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[johnmowcop]

I have been riding bikes for many years. I have been riding Harleys for at least 140k miles.

I am not happy with the way I am bringing it to a stop. Leaving myself open for the proverbial p taking, but if you dont ask you dont get advice!

I arrive at, say, a road junction with both feet on the pegs. Slowing virtually to a stop then put both feet out and bring it to stop on the front brake. I nearly always have a out of control moment as I stop.

I dare not use the rear and stop on one foot, the point of balance is not always biased the way of the left foot and my legs are only just long enough to get the balls of my feet down on both sides so I feel safer coming to a rest with both legs out. But still not happy for the last moment of coming to rest.

Any help would be appreciated.

JohnT

[2k]

It's hard to think about something that has become 2nd nature. The method you described sounds like what I do most times. I will use my left leg more letting the bike tilt slighty towars the left. Not much help, but that is a try it til you like it kind of movement. I can sit on mine flat footed, maybe thats a difference??

[porthole]

Just a thought, are you keeping your head up right and looking straight ahead?
Tilting your head can throw your balance off (the fluid in your ears).

Ever try walking railroad tracks? Head up looking straight ahead makes it fairly easy. Staring down at the tracks make it very diffulcult.

http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/How-Our-Balance-System-Works/

[dlaws01]

Grow longer legs.   

[Ironhorse]

John,

Reconsider the right foot up on the brake pedal, left foot down stopping technique. Go to an empty parking lot and practice, practice, practice.

Some things to work on.

Sit upright and tall in the saddle as this will give you better balance and control.
Keep your head up and your eyes focused straight ahead off in the distance.
Resist the temptation to look down, the ground is not going anywhere.
Stop with authority, don't creep along.
Use the rear brake to hold you.
Be mindful of the front brake. Too much will quickly shift too much weight forward and make the bike unsteady.
Keep the bars straight.

Work on it till you get comfortable.

I hope this helps.

Mark

[Steve Cole]

You might also look at a new seat. Some of the aftermarket ones lower you down about 1/2 - 3/4 " and that may make you feel better getting your foot on the ground. Other than that practice with left leg only stops like others have said.

[Billy]

using the front brake to finish a stop can be very dangerous. You should use the rear  and finish holding the bike on your left. It may take practice but you will be much better and safer to come to a stop. If there is gravel or oil and you are on the front brake the front end can slip right out from in front of you. Most schools will teach this method.    You can slide forward on the seat if that helps or a different seat.   Billy

[hdaliaconis]

John,  All the above is good advice,  you need to learn to make the last part of a stop using the rear brake only!  That is a very difficult thing to do if only the balls of your feet touch the ground.  I would do two things:   1. do what ever necessary to get your feet flat on the ground 2. Get into this school http://www.midwestmotorcycletraining.com/  I have no ax to grind here but have attended the school.  I am 72 and ride a 2013 CVO ultra.  Heaviest bike I have ever ridden and stop 99% of the time with only left foot down.  Couldn't do that before the school!  Using the front brake was some thing I did all the time until I dumped it in a parking lot on dry pavement.  It's just a matter of time before you put your "baby" on the ground!  You need to break that habit and most likely a bunch of other bad habits you have picked up over the years.  JMO

[FLHTCUSE7]

This is good advice. And it's not dangerous to use your front brake at low speed to stop as long as your front wheel is straight.

John,

Reconsider the right foot up on the brake pedal, left foot down stopping technique. Go to an empty parking lot and practice, practice, practice.

Some things to work on.

Sit upright and tall in the saddle as this will give you better balance and control.
Keep your head up and your eyes focused straight ahead off in the distance.
Resist the temptation to look down, the ground is not going anywhere.
Stop with authority, don't creep along.
Use the rear brake to hold you.
Be mindful of the front brake. Too much will quickly shift too much weight forward and make the bike unsteady.
Keep the bars straight.

Work on it till you get comfortable.

I hope this helps.

Mark

[hdaliaconis]

Not dangerous but, again, just a matter of time before he makes a stop and the wheel is not straight.   

This is good advice. And it's not dangerous to use your front brake at low speed to stop as long as your front wheel is straight.

[mark]

A coworker suddenly had trouble (after yrs of riding) stopping his bike and remaining balanced.  He dropped his a bike a few times and thought he was just getting too old.  However, it turned out to be an inner ear problem that was affecting his balance.  A doctor fixed the problem and he's back to normal.

[Jswerve]

I'm 5'6 and I use the right foot rear brake and left foot on the ground technique and it works great.

Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk

[Trapperdog]

John,

Reconsider the right foot up on the brake pedal, left foot down stopping technique. Go to an empty parking lot and practice, practice, practice.

Some things to work on.

Sit upright and tall in the saddle as this will give you better balance and control.
Keep your head up and your eyes focused straight ahead off in the distance.
Resist the temptation to look down, the ground is not going anywhere.
Stop with authority, don't creep along.
Use the rear brake to hold you.
Be mindful of the front brake. Too much will quickly shift too much weight forward and make the bike unsteady.
Keep the bars straight.

Work on it till you get comfortable.

I hope this helps.

Mark

Excellent advice as usual

Reminded me of riding with you down south and each one of us trying to never be the first one to touch ground. We spent half the day riding through towns and never set a foot in them.
Back to the regular programming now

[08glide]

as I have taught many riders, using ride like a pro video & course set up. as already mentioned, frt brake is ok when approaching intersections, etc. however in parking lots & slow maneuvers frt brakes are bad news (disastareous). think of riding in a boat & dropping an anchor off the rear, it pulls the back end down. on your scooter the frt brake shifts momentum to frt causing frt suspension to compress. applying rear brake (only 25%-30%) will level the bike out giving you more control & a smoother stop with practice. pick your stop point & roll up to it with moderate speed APPLYING REAR BRAKE & STOP. rolling to a stop too slow & freely can cause unstable stopping & balance. check in to RLP class in your area. these types of courses makes everyone a better rider, no matter how much experience.
PRACTICE    PRACTICE   PRACTICE. you stated 140k, but some riders 20 years later still make same mistakes the did in first stages of riding. I've had riders with 20 yrs experience still doing techniques as a novice.  good luck

[hdaliaconis]

 :2vrolijk_21:X2

as I have taught many riders, using ride like a pro video & course set up. as already mentioned, frt brake is ok when approaching intersections, etc. however in parking lots & slow maneuvers frt brakes are bad news (disastareous). think of riding in a boat & dropping an anchor off the rear, it pulls the back end down. on your scooter the frt brake shifts momentum to frt causing frt suspension to compress. applying rear brake (only 25%-30%) will level the bike out giving you more control & a smoother stop with practice. pick your stop point & roll up to it with moderate speed APPLYING REAR BRAKE & STOP. rolling to a stop too slow & freely can cause unstable stopping & balance. check in to RLP class in your area. these types of courses makes everyone a better rider, no matter how much experience.
PRACTICE    PRACTICE   PRACTICE. you stated 140k, but some riders 20 years later still make same mistakes the did in first stages of riding. I've had riders with 20 yrs experience still doing techniques as a novice.  good luck