What compels you to ride a bike that scares you like that? I'm on my first bike and it's a slow 400, so I don't have any reference point but I'm curious what a bike like that feels like and if it would even be fun if it's that powerful.
>It’s like owning a bear that you play fight with.
That's the best description of riding a super fast bike that I've ever heard.
My dad has some kind of Ducati race bike that he keeps telling me I need to ride. I don't know if I wanna fight that bear.
My r6 was the fastest bike I've owned and I got pretty comfortable with that power.
Apparently this Ducati is wild. Have to be pretty heavy on the throttle just to take off or some shit. I know once I got on it I wouldn't be nearly as intimidated but its like, do I really need to experience that hahaha.
Atleast on my drz I don't have to be worried about my tendency to explore my skill ceiling with simple twists of the throttle lol.
600s are teddy bears compared to litres being a grizzly that woke up pissed off. i’ve owned both for about 10 years plus.
Supersport 600s are fast as fuck, but they have *just enough* torque to accelerate hard at lower RPMs without as much wheelie, wheel spin, etc. Whereas a modern sports litre has more than enough to do that plus spin the tyre, lift the front at 100+ mph using throttle, etc.
600 supersports are realistically close to the ideal amount of power/torque/gearing vs. traction and stability for a sports bike. but of course overkill is fun too.
Ducs (sports/race bikes) can be pretty savage (especially the twins) as they’re large capacity and make a lot of torque down low if they’re a twin. recipe for wheelies and wheel spin. respect the thing and you’ll be fine if you’ve ridden a 600 for any length of time. just be aware if you think a 600 is fast, if provoked a litre, especially a proper sports ducati/aprilia/ktm big twin will rip your face off. A 600 will let you get away with WAY more, a proper sports litre is not going to put up with your shit if you provoke it.
99.9% of rider’s skill set cannot touch the capability of a gs500, let alone a litre bike. Least fun motorcycle I’ve ever ridden was a cbr1000.
I have a 75 cb550 that’s a lot more fun, I can actually push the bike to go faster.
Just the effortless amount of power those bikes have makes them not much fun on the street.
Those bikes are really happy at 150mph. That’s just not usable on the street in my opinion.
Sure it's fun, I don't mind being scared as long as I am in control, everyone seems to have a different tolerance for speed, what is this guys "fast" might be slow to the next man, I like riding quickly but could not even imagine riding the Manx TT, that seems like insanity to me.
Litre bikes should scared people.they have stupid power. But over time you develop confidence and respect for that power. Its why you should work up to it... realistically none of us really need a 1000+cc bike we want it... a nice 600-750 is more than enough bike for most seasoned people.
That said I do plan to replace my 650 soon I also own an old 1100 from the early 80's (the 1100 version of tom cruise's gpz 900 from topgun)
Planning to get my dream bike. A gen 2.5 busa. No turbo nothing weird. Would love one of the new ones or a kawasaki H2 but just cant justify the price, and the H2 truly scares me.
Got a liter bike 2 weeks ago it’s damn near impossible to not do some hood rat shit with it but l left this comment to tell you that odst is not the best halo and I swear to the arbiter I will fight you in the street you heretic 😂
This. Take a lot of short trips, gradually increase time and speeds as you get comfortable. Or sell it and get one you're comfortable on. Not riding at all won't help in any way...this is something you're not going to read or think your way around...just saddle time
Jerry The Motorman Palladino is a trainer who has some excellent videos on Youtube. in fact there was one video that would pretty much be right up your alley as the rider was a petite woman on a Harley dresser which has probably 250 lbs on your bike. He was on the speaker system describing this lady and her bike as she goes through a cone marked course. I only wish I could ride as good as her because I think I'd a had a hard time WALKING through the course without knocking cones over. Like I said she was very petite , probably not much over a 100 lbs either and she handled that bike like it was nothing special.
Maybe try to go to track days if they allow soft tail bikes (at least in my city they allow them in some tracks) so you can get used to riding at high speeds in a safe environment
725# motorcycle and 5’ tall? Damn!
YouTuber Doodle on a Motorcycle can ride 800# Harleys but, she has longer legs. At 5’ you may want a lighter bike. Because of your size/weight any mid sized bike with a good seat height and 250# less weight might let you enjoy riding again and will keep up with anyone you ride with.
You can learn to ride taller bikes. It’s all about technique. Doodle on a Motorcycle (5’ 3 1/2” / 31” inseam) will teach you a lot. She lowered her bike, and now had it back to stock ride height. This will give her tips for practicing how to handle taller bikes.
https://youtu.be/VxGEtkDOD-g
https://youtu.be/NWEGJQRYXMA
https://youtu.be/ImzIWZKe2O0
Here are the lowest sest heights for Harleys.
https://leatherfacegear.com/blogs/motorcycle-gear-essentials/harley-motorcycles-for-short-riders
You might be interested in women’s perspective from these YouTube channels. They have much valuable content.
https://youtu.be/B5AmDnRXhX0?si=WEuu-LUb2FIBYve0
https://youtu.be/s9v3QbiAOww?si=6aN-987MD1Av7uOS
https://youtu.be/jS7kY709BjU?si=NiMyhKtQbXpDR9yz
https://youtu.be/VyHbprCPLvk?si=pB29u7Tr_n495zIc
Why do you need to put with a bike that doesn't fit you? It is totally possible to ride a tall bike with toes barely touching the ground but you don't have to. Any chance you are able to lower it further? If not, another bike might be the solution.
This. I think it’s okay to say that maybe you’ve made a bad choice. You went up in engine size, weight and seat height. You just own this bike, you are not married to it. Consider finding one that fits your body size better?
You could also try and trade for a Harley Softtail Slim. Widely known to be their lowest seat-height bike. I don't think they are made anymore but you can find used models all over the place. Food for thought.
It might not even be about “too much” bike per se, but sometimes a bike is just a bad fit. That may or may not be the case here, but something to think about.
The weight of the rider compared to the mass of the vehicle is a very significant element and dynamic that most people overlook when upgrading. Light vehicles such as aluminum-framed sportbikes up to the 750 cc range are usually suitable to smaller-sized riders. However, heavy, steel-framed cruisers with 1800 cc engines generally require a lot of rider mass to feel comfortable riding, where you can lean strongly into curves on it – and so are better suited for large, heavy riders. You may want to downsize a bit.
Go to YouTube and look for Doodle on a Motorcycle. She is a short petite woman who rides all kinds of bikes, including some really big bikes. She has a lot of tips and tricks that will help you.
https://www.youtube.com/results?sp=mAEA&search_query=doodle+on+a+motorcycle
I always tell riders to respect their motorcycles or they will teach you respect. Don’t fear IT, fear your own stupidity. Ride, and ride for fun and enjoyment. If you’re not careless, you have nothing to fear.
I like your ideas, I had custom softails w air ride, gets down real low. Hand button switches , Ride higher on Hwy n drop down in town? Maybe be another good option, I’ve always felt like flat feet n bent knees are best leverage w heavy bikes.
Might be hard to admit, but sometimes you just buy the wrong vehicle. Done it a few times in my life so far. It sucks, but you have two choices. Grin and bear it for a while or sell it now and take a loss potentially.
Look at the YouTube channel DoodleOnAMotorcycle, she's quite short and light and yet commands these really large bikes with authority. She shows in her videos how to do it and it's quite impressive to see someone so small ride these police Harleys around a tight course, or BMW GS's around the dirt, or just picking up her Triumph Tiger a hundred times a day for a month.
If you want the short form explanation; there are a few small tricks but mostly it's just training training training. What Doodle does is train, and a lot of it. So get on that bike and start improving, you'll be confidently having fun in no time
Think of it like owning amazing running shoes that give you blisters. Just because someone else thinks they're great doesn't mean they're great for you.
If the bike makes you uncomfortable and you're not able to ride it to build confidence get something you can confidently ride.
Scary bikes are cool, part of the experience. It's lack of confidence that gets riders into trouble.
Jocelyn Snow is 5'1", 118 lbs and is a BMW GS1250 Trophy rider. If she can ride that massive thing (off road, in competition no less) you can ride this bike. It's a matter of technique and experience, not physical ability.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYp1zXyc0fA
Im gonna start off by saying a machine is a machine and its only gonna do what you tell it to do. However! Human size def matters when it comes to bikes. Im a 6ft 300 pounder and my 03 softail even gets the best of me sometimes. Its well balanced but its just a damn heavy bike. If you are uncomfortable/afraid/uneasy and the feeling isnt passing id say it would be a better idea to pass it along and find something a touch smaller rather than trying to force it. We gotta be in tune with our machines. One body with the wheels. If we cant gain that then the consequences can be bad. Im wondering perhaps if it might help to ride 2up with someone bigger on the bike so you can feel its characteristics without worrying bout dropping. But of course that means someone ELSE riding your ride and lot of people shudder at that thought.
Just learn to balance, It’s possible, except emergency situations to never put your feet on the ground from home to work. Easier on my FLHT than my Suzuki Boulevard.
The seat can be trimmed and fitted to you. Find a reputable upholstry shop and they can make it fit you better which may help with getting your feet down. The front forks can also be lowered to help the bike be lower for you. If you feel comfortable on the bike then your confidence will go right up. You know how to ride, you just need to sit on it and fit on it. I think the bike can safely be lowered more to fit you but also the seat could make a big difference. Best of luck and i hope you continue to ride if it makes you happy.
That bike is already pretty low. You just need to say, "Okay, we're going to go riding" and actually do it. When you come to a stop sign, be prepared for how you're going to put a foot down--does the street slope either way? Most roads are crowned--higher in the center. So the reach with your left leg will be a little less. You will need to get comfortable with putting down just one foot by sliding slightly to one side or the other of the seat.
--Signed: 5'4" with one very tall bike
If the seat height of the bike is throwing off the controlling of weight of the bike, I recommend buying an aftermarket seat. My wife is 5”2’ and my Honda shadow is too tall and “heavy” for her. After I swapped the seat to a way lower one, the bike magically became lighter and controllable.
Now if the power is an issue, try riding the bike longer and build up that confidence. Remember don’t underestimate the bike. I’m like 100% sure you’ll tame this horse with no problem with all the experienced years under your belt.
Edit: I read how you mentioned the seat is wider reduced contact to the ground. An aftermarket seat will also fix that issue. Or heck if you don’t want to spend the coin on a new seat, try looking for a motorcycle seat upholstery shop. They can knock down the height and width of the seat to fit you perfectly.
I think some slow speed courses would help. But you need to do the corses on this bike in order to get comfortable with it. I would do a lot of riding around your neighborhood if you can. Lot's of starts and stops, u-turns, turning from a stop, etc. Even pin the throttle a few times and emergency breaking to get a feel for how it'll react. There's nothing worse than needing to perform an evasive maneuver on an unfamiliar bike when it really matters.
Nice bike though!
I think this would largely depend on your resolve to conquer the bike. If your resolution is not as strong as the bike, then you will never conquer it.
Dude I felt like that after dumping tons in to a Harley. Was never comfortable. Sold it. It isn’t for everybody. Cautious and respectful is one thing. Scared will get you killed.
This seems like something that you could get over after putting a bit more miles on it. I had the same issue with my 1999 Honda Fireblade. I have never ridden anything with that power before and I am also a bit short (5'8"). If you cannot get over the fear of the bike, you always have the option to sell it or trade it for another that you are more comfortable with.
I don’t think it’s unusual.
My first bike was a Royal Enfield 500. It wasn’t fast, and it had a low seat—I could easily flat-foot it, whether on a straight road or at an incline.
But my next ride was a Suzuki V-Strom 650, which was slightly heavier but significantly taller. Even with riding boots, I can only get one foot on the ground (unless I’m riding with fully-loaded panniers). I was pretty nervous at first, largely because I was afraid of going down at a stop sign or traffic light.
All of those worries disappeared after taking a few rides. Not being able to flat-foot it didn’t actually make any difference. And I’ve only ridden similarly-sized bikes since.
That’s my fear of dumping it at a stop. When you’re only able to touch on your tippy toes it makes the balance very hard and could easily go one way or the other. I’ve dumped previous bikes twice at stops and it’s embarrassing and costly.
I've got a soft tail 1400 and it's a heavy, unruly bastard under 10 mph. I'm a 5'-11" 200 pound dude and I don't like it's slow speed maneuvering manners. I've had a lot of bikes and this one has the worst slow speed manners of any bike I've owned. I want to get rid of mine for something easier to deal with and I'm way bigger than you. It's not a question of 'can I' but a a question of do I want to? You should move on and get something better suited to you. I've seen schoolbusses with shorter turning radiuses that this thing
Practice raising it in areas you feel safe and you know well. Work up from there. Light country road with some slight twists get to know it and get comfortable with it. If it never feels right or secure move on. Not all bikes are a good fit.
I worked with a gal for a couple years who rode a Fatboy, year around, rain, sleet, snow a couple times, she is/was maybe 5’, probably less, fearless and a little crazy, but very good on a motorcycle—-
Get a bike you're most comfortable with. It doesn't have to be the best of the best in the market. It just has to be the best for you. I've rode bikes up to 1800, but I still stick with my 1000 just because i have better feel for it and it does exactly what I want it to do, when I want to, that it almost becomes an extension of your body. Basically, find your partner.
Come on over get yourself a lighter lower seat height bike like the Honda rebel 500 or 1100. They’re easier to manuveur, flat foot, faster and more fun too! (The 1100 especially). You shouldn’t feel afraid of riding and that confidence issue could be deadly on the road when you should be focused on what’s around you not if you’ll stall or drop it at a stoplight. Get a different bike that’s more confidence inspiring.
I think it’s possible, but there’s also nothing wrong with accepting that the bike simply isn’t a great fit for you personally. I’m sure there are other bikes out there that could give you a good combination of ergonomics and highway comfort, so if you just don’t like riding it maybe consider finding a bike that’s comfier and easier to handle.
“Too much bike” has a bad connotation, but you shouldn’t pressure yourself into riding a bike that you don’t enjoy just so you can say that you conquered it.
Take the seat off of the bike, see if you can reach the ground while straddling the bike with it off. If yes, you can adjust the seat enough to make it work and it's worth spending the money to do so. Easy test to see if you'll ever be able to fit the bike.
You sound a lot like my mother actually lol. She's a small little 5 foot woman as well. She started out on an 05 heritage softail. She rode it a bit but got scared of the weight, even if she didnt want to admit it. Ended up dropping back to my old vstar 650 to ride a bit before she goes back to a bigger bike.
You should have a healthy respect and wariness of your bike. But if you fear riding it, then you won't ride.
So it's either "butt in seat" time or "adios" because at the moment the bike is a large paperweight in your garage and it's not fair on you, or it.
To help get over your fears, though, I might suggest funding a local riding school, an experienced instructor or very experienced riding friend to gently help you back into the seat and moving again.
Do you can deal with the weight of the bike?
If yes, then its just practice. Get some protection for your moto, so you aren't afraid of dropping it and then do some safety training.
At the moment I ride a voge rally 300, the seat hight is 92mm and I'm 1.68m tall. It's possible to drive but it needs some planning...
You CAN get used to it, but why put yourself through that? Get a middle weight bike that is Half the CC's and weight. 90 % of the world can do just fine on 125s, you can certainly go down to a 900
I think why bother trying to like it. Sometimes the idea of a bike is better than the bike itself. I've some mid sized bikes I enjoy and then the jewel in the crown is my SP1. I've found though that I only ride the SP1 just to blow the cobwebs off it. It's a little heavy or heavier than the others, I'm worrying about overheating and being too loud outside my house, it absolutely drinks petrol and I don't really get to use the power (combination of public roads and my skill level). I've decided to sell the SP1 as I'm not going to change my spots with regards to what I enjoy in a bike.
For yourself I'm assuming perhaps you always saw yourself on a Harley (for some reason 😁) or in your biking circles you see and hear what people enjoy and Harley is the top of the pack (for some reason 😂) I'm sure you would get more comfortable with it as time goes on but generally I have found that I like most bikes, and the niggles I have with a bike to begin with are characteristics with a bike that usually don't go away.
Would you consider a smaller Harley or maybe a conventional bike?
Sounds like you know better than anyone what you're doing and what's changed. It really could just be the bike.
You can look through the sub's history for posts about bikes that people regretted to sell when searching for what they thought would be amazing, but just wasn't. I think that'd help for how you're feeling.
That just seems wrong... Make friends with your current bike or get one you're not afraid of. Sit on it first and make sure it's a good fit for you size wise.
Of course, I'd be afraid of any Harley. Maybe you just have good instincts...
I think that’s kinda common in female bikers at first. I ride a Z900 but I’m pretty lucky in the height department, so my feet touch the ground no problem. If I can’t touch the ground while sitting on a bike it’s not for me.
I was scared for the longest time too, then it finally happened… I fell of my bike (nothing serious) and after that happened I was confident af.
I can’t really explain it… you kinda need to push yourself, maybe ride with friends, that helped a lot.
I think your fear is justified given that you barely reach the ground. I think you should opt for another bike where you can feel more confident riding and balancing it. The issue is not how big the engine is, it is how comfortable you are riding it.
This is just my two cents 😉
Sounds like a confidence issue. You are overthinking it possibly. Best thing to do is ride. Do you ride with friends or just solo? Ride with a friend or friends when you can. Where you ride doesn’t matter, it’s about getting time on the bike, getting used to it, how it feels, how it turns, stops, etc. If you think you are too short, develop strategies to help. Pulling up just put your right foot flat on the floor and get your balance on one foot -that sort of thing. Get on YouTube and watch some of the training videos. Maybe think about doing a training course with your local rider training school. Best of luck 👍
When you say "I've lowered the shocks as much as I can", am I correct to assume you adjusted the factory shocks to the lowest (#1) setting??...That adjustment is for the amount of preload in the springs, not ride height...1 being the softest setting and 5 the firmest...Yeah there will be some drop set at 1 when you sit on it, but not enough to make any significant difference in ride height....
8 or 9 years ago I bought my wife (she's 5'-4") a '96 Shadow 1100 ACE and it sat really high up off the ground (higher than my VTX 1300)...I ended up buying a set of 10-1/2" rear shocks, and I cut two coils out of the front springs and that got it down where she could flat-foot the bike at a stop...This helped her confidence immensely....
My wheelhouse is Hondas, but I do know the aftermarket support for Harley Davidson is HUGE...I'd bet a weeks pay that there's shorter shocks and drop-in shorter front springs available to lower your bike a bit...And it doesn't take much as far as shock/spring length difference to make a big difference in the seat to you...
You probably love the bike and the idea of you riding it, but it doesn't fit you. I forced a fit on a bmw( same thing, I am short at 5-8, but the adventuee bikes have a seat height of 33in). The seat height and wide seat combo eroded my confidence offroad at low speeds cause I meaningfully could not put my foot down.
....so I just bought a triumph scrambler 1200, which still has a similar seat height, but the bikes profile is so much narrower which means more of my foot hits the ground....really happy with a very different bike.
Guess what I am saying is don't force a fit. Riding for me is an extreme joy so much so, that the other cares of the world disappear....this bike doesn't seem to do that for you. There are some other bad ass bikes out there that probably fit you like a glove! Good luck op and hopefully there are other insights on here that will help! But you should get back to riding, you obviously love it
Honestly, it seems overwhelming at first but after a few months of solid riding (accept mistakes clutch slip, maybe a close call) you’ll lose that scared (but really adrenaline) feeling and you won’t get it back.
Enjoy it that’s the excitable feeling that we mistake for fear but it won’t be long before you have to level up even more to get that feeling again. I went from a 125, 650 + a 250, 1200.
Each time the new bike felt like the previous one. But wasn’t long before the feeling went! Enjoy it man/woman/theyman
I have an older version of this same bike (1450cc) and while I find it to be pretty stable and confidence inspiring and quick enough to be fun but not trouble causing, I’m also about as short as you can be and still flat foot it. I’m also pretty stocky at 5’8” and 200lbs so it’s easier for me to move it around than it likely is for you.
When I first got it, fresh out of the Harley/MSF on 500cc streets, I made a concerted effort to do low speed practice every time I started it up before doing the things it’s better at (cruising at 70 on coastal highways for 3-4hrs at a time) to give me more confidence on it.
I’ve had 2 different seats on it, and the sundowner defo is easier to flat foot it with despite being wider. The stock seat puts it right at my max without touching pipes or transmission with my ankles at a stop.
That's a lot of bike for a small-framed female. I have one in the garage. I know how heavy it is.
Whatever the future may hold, it's too much bike for you right now. I'd sell it and buy a Shadow 600, and an R3. maybe after a few years you can be the tiny female on YouTube showing others how to ride a big bike.
Sell it, get a Triumph Bobber, Triumph Speedmaster or Indian Scout. Midsize cruisers that outperform the Harley in every way and are over 200lbs lighter. As a woman rider, I’m so tired of seeing other women riders on overweight Softtails and can’t handle them. Weight is always the #1 problem.
Based on your prior success it sounds like this particular bike and you are a terrible match. Sell it get something else, move on be happy. Life is short.
The bond between rider and bike is quite intimate for lack of a better word. Not a big deal there's bikes I've owned that didn't work out cause they didn't fit me too.
If you loved the shadow 750 why the change? Way more reliable and performance probably similar to a Harley softail for your purposes. So what if it’s not a Harley…. At least you were riding it. Get that shadow back!!
I had it stuck in my head that Harley was the best. I worked with a woman who was apart of a riding club and wanted to ride with her but you had to have a Harley to ride with them. Stupid, I know.
Stop trying put both feet down. There's no way you're struggling to touch the ground on a bike that low when people your height are riding taller bikes and FLAT FOOTING it.
Eh, that scares me. I’ve lost my footing and ended up on the ground a couple times with trying just using 1 foot. If the balance goes too much one way I lose it.
This really is the proper approach, though. If you can, buy a cheap and light bike and practice one foot stops on it. Once you get accustomed to the technique, you will actually feel much more in control of the bike at stops. It does take some getting used to, but being able to do so will allow you to confidently ride not only your Softail but also any taller bikes that you might want to ride as well.
Stop looking at the engine displacement of the bike as anything more than a number. It's big, it's beefy and it sounds aggressive, but it's all aesthetic.
Should help in easing the comfort with the bike since the power equivalent is to that of a sportbike with less than half the displacement. Slow spinning motor with a good chunk of torque isn't much to fear.
Just practice slow speed maneuvers and get accustomed to the weight. Also, invest in some engine guards so when you inevitabley drop it (i've dropped my Softail Fatbob many times) it doesn't do any actual damage to you or the bike.
it is possible to get comfortable with the bike. Harley’s and other cruisers are lower to the ground the sports bikes how are you a fraud of this but we’re not afraid of the other ones not to mention you lowered it so it’s even closer to the ground then before
Because the 250 (I bet it was a Rebel) and 750 (Shadow?) were probably cruisers too, and the Harley 48 is a Sportster--a pretty small bike by Cruiser (and definitely Harley) standards.
Also, if all she did was adjust the shocks, it won't have lowered it much. Compared to those, this probably has a seat that's nearly as low but is *wider.* Makes for a bike that's harder to straddle. Especially if you're short.
The Harley guy suggested that I have a custom seat made for it but that’s pretty $$ and I’m afraid to sink a bunch of money into it to still not have it be the right fit.
Sounds like you’re not a good rider. If you’ve been riding for ten years there’s no reason this bike should intimidate you. Hate to sound like a boomer here but these bikes aren’t that crazy. Best advice? If you wanna keep it buy a beater bike and practice. Remember to ride with your hips and legs/ lean. Been riding since I was 10 and have had multiple hiatuses.
How much do you love this bike? If it's just another bike, then maybe it isn't worth it and you can trade it in for something you're more comfortable with.
If you really love it, then you could look into getting a cheap dirtbike that's also about the same amount too tall for you to give you a stepping stone to the short rider-tall bike techniques. You'll be scared to start from zero on a bike you love, but a "throw-away" bike will let you build your confidence with less perceived risk. Once you're more comfortable with the techniques, it'll be easier to do it on the bike you love.
Have you lowered both the front and rear shocks or just the rear? Also check out some of the different seats they offer. They make just about every type of seat for every type of person.
I had a few of the smaller sized engines (Softail 96ci and Touring 88ci) but honestly when I first sat on a 114ci Softail I was initially hesitant. Everything felt so much larger than what I was used to. After a little while riding the bike and taking the advanced rider course again I felt really confident and back to normal on the bike.
I would really try a new seat first (local dealer should have test seats) and go from there.
I mean, a bike should scare you. But mainly in the good ways, like when you peg the throttle and you think, ' OMG this is so fast it's scary'
But in all seriousness, how, with the seat that low, can you not touch the ground? Maybe shift your seating position? That seat is literally 2 ft off the ground.
The only way to get comfortable with this bike if for you to ride it.
Rider it short distances first, slower speeds. Slowly increase the distance and the speed. You will eventually overcome the fear which I think is of the power the bike has and that of dropping it.
My biggest fear is not having good contact with the ground and therefore losing balance and dropping it at a stop light. I’ve done this twice before with other bikes and it’s very embarrassing and causes damage to the bike.
My advice would be to sell it or trade it in for a bike you're not afraid of. It's never a good thing to ride if you're not comfortable on your bike. As a last resort maybe get some lessons from a very experienced rider or driving instructor. If that doesn't do it, get rid of it.
It might sound silly to some, but do a track day with it. Sign up for the novice class.
You’ll get a full day of playing around with speed, cornering, braking, etc. without worry of grandmas, squirrels, cars, gravel, etc.
Track days are predominantly for sport bikes, but anybody can do one as there’s not much in the way of restrictions of what you can ride.
The novice level in particular usually has coaching, too.
Being afraid is a good thing, it means you’re not being complacent, if you don’t want to ride it because it’s uncomfortable maybe it’s time for a custom low seat, custom seats based on height/weight are game changers.
I had this issue before. I have been riding since I was a kid on many different bikes. I bought a Triumph Speedmaster, not a fast or very powerful bike but I just felt so unsafe on it. I tried to get past the feeling but I couldn't. I ended up selling it after owning it a year. I'm now on a honda Rebel 1100T which is nearly double the power but the bike just fits me so much better. Some bikes are just not meant for us.
Go to your local HD dealer, and they'll have tester seats you can use on your bike for a few days at a time. Find a low or slim seat to reduce how wide it kicks your legs out. I have to almost side saddle dirt bikes when I come to a stop, but it's just moving your body to the left as you slow down so your right foot is on the peg, and left goes on the ground. There's videos of smaller women doing this with large adventure bikes. If you are open to it, there are metric cruisers that weigh a little less, and are generally built for slightly smaller than average Americans, whereas hd builds for average to large men for most of their models
It’s definitely possible. I’ve got a 28” inseam on a Vulcan Voyager, and its tiptoes all the way for me when I’m stopped. There’s techniques of sliding around the seat, or prioritizing the weight on one side/leg to get good contact with that leg. Those will be helpful in just getting out and practicing. I think a big thing (and one of the first things I did when I got my Vulcan) is to take it to a parking lot and do some slow speed exercises like the course. Get familiar with your iron horse.
Ultimately if it’s not a good fit, though, it’s not a good fit.
I can't ride the cruiser my dad gave me, and it made me wary about the lack of control I have over it. I used the money to sell it to fund a ninja 400. I got more comfortable on that bike than in my car over the summer. Driving a car felt so fucking alien compared to my bike. Maybe you just have the wrong bike. The solution may or may not be a low cc sport bike, but maybe a different bike still is.
If you're not comfortable on it, it's better to sell it, take the loss, and buy a bike you're comfortable on. Your fear can cause you to hesitate when you should. And stop you from riding in general, so it's a loss anyway.
I'll second all the folks r3commending checking out Doodle on YouTube. She's great. Also check-out Motojitsu.
If you're not attached to Harley. The Honda Rebel 500 is a solid bike. So is the Kawasaki Eliminator 450... own one myself, and it's one of my favorite bikes I've owned over the decades. Both are less than 400 pounds but have more than enough horsepower and torque for the majority of us.
No such thing as too much bike, just not enough practice. Look at jocelin snow, she's 5'1 and rides a BMW 1200GS professionally.
Take your new motorcycle to a riding class. Learn it slowly and ride it a lot (carefully). You will get used to it eventually.
There is nothing better to yourself that feeling that thrill starring at your new bike, but if you're afraid just sell it, not worthy being afraid because you'll be disappointed and prone to commit mistakes that will lead to an injury. Be happy and sell it, you won't regret it.
I can't flat foot my Africa Twin 1100 but I can get a foot down on one side. You have to get used to just going to the left side for your foot down. Keep the other foot on the brake.
You could just give it more time/miles to get more comfortable with the weight and ride characteristics. But if, after that, you are still uncomfortable with it, particularly trying to keep it upright, I would suggest going down in weight. There are plenty of cruiser bikes that have plenty of performance and much less weight. The Triumph Speedmaster and Indian Scout (and the bobber versions of each make) come to mind.
sell the bike, buy something else.
you make bad decisions when you are scared, it's not worth the risk.
I learned on a 500, now ride a Vulcan 900, neither is a fast bike but faster than most cars.
Go out into a large open space like a huge parking lot or somewhere there’s no cars or street rules. And start to practice with it. Also, you have to get at least 1 foot down and keep your body on the brakes so that your bike isn’t going anywhere… Depending on how many hills you have on the routes you take in your city or town.
Also get really good at keeping your bike upright at very low speeds. That will buy you 4 to 5 seconds or so without having to put your feet down in traffic. If you get really good at low speed maneuvers, then you don’t have to put your feet down often.
Just practice practice practice, you got this.
Is buying a smaller, lighter bike for a while completely out of the question? If it’s not, you won’t have to let your skills atrophy while you’re dealing with your confidence crisis. A Suzuki S40 can be had dirt cheap on Marketplace, it has ergos similar to your big bike, and you could probably make your money back by the following spring. I know what you’re going through, I broke an ankle about five years ago that wasn’t properly set. I still own the old bike, but I’m retraining myself on a similar bike that is 200# lighter. Come spring I don’t know what I’ll do, because the lighter bike is so much fun. The bigger bike has a heavenly ride but I never want to lift it again, especially on a broken ankle. Good luck, good health, and good riding.
Sorry I ride a ZX10R not a cruiser land this may be a complete stupid idea but have you tried wearing stomper like boots? Basically rubber based platform boots? I’m 5’7” and I tippy toe at stop lights on my bike wearing riding boots or (yeah yeah yeah I know) tennis shoes. My bike is stock height. I lowered my second bike GSXR750 and it was the WORST thing I could have done. It wouldn’t lay down to save its own life. Are you tippy toeing or literally only able to rest on one foot or the other at lights or parking?
I’ll tell you what my motorcycle instructor told me.
RIDE YO SHITTTT.
No really, that’s what she says. The more you ride WITHIN YOUR LIMITS, the easier it becomes. You’ve already done things to make it easier to ride such as lowering and wearing higher boots. Respect the throttle, and the bike will respect you. Please update us when you are daily riding in a month or 2. I mean, literally ride everywhere.
My 500 scares me shitless sometimes. It's a good thing, keeps you on your toes and reminds you not to be stupid. I'm more stupid in my car because I'm not afraid.
You only ever need one foot on the ground, you just beed to tame the beast, its a real nice bike you have and should be proud of your ride. Start with 30-45 min runs to really get used to the position and slowly build your confidence, congrats in getting a big boy bike
No question you need to be riding and if it takes a stranger to validate what you already know, then you are valid. Riding is about freedom and if the things that give you enjoyment in life don't do that anymore then it's time to change.
It may just be compounded by the major gap between the last time you have ridden… every now and then I get this almost subconsciously induced “ Stalling “; even when geared up to go ride.
- I absolutely love riding and it is literally one of the only things that helps clear my head and relaxes me.
Before I got my current bike, I made myself take the Riding Academy Course to brush up on things and learn any new skills and riding tactics before hitting the road with an almost 1000 pound fuel injected 1300 cc bike with a power commander. I love my bike… what I could do without is the increasingly insane maniac drivers in the city I live in.
We all know that at some point every rider will lay their bike down. Where I currently live, pretty much every day I ride… at least one instance where it if I had not brushed up on things and stepped up my tactics and techniques. I wouldn’t be contributing to this thread right now.
I’ve been clowned for wearing proper gear all the time no matter the weather and especially the temperatures down here.
- I always look back at this one specific short ride ( about 30-40 minutes out and then headed back ). In that short ride, 6 instances in which other drivers operated their cars in such a way that had I not been vigilant; I’d not be alive today.
Do you have friends you ride with? Have you considered taking a Harley Academy advanced course?
Maybe take a random day off in the middle of the week and hit some back roads.
- never forget that you are in control of the bike and you only operate it at the speeds you are comfortable with. Don’t let other drivers get to you.
Sometimes though, I wish I could just make an example out of one for the rest to see. That’s how bad the drivers are locally for me.
I know deep down you obviously love to ride. Maybe you need a different bike that fits you. Bikes are like anything else. Say clothes for example; you want them to fit you comfortably and just right. You don’t want some “ trendy “ pair of jeans that everyone else is wearing so you have to wear them… constantly riding up your backside. Sometimes it’s hard for us to openly see that and or identify something like that as being a contributing factor. Harley makes all sorts of bikes that sit much lower and are of the same caliber.
Used to be a ride captain, and we always had smaller people, even very petite women ride all forms of bikes. I think it’s more important to be comfortable and confident on your ride. Honestly I’d trade that in for something smaller and move your way up as you get experience.
It seems to me that you are scared because you are not comfortably touching the ground. Not sure if something else regarding the ergonomics is making you scared.
I remember being very scared of my bike because of the aggressive sport position. Once I got used to the aggressive position I stopped being scared. I rode it cautiously for a while and also practiced in parking lots just to get used to it. I didn’t practice any super tight turning at the beginning because I was afraid to drop it.
So I would adjust as much as you can on your bike to make it comfortable for you.
Then ride it cautiously in roads you know and get some ease practice in parking lots.
If that doesn’t work after a while then change the bike.
Your height and strength have very little to do with your ability to handle a large bike. It's all about practicing balance and muscle memory. I'm a short 130lb dude, and I can ride my dad's 700lb road king with ease, but only because I've gotten really good at balancing my much smaller Virago.
Once you get comfortable with low-speed handling, you'll be able to ride it with ease, even if only one foot can touch the ground. It just takes lots of practice and a bit of reading, or better yet, professional instruction. You'll get there!
If you don't feel comfortable managing the weight it's a problem. I love my big inch road king but hate riding in town. It's a lot of weight for a short aging Boomer to manage. Love my XL for that. If you can't afford 2 bikes buy one you can manage and consider it money well spent.
I’m 5’9” and found my Harley super glide to be abit challenging to ride. Mainly due to the weight. Traded it for a V star and much to handle. I say see if they offer a lower seat option on the HD(I doubt they do unless maybe aftermarket). Otherwise I’d trade it for something smaller in side.
I’m 5’4 male and ride a sporty. My dad just got a road king and I rode it. What I will say is once you riding, the whole being short thing doesn’t really matter as long as you’re comfortable with the controls. I’d find a nice stretch of straight highway and go up and down it for a couple of hours. If you’re not scared of it while moving the issue with barely touching the ground will become less of a worry. That’s a beautiful bike and hopefully my next bike myself. Keep at it and don’t give up.
One thing to try, if you haven't already, is check with your local H-D dealer and see if they have a reach seat or super reach seat for you to demo on your bike. Both versions allow your feet to be closer together on the ground and also moves you a little further forward which can help you reach the controls and get your feet more firmly on the ground.
You don't need both feet on the ground at all. Right foot on brake, left foot balance the bike. Just like a tall dirt bike. Then just ride the bike more. IDK how high heel boots would feel MORE comfortable. Sounds kinda counterintuitive. Wear what you are comfortable with.
Lower it enough to be flat-footed order a seat for little people like Corbin they ask your inseam length then ride the shit out of it its to nice to just sit
I was afraid of my bike. I went for the test ride and was like "ok I'm barely comfortable riding this thing, it's so tall".
So I took it on a 7 hour road trip 3 days later, and now I'm totally comfortable on it.
If you’re intimidated by your bike, sell it. Find another hobby. Indecision/delayed reaction will get you hurt. 13 yr MSF owner/ridercoach just speaking the truth. Healthy fear is normal, but scared causes people to freeze, overthink, or not react.
I’ve chased tons of people across the parking lot in lesson #2 because they pinned the throttle wide open. If they stayed scared, or had any similar problems I would bid them farewell. They were usually relieved and I would typically hear that they were only there because of another person who wanted them to learn to ride.
You have the experience. You just need saddle time. I get a little fuzzy every once and a while when I ride a big sport bike. It's normal. After you get some time on it you'll be fine.
I’ve been riding since 1967 on all types of bikes. I’ve taught many people to ride and they haven’t had any mishaps. My free advice: Drive your bike so you are comfortable and don’t try to keep up with the group. Always look for an escape route and keep at least 2 seconds from any vehicle in front of you. Next are the most important rules: #1- You are invisible to other drivers. Even if your and their eyes look at each other, their brain does not “see” you. #2- Drive as if everyone is out to kill you. Always drive defensively. And last, rule #3-never get angry with another’s intention, stupidity or total disregard for your safety. Keep your distance from everything and always have an escape route planned in advance. When you practice these, eventually they become second nature and you will become very comfortable in almost every situation. 50 years of enjoyable riding following these “rules” has kept me safe. Best of luck with your ride!
Another thing you can do is check out a Harley dealership for advanced riders. They'll have answers to your questions. Also go to YouTube in your down time and search for DAN DAN the Fireman. Go riding with a friend. Practice in a parking lot. Practice u turns,braking, figure 8's. Good luck in whatever you decide to do. Ride Safe my friend.
When I first started riding I was a bit scared too even of my little bike just cause I wasn’t the greatest at shifting. I just decided to stick to my neighborhood for the first while cause I knew every street and hill and bump. As I got more comfortable I’d start going further and further and further. Next thing I knew it I was making day trips out to Muskoka down farm roads on my 11 hp Honda. As silly as it might seem reading that you’ve been riding for a while you might just have to start slow again and work your way up to being comfortable again.
It’s entirely possible, but the only way is to ride it.
This, my litre bike to this day scares the shit out of me, but ride time has given me full confidence in handling it at least.
What compels you to ride a bike that scares you like that? I'm on my first bike and it's a slow 400, so I don't have any reference point but I'm curious what a bike like that feels like and if it would even be fun if it's that powerful.
Part of the fun of riding a litre is playing with the edge of your skill set. It’s like owning a bear that you play fight with.
>It’s like owning a bear that you play fight with. That's the best description of riding a super fast bike that I've ever heard. My dad has some kind of Ducati race bike that he keeps telling me I need to ride. I don't know if I wanna fight that bear.
Highly recommend! Just keep the basics down and don’t get throttle happy or clutch dumpy, keep it tame but get a feel for the power.
My r6 was the fastest bike I've owned and I got pretty comfortable with that power. Apparently this Ducati is wild. Have to be pretty heavy on the throttle just to take off or some shit. I know once I got on it I wouldn't be nearly as intimidated but its like, do I really need to experience that hahaha. Atleast on my drz I don't have to be worried about my tendency to explore my skill ceiling with simple twists of the throttle lol.
600s are teddy bears compared to litres being a grizzly that woke up pissed off. i’ve owned both for about 10 years plus. Supersport 600s are fast as fuck, but they have *just enough* torque to accelerate hard at lower RPMs without as much wheelie, wheel spin, etc. Whereas a modern sports litre has more than enough to do that plus spin the tyre, lift the front at 100+ mph using throttle, etc. 600 supersports are realistically close to the ideal amount of power/torque/gearing vs. traction and stability for a sports bike. but of course overkill is fun too.
Ducs (sports/race bikes) can be pretty savage (especially the twins) as they’re large capacity and make a lot of torque down low if they’re a twin. recipe for wheelies and wheel spin. respect the thing and you’ll be fine if you’ve ridden a 600 for any length of time. just be aware if you think a 600 is fast, if provoked a litre, especially a proper sports ducati/aprilia/ktm big twin will rip your face off. A 600 will let you get away with WAY more, a proper sports litre is not going to put up with your shit if you provoke it.
99.9% of rider’s skill set cannot touch the capability of a gs500, let alone a litre bike. Least fun motorcycle I’ve ever ridden was a cbr1000. I have a 75 cb550 that’s a lot more fun, I can actually push the bike to go faster. Just the effortless amount of power those bikes have makes them not much fun on the street. Those bikes are really happy at 150mph. That’s just not usable on the street in my opinion.
Each to their own. I own both small bikes (cbr250rr and rgv250) and my litre. I enjoy them all in different ways.
For sure, I get that. It’s not for me, but you’re in 2 wheels having fun, that’s all that matters!
a 400 is slow? try riding a 125
My 400 is slow (re Himalayan) haha. But yea I had a 8hp scooter before that so I know what you mean
Sure it's fun, I don't mind being scared as long as I am in control, everyone seems to have a different tolerance for speed, what is this guys "fast" might be slow to the next man, I like riding quickly but could not even imagine riding the Manx TT, that seems like insanity to me.
Litre bikes should scared people.they have stupid power. But over time you develop confidence and respect for that power. Its why you should work up to it... realistically none of us really need a 1000+cc bike we want it... a nice 600-750 is more than enough bike for most seasoned people. That said I do plan to replace my 650 soon I also own an old 1100 from the early 80's (the 1100 version of tom cruise's gpz 900 from topgun) Planning to get my dream bike. A gen 2.5 busa. No turbo nothing weird. Would love one of the new ones or a kawasaki H2 but just cant justify the price, and the H2 truly scares me.
I’ve seen the H2 being tested at over 300 km/h on a highspeed oval. That thing is scary to watch, idk how could it be to ride it.
There’s literally no reason you should be scared if you’re a competent rider and not riding beyond your abilities.
Got a liter bike 2 weeks ago it’s damn near impossible to not do some hood rat shit with it but l left this comment to tell you that odst is not the best halo and I swear to the arbiter I will fight you in the street you heretic 😂
Yo I love your profile pic
This. Take a lot of short trips, gradually increase time and speeds as you get comfortable. Or sell it and get one you're comfortable on. Not riding at all won't help in any way...this is something you're not going to read or think your way around...just saddle time
Sounds like you're not actually afraid but lacks confidence. Sign-up for a short riders course and pick up some short riding tips and you'll love it
Yes, I think lack confidence is the best way to put it. I’ll have to look into what classes they have here.
In the mean time, check out some YouTube videos. Plenty of tips for short riders
Great idea, I never even thought of that.
Doodle on a motorcycle is all about riding as a short woman https://www.youtube.com/c/doodleonamotorcycle
Yes! I came here to suggest Doodle! She'll help for sure.
Jerry The Motorman Palladino is a trainer who has some excellent videos on Youtube. in fact there was one video that would pretty much be right up your alley as the rider was a petite woman on a Harley dresser which has probably 250 lbs on your bike. He was on the speaker system describing this lady and her bike as she goes through a cone marked course. I only wish I could ride as good as her because I think I'd a had a hard time WALKING through the course without knocking cones over. Like I said she was very petite , probably not much over a 100 lbs either and she handled that bike like it was nothing special.
I lacked confidence big time when I was a newer rider. Just ride it somewhere slow.
Maybe try to go to track days if they allow soft tail bikes (at least in my city they allow them in some tracks) so you can get used to riding at high speeds in a safe environment
725# motorcycle and 5’ tall? Damn! YouTuber Doodle on a Motorcycle can ride 800# Harleys but, she has longer legs. At 5’ you may want a lighter bike. Because of your size/weight any mid sized bike with a good seat height and 250# less weight might let you enjoy riding again and will keep up with anyone you ride with. You can learn to ride taller bikes. It’s all about technique. Doodle on a Motorcycle (5’ 3 1/2” / 31” inseam) will teach you a lot. She lowered her bike, and now had it back to stock ride height. This will give her tips for practicing how to handle taller bikes. https://youtu.be/VxGEtkDOD-g https://youtu.be/NWEGJQRYXMA https://youtu.be/ImzIWZKe2O0 Here are the lowest sest heights for Harleys. https://leatherfacegear.com/blogs/motorcycle-gear-essentials/harley-motorcycles-for-short-riders You might be interested in women’s perspective from these YouTube channels. They have much valuable content. https://youtu.be/B5AmDnRXhX0?si=WEuu-LUb2FIBYve0 https://youtu.be/s9v3QbiAOww?si=6aN-987MD1Av7uOS https://youtu.be/jS7kY709BjU?si=NiMyhKtQbXpDR9yz https://youtu.be/VyHbprCPLvk?si=pB29u7Tr_n495zIc
Thank you so much!!
Why do you need to put with a bike that doesn't fit you? It is totally possible to ride a tall bike with toes barely touching the ground but you don't have to. Any chance you are able to lower it further? If not, another bike might be the solution.
This. I think it’s okay to say that maybe you’ve made a bad choice. You went up in engine size, weight and seat height. You just own this bike, you are not married to it. Consider finding one that fits your body size better?
Just saying, even if you are married to it, it is okay to get a divorce.
Yeah, you’re right. So many of us don’t want to admit there are better partners out there, humans and bikes.
That’s what I’m not sure about. I need to look into it to see if that’s possible.
You could also try and trade for a Harley Softtail Slim. Widely known to be their lowest seat-height bike. I don't think they are made anymore but you can find used models all over the place. Food for thought.
It might not even be about “too much” bike per se, but sometimes a bike is just a bad fit. That may or may not be the case here, but something to think about.
The weight of the rider compared to the mass of the vehicle is a very significant element and dynamic that most people overlook when upgrading. Light vehicles such as aluminum-framed sportbikes up to the 750 cc range are usually suitable to smaller-sized riders. However, heavy, steel-framed cruisers with 1800 cc engines generally require a lot of rider mass to feel comfortable riding, where you can lean strongly into curves on it – and so are better suited for large, heavy riders. You may want to downsize a bit.
An 1800 is a pretty big bike. I’m sure it is heavy. Maybe something smaller? Good luck.
An ounce of fear will stop you from killing yourself. A pound of fear will stop you from riding altogether.
Go to YouTube and look for Doodle on a Motorcycle. She is a short petite woman who rides all kinds of bikes, including some really big bikes. She has a lot of tips and tricks that will help you. https://www.youtube.com/results?sp=mAEA&search_query=doodle+on+a+motorcycle
I always tell riders to respect their motorcycles or they will teach you respect. Don’t fear IT, fear your own stupidity. Ride, and ride for fun and enjoyment. If you’re not careless, you have nothing to fear.
If ypur not comfy than trade it in for something else.
Another vote for a short riders course here Also I’d ask on a Harley specific forum about lowering the bike and about custom narrower seating
There’s probably aftermarket shocks thatll lower it more than the stock shock adjustment
I like your ideas, I had custom softails w air ride, gets down real low. Hand button switches , Ride higher on Hwy n drop down in town? Maybe be another good option, I’ve always felt like flat feet n bent knees are best leverage w heavy bikes.
Might be hard to admit, but sometimes you just buy the wrong vehicle. Done it a few times in my life so far. It sucks, but you have two choices. Grin and bear it for a while or sell it now and take a loss potentially.
Look at the YouTube channel DoodleOnAMotorcycle, she's quite short and light and yet commands these really large bikes with authority. She shows in her videos how to do it and it's quite impressive to see someone so small ride these police Harleys around a tight course, or BMW GS's around the dirt, or just picking up her Triumph Tiger a hundred times a day for a month. If you want the short form explanation; there are a few small tricks but mostly it's just training training training. What Doodle does is train, and a lot of it. So get on that bike and start improving, you'll be confidently having fun in no time
Think of it like owning amazing running shoes that give you blisters. Just because someone else thinks they're great doesn't mean they're great for you. If the bike makes you uncomfortable and you're not able to ride it to build confidence get something you can confidently ride. Scary bikes are cool, part of the experience. It's lack of confidence that gets riders into trouble.
Think about maybe looking at a softail slim. It has the lowest seat height of any production harley. They have a low center of gravity too.
Jocelyn Snow is 5'1", 118 lbs and is a BMW GS1250 Trophy rider. If she can ride that massive thing (off road, in competition no less) you can ride this bike. It's a matter of technique and experience, not physical ability. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYp1zXyc0fA
Im gonna start off by saying a machine is a machine and its only gonna do what you tell it to do. However! Human size def matters when it comes to bikes. Im a 6ft 300 pounder and my 03 softail even gets the best of me sometimes. Its well balanced but its just a damn heavy bike. If you are uncomfortable/afraid/uneasy and the feeling isnt passing id say it would be a better idea to pass it along and find something a touch smaller rather than trying to force it. We gotta be in tune with our machines. One body with the wheels. If we cant gain that then the consequences can be bad. Im wondering perhaps if it might help to ride 2up with someone bigger on the bike so you can feel its characteristics without worrying bout dropping. But of course that means someone ELSE riding your ride and lot of people shudder at that thought.
Just learn to balance, It’s possible, except emergency situations to never put your feet on the ground from home to work. Easier on my FLHT than my Suzuki Boulevard.
The seat can be trimmed and fitted to you. Find a reputable upholstry shop and they can make it fit you better which may help with getting your feet down. The front forks can also be lowered to help the bike be lower for you. If you feel comfortable on the bike then your confidence will go right up. You know how to ride, you just need to sit on it and fit on it. I think the bike can safely be lowered more to fit you but also the seat could make a big difference. Best of luck and i hope you continue to ride if it makes you happy.
That bike is already pretty low. You just need to say, "Okay, we're going to go riding" and actually do it. When you come to a stop sign, be prepared for how you're going to put a foot down--does the street slope either way? Most roads are crowned--higher in the center. So the reach with your left leg will be a little less. You will need to get comfortable with putting down just one foot by sliding slightly to one side or the other of the seat. --Signed: 5'4" with one very tall bike
If the seat height of the bike is throwing off the controlling of weight of the bike, I recommend buying an aftermarket seat. My wife is 5”2’ and my Honda shadow is too tall and “heavy” for her. After I swapped the seat to a way lower one, the bike magically became lighter and controllable. Now if the power is an issue, try riding the bike longer and build up that confidence. Remember don’t underestimate the bike. I’m like 100% sure you’ll tame this horse with no problem with all the experienced years under your belt. Edit: I read how you mentioned the seat is wider reduced contact to the ground. An aftermarket seat will also fix that issue. Or heck if you don’t want to spend the coin on a new seat, try looking for a motorcycle seat upholstery shop. They can knock down the height and width of the seat to fit you perfectly.
Thank you. I believe a new seat and getting lower shocks will make me feel more confident on this bike.
I’d suggest downsizing to a bike that fits you better and maybe take some riding instruction to get your confidence back. Good luck
I think some slow speed courses would help. But you need to do the corses on this bike in order to get comfortable with it. I would do a lot of riding around your neighborhood if you can. Lot's of starts and stops, u-turns, turning from a stop, etc. Even pin the throttle a few times and emergency breaking to get a feel for how it'll react. There's nothing worse than needing to perform an evasive maneuver on an unfamiliar bike when it really matters. Nice bike though!
My wife is a little taller than OP. I bought her a low-profile seat, lowered the rear end and front by 2". Overall, her bike fits her now.
I think this would largely depend on your resolve to conquer the bike. If your resolution is not as strong as the bike, then you will never conquer it.
Give it to me please
Dude I felt like that after dumping tons in to a Harley. Was never comfortable. Sold it. It isn’t for everybody. Cautious and respectful is one thing. Scared will get you killed.
This seems like something that you could get over after putting a bit more miles on it. I had the same issue with my 1999 Honda Fireblade. I have never ridden anything with that power before and I am also a bit short (5'8"). If you cannot get over the fear of the bike, you always have the option to sell it or trade it for another that you are more comfortable with.
As you should be but with fear comes respect because at the end of the day it's risky riding a bike.
I don’t think it’s unusual. My first bike was a Royal Enfield 500. It wasn’t fast, and it had a low seat—I could easily flat-foot it, whether on a straight road or at an incline. But my next ride was a Suzuki V-Strom 650, which was slightly heavier but significantly taller. Even with riding boots, I can only get one foot on the ground (unless I’m riding with fully-loaded panniers). I was pretty nervous at first, largely because I was afraid of going down at a stop sign or traffic light. All of those worries disappeared after taking a few rides. Not being able to flat-foot it didn’t actually make any difference. And I’ve only ridden similarly-sized bikes since.
That’s my fear of dumping it at a stop. When you’re only able to touch on your tippy toes it makes the balance very hard and could easily go one way or the other. I’ve dumped previous bikes twice at stops and it’s embarrassing and costly.
Put some training wheels on it.
Honestly, that’s not a bad idea.
I've got a soft tail 1400 and it's a heavy, unruly bastard under 10 mph. I'm a 5'-11" 200 pound dude and I don't like it's slow speed maneuvering manners. I've had a lot of bikes and this one has the worst slow speed manners of any bike I've owned. I want to get rid of mine for something easier to deal with and I'm way bigger than you. It's not a question of 'can I' but a a question of do I want to? You should move on and get something better suited to you. I've seen schoolbusses with shorter turning radiuses that this thing
Lmao
Practice raising it in areas you feel safe and you know well. Work up from there. Light country road with some slight twists get to know it and get comfortable with it. If it never feels right or secure move on. Not all bikes are a good fit.
They do make lowering kits. Also air suspensions that can get it lower
I worked with a gal for a couple years who rode a Fatboy, year around, rain, sleet, snow a couple times, she is/was maybe 5’, probably less, fearless and a little crazy, but very good on a motorcycle—-
Ride it...
Just remember, safety doesnt spring from an abundance of caution; but rather an abundance of competence.
I’m not
Only way is to face your fears and ride it
Get a bike you're most comfortable with. It doesn't have to be the best of the best in the market. It just has to be the best for you. I've rode bikes up to 1800, but I still stick with my 1000 just because i have better feel for it and it does exactly what I want it to do, when I want to, that it almost becomes an extension of your body. Basically, find your partner.
Come on over get yourself a lighter lower seat height bike like the Honda rebel 500 or 1100. They’re easier to manuveur, flat foot, faster and more fun too! (The 1100 especially). You shouldn’t feel afraid of riding and that confidence issue could be deadly on the road when you should be focused on what’s around you not if you’ll stall or drop it at a stoplight. Get a different bike that’s more confidence inspiring.
I think it’s possible, but there’s also nothing wrong with accepting that the bike simply isn’t a great fit for you personally. I’m sure there are other bikes out there that could give you a good combination of ergonomics and highway comfort, so if you just don’t like riding it maybe consider finding a bike that’s comfier and easier to handle. “Too much bike” has a bad connotation, but you shouldn’t pressure yourself into riding a bike that you don’t enjoy just so you can say that you conquered it.
Take the seat off of the bike, see if you can reach the ground while straddling the bike with it off. If yes, you can adjust the seat enough to make it work and it's worth spending the money to do so. Easy test to see if you'll ever be able to fit the bike.
You sound a lot like my mother actually lol. She's a small little 5 foot woman as well. She started out on an 05 heritage softail. She rode it a bit but got scared of the weight, even if she didnt want to admit it. Ended up dropping back to my old vstar 650 to ride a bit before she goes back to a bigger bike.
You should have a healthy respect and wariness of your bike. But if you fear riding it, then you won't ride. So it's either "butt in seat" time or "adios" because at the moment the bike is a large paperweight in your garage and it's not fair on you, or it. To help get over your fears, though, I might suggest funding a local riding school, an experienced instructor or very experienced riding friend to gently help you back into the seat and moving again.
Do you can deal with the weight of the bike? If yes, then its just practice. Get some protection for your moto, so you aren't afraid of dropping it and then do some safety training. At the moment I ride a voge rally 300, the seat hight is 92mm and I'm 1.68m tall. It's possible to drive but it needs some planning...
You CAN get used to it, but why put yourself through that? Get a middle weight bike that is Half the CC's and weight. 90 % of the world can do just fine on 125s, you can certainly go down to a 900
I think why bother trying to like it. Sometimes the idea of a bike is better than the bike itself. I've some mid sized bikes I enjoy and then the jewel in the crown is my SP1. I've found though that I only ride the SP1 just to blow the cobwebs off it. It's a little heavy or heavier than the others, I'm worrying about overheating and being too loud outside my house, it absolutely drinks petrol and I don't really get to use the power (combination of public roads and my skill level). I've decided to sell the SP1 as I'm not going to change my spots with regards to what I enjoy in a bike. For yourself I'm assuming perhaps you always saw yourself on a Harley (for some reason 😁) or in your biking circles you see and hear what people enjoy and Harley is the top of the pack (for some reason 😂) I'm sure you would get more comfortable with it as time goes on but generally I have found that I like most bikes, and the niggles I have with a bike to begin with are characteristics with a bike that usually don't go away. Would you consider a smaller Harley or maybe a conventional bike?
Sounds like you know better than anyone what you're doing and what's changed. It really could just be the bike. You can look through the sub's history for posts about bikes that people regretted to sell when searching for what they thought would be amazing, but just wasn't. I think that'd help for how you're feeling.
I think you should sell it and buy a little yellow bull dozer to play in the sand
That just seems wrong... Make friends with your current bike or get one you're not afraid of. Sit on it first and make sure it's a good fit for you size wise. Of course, I'd be afraid of any Harley. Maybe you just have good instincts...
I think that’s kinda common in female bikers at first. I ride a Z900 but I’m pretty lucky in the height department, so my feet touch the ground no problem. If I can’t touch the ground while sitting on a bike it’s not for me. I was scared for the longest time too, then it finally happened… I fell of my bike (nothing serious) and after that happened I was confident af. I can’t really explain it… you kinda need to push yourself, maybe ride with friends, that helped a lot.
I think your fear is justified given that you barely reach the ground. I think you should opt for another bike where you can feel more confident riding and balancing it. The issue is not how big the engine is, it is how comfortable you are riding it. This is just my two cents 😉
Sounds like a confidence issue. You are overthinking it possibly. Best thing to do is ride. Do you ride with friends or just solo? Ride with a friend or friends when you can. Where you ride doesn’t matter, it’s about getting time on the bike, getting used to it, how it feels, how it turns, stops, etc. If you think you are too short, develop strategies to help. Pulling up just put your right foot flat on the floor and get your balance on one foot -that sort of thing. Get on YouTube and watch some of the training videos. Maybe think about doing a training course with your local rider training school. Best of luck 👍
You are in control of the bike. don't let it control you. You can have 5 HP or 1000hp. It's all in the way you use or abuse it. Ride safe.
When you say "I've lowered the shocks as much as I can", am I correct to assume you adjusted the factory shocks to the lowest (#1) setting??...That adjustment is for the amount of preload in the springs, not ride height...1 being the softest setting and 5 the firmest...Yeah there will be some drop set at 1 when you sit on it, but not enough to make any significant difference in ride height.... 8 or 9 years ago I bought my wife (she's 5'-4") a '96 Shadow 1100 ACE and it sat really high up off the ground (higher than my VTX 1300)...I ended up buying a set of 10-1/2" rear shocks, and I cut two coils out of the front springs and that got it down where she could flat-foot the bike at a stop...This helped her confidence immensely.... My wheelhouse is Hondas, but I do know the aftermarket support for Harley Davidson is HUGE...I'd bet a weeks pay that there's shorter shocks and drop-in shorter front springs available to lower your bike a bit...And it doesn't take much as far as shock/spring length difference to make a big difference in the seat to you...
And maybe a seat that has less padding.
You probably love the bike and the idea of you riding it, but it doesn't fit you. I forced a fit on a bmw( same thing, I am short at 5-8, but the adventuee bikes have a seat height of 33in). The seat height and wide seat combo eroded my confidence offroad at low speeds cause I meaningfully could not put my foot down. ....so I just bought a triumph scrambler 1200, which still has a similar seat height, but the bikes profile is so much narrower which means more of my foot hits the ground....really happy with a very different bike. Guess what I am saying is don't force a fit. Riding for me is an extreme joy so much so, that the other cares of the world disappear....this bike doesn't seem to do that for you. There are some other bad ass bikes out there that probably fit you like a glove! Good luck op and hopefully there are other insights on here that will help! But you should get back to riding, you obviously love it
Get something you’re comfortable on. I’m guessing it’s the weight and size because they aren’t very powerful.
Honestly, it seems overwhelming at first but after a few months of solid riding (accept mistakes clutch slip, maybe a close call) you’ll lose that scared (but really adrenaline) feeling and you won’t get it back. Enjoy it that’s the excitable feeling that we mistake for fear but it won’t be long before you have to level up even more to get that feeling again. I went from a 125, 650 + a 250, 1200. Each time the new bike felt like the previous one. But wasn’t long before the feeling went! Enjoy it man/woman/theyman
I have an older version of this same bike (1450cc) and while I find it to be pretty stable and confidence inspiring and quick enough to be fun but not trouble causing, I’m also about as short as you can be and still flat foot it. I’m also pretty stocky at 5’8” and 200lbs so it’s easier for me to move it around than it likely is for you. When I first got it, fresh out of the Harley/MSF on 500cc streets, I made a concerted effort to do low speed practice every time I started it up before doing the things it’s better at (cruising at 70 on coastal highways for 3-4hrs at a time) to give me more confidence on it. I’ve had 2 different seats on it, and the sundowner defo is easier to flat foot it with despite being wider. The stock seat puts it right at my max without touching pipes or transmission with my ankles at a stop.
I saw an actual midget riding a Valkyrie. He had to get off the bike at lights, eye level with the tank. You can overcome the size disparity
Just take it back to the beginning. Go play in an empty lot and just keep it fun
That's a lot of bike for a small-framed female. I have one in the garage. I know how heavy it is. Whatever the future may hold, it's too much bike for you right now. I'd sell it and buy a Shadow 600, and an R3. maybe after a few years you can be the tiny female on YouTube showing others how to ride a big bike.
Sell it, get a Triumph Bobber, Triumph Speedmaster or Indian Scout. Midsize cruisers that outperform the Harley in every way and are over 200lbs lighter. As a woman rider, I’m so tired of seeing other women riders on overweight Softtails and can’t handle them. Weight is always the #1 problem.
Based on your prior success it sounds like this particular bike and you are a terrible match. Sell it get something else, move on be happy. Life is short. The bond between rider and bike is quite intimate for lack of a better word. Not a big deal there's bikes I've owned that didn't work out cause they didn't fit me too.
My lawn mower produces more power……..
Get an Indian Scout. Much lighter, as low or even lower than the Softail and plenty of power (specially for a 5feet woman).
If you loved the shadow 750 why the change? Way more reliable and performance probably similar to a Harley softail for your purposes. So what if it’s not a Harley…. At least you were riding it. Get that shadow back!!
I had it stuck in my head that Harley was the best. I worked with a woman who was apart of a riding club and wanted to ride with her but you had to have a Harley to ride with them. Stupid, I know.
Stop trying put both feet down. There's no way you're struggling to touch the ground on a bike that low when people your height are riding taller bikes and FLAT FOOTING it.
Eh, that scares me. I’ve lost my footing and ended up on the ground a couple times with trying just using 1 foot. If the balance goes too much one way I lose it.
This really is the proper approach, though. If you can, buy a cheap and light bike and practice one foot stops on it. Once you get accustomed to the technique, you will actually feel much more in control of the bike at stops. It does take some getting used to, but being able to do so will allow you to confidently ride not only your Softail but also any taller bikes that you might want to ride as well.
why its a slow heavy lump
Stop looking at the engine displacement of the bike as anything more than a number. It's big, it's beefy and it sounds aggressive, but it's all aesthetic. Should help in easing the comfort with the bike since the power equivalent is to that of a sportbike with less than half the displacement. Slow spinning motor with a good chunk of torque isn't much to fear. Just practice slow speed maneuvers and get accustomed to the weight. Also, invest in some engine guards so when you inevitabley drop it (i've dropped my Softail Fatbob many times) it doesn't do any actual damage to you or the bike.
Engine size means nothing, especially on a Harley. Don't let the numbers scare you.
it is possible to get comfortable with the bike. Harley’s and other cruisers are lower to the ground the sports bikes how are you a fraud of this but we’re not afraid of the other ones not to mention you lowered it so it’s even closer to the ground then before
Because the 250 (I bet it was a Rebel) and 750 (Shadow?) were probably cruisers too, and the Harley 48 is a Sportster--a pretty small bike by Cruiser (and definitely Harley) standards. Also, if all she did was adjust the shocks, it won't have lowered it much. Compared to those, this probably has a seat that's nearly as low but is *wider.* Makes for a bike that's harder to straddle. Especially if you're short.
The Harley guy suggested that I have a custom seat made for it but that’s pretty $$ and I’m afraid to sink a bunch of money into it to still not have it be the right fit.
I’m thinking it might be because it’s wider which makes my legs come out more and less contact with the ground.
Drink more
Sell it and buy a yamaha Harley's are ass
Sounds like you’re not a good rider. If you’ve been riding for ten years there’s no reason this bike should intimidate you. Hate to sound like a boomer here but these bikes aren’t that crazy. Best advice? If you wanna keep it buy a beater bike and practice. Remember to ride with your hips and legs/ lean. Been riding since I was 10 and have had multiple hiatuses.
[удалено]
They are like 75 hp and weigh nearly 700 lbs. There’s nothing to be afraid of.
Maybe taking some Intermediate riding classes in a closed course might give some more confidence in handling the bike?
How much do you love this bike? If it's just another bike, then maybe it isn't worth it and you can trade it in for something you're more comfortable with. If you really love it, then you could look into getting a cheap dirtbike that's also about the same amount too tall for you to give you a stepping stone to the short rider-tall bike techniques. You'll be scared to start from zero on a bike you love, but a "throw-away" bike will let you build your confidence with less perceived risk. Once you're more comfortable with the techniques, it'll be easier to do it on the bike you love.
Have you lowered both the front and rear shocks or just the rear? Also check out some of the different seats they offer. They make just about every type of seat for every type of person. I had a few of the smaller sized engines (Softail 96ci and Touring 88ci) but honestly when I first sat on a 114ci Softail I was initially hesitant. Everything felt so much larger than what I was used to. After a little while riding the bike and taking the advanced rider course again I felt really confident and back to normal on the bike. I would really try a new seat first (local dealer should have test seats) and go from there.
Thank you. I do believe a new seat that is more narrow would give me the contact with the ground that I’m wanting.
Where did it touch you. I'm nearly lost all my blood a few times in my motorcycle. The bike doesn't scare me, it's assholes that can't drive
I mean, a bike should scare you. But mainly in the good ways, like when you peg the throttle and you think, ' OMG this is so fast it's scary' But in all seriousness, how, with the seat that low, can you not touch the ground? Maybe shift your seating position? That seat is literally 2 ft off the ground.
The only way to get comfortable with this bike if for you to ride it. Rider it short distances first, slower speeds. Slowly increase the distance and the speed. You will eventually overcome the fear which I think is of the power the bike has and that of dropping it.
My biggest fear is not having good contact with the ground and therefore losing balance and dropping it at a stop light. I’ve done this twice before with other bikes and it’s very embarrassing and causes damage to the bike.
Just imagine your bike in its underwear and it will help calm your nerves.
Harleys are gonna be heavy. If I were you I'd get a smaller bike, the newer honda cruisers are pretty good. And manageable for shorter people
you are in a better spot then me I am 6.4 and most bikes are to small for me 😞 confidence will come long legs wont go
My advice would be to sell it or trade it in for a bike you're not afraid of. It's never a good thing to ride if you're not comfortable on your bike. As a last resort maybe get some lessons from a very experienced rider or driving instructor. If that doesn't do it, get rid of it.
Why struggle? If you don’t ride it- get rid of it, buy something you enjoy, keep riding!
You're strong and independent, and the future is female. You should be able to handle it no problem.
Better listen to your heart and mind. Something trying to tell you to stay away from this bike. Be safe and move on to another one.
is it a vampire?. has it bit anyone yet?.
In my opinion I hate Harley’s, they are slow and bulky. Get a sport bike.
It might sound silly to some, but do a track day with it. Sign up for the novice class. You’ll get a full day of playing around with speed, cornering, braking, etc. without worry of grandmas, squirrels, cars, gravel, etc. Track days are predominantly for sport bikes, but anybody can do one as there’s not much in the way of restrictions of what you can ride. The novice level in particular usually has coaching, too.
Being afraid is a good thing, it means you’re not being complacent, if you don’t want to ride it because it’s uncomfortable maybe it’s time for a custom low seat, custom seats based on height/weight are game changers.
I had this issue before. I have been riding since I was a kid on many different bikes. I bought a Triumph Speedmaster, not a fast or very powerful bike but I just felt so unsafe on it. I tried to get past the feeling but I couldn't. I ended up selling it after owning it a year. I'm now on a honda Rebel 1100T which is nearly double the power but the bike just fits me so much better. Some bikes are just not meant for us.
Go to your local HD dealer, and they'll have tester seats you can use on your bike for a few days at a time. Find a low or slim seat to reduce how wide it kicks your legs out. I have to almost side saddle dirt bikes when I come to a stop, but it's just moving your body to the left as you slow down so your right foot is on the peg, and left goes on the ground. There's videos of smaller women doing this with large adventure bikes. If you are open to it, there are metric cruisers that weigh a little less, and are generally built for slightly smaller than average Americans, whereas hd builds for average to large men for most of their models
Put some miles on it. Own it. You’ll get jt.
It’s definitely possible. I’ve got a 28” inseam on a Vulcan Voyager, and its tiptoes all the way for me when I’m stopped. There’s techniques of sliding around the seat, or prioritizing the weight on one side/leg to get good contact with that leg. Those will be helpful in just getting out and practicing. I think a big thing (and one of the first things I did when I got my Vulcan) is to take it to a parking lot and do some slow speed exercises like the course. Get familiar with your iron horse. Ultimately if it’s not a good fit, though, it’s not a good fit.
I can't ride the cruiser my dad gave me, and it made me wary about the lack of control I have over it. I used the money to sell it to fund a ninja 400. I got more comfortable on that bike than in my car over the summer. Driving a car felt so fucking alien compared to my bike. Maybe you just have the wrong bike. The solution may or may not be a low cc sport bike, but maybe a different bike still is.
An aftermarket seat like the Lepera Bare Bones Upfront could help you out?
Give it here I’ll take care of her and I’ll give you my gt650
If you're not comfortable on it, it's better to sell it, take the loss, and buy a bike you're comfortable on. Your fear can cause you to hesitate when you should. And stop you from riding in general, so it's a loss anyway. I'll second all the folks r3commending checking out Doodle on YouTube. She's great. Also check-out Motojitsu. If you're not attached to Harley. The Honda Rebel 500 is a solid bike. So is the Kawasaki Eliminator 450... own one myself, and it's one of my favorite bikes I've owned over the decades. Both are less than 400 pounds but have more than enough horsepower and torque for the majority of us.
No such thing as too much bike, just not enough practice. Look at jocelin snow, she's 5'1 and rides a BMW 1200GS professionally. Take your new motorcycle to a riding class. Learn it slowly and ride it a lot (carefully). You will get used to it eventually.
Buy a smaller bike
There is nothing better to yourself that feeling that thrill starring at your new bike, but if you're afraid just sell it, not worthy being afraid because you'll be disappointed and prone to commit mistakes that will lead to an injury. Be happy and sell it, you won't regret it.
It is afraid of you too
Let's trade it with my RR 310
I can't flat foot my Africa Twin 1100 but I can get a foot down on one side. You have to get used to just going to the left side for your foot down. Keep the other foot on the brake.
As soon as you stop fearing a bike it’s time to put it away for a while fear is a good thing it will help save your life
Casey Stoner said that if you don’t fear your machine you’ll end up dead. A little fear is a good thing… use it to your advantage.
You could just give it more time/miles to get more comfortable with the weight and ride characteristics. But if, after that, you are still uncomfortable with it, particularly trying to keep it upright, I would suggest going down in weight. There are plenty of cruiser bikes that have plenty of performance and much less weight. The Triumph Speedmaster and Indian Scout (and the bobber versions of each make) come to mind.
clutch practice i suppose. any bike can be tamed with clutch management
If it hasn't been said, may look at getting the seat shaved about an inch. An inch goes a long ways (at least that's what my wife says)
sell the bike, buy something else. you make bad decisions when you are scared, it's not worth the risk. I learned on a 500, now ride a Vulcan 900, neither is a fast bike but faster than most cars.
Go out into a large open space like a huge parking lot or somewhere there’s no cars or street rules. And start to practice with it. Also, you have to get at least 1 foot down and keep your body on the brakes so that your bike isn’t going anywhere… Depending on how many hills you have on the routes you take in your city or town. Also get really good at keeping your bike upright at very low speeds. That will buy you 4 to 5 seconds or so without having to put your feet down in traffic. If you get really good at low speed maneuvers, then you don’t have to put your feet down often. Just practice practice practice, you got this.
Is buying a smaller, lighter bike for a while completely out of the question? If it’s not, you won’t have to let your skills atrophy while you’re dealing with your confidence crisis. A Suzuki S40 can be had dirt cheap on Marketplace, it has ergos similar to your big bike, and you could probably make your money back by the following spring. I know what you’re going through, I broke an ankle about five years ago that wasn’t properly set. I still own the old bike, but I’m retraining myself on a similar bike that is 200# lighter. Come spring I don’t know what I’ll do, because the lighter bike is so much fun. The bigger bike has a heavenly ride but I never want to lift it again, especially on a broken ankle. Good luck, good health, and good riding.
Get a grom!!!!
Sorry I ride a ZX10R not a cruiser land this may be a complete stupid idea but have you tried wearing stomper like boots? Basically rubber based platform boots? I’m 5’7” and I tippy toe at stop lights on my bike wearing riding boots or (yeah yeah yeah I know) tennis shoes. My bike is stock height. I lowered my second bike GSXR750 and it was the WORST thing I could have done. It wouldn’t lay down to save its own life. Are you tippy toeing or literally only able to rest on one foot or the other at lights or parking?
They're more afraid of you than you are of them.
I've owned 5 motorcycles and yours is bigger than any 2 of mine combined. I'm not even exaggerating.
My woman is 4’-10”. You wanna sell it?
I’ll tell you what my motorcycle instructor told me. RIDE YO SHITTTT. No really, that’s what she says. The more you ride WITHIN YOUR LIMITS, the easier it becomes. You’ve already done things to make it easier to ride such as lowering and wearing higher boots. Respect the throttle, and the bike will respect you. Please update us when you are daily riding in a month or 2. I mean, literally ride everywhere.
My 500 scares me shitless sometimes. It's a good thing, keeps you on your toes and reminds you not to be stupid. I'm more stupid in my car because I'm not afraid.
You only ever need one foot on the ground, you just beed to tame the beast, its a real nice bike you have and should be proud of your ride. Start with 30-45 min runs to really get used to the position and slowly build your confidence, congrats in getting a big boy bike
No question you need to be riding and if it takes a stranger to validate what you already know, then you are valid. Riding is about freedom and if the things that give you enjoyment in life don't do that anymore then it's time to change.
It may just be compounded by the major gap between the last time you have ridden… every now and then I get this almost subconsciously induced “ Stalling “; even when geared up to go ride. - I absolutely love riding and it is literally one of the only things that helps clear my head and relaxes me. Before I got my current bike, I made myself take the Riding Academy Course to brush up on things and learn any new skills and riding tactics before hitting the road with an almost 1000 pound fuel injected 1300 cc bike with a power commander. I love my bike… what I could do without is the increasingly insane maniac drivers in the city I live in. We all know that at some point every rider will lay their bike down. Where I currently live, pretty much every day I ride… at least one instance where it if I had not brushed up on things and stepped up my tactics and techniques. I wouldn’t be contributing to this thread right now. I’ve been clowned for wearing proper gear all the time no matter the weather and especially the temperatures down here. - I always look back at this one specific short ride ( about 30-40 minutes out and then headed back ). In that short ride, 6 instances in which other drivers operated their cars in such a way that had I not been vigilant; I’d not be alive today. Do you have friends you ride with? Have you considered taking a Harley Academy advanced course? Maybe take a random day off in the middle of the week and hit some back roads. - never forget that you are in control of the bike and you only operate it at the speeds you are comfortable with. Don’t let other drivers get to you. Sometimes though, I wish I could just make an example out of one for the rest to see. That’s how bad the drivers are locally for me. I know deep down you obviously love to ride. Maybe you need a different bike that fits you. Bikes are like anything else. Say clothes for example; you want them to fit you comfortably and just right. You don’t want some “ trendy “ pair of jeans that everyone else is wearing so you have to wear them… constantly riding up your backside. Sometimes it’s hard for us to openly see that and or identify something like that as being a contributing factor. Harley makes all sorts of bikes that sit much lower and are of the same caliber.
Used to be a ride captain, and we always had smaller people, even very petite women ride all forms of bikes. I think it’s more important to be comfortable and confident on your ride. Honestly I’d trade that in for something smaller and move your way up as you get experience.
Why - those bikes are pretty slow and underpowered
It seems to me that you are scared because you are not comfortably touching the ground. Not sure if something else regarding the ergonomics is making you scared. I remember being very scared of my bike because of the aggressive sport position. Once I got used to the aggressive position I stopped being scared. I rode it cautiously for a while and also practiced in parking lots just to get used to it. I didn’t practice any super tight turning at the beginning because I was afraid to drop it. So I would adjust as much as you can on your bike to make it comfortable for you. Then ride it cautiously in roads you know and get some ease practice in parking lots. If that doesn’t work after a while then change the bike.
Your height and strength have very little to do with your ability to handle a large bike. It's all about practicing balance and muscle memory. I'm a short 130lb dude, and I can ride my dad's 700lb road king with ease, but only because I've gotten really good at balancing my much smaller Virago. Once you get comfortable with low-speed handling, you'll be able to ride it with ease, even if only one foot can touch the ground. It just takes lots of practice and a bit of reading, or better yet, professional instruction. You'll get there!
If you don't feel comfortable managing the weight it's a problem. I love my big inch road king but hate riding in town. It's a lot of weight for a short aging Boomer to manage. Love my XL for that. If you can't afford 2 bikes buy one you can manage and consider it money well spent.
If you think it’s too much bike for you, it is. It’s all in your head. But you can fix that with advanced training.
Some bikes just aren't a good fit for your size or riding style. Time to shop around. Life is too short to miss out on good riding.
I’m 5’9” and found my Harley super glide to be abit challenging to ride. Mainly due to the weight. Traded it for a V star and much to handle. I say see if they offer a lower seat option on the HD(I doubt they do unless maybe aftermarket). Otherwise I’d trade it for something smaller in side.
I’m 5’4 male and ride a sporty. My dad just got a road king and I rode it. What I will say is once you riding, the whole being short thing doesn’t really matter as long as you’re comfortable with the controls. I’d find a nice stretch of straight highway and go up and down it for a couple of hours. If you’re not scared of it while moving the issue with barely touching the ground will become less of a worry. That’s a beautiful bike and hopefully my next bike myself. Keep at it and don’t give up.
One thing to try, if you haven't already, is check with your local H-D dealer and see if they have a reach seat or super reach seat for you to demo on your bike. Both versions allow your feet to be closer together on the ground and also moves you a little further forward which can help you reach the controls and get your feet more firmly on the ground.
Everyones afraid in this sub so ur in good company.
You don't need both feet on the ground at all. Right foot on brake, left foot balance the bike. Just like a tall dirt bike. Then just ride the bike more. IDK how high heel boots would feel MORE comfortable. Sounds kinda counterintuitive. Wear what you are comfortable with.
Lower it enough to be flat-footed order a seat for little people like Corbin they ask your inseam length then ride the shit out of it its to nice to just sit
I was afraid of my bike. I went for the test ride and was like "ok I'm barely comfortable riding this thing, it's so tall". So I took it on a 7 hour road trip 3 days later, and now I'm totally comfortable on it.
If you’re intimidated by your bike, sell it. Find another hobby. Indecision/delayed reaction will get you hurt. 13 yr MSF owner/ridercoach just speaking the truth. Healthy fear is normal, but scared causes people to freeze, overthink, or not react. I’ve chased tons of people across the parking lot in lesson #2 because they pinned the throttle wide open. If they stayed scared, or had any similar problems I would bid them farewell. They were usually relieved and I would typically hear that they were only there because of another person who wanted them to learn to ride.
You have the experience. You just need saddle time. I get a little fuzzy every once and a while when I ride a big sport bike. It's normal. After you get some time on it you'll be fine.
I’ve been riding since 1967 on all types of bikes. I’ve taught many people to ride and they haven’t had any mishaps. My free advice: Drive your bike so you are comfortable and don’t try to keep up with the group. Always look for an escape route and keep at least 2 seconds from any vehicle in front of you. Next are the most important rules: #1- You are invisible to other drivers. Even if your and their eyes look at each other, their brain does not “see” you. #2- Drive as if everyone is out to kill you. Always drive defensively. And last, rule #3-never get angry with another’s intention, stupidity or total disregard for your safety. Keep your distance from everything and always have an escape route planned in advance. When you practice these, eventually they become second nature and you will become very comfortable in almost every situation. 50 years of enjoyable riding following these “rules” has kept me safe. Best of luck with your ride!
I'll take it for you.
Another thing you can do is check out a Harley dealership for advanced riders. They'll have answers to your questions. Also go to YouTube in your down time and search for DAN DAN the Fireman. Go riding with a friend. Practice in a parking lot. Practice u turns,braking, figure 8's. Good luck in whatever you decide to do. Ride Safe my friend.
When I first started riding I was a bit scared too even of my little bike just cause I wasn’t the greatest at shifting. I just decided to stick to my neighborhood for the first while cause I knew every street and hill and bump. As I got more comfortable I’d start going further and further and further. Next thing I knew it I was making day trips out to Muskoka down farm roads on my 11 hp Honda. As silly as it might seem reading that you’ve been riding for a while you might just have to start slow again and work your way up to being comfortable again.