Ok Gang..........
Out on the open road.......cruising along........maybe even on an Interstate:clap

Do any of you ever lock the throttle down and ride "NO HANDED" for several miles?

Solo yes. At speed your not steering with the handlebars anyways.

I always wanted to try it, but that death thing always holds me back.

...I take my hands with me ever time I ride :p

Fo' Sho'

Adios

Without a doubt, sometimes i'll reach over with left hand to maintain speed and keep riding down the road if i need to adjust or re- group myself while riding. :D :shhhh Don't attempt, i have many yrs of riding under my belt.:laugh LOL

The stock throttle lock doesn’t set well with me so I am no handed for just a few seconds before I slow down. If I had a better alternative I would definitely use it

I have tried it a few times just to bring my arms straight out.
Of course I am too chicken to leave them stretched out for more than a few seconds.

You'll find the bike is very steady at 70+ . Just hold the back of the tank. You can steer with your feet and body position. It's a good way to
"un-numb" your hands:tour :clap

Maybe try like Indian Larry.

If you fail, things aren't pleasant.

Maybe try like Indian Larry.

If you fail, things aren't pleasant.


That only happens when you stand up on the seat, :doh

RIP- Indian Larry

Yep.

--Sean

ive done it a good few times, just barely lock the throttle so i can still move it if i need to, then lean back and enjoy the ride for a couple of straight miles.

I don't make a habit of it, by any stretch, but I do it at times, when its reasonably safe (usually down a hill in a lower gear) to un-numb... :laugh

Do any of you ever lock the throttle down and ride "NO HANDED" for several miles?It's hard to go that far in NY without grabbing for a second every here and there.... oops another frost heave bump coming up... grab the bars... bottom out the suspension... lean back for another half mile :D

Gazza

Hey y'all:

Two big gryoscopes underneath you, at speed steer with weight. I like taking mine off when I'm slowing down.Freaked the wife out at first, until I explained the science of it to her. I ride at speed with just my throttle hand alot when I'm riding long distances and yes my Sportster will travel long distance.

Ride to Live and Live to Ride

Reb

It's hard to go that far in NY without grabbing for a second every here and there.... oops another frost heave bump coming up... grab the bars... bottom out the suspension... lean back for another half mile :D

Gazza

Gotta love those NY roads, they are the worst. :doh Down yonder they are smooth as a sows ear. :roflblack

Gotta love those NY roads, they are the worst. :doh Down yonder they are smooth as a sows ear. :roflblackYep, everyone down south frets the snow here, little do they realize that it all causes the roads to break up and be bumpy all summer. I'm just waiting for FEMA to start fixing our roads, it is after all a recurring natural disaster not much difference than a hurricane, wild fire or tornado. Well if that's the only natural disaster that regularly happens in our state we're still doing better than most of the country... except that we pay for our own repairs in addition to the rest of the countries FEMA bills and never get anything back for our little natural disasters :madtwo

Gazza

Yep done it alot... Sometime people look at ya like your crazy,but if they think your crazy the don't mess with ya ...LOL

Yep, everyone down south frets the snow here, little do they realize that it all causes the roads to break up and be bumpy all summer. I'm just waiting for FEMA to start fixing our roads, it is after all a recurring natural disaster not much difference than a hurricane, wild fire or tornado. Well if that's the only natural disaster that regularly happens in our state we're still doing better than most of the country... except that we pay for our own repairs in addition to the rest of the countries FEMA bills and never get anything back for our little natural disasters :madtwo

Gazza


Sounds like road and bridge workers are in high demand :clap thats good.

Sounds like road and bridge workers are in high demand :clap thats good.Nope... just tax collectors in high demand.

Gazza

the results of this poll so far are slightly disturbing :frownthre

I've done it a few times but only when there is nobody around me and I have a decent distance before a turn. I only do it for a few seconds or so just to move the arms and fingers around a little to get the blood flowing again.

It's hard to go that far in NY without grabbing for a second every here and there.... oops another frost heave bump coming up... grab the bars... bottom out the suspension... lean back for another half mile :D

Gazza
Isn't that the truth. Seems like everytime they come along with the road grinder and level a few out, 3 or 4 more pop up within a mile or two. Some of them will send your nuts right into your throat.:wonderlan

Isn't that the truth. Seems like everytime they come along with the road grinder and level a few out, 3 or 4 more pop up within a mile or two. Some of them will send your nuts right into your throat.:wonderlan


Atleast in the winter you can't see them, but hell sure breaks loose come spring time when they pop up like corn rows. :frownthre

FWIW- reminds me why i moved out, bad roads and the god aweful taxes.:doh

Sorry, screwed up my vote. I really just wanted to say, "no."

It's too windy for me in Central Texas to ride no-handed on the highway/interstate. It does take 2 hands to get my Company id card lanyard out of my jacket to go through the front gate (take it out, they look, wave at you (with all 5 fingers) and you don't have to stop; other than that, too risky for me.

I still feel secure in my manhood, though.

Didn't vote ain't no box for me. Although I do take my hands off its never at highway speeds. usually coming in to a stop and I have plenty of room, do it long enough to get the numb out. Then its back to 2 hands.:)

I still feel secure in my manhood, though.

Me too.......I don't "do it" to be "Studly".......I do it to relax my hands and arms and back:tour :banana :clap

I was pretty sure I was a Man before I bought my Sportie:D

It's hard to go that far in NY without grabbing for a second every here and there.... oops another frost heave bump coming up... grab the bars... bottom out the suspension... lean back for another half mile :D

Gazza

Seneca Falls here, I know what your saying , those bumps are nasty.

Seneca Falls here, I know what your saying , those bumps are nasty.Hey I was in Seneca Falls yesterday... I was the one riding by on a motorcycle :tour

... with no hands

Gazza

Flat clean road...I will for a short time to stretch my arms with throttle locked.

most of my time without any hands on ..set the cruise and lean back..only on the local roads that i know.. u would actually be surprized how sharp of a curve u can go around and get it going back straight with no hands.

The stock throttle lock doesn’t set well with me so I am no handed for just a few seconds before I slow down. If I had a better alternative I would definitely use it


Hey, you happen to have a link to that throttle lock (?) that you showed me on your bike???


Ok I found it.

www.phatperformanceparts.com
code 07-4046
$37.95

and its called Vista Cruise Universal Cruise Control

I have ordered parts from here and they are good about getting the parts out fast. Let me know if there is anything else i can help you with. Oh, its real easy to put on. Should take about 15 minutes.

steve

see above blah blah blah 10 words

I have an 11 mile commute to work every day....Often I will see if I can ride all the way with no hands excluding the on and off ramps adn places where its absolutely necessary to have my hands on the bars...once i hit the highway I start the quest...alll depends on traffic and frame of mind though...I've found that you can just hang a knee out into the wind and it will pull you which ever direction ya need to go depending on which knee ya use...I've made it a few dozen times there and back no handed....kinda fun actually

where is the choice...done it once to wave to other riders?

ya bandit i do that also.. sometimes i use my arms to catch the wind and pull me where i need to go.. i find it pretty enjoyable..makes me feel somewhat like an eagle maybe

Couple of miles.....no....

Just throttle off slow down to stretch.....

It is a good way to determine if your wheels are aligned. My bike initially had a slight left pull which I got rid of by properly aligning the rear tire.

where is the choice...done it once to wave to other riders?

ld
You wave with both hands :roflblack :roflblack If you weren't so thinned skinned, and smelled like the Moose that bit Ole's sis.....I'd say that was really weird........or is it werd, or wurd!:roflblack :D

ld
You wave with both hands :roflblack :roflblack If you weren't so thinned skinned, and smelled like the Moose that bit Ole's sis.....I'd say that was really weird........or is it werd, or wurd!:roflblack :D


ha, was out a few months ago and passing opposite direction of a group of hd riders when one of them spread both arms out like he was flying but not flapping arms. so i returned the gesture(werd). was pretty cool

i say werd when im not sure if my spelling of a word is correkt(werd)

he he he , i saw you !

he he he , i saw you !
lol, i thought that was you:tour

You'll find the bike is very steady at 70+ . Just hold the back of the tank. You can steer with your feet and body position. It's a good way to
"un-numb" your hands:tour :clap


only problem is that my hands are usually already numb by the time i remember to use the throttle lock.:doh

Gotta love those NY roads, they are the worst. :doh Down yonder they are smooth as a sows ear. :roflblack


been to NY, i still think here in PA we've got the worst.

Occasionally I'll do no-handed. If all other riding conditions are safe, then this is a way to see how balanced you are on your bike, and/or how balanced your bike is assuming you sit perfectly centered-weight wise.


Histerical, um historical annecdote:
This is something that I used to do on a bicycle, back in the before years. I had to ride no-handed once over 7 miles when I broke the goose neck of my pedal bike. Luckily I only had to stop once or twice for traffic-lights. This was when I delivered telegrams for Western Union and I had to get the bike home for repairs, it was my 'work' vehicle. :roflblack :roflblack :roflblack

Just something I never do....If I did...thats when the deer would jump out in front of me....

YUP, at Times!!!!!:D

Back in the days I use to set the cruise control and stand on the seat and pretend I was surfing. Must of been the quality of the drugs back then, I wouldn't even think of doing that now

It's rare, but every now and then I have to flick boogers on the windshields of cages to either side. In this case I go no hands for the duration of the dual pick 'n' flick, but I even though I have to do it out of necessity sometimes, it sure is a stupid thing to do. :)

It's rare, but every now and then I have to flick boogers on the windshields of cages to either side. In this case I go no hands for the duration of the dual pick 'n' flick, but I even though I have to do it out of necessity sometimes, it sure is a stupid thing to do. :)
Wow! true duals I have heard of singles but never duals I will have to try it :smoke

I have gone one handed. Maybe some year I will try no hands.

Back in the days I use to set the cruise control and stand on the seat and pretend I was surfing. Must of been the quality of the drugs back then, I wouldn't even think of doing that now

Anything to do with your Back Issues?!?!?!?!:banana :banana

I have been know on occasion to ride for a bit with out both hands firmly gripping my bars. Well actually I do it all the time. It really isn't that difficult at speed. Kind of like a Cessna, you have to work to get it to not go straight.

....Ride one handed when I'm drinking beer............


....Only ride no hands when I'm drinking and lighting my bong........

....Ride one handed when I'm drinking beer............


....Only ride no hands when I'm drinking and lighting my bong........


So windshield I'm guessing? Beer in one hand, lighter in the other and bong between your knees or beer in your teeth and use the wind to get the bud glowing? Not that I've ever...ah...I don't remember what I was talking about.:smoke

So windshield I'm guessing? Beer in one hand, lighter in the other and bong between your knees or beer in your teeth and use the wind to get the bud glowing? Not that I've ever...ah...I don't remember what I was talking about.:smoke


Nah........I can do it without a windshield.......:)

I do like to use a windshield when snorting crank however..............cos I find the err.........ahh.......what was I torkin about again????...:wonderlan

I love taking pictures, plotting routes on my GPS, and checking my email on my cell phone while riding no handed. :>

http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/medium/Picture_009_RESIZED.jpg

Anything to do with your Back Issues?!?!?!?!:banana :banana
:roflblack :roflblack You a funny guy!

I wouldn't say I do it often, but I already know how my bike handles so that first option will have to do. I'll only do it coasting though, no throttle locking for me.

Usually only ride no hands when I need to stretch out on a downhill. Was ridin with a group of baggers one day and they were locking the throttles and pretending like they had ape hangers while cruisin up the road. Winds were gusting 30 mph and above. Well my dumb a^s locks the throttle (no windshield), reach up in the sky like I'm ridin with apes and the wind picked me slam up off the seat. Glad I had a bitch rack. Nearly sh^t all over myself. Don't lock the throttle much anymore if it's real windy. Glad no one saw me! When we stopped and I told them what happened every one got a laugh!
Dave
Ride to Live!

NO HANDS,NO BRAINS,NO S--T!!! BUT YEAH,ALMOST Every time I ride but usually no more than 10 or 15 seconds but NEVER EVER on the CROSS- BRONX!!!!!!LOL!!!!!

Back in the days I use to set the cruise control and stand on the seat and pretend I was surfing. Must of been the quality of the drugs back then, I wouldn't even think of doing that now

So, should we call you Indian Johnny now? :D

"Yes....It's a great way to learn how my bike handles!"
I also like to ride my bike into a brick wall an semis on the highway! No pain no gain. I know where I'm going when my time is up and I'm in no hurry to get there. The closer you are to meeting your maker the more careful you are and don't believe that BS in my signature.

The closer you are to meeting your maker the more careful you are .....

Well, I don't know about that one. I've had open heart surgery twice and last time (1 year ago) I went ahead and had a heart attack on the table. I was "out of touch" for several days and told my Son "I'm not sure I'm going to make it this time."
Obviously I did....BUT......I don't feel I'm tempting fate when I ride no handed.
Shoot....riding a Bike period is somewhat dangerous in itself....wouldn't you say?:) I'd been off bikes for a few years but just decided I was going to ride again :clap
We have no guarantees.....as I've found out. I've been to the edge and looked over........riding no handed to me isn't even CLOSE to going to the edge!
That's MY opinion and I'M sticking too it!:clap
RIDE SAFE:clap
Peace
Bruce

....Ride one handed when I'm drinking beer............


....Only ride no hands when I'm drinking and lighting my bong........

Like...WOW.....Dude....Like...... FARRRRRR OUT MAN :roflblack :roflblack :roflblack

Only when I'm sitting backwards on the bike. Really.

Yup....even been known to do it on country roads......longest streatch was from Massaponax exit on I-95 north to Woodbridge exit, just to see if we could go that long...traffic was very light

I love taking pictures, plotting routes on my GPS, and checking my email on my cell phone while riding no handed. :>

Too bad you don't have a DVD player.

JB

Too bad you don't have a DVD player.

JB

Yeah, and a battery powered TV would be great too.:doh

Never for "several miles", but I'll take my hands off and adjust my jacket, or mirrors, or whatever. Sometimes my jewels get crunched up and I have to give 'em a little shake.

OK, been wanting to post to this thread. I know about making a pointer thingie, to check the rear axel alignment, and all that. BUT, I just thought I'd ask. When I go "no hands", I have to lean way to my left, to keep the bike going straight. I think this is indicating a wheel misalignment. What do ya-all think?:banarasta

OK, been wanting to post to this thread. I know about making a pointer thingie, to check the rear axel alignment, and all that. BUT, I just thought I'd ask. When I go "no hands", I have to lean way to my left, to keep the bike going straight. I think this is indicating a wheel misalignment. What do ya-all think?:banarasta

Usually a wheel mis-alignment will show up as a wobble as the front and back are not going in a straight line. Kind of "snaking" down the road.

I think the air cleaner has an effect as it's busting a pretty good stream of air.

OK, been wanting to post to this thread. I know about making a pointer thingie, to check the rear axel alignment, and all that. BUT, I just thought I'd ask. When I go "no hands", I have to lean way to my left, to keep the bike going straight. I think this is indicating a wheel misalignment. What do ya-all think?:banarasta


Sound misaligned to me....

My bike had a slight drift to the left which I fixed by aligning the rear wheel

Its easier to light my cigarette while riding ....LOLhttp://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/medium/100_0946smaller.jpg

Hands free is okay but I gets a little nervous with the legs draped over the handlebars, to much weight up top I think.
I'm thinkin' about gettin' a cell phone so I can use one hand for it and gesture talk with the other like the cage drivers do. Gotta have the high beams on though cause them DRLs certainly are a nuisance when it comes to being seen.

Hands free is okay but I gets a little nervous with the legs draped over the handlebars, to much weight up top I think.
I'm thinkin' about gettin' a cell phone so I can use one hand for it and gesture talk with the other like the cage drivers do. Gotta have the high beams on though cause them DRLs certainly are a nuisance when it comes to being seen.

Just do like Johhny used to.....STAND UP on the seat when you're on the phone.......that way peoples will know you're busy yakin on the phone!:roflblack

OK, been wanting to post to this thread. I know about making a pointer thingie, to check the rear axel alignment, and all that. BUT, I just thought I'd ask. When I go "no hands", I have to lean way to my left, to keep the bike going straight. I think this is indicating a wheel misalignment. What do ya-all think?:banarasta

Sounds misaligned to me, or you are driving on some crowned roads. I'm not bragging, but I LITERALLY could close my eyes and my bike would drive straight ahead. I don't know if it's from the bald, flat across tires, or good, flat roads that I tend to drive on.

Thanks Guys, that's what I was thinking. Now I'll get some brazing rod, or something, to make a pointer thingie. Also, I figger if the bike is wanting to drift to the right, the FRONT of the REAR tire is off to the LEFT of CENTER.:p

My bike drifts to the left so I have to lean to the right. (But so do my friends Road King and new Softail???) I've checked the alignment holes in the swingarm and I've shortened the right side to compensate. But it still pulls to the left and I'm afraid to adjust it any more. I don't want it to be off so much it starts to wear the belt.
What is the proper way to align them to go straight?


:chop
Even the smiley guy rides no handed!!!

If you weren't supposed to ride no handed then why do we say..
"Look Ma no hands!"

:chop
Even the smiley guy rides no handed!!!

If you weren't supposed to ride no handed then why do we say..
"Look Ma no hands!"

:welcome :welcome :welcome :welcome :welcome

Good Point!
As for tracking straight.........all you can do is insure the wheels are aligned. Many times it's the road, or slight breezes. I also believe that air cleaner hanging in the airstream causes "aero" issues.:p

: I also believe that air cleaner hanging in the airstream causes "aero" issues.:p


will a jetchange help? which ac is less aero intrusive?

will a jetchange help? which ac is less aero intrusive?

Yes........I went from a 190 main to a 605! The larger hole allows much more fule to flow, thereby causing a shift in mass to the right side of the bike.

Another test would be to get up to....say 150-160 mph, and quickly remove the carb and ham can to prove the aero theory!:roflblack :clap :banana

Yes........I went from a 190 main to a 605! The larger hole allows much more fule to flow, thereby causing a shift in mass to the right side of the bike.

Another test would be to get up to....say 150-160 mph, and quickly remove the carb and ham can to prove the aero theory!:roflblack :clap :banana


if a rubbermount loses the side cover at high speeds, will the sudden shift of mass cause a loss of control? plus will that uncovered hole cause carb to run really rich since air will flow to the path of least resistance?

Yes........I went from a 190 main to a 605!

what clip position on needle, is the needle even required?
where did you get that from? sorgy's? got a p/n?:roflblack

if a rubbermount loses the side cover at high speeds, will the sudden shift of mass cause a loss of control?

Not with a steering damper !!!!!:roflblack

what clip position on needle, is the needle even required?
where did you get that from? sorgy's? got a p/n?:roflblack

Yes.......
It's a 153243654656565747364556-a.12645456 rev4
They are a little pricey at $587 ea........but well worth the price to go straight while riding NO HANDED !:clap :clap :clap :D :D :D

I cheat. I ride an E-Glide with true cruise control. I can set the cruise on the on ramp and go the 16 miles to the off ramp where I work with no problem. I've even drank Pepsi and ate a bag of Combos while on my way to work.

Oh, by the way, this is on those bad ass New York roads.

I do believe that Pa roads are worse.

Nope.Have never tried it. Its that one little bump or spot in the road that takes over control of the bike(sometimes even with 2 hands on) that keeps my hands on.

I rode mine without my hands on the bars this weekend, and mine likes to go to the left a little bit, but just by moving my legs around a bit and pressure on the footpegs, it will go straight. Never paid attention to which way it wanted to veer before.

--Chris

I ran for several miles Saturday and moved and turned on the Interstate by leaning an elbow out, or an "air brake" with a hand will make it move more than you realize. I think it's kind of fun to see how a little pressure or aero influence will steer these things!:clap :banana

Yeppers, I've gone no-handed a couple of times on the interstate. Sometimes I'll let go when coasting toward a stoplight, also.

...I've even drank Pepsi and ate a bag of Combos while on my way to work...
I wish I could snack on the road. Lucky!

Only when I need my hands free to flap my elbows for effect.

Lead

I have done it but not often and I don't think it is the best way to see how your bike handles, so I didn't vote. :(
There is definitely nothing safe about it, even for a short time.

I sometimes take my hands off at speed just to streetch my arms and fingers and to feel how it handles but not for miles. I wouldnt do it for more than a few yards cause its pretty unsafe and I dont have cruise ;)

Does anyone remember the scene from On Any Sunday where the road race bike happily continues down the track with the rider tumbling down the track beside it? It was in slow motion, and the rider tumbles about four or 5 times. I don't have the DVD to capture the shot, but the point is, the bikes do just fine without any input from the rider. In fact, we generally screw things up with our hands on the handlebars. You don't need the handlebars for anything but turning (well, except for throttle, brake and clutch. :D )

--Chris

i tried riding today on the pa turnpike at around 65mph. it went straight but i was uneasy about letting it go for more than 10 seconds. besides, i got to open her up a few times...and it was good.

Sally! (or is it "Nancy Boy" out East)

--Chris

Sally! (or is it "Nancy Boy" out East)

--Chris


yeah, we're called sally here too.

HA! I have friend from Dayton OH, and they're called "nancy boy's" there. When I called him "Sally" he looked at me as if I had two heads.

--Chris

i tried riding today on the pa turnpike at around 65mph. it went straight but i was uneasy about letting it go

Wuss:roflblack :clap :roflblack :D :D :D

You americans! Cruise control on your bikes?????
Can not beliece it!!!!

Carina- I just google earthed Norway and the roads I saw there are both hands at all times. There are places over here where you can ride for 1600 Km without a sweeper until you leave the slab for gas. As an old sidecar rider I can feel a tank-slapper coming before it gets serious. It really isn't as irresponsible as it sounds. Matt

BTW Carina- is there any trace of the wreck of the Tirpitz left near Trondheim or did salvage get it all?

Where did this come from? My post was made a couple of weeks ago. Matt

If someone answers the poll, the thread gets bumped up..............

That's what I meant, my Tirpitz post was weeks ago, my where did this come from... was today! why did it activate the the thread again?

When someone votes it kicks it back up to the top of the forum.

Nope, never do. This sport can be dangerous enough without looking for trouble.

http://www.gjcity.org/CityDeptWebPages/AdministrativeServices/InformationSystems/IS-Images/Potholes/SourceImages/04/Pothole%202.JPG
+
http://www.snafu.org/smbc/trips/dvspring00/p-2000-Apr-16-005.jpg
=
Not for me.

http://www.gjcity.org/CityDeptWebPages/AdministrativeServices/InformationSystems/IS-Images/Potholes/SourceImages/04/Pothole%202.JPG
+
http://www.snafu.org/smbc/trips/dvspring00/p-2000-Apr-16-005.jpg
=
Not for me.

The thread is about riding no hands... not with your eyes friggin closed! :roflblack

Ha Ha! LOL, but you get my point. :toungelau

I got such nonsense out of my head many years ago. Ever hear of Murphy's Law? Really wasn't much fun on the 40's HD springers with the manual steering dampeners.

How 'bout this guy...

No hands video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMjUiHIauhw&NR)

Indian Larry. Sooner or later

I go no handed to adjust ... whatever needs adjusted. I don't do it long.

I go no handed to adjust ... whatever needs adjusted. I don't do it long.


Yep, same here....zip up zip down or whatever..............

Friction steering dampers are deadly and I've disabled every one I've ever had. Sidecar time will let you know what a slapper feels like as it starts. The learning curve is steep. KOKAV is correct. Matt

Hell yea i do!!! It is really nice on the long interstate rides to lean back cross your arms and enjoy the ride! Get some interesting looks when you are passing some on with no hands...

I ride one handed often. No handed occasionally and briefly and for a reason.

Every time I remove or adjust a point of contact from my bike, even my fingers, I'm aware I'm changing the balance of things. Not so much the actualy physical balance, as the control balance. I am, to whatever degree, putting more control in outside forces.

As an old dirt rider, I find myself naturally riding with my left index finger on the clutch and my right outside three fingers on the brake when in traffic or riding hard. That means, my left hand, while having more contact than the right, is securing me to the bike via the three weakest fingers and my thumb. And my right is securing me by only the contact point between my index finger and thumb.

Pretty easy to break that hold. Ask any basic self-defense class graduate. And other than my feet and my ass that's the only contact I have with the bike. And it's the most critical. Hit a sharp pothole and how easily could my grip be dislodged? I think about these things as I ride, even if way in the back of my mind. The thought is there.

There is no way I would ever entrust my children's future to a one-way throttle lock and luck. Just wouldn't do it.

Do I understand the "fun" of doing it? Hell yeah. I did a lot of crazy shit on dirt bikes (on and off road) and still feel the twinge from time to time.

I suppose for me, these days, the difference is I get my kicks out of pushing me and the machine without antics. Being in control is my rush now. I grew out of being out of control.

I rode half way to laconia with my hands resting on my saddle bags, very comfy.

The Sportster is such a finely balanced bike that I find myself riding for miles (and minutes) at a time w/o touching the bars. Started doing it to reduce the numbness. There is one small town, that has a 4 mile stretch of 30 mph hwy. I use that stretch to smoke a ciggie. Steering with weight and lean is a piece of cake on a Sporty. Interstates are good for it too.

DON'T TRY THIS ON A CROTCH ROCKET

Not many roads long enough or straight enough around Mass.
besides my mother raised ugly kids not stupid ones:roflblack

Heck, I do it around town a lot. Adjusting my MP3 or digging in my pocket, Adjusting my helmit strap etc.
And sometimes will throttle with my left hand for a few mins to free up my right hand................

Riding with no hands as I was slowing down is how I found out the bike would initiate a front end speed wobble at about 40mph. Turned out to be the cupping of the crappy Dunflop tire. Replaced it wit a Metzler 880 and no more wobble.

Check this out... Extra handlebars mounted to the
frame, so it's just like ridin' without hands on the
bars. If you have any difficulty grasping countersteering,
this is the bike for you. Amazing how sluggish bosy
english is...

-Willy

www superbikeschool com / machinery / no-bs-machine.php

Generally don't, but will swing my arms out behind me, as I'm slowing down to stop, to stretch (if I know that part of the road very well).
The wife saw me do that (when she was in the cage) and said WT? was that Indian Larry deal !!!

I wonder how many times can I try this thing if I it fails in the first time????

I want the fun part of riding a bike and not any other way.

Cameron, XL 883 SS(Standard Stock):tour :banana

I got a ticket a few years ago for riding w/ no hands down a hill in Athens, OH...tried to give me wreckless op...but my $5 a quarter student advocacy fee paid off and we beat it in court...I run from nelsonville to Athens, about 13 miles, many times w/ no hands...probably because I'm lazy...
also, When it's cold some times going w/ no hands is essential

I'm a daily rider. In Texas, believe it or not--like today, it get's pretty cold. I ride back roads without alot of traffic, and at night. I'll crack the throttle, put my hands in my crotch, or pocket, or on the engine, and toast as the trees go by.:tour

I do it often when I am by myself, specially when I am on the 3 mile straight road going home. I made the mistake of doing it this weekend with the girl on the back, and got punched in the side, no more of that for me.

I have, but don't suggest it. Never had a throttle lock, but often I'll put my left hand on my leg or the tank. I have more issues spending 2 hours in bumper to bumper traffic with the clutch than I do with the throttle from long highway rides.

I like to lock the throttle down, take my hands off the bars, and swing them by my sides, like I am running really fast! I also like to pretend that I am flying, and put my arms straight out to the side as I "balance" through the corners. Not only is it fun, but it keeps the tailgaiters off my ass! :smoke

having been involved in racing (motorcycles and stock cars), I've seen a lot of wrecks..... hands free is a risk you just don't need to take.

Ww

I live in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Population estimated 150,000 people.

Last spring, from March 1 to April 30, the city's pothole blitz report recorded 39,091 patched hole.

Best to keep your hands on the bars till you make your way south a ways.

http://www.10-7.com/humor/photopages/pothole%20fishing.jpg

I do it all the time. It does help you to get a better feel for the balance of the bike. Some times I will put my gloves inside my jacket and when it starts to cool off in the evening I will use the throttle lock and put them on while I am riding down the road.

I have done some interesting things in my life like jumping from perfectly good airplanes, playing with bombs, and other stuff in the military, but my hands stay on the bars...I may take one off to adjust something but not both......

I've done it before to be able to say that I've done it, but I always have at least one hand on the handlebars now. Hitting the rear brake hard on the interstate because some yahoo pulled in front of you makes for some really interesting skid marks when you don't have your hands on the handlebars (and I'm not talking about skid marks on the asphalt either!).

I'll do it for a moment or two. but I also suffer from the AFFLICTED NY roadways...

of course, Us Lunguylanders seem to pay a dumpload in state taxes yet it's the county that fixes our roads... some are town and city as well..

Of course. How else should I make calls on the cell phone while opening a can from the six pack I store in my climate controled saddle bag. Dah!

Yes that way I can stretch out and take a nap. :chop

I guess I view it about the same as setting the cruise control on your car and letting go of the steering wheel. Yes you can give input to your bike by shifting your weight around. However it just seems like you are asking for trouble and probably trying to show off.

Whatever, its your life.

yes I can..... but I don't

Ww

Only to wipe the sweat off my hands.
:D

NO HANDS,NO BRAINS,NO S--T!!! BUT YEAH,ALMOST Every time I ride but usually no more than 10 or 15 seconds but NEVER EVER on the CROSS- BRONX!!!!!!LOL!!!!!


I ride with two hands on the wheel in the cage when I use the Cross Bronx man. that road is all sorts of bad when doing over 80.

Its a great way to make sure your bike is in good shape, chassis-wise, and that you are aligned...

There are several hills that I do this on OFTEN....

Sometimes on a smooth road without much traffic, like at 3:00 AM on my way home from work. (ok, just about every night!)LOL

Peace,
Mark:smoke

all the time on long trips

So looking at another poll compared to this one...

GLOVES
Mechanics Wear or similar - 11.84%
Leather, HD - 46.94%
raw doggin it - 15.92%
others.....tell us - 25.31%

NO HANDED
Are you Crazy....I would NEVER do that! - 15.20%
WHY would anyone do that? - 25.00%
Yes......I do it often! - 39.22%
Yes....It's a great way to learn how my bike handles! - 20.59%

...looks like a lot of folks afraid to get their cool gloves dirty!

Actually...

HELMET POLL
Lidless - 9.54%
Non DOT - Novelty - 7.76%
DOT - 1/2 - 30.47%
DOT - 3/4 - 16.47%
DOT - Full Face - 35.76%

SHORTS
YES - 31.30%
NO - 68.70%

NO HANDED
Yes......I do it often! - 39.22%
Yes....It's a great way to learn how my bike handles! - 20.59%

According to my analysis, you're all a bunch of fickle mush heads.

I do this often when my hands are falling asleep. When I rode out to Sturgis in 06 I actually clocked a length of 15 miles with no hands at 70 mph. I would not suggest anyone else try this do to the fact that I am a trained profressional YEAH !!!!!!!!! RIGHT. Have fun and do it how you do it.
Shawn

It's great as long as you don't hit a hole in the road, or meet an idiot coming the other way on the wrongside...

Unless you are on billiard table smooth tarnac and you are confident in what you are doing, it's not something I would advocate. Staying alive is hard enough without taking stupid risks...

anything over45 and I go into a violent head shake hands free but what the hell I'll try it


actully I've been known to put my feet up on the bars and lean back in a prone riding position kinda like sleeping on a hammock, love to see peoples faces when I pass them like that:smoke

Just something I never do....If I did...thats when the deer would jump out in front of me....

to many deer here to take your hands off. i will run with just my palms on the grips and flex my fingers.

The only guys I have ever seen doing it are guys who really can't ride for cr@p but are trying to make out they can ride for cr@p.
They get to a corner, put both hands on the bars, and slow down so much they are holding up the grannies in their station wagons behind.

As for this theory that you steer a bike at speed with weight, not with handlebars. Pure BS. You control a bike with countersteering at speed, ie pushing forward on the left bar to turn left, pushing forward on the right bar to turn right. Many riders just don't realise they are doing this, it is instinctive.
But try riding over winding canyon roads at 80mph without hands on bars and find out how much steering is done by weight alone.

Hey y'all:

Two big gryoscopes underneath you, at speed steer with weight. I like taking mine off when I'm slowing down.Freaked the wife out at first, until I explained the science of it to her. I ride at speed with just my throttle hand alot when I'm riding long distances and yes my Sportster will travel long distance.

Ride to Live and Live to Ride

Reb

You must have a lot of faith in your wife not to shift her weight. I've done it a few times (to see how straight the bike runs) but, NEVER with a rider. I also agree with Hopper, you don't steer with weight at speed, you countersteer.

VETRAN -- LOL

Riding no handed = riding no headed. Murphy's law usually will come into play in a situation like that ... take hands off handlebars .. the car in front of you will automatically slam on his brakes.

going from DC to Daytona once I actually was playing with this.. I managed to go for almost 20 minutes without hands :)

On a long ride in open space to relax a bit, why not? Certainly not in traffic.:doh

As was mentioned before of trying to proof how great you ride, that's just nonsense. It doesn't determine your riding skills, it's just too easy to do. :rolleyes:

The main problem to overcome is not falling asleep.:tour

Its sort of my way to remind myself I am not in control. More like out of control. :banana :banana

But try riding over winding canyon roads at 80mph without hands on bars and find out how much steering is done by weight alone.

:doh:doh:doh:doh:doh:doh:doh:doh:doh:doh:doh:doh:d oh:doh:doh:doh

Hell NO!!!! It would be just my luck to have a good song come on the radio just as I
took my hands off and my girl would kill us both (yeah, my sporty has a radio, AND a
fairing, AND footboards, AND saddlebags - I'm old and I like to be comfortable.)

Come on............i ride no handed..........one handed...........two handed.............sometimes no footed............whats the big deal!! :doh

I voted that I would never do that. I have actually only released the bars momentarily to confirm my suspicions that it pulls a little to the right. Anyone know what I can alter to get it to ride straight? Not that I want to ride no-handed but it would be nice to know the thing tracks correctly.

Thanks

Could be how you are sitting....could be a small mis-alignment in the rear wheel. Could be something as small as the mirrors aren't quite the same angle causing an "aero" pull!

And just so everyone knows:doh I don't ride no handed except once in awhile on the OPEN HIGHWAY:doh:doh Have I had cars pass me while doing it? YES.....was I worried I'd fall off or suddenly run into them:rolleyes::frownthre:frownthre:frownthre...NO!

You don't ride no handed in the twisties....or motocrossing, or roadracing, or flattracking.....or trials, or hillclimbing,etc.....etc....etc.:doh:doh

PS....If you aren't comfortable doing it....DON'T....but I am.....ON The Highway......where I can see....and during the daylight....because I won't ride after dark anymore......Too many critters....they are way more dangerous than riding no handed!;)

The beauty of kansas is the loooooong flat straightaways so I do it all the time. I figure if I got the stones to let go of the bars on my dirtbike when I land a jump the harley is no big deal. never had a close call knock on wood and most of the swooping turns can be done with out too. Just let it go man!!

I voted that I would never do that. I have actually only released the bars momentarily to confirm my suspicions that it pulls a little to the right. Anyone know what I can alter to get it to ride straight? Not that I want to ride no-handed but it would be nice to know the thing tracks correctly.

Thanks

A slight pull to the right could be the road surface as they are generally sloped that way (unless you're in the UK or similar places)

If you're on the level, most likely a slight rear wheel misalignment.

:doh:doh:doh:doh:doh:doh:doh:doh:doh:doh:doh:doh:d oh:doh:doh:doh

Some people have to be told this, and then still dont believe that you cant steer a bike without hands on the bars. One riding school even built a bike with handlbars mounted rigid to the frame of the bike. No one but no one has been able to make it go around corners. Many apparently dont believe it until they try it for themselves.
Check it out here:
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/10/09/motorcycle-countersteering-and-the-no-bs-bike/

I guess it's all about what one considers "steering" a bike. I will guarantee you I can ride down the highway and negotiate about any turn without touching the bars. I'm not talking 90 degree 15mph corners, that would take an idiot to ride no handed around that.....I'm talking running down the highway and being able to negotiate almost all the corners without touching the bars. I'm well aware of countersteering as I raced 1/4 and 1/2 mile flattrack for several years....and rode a bike for the 1st time in 1959.

G'day Mate!

I'll pull my hands off to adjust my glasses but thats about it...I'm a strong believer in the "you just never know" circumstance realm and no hands when a deer or dog jumps out in front of you sounds like a disaster to me...but if your confident then thats what counts...ride comfortable and in Your realm-

I guess it's all about what one considers "steering" a bike. I will guarantee you I can ride down the highway and negotiate about any turn without touching the bars. I'm not talking 90 degree 15mph corners, that would take an idiot to ride no handed around that.....I'm talking running down the highway and being able to negotiate almost all the corners without touching the bars. I'm well aware of countersteering as I raced 1/4 and 1/2 mile flattrack for several years....and rode a bike for the 1st time in 1959.

G'day Mate!

I'd bet good money to see that :laugh :laugh :laugh:clap :banadanc:banana:clap:laugh :laugh :laugh:laugh


It can be done........just don't try this at home.........only trained professionals should attempt..........now if i only had those kinda riding skills!! :sofa :roflblack:roflblack

can anyone say..... INDIAN LARRY?

Some people have to be told this, and then still dont believe that you cant steer a bike without hands on the bars. One riding school even built a bike with handlbars mounted rigid to the frame of the bike. No one but no one has been able to make it go around corners. Many apparently dont believe it until they try it for themselves.
Check it out here:
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/10/09/motorcycle-countersteering-and-the-no-bs-bike/

So I just may be off your jist but I have a few friends that are pro stunt riders. I have seen them ride in circles and weave in and out of cones all while on the back wheel. With this theory of weight not being able to steer a bike and counter steering being "the only way" then how is this possible without a front wheel even on the ground? Check out this clip if you dont get what I mean.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpva7wdy_iE&feature=related

I always wanted to try it, but that death thing always holds me back.

LOL! +1 -I can't think of a single solitary reason that I would want to do that

Some people have to be told this, and then still dont believe that you cant steer a bike without hands on the bars. One riding school even built a bike with handlbars mounted rigid to the frame of the bike. No one but no one has been able to make it go around corners. Many apparently dont believe it until they try it for themselves.
Check it out here:
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/10/09/motorcycle-countersteering-and-the-no-bs-bike/

Hopper, the No BS bike theory is BS, it is more of a marketing tactic for his school. It is easy to ride no hands in a safe controlled, smooth area and negotiate the bike through mild corners just by leaning, weighting the pegs, aerodynamics (like holding out one hand) or a combination of all these tactics. Of course if you use counter-steering you can easily quickly flick the bike from side to side and it works better than any other method, but it does not mean that you cannot turn a bike without counter-steering.

I'm backing up BWP 5p on this one.

Someone also implied not to try this on a sportbike. It is just as easy on a sportbike as it is on a sporty, as long as the bike handles properly. As the old saying goes, “It’s 20% bike and 80% rider.”

Where I ride, the roads are so bad that when going over bumps my hands are the only part of me still touching the bike. It's like a friggin' rodeo. Also, there are time when you have to dodge some road debris and a quick flick of the bars is the only way I know to effect a sudden lane change.

I'd bet good money to see that :laugh :laugh :laugh:clap :banadanc:banana:clap:laugh :laugh :laugh:laugh


It can be done........just don't try this at home.........only trained professionals should attempt..........now if i only had those kinda riding skills!! :sofa :roflblack:roflblack


OK Motocrosser....explain us how you turned your bike in the air to set up for the next corner by "countersteering":D:D:p:laugh

C'Mon fly boy fess up!!!!!!:roflblack:wtf:toungelau:smackh

yea, it makes a really strong impression on the a-hole cager that you just passed when you hold both hands out-stretched and let those middle fingers fly! Plus it is the only way I can hold a Hustler and play with my pee-pee at the same time.

Hopper, the No BS bike theory is BS, it is more of a marketing tactic for his school. It is easy to ride no hands in a safe controlled, smooth area and negotiate the bike through mild corners just by leaning, weighting the pegs, aerodynamics (like holding out one hand) or a combination of all these tactics. Of course if you use counter-steering you can easily quickly flick the bike from side to side and it works better than any other method, but it does not mean that you cannot turn a bike without counter-steering.

I'm backing up BWP 5p on this one.

Someone also implied not to try this on a sportbike. It is just as easy on a sportbike as it is on a sporty, as long as the bike handles properly. As the old saying goes, “It’s 20% bike and 80% rider.”


I've seen it tried at advanced rider training courses, and the non believers were not able to corner without using the handlebars, even on a "safe controlled, smooth area and negotiate the bike through mild corners just by leaning, weighting the pegs, etc" as you say.

Weight distrubution and peg weighting sure help cornering, but they dont work on their own. Sure you can swerve the bike a very very little bit with no hands on the bars, but not enough to say your are in control. With a pedal bike or real small trail bike your body weight is enough to influence the steering more, but not on a bigger bike.

And the stunt riders on the back wheel: that is then a unicycle - a whole different set of geometry when that front fork castor effect is lifted off the ground. Same with a motocrosser in mid-air: The castor effect of the front forks, which holds a bike straight unless you push on a handlebar, does not work if the front wheel is off the ground. The front wheel cant hold a bike straight in mid air but it does when it is on the ground.

You never see any of those stunt riders - and there are heaps of videos of them - riding along cornering or weaving through traffic with no hands on the bars.
It can't be done.
If it could be done, those guys would be doing it.

Riding and guiding a bike with reasonable caster and trail is quite easy with no hands. In fact it is rather staightforward. It is also a good way to pull up your jacket's zipper, pulling on gloves and writing down cage's licence numbers to name a few.

However, actually steering with no hands is all fiction due to the science.

Newton's second law of motion still rules.

Shifting one's centre of gravity while moving in a straight line does not constitute as an external force it merely allows you to change the plane of the motion but not its direction. Changing planes involves the conservation of angular momentum because things are rotating as well as moving linearly and has nothing to do with steering.

Try it you might even like it.

Cheers;

OK Motocrosser....explain us how you turned your bike in the air to set up for the next corner by "countersteering":D:D:p:laugh

C'Mon fly boy fess up!!!!!!:roflblack:wtf:toungelau:smackh

It's called a Whip or Scrub...........an old BMX move...........most moto-x racers use it as well..........


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SacYtxxVkmU&hl

Riding and guiding a bike with reasonable caster and trail is quite easy with no hands. In fact it is rather staightforward. It is also a good way to pull up your jacket's zipper, pulling on gloves and writing down cage's licence numbers to name a few.

However, actually steering with no hands is all fiction due to the science.

Newton's second law of motion still rules.

Shifting one's centre of gravity while moving in a straight line does not constitute as an external force it merely allows you to change the plane of the motion but not its direction. Changing planes involves the conservation of angular momentum because things are rotating as well as moving linearly and has nothing to do with steering.

Try it you might even like it.

Cheers;



Don't tell these guys you can't ride no handed!!:banana

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUVXNeHa5EA&hl


Or this guy!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XetzCXUBIc4&hl


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLwUF-IGBlk&hl

Don't tell these guys you can't ride no handed!!:banana .....snip.....

No argument with you xllent01 about the riding with no hands or feet :) that's the easy part.

However, when the operative word is steering - big problems.:rolleyes:

Changing planes (geometrically speaking) or changing lanes is not steering its called guiding IMO.

Nice videos all the same.

Cheers;

No argument with you xllent01 about the riding with no hands or feet :) that's the easy part.

However, when the operative word is steering - big problems.:rolleyes:

Changing planes (geometrically speaking) or changing lanes is not steering its called guiding IMO.

Nice videos all the same.

Cheers;

Check out the NO BS bike............fine example how countersteering works!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nRUeEkS644&hl

I don't think anybody that really knows how to ride would dispute the countersteering method:doh:doh:doh:doh:doh

My point was / is.......you CAN ride down a 4 lane highway safely NO HANDED for mile after mile after mile....IN THE DAYLIGHT where you aren't worring much about critters racing out in front of you!:laugh

I've seen it tried at advanced rider training courses, and the non believers were not able to corner without using the handlebars, even on a "safe controlled, smooth area and negotiate the bike through mild corners just by leaning, weighting the pegs, etc" as you say.

Weight distrubution and peg weighting sure help cornering, but they dont work on their own. Sure you can swerve the bike a very very little bit with no hands on the bars, but not enough to say your are in control. With a pedal bike or real small trail bike your body weight is enough to influence the steering more, but not on a bigger bike.

And the stunt riders on the back wheel: that is then a unicycle - a whole different set of geometry when that front fork castor effect is lifted off the ground. Same with a motocrosser in mid-air: The castor effect of the front forks, which holds a bike straight unless you push on a handlebar, does not work if the front wheel is off the ground. The front wheel cant hold a bike straight in mid air but it does when it is on the ground.

You never see any of those stunt riders - and there are heaps of videos of them - riding along cornering or weaving through traffic with no hands on the bars.
It can't be done.
If it could be done, those guys would be doing it.

I disagree, I know for a fact that you can guide a motorcycle through corners keeping the bike within your own lane. We have many mountain roads around here with long sweeping corners and I have seen it done. Of course you cannot flick the bike from side to side like with counter-steering but it can be done to a limited degree. I won't try to convince you anymore, but you are wrong. I do agree with you that those in the BS video taking a riding course would likely not have the skills to corner a bike with no hands.

Doing whips in motocross/bmx (I have raced both) does require the use of the bars to munipulate the bike. The bars are normally cranked to one side and pushed down and away from the rider which manipulates the rear of the bike.

As for stunt riders doing wheelies, the bike is controlled with a hand brake for the rear wheel and the throttle. They can do circle wheelies by leaning the bike to one side and using the brake and throttle.

Check out the NO BS bike............fine example how countersteering works!!

The bike in the video seems to need the rigid bars and the rider must use his hands on them to setup an oscilation in the otherwise dampened (or zeroed ) standing wave as the bike is travelling. These addittional bars are required on this type of bike because of the limited caster/rake and the reduced trail.

I, like many others, can achieve the same temporary oscillation(s) with my hands in my pockets and knees clamped to the gas tank. This is due to the increased degrees of caster and the longer trail of my/our Sportsters.

Again changing lanes is just dampening out an unacceptable flick or oscillation in an otherwise non-vibrating string and is not a definition of active steering or active counter-steering IMO.


Even guiding a bike around a sweeping curve is only possible due to the angle of banking provided by the road and our vestibular's inate desire to maintain the bike's resultant forces ( both gravitational and centrifugal) always parallel to the vertical plane of the travelling bike. Yes it can happen with no hands on the handle bars as this style of guiding uses the natural omni present laws of nature.

The video provided by xllent01 above shows nicely how the pulse or the impulse of an external force, as in the sudden shifting of the riders's weight, can temporarily change the line or plane of the bike's motion which may be better termed as ' pulse steering' or simply passive guiding when done more slowly slowly.

Active steering does require at least one hand, foot, etc. to be attached to a set of movable handle/steering bars in order to exert a sustained external force for as long as the rider chooses.

Using the above definitions;

Pulse steering and or passive guiding steering - no handed - YES

Active steering - no handed - NO.

I hope most will at least agree with this position.:tour

Cheers;

Darn it FE Head:doh
I hate it when you lend practical, excellent knowledge to us dummys and teach us things!:laugh:laugh:laugh:D:p

I love riding no handed.....that way I can hold a beer in one hand, and flip off cops with the other ;-)

I guess in my case riding with no hands is something that I've grown out of with age. The novelty of maintaining control by just using my feet and knees wore off years ago, and these days I'd rather pull over and take a break. In my youth I did it a lot because I was always working the bike so hard that my hands needed to relax a bit, especially after a full day of carving up the canyons, or just because I could. These days I tend to ride more relaxed, and I seldom get aggressive enough for long periods that I need to relax my hands. If my hands get tired I generally pull over to rest my whole body. :wonderlan

When I get a car on my @ss I take my hands off the bars and stick my arms out and move around on the bike side to side, to get it to wobble. They always back off, its like colt 45, it works every time.

When I get a car on my @ss I take my hands off the bars and stick my arms out and move around on the bike side to side, to get it to wobble. They always back off, its like colt 45, it works every time.


Look out man I'm effin crazy!!! That's would be funny to be a hear what goes on in that car!:laugh

Watch this from 1:55 for riding no hands!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xeIrzZjJa0

Yeah, just back from a short ride..Went no handed..Still works for me :D

I like to do it when I go over a series of little hills, sorta reminds me of the Rebel Yell at Kings Dominion!

As for stunt riders doing wheelies, the bike is controlled with a hand brake for the rear wheel and the throttle. They can do circle wheelies by leaning the bike to one side and using the brake and throttle.

But can they do those same circles with two wheels on the ground and no hands on the bars? Methinks not.
I'm with FeHead above.

But can they do those same circles with two wheels on the ground and no hands on the bars? Methinks not.

See the video in my post 191 above.
Not only doing circles with no hands but touching the ground with his hand at the same time. And very tight circles at that! :wonderlan

Has anyone mentioned wind resistance? I use wind resistance at higher speeds when using no hands. To turn right, I open up my leg on the right side and twist my waist a little. This comes in handy when switching from goggles to sunglasses or vice versa. Usually though, I just compensate for slight crosswinds, when putting my sunglasses into my inside jacket pocket after switching to goggles on the highway. I can also steer with my hands out-stretched if I want to look like a birdie.:laugh Anyways, it's always safer to keep your hands on the bars, right?

Later,
Mark

Thanks for the tips on my bike pulling to the right. I'll start trying to get this figured out soon. It is very minimal but it is there so I want to fix it.

I do it often when cruising the interstate or some desert road here in arizona. Sometimes i just need to stretch and get some feeling back in my hand.

See the video in my post 191 above.
Not only doing circles with no hands but touching the ground with his hand at the same time. And very tight circles at that! :wonderlan

... at 5mph. The bike is basically falling over. There is virtually no gyroscopic effect from the wheels at that speed. That is why at that speed you don't countersteer, you actually turn the bars left to go left instead of pushing the left bar forward to turn left.

Still, it is damned amazing riding. But I wont be tryng it at highway speeds on my Sportster. No sir. Not me. I dont ride motorcycles because I like doing dangerous things.






Much. :D

There's only a few roads around here where you can do it - most of them are too rough for me to trust it. The first time I realized it could be done was when I was adjusting my glove coasting up to a stop sign and I realized that I didn't have my hands on the bars. After that, I had to go out on an empty road and try it out.

Never on the Freeway... This is California, too many Idiots out there looking for a reason and an opportunity to kill.

But I do do it most every morning on the way to work. I work in a rural residential area, and it's 4 am when I get there.

So when I'm coming into the area, I go like hell and get my speed up to 75, pull in the clutch, kill the motor, find neutral, and coast the last mile and a half. If I go 65, I have to push it up the last rise, and that SUCKS! I found that 75 allows me to hit my parking plate perfectly every time. If there is no traffic, and there usually isn't, I'll kill the lights and go no handed as well. I scared the shit out of a jogger a few weeks ago. Saw him, and got about 20 feet from him and hit the Lights and Horn.:laugh:laugh:laugh

Gotta love the silent belt.:smoke

That's cruel and awesome all at the same time!!!

a few miles?......no but a couple of hundred yards yeah

Only to mess around for a few seconds. Nothing serious.

I really don't see any need to ride no handed... but for those who want to... go for it... Tee :banana

Back in my younger and crazier days, yes all the time. Now I will do it for brief periods to relax and and give myself a bit of a break but a few miles? NO. :clap