Heavy Motorcycle Riding Tips

For new riders, and even those who have been riding for years, handling heavy motorcycles can be a challenge. Their bigger and heavier frames might be intimidating, but that shouldn’t stop you from riding one! If your dream motorcycle is on the heavier side, you can learn to handle it like a pro in no time.

Even if you’ve been riding for a long time, it’s always smart to brush up on some riding tips for heavy motorcycles. Read on for some advice on how to expertly handle your heavy touring motorcycle on your next ride.

Position Your Body Properly

The way you position yourself on your motorcycle has a big impact on how you ride. Knowing how to properly position yourself will give you more control over your heavy motorcycle. Here are a few tips on positioning yourself while you’re riding:

• Sit Up Straight: Keeping your spine straight will help give you more leverage while you’re maneuvering your motorcycle. When you need to turn, sitting this way also helps put more pressure on the motorcycle itself instead of on your body.

• Point Your Elbows Out: When you keep your elbows close to your body, you’re limiting the amount of control you have over the motorcycle. Keeping them pointed out helps you control the bike even through tight turns and while you’re moving at slow speeds.

• Don’t Look Down: Like with other activities and sports, looking where you’re going, or where you need to be, helps keep you on track. When you’re riding slowly, it may be tempting to look down — but don’t do that. By looking forward, you can keep an eye out for any hazards.

When you keep your body in a solid position, you can safely maneuver your heavy motorcycle through whatever conditions you’re facing.

Ride Smooth

When you’re riding a heavy bike, any small maneuver could have bigger impacts. To keep control, it’s key to ride as smoothly as you can. When you’re steering and using the brakes and throttle, be sure to use them carefully. When you use quick, jerky movements, it shows that you’re not feeling comfortable and in control. When you move with a purpose, you can more easily maneuver the motorcycle.

Another thing to avoid while you’re riding your heavier motorcycle is oversteering. You don’t have to make adjustments every few moments — by keeping your eyes forward and your head up, you can make adjustments as you go along.

Prepare Yourself

There are things you can do before you even get out on your next ride to help keep you in control and feeling confident.

First, be sure to wear the right footwear. When you have tough, supportive shoes, you’ll be better able to support the bike’s frame. While you’re out riding, you’ll find that certain muscles feel sore when you get back from a long trip. Once you know the muscles that you’re using the most, you can do some extra weight lifting to build up those muscles even more. Focus on your arms, legs, chest and core — they’ll help you the most in supporting your heavy motorcycle.

Finally, if you’re having trouble with certain maneuvers, just practice! Put yourself in a controlled place, like a parking lot, and practice those tight turns and slow speeds until you feel more comfortable doing them. Then, when you’re out on the road, you’ll feel much more confident.

If you’re thinking of buying a motorcycle with a heavy frame, visit Susquehanna Valley H-D® to schedule a test ride. You can also chat with our staff to learn more tips and tricks to staying in control of a heavy bike.