I just bought a 2005 stock Road King; it is wonderful and a different bike from the Sportbikes (25 years ago) and the Sportster I have ridden in the past year. I know some of you have tons of experience with the baggers and touring bikes. I saw Y2K post somewhere it took him a season to really get to know it. So:

What advice can you give me? What little tricks do you use? What mistakes have you made, or see others make? What should I look out for?

See you can tell I am getting older as I prefer to learn from the advice and mistakes of others!

Best advise I can give you is to take your time and the rest will come naturally.
These heavy bikes will fight you if you try and muscle them around and will wear your arse out quickly :D
Countersteering is where it's at,let the bike do the work.
Set up early for corners and learn how far you can lean before scraping the footboards.
Don't panic if you do scrape a bit,most of us that ride baggers do it every now and then:smoke
These bikes steer really easy and corner better than most people think once you get used to them.
They are however unforgiving if you do make a major mistake,they only lean so far over and there's a lot of weight to deal with compared to a Sporty.
Practice,practice,practice :cheers
It won't take long and you'll find yourself loving that bike and taking longer and longer rides;)
:cheers Y2K :cool

Thanks Y2K

What about slow speed stuff or for parking? With the additional weight is the bike catchable if it starts to go (I considered my other bikes catchable - if I blew it). I ask because when I practiced slow speed work, I was not very daring, I was much more comfortable taking risks with the Sporty but I have read about the police course where these guys really put the RK’s through the paces.

What about all those naked women that keep jumping unsolicited on the back (ok so I am prone to embellishment)?

Thanks Y2K

What about slow speed stuff or for parking? With the additional weight is the bike catchable if it starts to go


Well the RK is quite a bit lighter than my EG Classic but I guess it boils down to how big and strong ya are.:smoke
I've had my EG take me down, once it's past the point of no return it's just too heavy to save.
That's why these bikes come with engine guards.
However all big twins carry their weight lower than Sportsters so they are by nature not as tippy feeling at low speed.
If you're carefull it shouldn't be a problem.
As for parking,I always back in so as not to get caught nosed in downhill:upeyes
It can be tricky backing uphill with a heavy bike lol.:D
These bikes have great low speed manners but anyone can goof up and find themselves in a situation where they lost balance.
Usually when you're not moving,like coming to a stop and putting your foot down in a hole or slipping on a grease spot.
If she's going over just try and let her down slow and let the engine guard do it's thing.
Most times there will be no damage at all.
Relax and enjoy,it's a great bike and you'll have the hang of it in no time;)

Motorrunnng

congrats on your wheels. Y2K gave great advice; take your time getting "use" to the extra weight. With my 1600 Classic, it handles much better than the Intruder 1400 I had at slower speeds and cornering, yet the Intruder is almost 200 lbs. lighter. I weigh about 165 lbs. and have come close to "laying" it down when parking it , so I'm real careful and also "back-in" to parking spots. The one thing I noticed when riding 2 up was that I hardly noticed my wife's extra weight!

I've set my Ultra Glide down once and there was no one to help me lift it up so after some thought and an adrenaline rush I did stand it back up. 6' 225# and like to think I'm in fairly good shape :upeyes but I can tell you that it was a one time thing if it did'nt come up I would have been SOL and I doubt that I could do it again unless it was a life and death emergency. Always park by backing in or knowing a way out because you will not push a big bike up hill. The only other advise I would give you is get rid of the dunlop tire and replace it with a set of metz as soon as possable, they make a world of differnce when cruising. And remember your on a caddy not on a vette so its in the ride not in the speed:tour

Here's a good piece of advice...never ride off with a disk lock on your front wheel when alone...guaranteed drop.

If you do drop a bagger (or any bike), there is a safe way for you to pick it up by yourself.

If the bike has fallen on its left side, for example, turn the handlebars all the way to the left. Make sure the bike is in gear. Squat with your back to the bike, and grasp the left hand grip with your right hand. With your left hand, grab the frame. (or a similar solidly mounted piece of the bike.) Next, slowly walk backwards, (rising as you scoot backwards) lifting the bike with your legs.

I'll second a switch to Metzlers ;) :cheers

Great advice.

I thought I would get some funny stories (or someone would make fun of me). We are so serious.

That is two (2) votes for the Metzler's - why doesn't the MoCo go with them?

That is two (2) votes for the Metzler's - why doesn't the MoCo go with them?


My guess is they get the Dungflops for a lot less $$$$$ than the German made Metzlers :cool
My first Harley came with Goodyears on it,that was a while back :smoke

Can you let some of us newbie tourers know what differences to expect when switching to Metzlers? I'll be needing some replacements sometime in early summer...gracias!

Can you let some of us newbie tourers know what differences to expect when switching to Metzlers? I'll be needing some replacements sometime in early summer...gracias!

Much better handling, wet or dry roads.
Gets rid of the nearly all the wobble sometimes experienced in cornering with the RK/EG chassis.
Some claim longer tire life as well but it was about a wash for me.
I have noticed that the Metz like a little more air pressure than the Dumslops;)

I have ran Dunlaps on both my FLH's no problems here in FL. I get caught in the rain alot. As for riding I'm 135 wet and sling a FLHTC around like it is a Honda rebel. But it can and will get heavy. Do figure 8's in a parking lot. And have your OL help you park.

Make that one more vote for Metz! I switched last year from the Dunlops to the ME 880 Marathons on my Road King and will never go back. What a night and day difference in the ride. Riding in the rain is almost enjoyable, almost!

I'll second what everyone else has said about the weight, ground clearance and scraping (look under the edge of your floorboards, you'll probably find some screw in pins that you can replace, that scrape first, before the chrome. My Nomad has them, and for good reason.

I will go a little different route, and suggest looking into getting a touring trunk for your RK, I know HD has several that will work, and if the price for HD makes you blind, there are others that are more affordable. I have one on my Nomad that will hold two full coverage helments, and it is a real nice item to have. Also it makes a REAL nice place for those honeys that leap onto your bike to lean back after they wrap their legs around your waist.

Also, luggage racks on top the bags and tour trunk are great, especially for bulky light stuff, and in this case, the HD racks seems to be pretty reasonably priced. I have a HD King Tour pak top rack on my aftermarket trunk.

Don't forget a little "syringe" type pump made for the air shocks on the rear, once again HD can supply this, or progressive.

Good luck, and enjoy that "big 'ol motorsicle" (that's southernese)

Dave

You've received some excellent advice, so I will simply echo a bit. If she begins to go over, let her, as you will have much less damage than if you decide to fight the lay down. Make sure your feet are out of the way though.......800+ pounds on the ankle hurts like hell. I find my Heritage Softail Classic, which on the scale with all the mods and customizing I have and full of fuel, weighs in at 825 pounds. My 230 pounds on top of that puts the bike moving down the road at over half a ton. Watch your braking distances and speeds.....survey around you and increase your awareness of what may happen. As for slow manuveurs, I find myself more courteous toward potholes, silent policemen, pavement edges, and the like, than I am with my Sporty.

What I will say further, is that on the long haul, you can't beat the ride, stability and endurance of a bagger. There are parts of your body that will thank you many times over for having that bike.

Metz are like glue after having the dunlops. They won't follow the cracks or trails in the road which leads to the wobbles. Again I can't stress the importants of not being able to back the bigger bikes up hill. Always leave yourself a way to drive staight out, back in up a hill if you can and your OK pull in and when it time to leave its real embarressing asking anyone around to help push your bike backwards. Also thick gravel that some people have in there drives can be real nasty to drive on, gotta be careful and keep a steady throttle or you will spin out or get stuck. I have a riding buddy that I won't go to his house because of his drive.

I've heard that the Metzeler tires don't expand like regular dunlops do while you are riding. (they expand horizontally instead of vertically.) Dunno if this is true, anyone else hear of this?

PS., Would Metzlers improve the ride on my Sporty?

I've heard that the Metzeler tires don't expand like regular dunlops do while you are riding. (they expand horizontally instead of vertically.) Dunno if this is true, anyone else hear of this?

PS., Would Metzlers improve the ride on my Sporty?

Once you put the Metz on you'll wonder why it took so long to change them over.

Thanks again guys, great advice! I wish I could practice slow stuff where I can dump a cheap RK, I want to know exactly where the point of no return is, and the only way to find it is to experience it.

The weather has been great in Boston, and I have been able to put some solid miles on it the last few weeks. It is a wonderful bike.

Olderthandirt: You have me backing up - thanks. I do not think they make the Meltzer’s for my bike with the correct load range yet. I think I would need to go to 140 (from 150). At least that is what I have read.

Alanomad: I have a Nelson Riggs tour pack and I bought a detachable sissy bar/rack yesterday.

Just found out some old friends of mine are doing a cross country trip this year, so I have the opportunity if I want. I did it 2 years ago with the family in a RV. There is nothing like experiencing the USA on a cross country tour to see what a diverse and beautiful country we live in.

I think I would need to go to 140 (from 150). At least that is what I have read.
.

The 140 is what you want,it has a higher load rating than the 150 ;)
I'm running a 140 Metz on the back now having moved up from the OEM 130 size on my 2000 EG.

Wouldn't it make sense to wait until they come out with the correct load range in the 150 - the stock width of my rear tire? I wonder why they have not yet?

Wouldn't it make sense to wait until they come out with the correct load range in the 150 - the stock width of my rear tire? I wonder why they have not yet?

Check with a few independent dealers of the true size of the tire not whats printed on the sides. The two vary greatly from manufactuer to manufactuer. I think but not positive that 140 metz and a 150 dunlop mounted is less than 1/4 in dif in width.

Guys,
You can get a great deal on the above site. I bought a 160/80-16 Metzler ME880 Marathon for $127 and they drop shipped it to the dealer for $11. I put this on the back of my 04 XL1200C. I just picked up an Ultra last night.
Mike

The metzler site has all the fitments. Plug in you bike and they list OEM, Stage 1, etc.
Mike

Guys,
You can get a great deal on the above site. I bought a 160/80-16 Metzler ME880 Marathon for $127 and they drop shipped it to the dealer for $11. I put this on the back of my 04 XL1200C. I just picked up an Ultra last night.
Mike

Hey, Mike! Is that all the info you're gonna give us about your new Ultra? We need a lot more info! Color, accessories, PHOTO? :D

Hey, Mike! Is that all the info you're gonna give us about your new Ultra? We need a lot more info! Color, accessories, PHOTO? :D

Yes!! Photo please!! :D or at least a small picture.

Guys,
You can get a great deal on the above site. I bought a 160/80-16 Metzler ME880 Marathon for $127 and they drop shipped it to the dealer for $11. I put this on the back of my 04 XL1200C. I just picked up an Ultra last night.
Mike

Do you also put a new Metzler on the front? Or....?
JJ

This thread is full of great info... Thanks from another newbie...
JJ

I used to have a 2001 RK before I traded for a 2004 Electra Glide Classic(wife needed more storage when we traveled :tour ). Suggestions:

1. Get a new seat. The stock one stinks when you ride for any kind of distance. After about 200 - 250 miles my behind was killing me and wife wouldn't get on bike for a few days. I'd suggest Mustang. I had a H-D Sundowner touting seat on the RK but still felt butt numbness on those long trips.

2. Get new grips. My hands seemed to tingle after about 50 miles with stock grips. It might have been the way I was holding but after switching to new grips this problem seemed to go away. I now run the Kuryakyn Iso-Grips on th Electra Glide and couldn't be happier.

3. Tires - People have mentioned Metzlers. I've never used them but do run Avon Venom X on the Electra Glide. Had them on Road King also and the difference between them and the Dunflops is noticeable right away. Both Metzler & Avons like a little more air than Dunflops. I run 44 in rear & 40 in front.

4. Shocks - Go ahead and spring for the pump for the suspension. It's worth the money.. U can get the H-D or go progressive.

5. Just riding - I ride my Electra every day(as I did RK) to work in expressway traffic and some side roads. Both bikes are/were no problem in either situation and you will get used to the weight.

6. Tipping over - Hopefully it will never happen but it does. My Electra decided one night when I was stopping at a light that it wanted to take a nap and started going over. Let me tell you, you might be able to hold it for a bit and recover but once it reaches point-of-no-return, it's going over. Clear yourself and let it do its thing. The guards will protect the bike in slow fall(and protected my Electra when I had accident).

If you have grassy yard, take bike out there and practice. You can lower it to ground(with help of friend if needed) and practice picking it up with suggestion given above. It's best to get used to technique so if you ever do go over, you can pick bike up.

I've heard that the Metzeler tires don't expand like regular dunlops do while you are riding. (they expand horizontally instead of vertically.) Dunno if this is true, anyone else hear of this?

PS., Would Metzlers improve the ride on my Sporty?


I still have 'Flops on my Ultra, but on my first bike (a Suzuki Marauder) I swapped the 'Flops for Metz's. I waited until I had 10K miles on the 'Flops, just to be sure I had gotten my money's worth... but let me tell you, one those Metzlers were on the bike, it was like that bike was on RAILS.

Previously, with the 'Flops, the bike would wander around in turns, despite whatever I did with the bar. My turns had multpile apexes (apexii?), and my riding buds used to razz me unmercifully about it. The Marauder has wee short little drag bars, so I thought the problem was the bars - or worse, my technique!

Once I those the Metzlers on (well, aside from a couple of days scuffing them in and wearing off the nubblies! :) ), that bike never wandered in a turn again - despite cold tires (circa 17*F, the coldest I've ridden), hot tires, rain, gooky backroads, whatever. It was like I was on a new bike - just awesome.

They're not that much more expensive than the OEM rubber, but worth every penny of difference. I can't wait to get a set on my 'Glide. Maybe at the end of this season... we'll see.

1. Get a new seat. The stock one stinks when you ride for any kind of distance.
More great advice but Unome - I think you should take bathroom breaks more frequently!

You expected a funny story?
How about a Now what do I do story,that may some day get you out of a bind.
The
wife and I ride to the HD dealer one Sat morning,as usual the place is crowded,I pull into a parking spot that is down hill and has shell surface.
When I am ready to leave I realize that with the combination of the down hill slope and the shell,I can't back the bike up.My first reaction was SHIT now what.The wife suggest I ask for help,everyone is looking to see what I will do next.
I turn the handle bar to the full left grab the oh shit rail,with the bike on the side stand begain to drag it backward out of the parking spot,once it is out I mount and fire the bike up,wife mounts and we ride away to cheers and thumbs up.
I am just over 200 pounds and at the time was just under 60 years old.
You can get yourself out of a bad spot most of the time,with thought and determination.
I was afraid at first of the weight of the bagger,but found for me that it was eaiser to ride after I got use to it.
Don

More great advice but Unome - I think you should take bathroom breaks more frequently!Now that was funny!!! :cheers

Well the RK is quite a bit lighter than my EG Classic but I guess it boils down to how big and strong ya are.:smoke
I've had my EG take me down, once it's past the point of no return it's just too heavy to save.
That's why these bikes come with engine guards.
However all big twins carry their weight lower than Sportsters so they are by nature not as tippy feeling at low speed.
If you're carefull it shouldn't be a problem.
As for parking,I always back in so as not to get caught nosed in downhill:upeyes
It can be tricky backing uphill with a heavy bike lol.:D
These bikes have great low speed manners but anyone can goof up and find themselves in a situation where they lost balance.
Usually when you're not moving,like coming to a stop and putting your foot down in a hole or slipping on a grease spot.
If she's going over just try and let her down slow and let the engine guard do it's thing.
Most times there will be no damage at all.
Relax and enjoy,it's a great bike and you'll have the hang of it in no time;)


This is good advice, but leads me to another question. Almost always, I have trouble when I try to back into a parking space. I need a lot of room and get scared when trying to back into a tight spot. Are there any tricks or things we new riders should know about parking the larger bikes?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

This is good advice, but leads me to another question. Almost always, I have trouble when I try to back into a parking space. I need a lot of room and get scared when trying to back into a tight spot. Are there any tricks or things we new riders should know about parking the larger bikes?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

2 main things that I recommend; slowly, and watch the footing for anything slippery. imho

Two other things I have learned:

1) Use your back tire to gauge where you will go. If you have a straight backup angle then it is straight back (and where the tire starts is where it ends up), if it is a sharp angle go past your intended line a bit and roll into it
2) Remember when you set your bike down on the stand it leans to the left so in tight parking (like many rows of motorcycles) keep tighter on the right knowing once you let it down it will lean left.

Thank you both - great advice that should really help.

Thank you both - great advice that should really help.

I'll just add that if there is room I like to ride a circle close to the curb that brings me into the parking spot so that I'm almost where I want to be and only need to back up a couple steps.
of course this doesn't work in tight spaces like a getting in a row of bikes when another pulls out and leaves an open spot.
Picking a spot that has a slight downhill always helps too if there's one available,let the weight of the bike do the work .
By the way,nice to see ya back in here good look'n,we need more ladies in here.;)

I'll just add that if there is room I like to ride a circle close to the curb that brings me into the parking spot so that I'm almost where I want to be and only need to back up a couple steps.
of course this doesn't work in tight spaces like a getting in a row of bikes when another pulls out and leaves an open spot.
Picking a spot that has a slight downhill always helps too if there's one available,let the weight of the bike do the work .
By the way,nice to see ya back in here good look'n,we need more ladies in here.;)

Thanks, it's good to be back on here, too. :cheers

Cheers,

With enough practice, you can do this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99KKx7cB-Ok

Okay... I got to page 3 and gave up...!

An old friend (HA member and FLHT rider) once said "Have you dropped it yet?"

On my reply of "No"

He said "You will"

So far I have been fortunate, but having experienced a couple of close shaves I have to agree with Dar. If it is beyond the point of no return, then let it go.

As to low speed riding, I have ridden many bikes, inc Ducatis, Honda's, Kawasaki, Yamaha etc and no bike has ever given me the same confidence at Very low speeds that the Glide has. It is Not a Sportster or even a Dyna, it cannot outhandle any serious Sportsbike, it cannot outbrake any serious Sportsbike.

But here's a test, pick a hundred mile run. get a mate on the latest Plastic bullet and set off at the same time. At the end, see just how little difference in time there is, and also see who feels the best.

You'll be surprised how often it's the Cruiser rider, okay I made it there a few minutes later. But I enjoyed the ride, the road was a wide strip of tarmac, rather than being a ribbon of road. To test this try your favourite road at 40mph, then 60mph, then 80mph and then as fast as you dare. You won't believe how narrow the same road can become depending on your speed.

So just get to love and cherish your RK and every mile you put on it, because every one will be memorable.

kb

I'll second a switch to Metzlers ;) :cheers

Y2K, what kind of pressures are you running? and what are you getting for mileage? If you don't mind me asking. I'm thinking of changing, I've had enough of the Dunlops. I've had one Metzeler on the rear and only got about 2000 miles and the cord was showing all the way around the center of the tire
:usa1:tour

Y2K, what kind of pressures are you running? and what are you getting for mileage? If you don't mind me asking. I'm thinking of changing, I've had enough of the Dunlops. I've had one Metzeler on the rear and only got about 2000 miles and the cord was showing all the way around the center of the tire
:usa1:tour


50 psi in the rear and 40 up front or you'll see premature wear with the Metzlers.
They take a lot more air than the Dungflops.
I'm real hard on tires,usually only get about 5K on a rear be it a Metz or a Dunlop.
Mostly that's from hammering the twistys on my daily commute from here in the mountains down along the river to work.
Pretty rough road and I tend to haul arse.:smoke

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d173/y2keglide/12006.jpg

50 psi in the rear and 40 up front or you'll see premature wear with the Metzlers.
They take a lot more air than the Dungflops.
I'm real hard on tires,usually only get about 5K on a rear be it a Metz or a Dunlop.
Mostly that's from hammering the twistys on my daily commute from here in the mountains down along the river to work.
Pretty rough road and I tend to haul arse.:smoke

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d173/y2keglide/12006.jpg

THanks:cheers

thanks for all the information i just bought a 2006 roadking and was also thinking of the same issues to ask now i know not to worry it,s seems to be a great bike .

Boy oh boy, there is a world of great advice on this thread. I might add several things that I haven't seen mentioned yet. Many new riders and lots of older riders who have not ridden for a few years have problems handling their heavy machines at low speeds. It is imperitive that you don't rely soly on your front brake when come to a stop and when you start to move. If you are moving really slow and the wheel is not straight and you some how grab the front brake, you will go down so quick it will make your head spin. It is almost like a magnet is pulling you down. Use your rear brake when coming to a stop and put that left leg down just before your forward motion stops. Use your front brake and rear brake when slowing down but be prepared to get off the front brake if your front wheel is not 100% straight.
The other thing I would mention is that often times new riders have a problem when starting out from a stop. When you are standing still with a heavy bike it is very easy to loose your balance and fall over. Once you hit 60+ it does not take long to realize that you are not the young bull you once thought of yourself as. Figure out where the friction zone is in your clutch. By that I mean it is important to know at what point your bike starts to move forward and does not slip any more. All bikes are going to be a little bit different so figure yours out sooner rather than later. Also, and this is real important too; let the laws of physics help you take off from a start. Your front wheel and your rear wheel will act like a big gyroscope when they start to turn. This will begin to happen almost instantly the second you release the clutch and the bike starts to move forward. The instant your wheels are turning, you are pretty much stable and the tendency to fall to the side is no longer there.
Ride safe everyone.

Once you hit 60+ it does not take long to realize that you are not the young bull you once thought of yourself as.

Hell I realized that at 41 when I bought my first E-Glide. :D
Welcome to V-2 buy the way.
I'll just add to this thought that if you do loose her past the point of balance don't try to pull her back up because you won't.
Just let her down as slow and easy as you can and let the engine guards do their job then get off and use the leg lift method to carefully get her back upright.;)
http://www.dps.state.mn.us/mmsc/latest/MMSCHomeSecondary.asp?cid=5&mid=32&scat=27

Hell I realized that at 41 when I bought my first E-Glide. :D
Welcome to V-2 buy the way.


Amen to that - When I was in my 20's, I weighed between 230 and 260, loved my work as a Firefighter, dragging around hoses and Hurst tools and all that stuff, and I was a pretty stout guy, but even with that, holding up a big machine that wants to go down, well, the laws of physics don't favor a person in that scenario.

Now I'm 60 and weigh 160, and although I'm pretty fit, if a well over 800 pound machine that won't stand up unless it's propped up decides it's past its point of no return, well, I'm not gonna try to change its mind.

Like Dean said, go for a soft landing, then pick it up without hurting yourself. :tour

What retrop said about slow speed stuff and front brakes is true - if you're going slow, the rear brake can be invaluable. I've always heard it referred to as "trail braking", and its a good way to help stay upright, by balancing a little throttle to pull against some rear brake. If you've got linked brakes, this is not as effective, since you get some front brake mixed in with the rear pedal, but you can adjust to that.

if you're going slow, the rear brake can be invaluable. I've always heard it referred to as "trail braking", and its a good way to help stay upright, by balancing a little throttle to pull against some rear brake.

This is the concept taught in the RLAP video's taught by a former Motor Officer. Applying the rear brake makes the bike want to stand up, not fall down. Physics again. I use the rear brake exclusively during low-speed maneuver's and don't use the front brake until we're all pointed forward again. The friction zone is your friend at low-speed.

When practicing slow speed maneuvering in a parking lot; if you're concerned about "dinging" your engine guards, take a four foot piece of scrap garden hose, cut it in half, then slit each piece lengthwise. Place these pieces on your guards so that, if you drop the bike, the hose will save your bars.

I started riding crotch rockets when I turned 18. Crashed my last when in 07. Ordered an 08 Rk after my wreck. Got it in 05/08. Seven months later and I have 8500 miles on it. I don't know what I was thinking for the past 17 years I was riding rockets. Rk is the way to go. You will enjoy riding more than you ever have. I see a lot more at 65 and 70 than I ever did at 160 or 170.
I lowered mine in the rear so I could sit flat footed. I put on sixteen inch apes about a month ago. My best additive has been the highway pegs. Nothing like kicking up your heels on a road trip.
Good luck,

I don't know what I was thinking for the past 17 years I was riding rockets.....You will enjoy riding more than you ever have. I see a lot more at 65 and 70 than I ever did at 160 or 170.


"The faster one goes, the less one cares about the machinery or the
destination."
-James Truslow Adams

As one of the folks on the XL Forum once said about speed; "Hell, I'm headed to the grave fast enough - I want to enjoy the view on the way." Glad you're enjoying that RK. It's hard to beat a big road bike. :tour

[B][I] Glad you're enjoying that RK. It's hard to beat a big road bike. :tour


Ditto that! :thumbup

There has been such an issue with the new Ultra's and the low kickstand that H-D issued a fix: a longer stand that holds the bike up higher. With more than 100 extra lbs of weight over its recent cousins, the 2009 is a load, and I guess too many just went over too easily when on softer parking surfaces. Mine always felt a little unbalanced so I welcome the change (no charge at my dealer).

One piece of advice I didn't see in the thread was the careful loading of all the bags and luggage racks. My wife has a tendency to over pack (I'm sure everyone is surprised...). Pay attention to the weight in the tour pack and luggage rack. If you overload, especially with a passenger, you become very top-heavy and the bike is squirrely as hell. The handlebars will wobble, especially in turns, and you NEVER feel comfortable. There is a maximum weight you can carry, so pack lightly and keep the weight in the saddlebags, not the tour pack.

Disposable underwear is much lighter than cotton ones if you're looking to shed some weight in the bags!

http://www.underworks.com/images/460m.jpghttp://www.underworks.com/images/460b.jpghttp://www.underworks.com/images/460w.jpg

Disposable underwear is much lighter than cotton ones if you're looking to shed some weight in the bags!

http://www.underworks.com/images/460m.jpghttp://www.underworks.com/images/460b.jpghttp://www.underworks.com/images/460w.jpg
Commando...

Commando...

With wife's permission? ;) Or were you referring to both of you when traveling? TMI?

Come on, Mike... You've been to sea enough to know what a bother chafing is!!! You remember the pix from the show I did for Armed Forces TV with Southernmost Air/Sea Rescue, Key West... Here's my favorite from under the rotor wash...

But... they meant something else when they said "commando!"

:D :D

http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/Navy_Chopper.jpg

There has been such an issue with the new Ultra's and the low kickstand that H-D issued a fix: a longer stand that holds the bike up higher. With more than 100 extra lbs of weight over its recent cousins, the 2009 is a load, and I guess too many just went over too easily when on softer parking surfaces. Mine always felt a little unbalanced so I welcome the change (no charge at my dealer).

One piece of advice I didn't see in the thread was the careful loading of all the bags and luggage racks. My wife has a tendency to over pack (I'm sure everyone is surprised...). Pay attention to the weight in the tour pack and luggage rack. If you overload, especially with a passenger, you become very top-heavy and the bike is squirrely as hell. The handlebars will wobble, especially in turns, and you NEVER feel comfortable. There is a maximum weight you can carry, so pack lightly and keep the weight in the saddlebags, not the tour pack.


Yeah, Kind of like this...;)


http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f234/FreestateXL/SturgisSDTrip2008389a.jpg

[/B]


Yeah, Kind of like this......;)



Or this..........:D

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d173/y2keglide/Road04210.jpg

[/B]


Yeah, Kind of like this...;)


http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f234/FreestateXL/SturgisSDTrip2008389a.jpg
YIKES!!!



I think I need to change my underwear... if I wore any!

An oldie but a goodie....on the way back to VA from Key West in 2006......



http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f234/FreestateXL/CIMG0333a.jpg

good advice..well said, i may add though to learn how to pick up a heavy bike like that if it does go, and let it, you can fix it cheaper than fixin you....always load you bags evenly, to keep it balenced well, thats a must, and dont over load them, if it dont fit you might want to mail it! look into your owners manuel for rear air suspension specs and general stuff, get to know your bike well....and have fun!!!

i can message you on what to do if you do have to pick up bagger...teach it sometimes at the dealer..did for girls night out, taught them all how to with the help of my district rep.....and i shouldnt even coment!! but it was unforgetable!!

always load you bags evenly, to keep it balenced well, thats a must, and dont over load them,



:doh I guess you won't like my style........:rofl

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d173/y2keglide/HOG004.jpg

Lost more crap off that Super before I bought a bagger lol!

Course In still overload,travel with a woman ya know.:D

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d173/y2keglide/Road04176.jpg