How long did it take you to get accustomed to the raked front end?

[lovecacti]

Well?

 

[Brew]

I've learned and I'm sure others have also is that you don't take corners sharp, but go wide or you'll scrape the pegs or exhaust, depending on which way you’re turning. I remember the first time I rode my scoot while test riding it in Eastern Washington. I was scared as hell because I've never rode anything that vibrated so much nor had so much power and when I took my first turn and had to push the thing into the turn because it wanted to straighten out, I was saying to myself damn this thing is pretty balanced. I've ridden Harleys most of my time and the two are totally different animals. It sounds like you re doing everything right to me. You’re thinking ahead and and making adjustments that’s good! :2thumbs:

 

[Ratman]

Hi Sherry...and greetings from just down I-85 in Durham! Although I had ridden off and on for about 40 years when I bought mine-it was scary at first just like everyone one else that first gets one of these. I would go to a nearby school parking lot and practice. One of the best tricks I learned was when taking off from a dead stop and making a turn (like at a stop sign)...apply rear brake with your right foot and gently accelerate/modulate the clutch. The bike will make that sharp turn and "stand straight up" rather than try to fall over. No duck walking! Also-at highway speeds-get more comfortable with counter steer/severe lean. Practice on some of the country roads out from busy Charlotte city traffic. Good luck and enjoy your new ride.

 

[erldawg]

I think it was more like a few hundred miles rather than hours. Turning at low speeds in parking lots and stop signs will take some getting used too.

Just ride that's best advice I can give. It's a combination of the rake and wider rear tire. Take yer time and ride :2thumbs:

 

[woodbutcher]

another suggestion is to, in turns, look as far ahead as possible into the turn and not right in front of the bike. looking in front of the bike will put you into the ground. your natural tendency will be to look close so as not to run over anything in the road but you need to learn to scan the ground from a distance for trash, bad pavement, holes, etc. have fun!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dingo]

My experience is similar to Earldawg's.....it was at around 500 miles of riding I scraped the hell out of my pipes (sparks flying) and realized I was totally comfortable....just keep riding within your comfort zone and you'll be fine.

 

[05 old dog]

took a little while here too...when i first got mine i think i wrestled it thru the first several turns...throttle and clutch control seem to be the key...these engines like to lope if you will and make turning more difficult,,,i leave and go about 10 feet forward then pull in and slide the clutch till she straightens out then ...hang on. short answer several rides...

 

[BBChopper]

Ride the shit out of it, you'll get there!:2thumbs:
Take her up to Deals Gap 11 mile training grounds, you'll be all set after dragging and scraping that 11 miles!!!:roll::roll:

 

[oldmutt]

When you are turning, look where you want to end up and not where you think you are going to end up. These are not like sport bikes where you sort of become one. With a BD you have to take full control of it.

 

[MARV]

Also-at highway speeds-get more comfortable with counter steer/severe lean.

thats the ticket :up:

 

[kgamsg]

Never had anything to compare it to; never rode any two-wheeler (other than a bicycle) before my Chopper...jumped on it in Oct 2010 and had a feel for it by the time I went to get the plates/tags...now, I wouldn't know how to ride anything with less than 40 degrees of rake and 8-1/2 feet long and really wouldn't want to!!! Just take your time and get the feel at your own pace; I doubt there is a magic number...just be careful and have fun!!!

 

[coach]

I'm having more trouble reverse-adjusting....going from the Chopper back to the Street Glide. The first 100 miles are the most critical adjustment.

 

[kmalysa]

I learned within the 1st hundred miles or so how to just throw the bike where I wanted, and in slow turns such as parking lots even more exagerated,
At higher speeds the old 'push steering realy helps (right curve push right corner of handle bar left curve push left corner. I know it sounds like the basics, but you must simply relearn the dynamics, of simple riding and apply then even more so to a bike with fat tire and rake.

 

[kmalysa]

I'm having more trouble reverse-adjusting....going from the Chopper back to the Street Glide. The first 100 miles are the most critical adjustment.

Thant ain't no lie! When I get back on my Goldwing, I don't even remember wher my foot pegs are LOL, and being that the ride is effortless, I find myself over steering for a few turns LOL

 

[Mad Dog]

Ride the shit out of it, you'll get there!:2thumbs:
Take her up to Deals Gap 11 mile training grounds, you'll be all set after dragging and scraping that 11 miles!!!:roll::roll:

Erldawg and I will be down there draggin and scrapin on the 25th&26th.:2thumbs:

 

[BBChopper]

Erldawg and I will be down there draggin and scrapin on the 25th&26th.:2thumbs:

Man wish I could head back up. I want to take the chopper one day!!!

 

[RoofDude]

Took me about 500 miles to really get used to it. Now with a RK next to my Pit, it always takes a little adjustment depending on which bike I ride. Definitely two totally different rides/feel.

 

[ArnoldDog]

I have 2007 Mastiff which I'm sure is different from the choppers but this bike is pretty long when compared to riding some of my previous Harleys. When I left out of where I bought it I took up all four lanes making a left out of the place. Lol I have gotten used to it now and quite frequently will drag the foot peg when cornering around some turns. It just takes a little time and now it's no big deal.

 

[Ray]

Everyone here makes great points but probably I would say just ride it as often as you can and stay if your own comfort range until you get more comfortable with it. The slow turns seem to be where you have to plan ahead and ease into them taking all the space you need until you find that sweet spot. Turning out of my driveway is about as hard as anything except going down my daughters "Gravel" driveway. Stay away from gravel it is really spooky feeling the first time the front tire starts sliding in the gravel. I feel pretty good doing it now but I tell her especially when it is "Spotless" clean which is most of the time, I ain't coming up that "Dusty" driveway.
Take your time in the turns, slow and faster and get the feel of the longer front end. It is different but a good different when you get used to it.
I ride a lot on back country roads and used to ride a Suzuki and through a certain spot 8 or 9 miles long would get 80 or 90 mph on it. My scooter now I still ride those same roads 40 - 45 mph tops!!! You kinda roll it through the curves instead of seeing how far you can lean it. Hang on to it in the straight aways too it has some pretty good gid-e-up to it too! Take it out and ride it and enjoy , always ride safe.

Ray

 

[Ray]

Man wish I could head back up. I want to take the chopper one day!!!

I am watching for the first good weekend I don't have to work and no chance of rain. Deal's gap is a little over 3 hours from here. That is one of the reason's I got this Go Pro camera to do that and a couple other places around here.


See ya there ,,


Ray :2thumbs: