Top heaviness

[pat8228]

I have a C10 right now and planning on buying a C14 soon. I know my C10 is very top heavy and a bear at very slow speeds (less than 15 mph), How does the C14 compare to the C10 in top heaviness and slow speed maneuvering?
Thanks in advance for your help.

[MrPepsi]

Pretty similar.

[maxtog]

Pretty similar.

Yep.  Once it is moving, it is fine.  But at slow speeds, it is pretty top heavy.  Of course, I imagine many large [real/non-cruiser] bikes are.

[ZG]

Top heavy is not always a bad thing... 

[Son of Pappy]

Top heavy is not always a bad thing... 

And her name is------Connie, right? 

[martin_14]

And her name is------Connie, right?

of course... otherwise it wouldn't belong here and Mr. Loctite would be doing its thing... 

[twowheeladdict]

I have no issues with slow speed maneuvers on any of my bikes.  When I get a new bike I practice the MSF maneuvers in a parking lot at work until I have them down.  I also have to enter work through a guard post so I quickly get used to feathering the clutch while holding the rear brake (another MSF maneuver) so I don't have to put my feet down.  If you have not taken an MSF course I would recommend at least doing the one day advanced rider course.  You might be surprised what you learn.

[VirginiaJim]

of course... otherwise it wouldn't belong here and Mr. Loctite would be doing its thing... 

You rang?

[ZG]

You rang?

Nothing to see here Sparky... 

[Awaz]

I did the advanced rider course and it did an amazing job to boost my confidence. Now the top heaviness does not bother me much at all. Now I find it hard to ride my cruiser - the darn thing do not want to turn ! lol

[Son of Pappy]

Training is indeed the answer.  The dreaded MSF "Box"?  One handed, left and right, inside the '20 section.  This bike is what it is and rider modification is needed, applies equally to other bikes.  Vision, body position, and appropriate counterweighting.

[lonekazoo]

I just made the switch to a C14.  I'm a lightweight (6', 160 soaking wet), and I don't find the C14 any more topheavy or intimidating than the C10.   It's a little harder to maneuver *backwards* because the C14's foot pegs stick out much further, catching on my legs.  I never dropped the C10 during the 3 years I owned her, but within a week of my selling it, the new owner has already dropped it.

My wife does not like mounting/unmounting the C14 at all, I'm looking at larger rear pegs, and maybe lowering them.  The closest times I have come to dropping the new bike have been when my wife hops on with a little too much gusto.  I'm now in the habit of putting the side stand down beforehand.

I couldn't care less about all that stuff once I get on the throttle...

[katata1100]

When parking, I always try to park it with nose out so that I don't have to walk it backwards. It is top heavy, very top heavy when on road trips.
You can't see all the stuff that is packed, but with the side bags and 50l trunk bag full, you sure feel it in a parking lot.

[maxtog]

Now I find it hard to ride my cruiser - the darn thing does not want to turn ! lol

Or accelerate
Or stop
Or corner
Or idle

[MrPepsi]

Or start
or use the piddle pads

[maxtog]

When parking, I always try to park it with nose out so that I don't have to walk it backwards.

I don't just try, I *HAVE* to, or my trip would likely be over if the slope were just a bit too much.

[booger]

Never had a C-10, so I don't know how they compare.
The only time I had problems with the C-14 was backing the dang thing out of the garagewhich necessitated swinging it back 90 degrees.

[Awaz]

Or accelerate
Or stop
Or corner
Or idle

 

It pisses on the garage floor more than it gets to **** out in the road, but still do not have the heart to get rid of it. Had it for about 10 years now I think. Still starts up after a bit of coaxing in the morning, still runs strong. Many a times I thought about selling it for a modern cruiser, but....

[twowheeladdict]

It pisses on the garage floor more than it gets to **** out in the road, but still do not have the heart to get rid of it. Had it for about 10 years now I think. Still starts up after a bit of coaxing in the morning, still runs strong. Many a times I thought about selling it for a modern cruiser, but....

A fatboy with holes in the wheels.  It just doesn't look right like that.  My mean streak only gets ridden a couple thousand miles a year, but they are fun miles so I can't see parting with it even if I don't travel with it.

[pat8228]

Thanks everyone for the replies.
I probably should have been more clear on my slow speed maneuvering statement. It's not that I can't, just at some of the situations I find myself in it can wear me out. I've gone through wildlife preserves on gravel roads with a line of cars in front driving at 0 to 10 mph for miles. Just trying to balance it for a long time at slow speeds can be rough. I've been riding for 33+ years and put over 20k miles a year on my bike. Just compared to my old cruisers, which was heavier, I could ride at the slower speeds easier. Don't get me wrong I still love my Concours and wouldn't go back to the cruiser. I just was trying to prepare  my self for the newer concours, will it maneuver better, worst, or stay the same.
Thanks again for all the comments.