Throttle Harley Davidson...Beginner...Stock...Too touchy...?

  • Thread starter Thread starter cesurbrug
  • Start date Start date
C

cesurbrug

Guest
I recently bought my first Dyna Harley and I'm still feeling it out. I'm taking a riding course soon to get better, but the biggest thing freaking me out as I'm getting the feel of the weight and everything is the throttle. It is crazy touchy. I'll just get up to where I'm switching gears and I'll turn the throttle maybe a millimeter and I'm off to the races. There doesn't seem to be any consistency and it turns so easily that I'm constantly gunning it. It still has the stock handgrips. Someone suggested that buying the custom handgrips from the HD store might solve the problem. i.e. the throttle won't turn as easily. Any suggestions?? Yes, I know the Harley wasn't the ideal bike to learn on, but I am so anyone just writing to tell me how stupid I am can save it.
 
Course, you did not say if the bike is new or not...

Don't waste money on aftermarket parts. The most likely problem is your right hand-it's out of position, causing you to add throttle when you accelerate. This is not unusual, especially since the Dyna has a crazy power to weight ratio...

Otherwise, there are two ways to fix this problem. The first is a heavier throttle return spring. The second is to adjust the throttle cables so the action is stiffer. Either one should be done by a mechanic.

Of course, there is a fourth option. Take it to a Harley certified (preferrably dealer) mechanic and have the throttle assembly inspected. If the shop says there is nothing wrong, learn to ride your ride. I own three Harley's, my first bike was a Harley (I don't care about other people's opinions at all), anyone who rides one knows that you can line three "identical" bikes up side by side and none will ride like the others, each has its own personality. My primary ride is a '96 FLSTC-N (Harley guys understand, everyone else is a poser) and the throttle has a medium action. My girlfriends XLH has a very light throttle action. My dresser has a heavy throttle. Anyone who rides a long time will tell you that a stiff throttle makes for a sore wrist-the lighter the action (touchier) the longer you can ride without fatigue. My XLR 1200 has a light throttle and I can ride it for days non stop with no trouble. If it is mechanically O.K., learn to ride your ride.

BTW, the MSF course will not make you a better rider, miles under your butt will. Ride safe!
 
It's all controlled by cables and they may need to be adjusted changing the grips won't do anything unless they are adjusted properly as well, but they might feel or look better It's not a hard thing to do the adjustment but since your new to Harley you might want to get someone with experience to give you a hand with it
 
It is tough love time.

The biggest problem is with your hand and lack of what is between the ears.

Once you get some practice and finish the MSF course, problem will be gone. Its just like the first time anyone drives a stick shift and dumps the clutch. It s always the spring and petal, not the drivers fault.

Now go drink a beer and relax.
 
The MSF course may very well make you a better rider. Damn sure will make you a safer one. Nothing more sad than some guy on his cruiser that needs to drag his feet/put them down/back up to do a U turn.
 
Hi,
An old friend of mine use to swap bikes with me on long rides. He had a Harley and I had a rice burner (Very Fast Too) He'd just disapear and I'd play catch up, but the problem was his Harley had a quarter throttle and it reacted the same as your bike. Check to see of you have a quarter throttle set-up. This is why it seems to be full on with just a slight twist. It was never very fast just jumpy.
 
Back
Top