your elbows. Many riders tuck theirs in without a thought. But it's better to keep them pointed out. It'll give you more control when you turn. You can accentuate the lift on the elbow opposite of the turn to boost your control even more.

Maintaining Control

You're seated in perfect posture on your Harley motorcycle. That's a great step, but there are other proactive measures you'll need to take to keep control of your heavy beast of a machine. Watching how you drive your Harley bike will help you stay in command of all its raw power.

Aim for a smooth ride. Sure, it's fun to dart in and out of traffic. But any quick changes in speed or direction on a heavy motorcycle risk losing control of the vehicle. Slowly engage your brakes, throttle, and steering. Make your motions as steady as possible.

As much as you can, limit the use of your front brake while at slower speeds. Due to the weight of your motorcycle, engage the front brake can cause the wheel to tuck and you to topple over. Use your rear brake as the go-to. Only use the front brake alongside the rear brake.

Parking

A heavier motorcycle is harder to park. You must find a larger spot to fit your big bad boy. You need enough space to drive up and into the spot. And you need a spot on flat ground. Parking on a slope with a heavy bike risks your motorcycle leaning or sliding downwards.

We hope you found our guide helpful! If your motorcycle needs any maintenance before your next ride, bring it to Texoma Harley-Davidson®. We operate a parts replacement and service department that can repair your ride with ease. If you are looking for a new vehicle, check out our wide selection of new and used Harley models. We carry everything from touring bikes to trike options. It's easy to find the ideal model for your budget and riding level. Find your dream ride with us! We proudly serve those in Sherman, Denison, and Gainesville, Texas as well as Durant, Oklahoma.