advice needed on steering in low speed

[bdpq]

Don't get shorter rear shocks. You will have problems with the tyre hitting the fender, the reduce lean angle, and heavier steering. Use about 41psi in the front tyre. Ride the bike for a few thousand miles before making changes to the geometry so that you can REALLY know what you want to do. This is a big bike and you have to ride with correct counter-steering techniques or you will have problems.

thanks for the great advice~! I was referring to really low speed (around 10 mph) when the countersteering has not kicked in yet. I think I just needed some more time to get used to the rocket. It's very very different than japanese bikes.

 

[Claviger]

bdpq - Some things:

It does sound like you have low front tire pressure, I find the rocket wants to "fall" inwards when turning under about 8 mph at steep steering inputs.

Remember to shift your weight opposite your turn direction, to the outside. When doing full lock turns, I actually scoot one ass cheek off and lean out to keep her centered. It feels very exaggerated, but it is necessary because of the weight of the bike and its steering geometry.

If it is viable, use the throttle to straighten the wheel and slowly adjust weight inwards instead of trying to muscle the front end. It will give you a smoother ride out of the corner and keep your attention on where you are going instead of turning.

Practice the technique of clutch completely released while in 1st gear and dragging the rear brake to make slow maneuvers instead of slipping the clutch as so many people do. Full clutch engagement with rear brake drag is massively more stable than slipping without rear brake drag. If you do this already, props, if you don't, try it and be amazed at how easy it is to maneuver at 2-3 mph lol.

As a shorter captain, I'd honestly invest in riding boots with a 1 or 2 inch raise to them. It will help a lot!

Even at 6'3" I sometimes catch myself nearly dropping the baby when I get sloppy in parking lots. It is a lot of weight, so plan accordingly and minimize your "foot power" movements.

I won the Ft Stewart "Slow-drag" riding my Datyona 955i, vs about 80 cruisers and 20 or so sportbikes (mostly busas with 300+ rears) and a pool of riders of nearly 2000. These are the techniques I used and averaged under 1mph the whole time (gauge usually showed 0 speed lol), nothing special, just practice! Give it time, the Rocket is not "like" any other bike, it kind of forces you to relearn the basics.

 

[Buck Mossie]

Problem: Have difficulty steering one of the fastest and most powerful bikes ever produced at low speeds...

Solution: Rotate the right grip in a clockwise direction and go faster...

;-)

 

[bdpq]

bdpq - Some things:

Even at 6'3" I sometimes catch myself nearly dropping the baby when I get sloppy in parking lots. It is a lot of weight, so plan accordingly and minimize your "foot power" movements.

I won the Ft Stewart "Slow-drag" riding my Datyona 955i, vs about 80 cruisers and 20 or so sportbikes (mostly busas with 300+ rears) and a pool of riders of nearly 2000. These are the techniques I used and averaged under 1mph the whole time (gauge usually showed 0 speed lol), nothing special, just practice! Give it time, the Rocket is not "like" any other bike, it kind of forces you to relearn the basics.

I felt the massive weight when I was doing a dead turn onto my drive way, there is a 2-3 inch climb between the road and the brick driveway (i better pave it again) and I was still unfamiliar with the power so I did not give it enough gas, the weight of the rocket piled onto my right leg and man it was painful! To be honest, I am now more worried about slow speed as I live in the suburb with narrow streets, zig-zagging between the parked cars and kids playing on the road is really stressful. I have never needed to pay so much attention doing it slow on other bikes but with the rocket, I better spend sometime on an empty lot practice riding again.

Thanks for the advice, I've learned a lot!


bdpq

 

[Jeff Cameron]

Relax and get some miles in the saddle before you consider making any changes. I know that I found the steering incredible slow when I first got my Rocket compared to my previous bikes but you do get used to handling it and now I don't even think of it.

 

[Steel]

It took me a while to get accustomed to the R3 at slow speeds too. If you've never seen the Ride Like A Pro video, look for it online. Claviger had some great tips, but also remember to keep your head high. Look through your turn to were you are going. If you look down the bike wants to follow.

 

[TOMCAT]

You really aren't all that short mate .. there are quite a few Rocket Owners under 6 foot .. me included. As has been suggested take some time getting used to the Rocket , they are unique and take some time to master. I'd suggest you follow the good advice and cancel that order for shorter rear shockies .. Rivco risers are a great improvement for those of us with non-ape -like arms give it a couple of weeks and a couple of thousand miles and you'll be wondering what you were worried about.

 

[warp9.9]

Yep check the air pressure, get used to her maybe do something with the bars or add risers. When in the home streets continue to dodge the parked Vehicles but run the kids over!!!!!! They will learn not to play in the road quickly

 

[coneye]

Ok . First of all check your tyre pressure like others have said ,, I own the rocket tourer and am 5' 7" and a HALF , bit heavier than you , but any way still a short arse .

So start with the risers from rivco , i put them on mine mainly because i have a crook shoulder and get sore if i'm leaning on it ,, but the risers bring the bars back and fit perfect ,,

Seat, i had my standard seat , shaved and scooped out , the guy who done it was vert impressed with the amount he could take out and still keep the seat comfy ,, But i then bought the longhaul seat with back rest , and found that one more comfy and better because it sits you closer to the bars ,,

The bike was still to big for me , and i stuggled when in slow manouveres just like you , Its no fun a 400 kilo bike leaning o0ver when you can't reach the floor properly so

I bought the progresive shocks that lowered the back 30mm ,

I then dropped the bike through the triple tree 20mm to help even it up

End result with the sitting position , and bar position , i can and have regular done hundreds of klm in a day , and been on 7-10 day rides covering 5-6000 klm, and been comfortable all day .. The bike fits me better and is a lot easier in the tight stuff , lowering it gave me a lot more confidence ,, with saying that , its still a big bike and you have to be aware and think about what your doing , but its managable ,, my advice is lower it with the shocks and triple tree , , put the risers on if you feel you need them , and then ,,, just ride and ride and ride ,,

Getting used to it just takes time , i've always said there a big bike more suited to a big man , but us small men can do alright on them if you think about what your doing ,, The more you ride it the easier it becomes ,

Good luck with it ,, but when you do the shocks drop it through the triple tree , to even it up

 

[Mittzy]

Ok . First of all check your tyre pressure like others have said ,, I own the rocket tourer and am 5' 7" and a HALF , bit heavier than you , but any way still a short arse .

So start with the risers from rivco , i put them on mine mainly because i have a crook shoulder and get sore if i'm leaning on it ,, but the risers bring the bars back and fit perfect ,,

Seat, i had my standard seat , shaved and scooped out , the guy who done it was vert impressed with the amount he could take out and still keep the seat comfy ,, But i then bought the longhaul seat with back rest , and found that one more comfy and better because it sits you closer to the bars ,,

The bike was still to big for me , and i stuggled when in slow manouveres just like you , Its no fun a 400 kilo bike leaning o0ver when you can't reach the floor properly so

I bought the progresive shocks that lowered the back 30mm ,

I then dropped the bike through the triple tree 20mm to help even it up

End result with the sitting position , and bar position , i can and have regular done hundreds of klm in a day , and been on 7-10 day rides covering 5-6000 klm, and been comfortable all day .. The bike fits me better and is a lot easier in the tight stuff , lowering it gave me a lot more confidence ,, with saying that , its still a big bike and you have to be aware and think about what your doing , but its managable ,, my advice is lower it with the shocks and triple tree , , put the risers on if you feel you need them , and then ,,, just ride and ride and ride ,,

Getting used to it just takes time , i've always said there a big bike more suited to a big man , but us small men can do alright on them if you think about what your doing ,, The more you ride it the easier it becomes ,

Good luck with it ,, but when you do the shocks drop it through the triple tree , to even it up

Sorry Mate but there is no way you want to do that to a Roadster, the foot pegs are too low for this, standard height is best with a change of seat.