Top heavy bike

Top heavy bike

I read somewhere that harleys were " top heavy" bike, difficult for many females to ride..
is this true?

Comments for
Top heavy bike

Oct 15, 2011

Love my Sportster
by: Cindy

I too had heard that Sportsters were top heavy and really wanting a Harley was concerned about that.
BUT I have learned that there is more than the center of gravity that matters in handling a bike.
I had a Honda Shadow 600 VLX and although it was low in seat height and center of gravity it had a long rake and trail and was very difficult when making slow speed turns.
I now have a Sportster 883 Low and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!! Although it is taller and more "top heavy", with the shorter rake and trail I have no problem handling this bike at all. I can make all the slow speed maneuvers, turns etc with confidence. I can whip this bike around in tighter turns and ways that I could never have done with the Honda.
This has given me so much more confidence in my riding and has improved my riding skills SOOO much!
I'm 5'4", 120 lbs and have no trouble at all with the Sportster.

Sep 15, 2011

Sportster 883 Superlow
by: Michelle

I recently bought a Sportster 883 superlow (2011) and it is my first bike and it fits me perfectly. It is low and not top heavy at all. I know that the other sportsters and the older ones have been know to be top heavy. I love my new bike!

Sep 11, 2011

Harleys
by: Susanne

I called around to find a dealer that would let me test drive my Ducati. It may make the difference in liking a bike and loving it. All they wanted was proof of a license and insurance. I bought my bike from the dealer that let me ride it before buying. Take the time and call around. The brand of bike really doesn't matter it's the fit. If you hate the bike or become scared of it you will never ride it. After all you are the one riding it. Be safe and ride safer.

Sep 10, 2011

Harleys!
by: Sandra

They are a GREAT bike, assuming you have the extra $$$. Not saying they aren't worth it, just saying you need more money to put out for the Harley.

Many people say the HD Sportster was made for the ladies because it's not as huge of a bike; but I've heard a couple of HD salesmen admit that the height of the bike and position of the tank make it top heavy, which requires more upper body strength - not a girl's traditional strong suit...

The HD cruiser bikes can be BIG (engine power and frame/weight) and HEAVY, but the center of gravity is lower, making them more responsive to the ladies in a way.

I prefer for MYSELF riding the Suzuki Boulevard C50 with 800 cc's on engine power (plenty for road running), the big FRAME/SIZE of a Softail, but less pounds to deal with...that's not to say I wouldn't LOVE to take hubby's HD Softail out now and again - it's just more bike than I choose to take the chance of dropping at this stage of my riding experience.

Sit on them ALL; stand them up under you; you will get an instant reaction of "this could work" or "get me off of this" very quickly. Too bad test driving is just not standard practice - but that's a lot of cash to be dropping finding out it really IS too heavy for you! Don't blame those that say no to test drives...

Sep 10, 2011

Not All HD's
by: sassy2731

I would not say that all Harley's are top heavy. I know of only the Sportster being top heavy. I know for sure that the Fatboy is a great balanced bike. Along with the Heritage Softail and the Deluxe. All of these styles are a great Harley for women in my opinion. But to each his own. My suggestion would to be to go and sit on as many different bikes as you can, as each bike itself is different. All can be modified to fit you if you have a good bike mechanic. I'm 5'2" and have 4 different bikes, but my 2 favorite ones are my Fatboy and my Roadking which have both been modified for my height, and the handlbars were adjusted as well. So now these 2 bikes fit me perfectly. I hope this helps.

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