Hello from Farmington Hills

[Triumphant1]

I've got a lowered 2013 Triumph Trophy that I love. Beautiful, sophisticated and super comfortable! I'm just trying to learn how to operate a large bike at slow speeds. Tips are welcome.

[1675]

Welcome. Only advice I can give is that its top heavy, especially with a full tank. Okay once on the move though.

[Coconut]

Hi Triumphant1 ( Great choice of User Name ! ) and to the Club !

First of all - you have 1215 Cubic Centimetres, with 132 BHP ...
Why do you want to ride SLOWLY ??? ! 

Seriously though, the Trophy IS a big, heavy machine ( 301 Kg / 662 lbs ),
yet once it starts rolling it is deceptively light.

To ride slowly, just Relax - Relax your shoulders, and don't grip the handlebars tightly.
LOOK ahead at where you want to go - not at the ground directly in front of you, and PRACTICE !

Find a big open space - like a Walmart Car park when they are closed,
( other Supermarket brands are available ), and practice riding "Figures of Eight",
making the turns tighter as your confidence builds, and practice riding as slowly as you can even up to
the point of stopping / almost stopping without putting your foot down, before setting off again,
slipping the clutch as necessary to keep the bike under control.

Keep your right hand well away from the front Brake Lever ( otherwise known as the "Falling Off Handle ),
until you are super confident, and then only in a straight line, and try dragging the rear brake slightly
when turning at slow speeds - which can help with stability.

Going back to the Trophy being a HEAVY machine - consider that every time you stop.
If it starts to tip over it will be quite strenuous to stop it !

YOU have to keep it from falling over, so look at where you are going to stop, and consider :

• Is the surface good - No loose Gravel,  White Paint, Spilt Fuel etc,
  that might be slippery under your boots - if your foot slips, its LIKELY you're going DOWN !
• The Camber of the road and your Leg Length - If the road "leans" to the right,
  and you usually stop Left foot down, you might need to change that to Right Foot down,
  and this may require the last phase of the stopping manoeuvre to be carried out
  using the front brake -  so ensure you are riding straight and level and use the brake very gently !
  

Consider spending a few £££'s / $$$'s ( Insert your own currency here ) at a local Riding School,
for some Low Speed manoeuvring lessons - the cost of which will probably be considerably less
than the cost of replacing or repairing scratched & broken Fairing Panels & Body work !

Cheers 

[Triumphant1]

Thank you for the very useful advice! I ordered a video called "how to ride like a Motorcycle cop," It mentioned many of your recommendations as well. The best advice I think is to practice. I think I'll remove the sidebags as a precaution and then practice the figure eights as you suggest, in a Walmart or some other large empty lot. I've been riding for many years, but only noticed my poor technique when I got the big bike. Once it's rolling, it feels pretty light and nimble. Thanks again.

John

[HACKLE]

Triumphant1.  Like Coconut says, practice,practice. If you still have a leg problem [can't touch the ground comfortably], here's a little thing I did when I had A BMW GS Adventure. I got my local boot repair man to remove the sole from my riding boots and then put a 20mm insert [extra sole]on the bottom and then replace the original sole. Effectively making my leg longer. Cheers. 

[Dad]

Hello from Middle Tennessee, and welcome. I found mine a bit top heavy at first, then I removed the trunk and it changed completely

[Stoney]

Welcome aboard!  Farmington Hills sounds familiar - must be something Chrysler related there.  I've worked for Chrysler product dealers for over 40 years, so my ears perk up when I hear certain towns mentioned!  The others are right, from adding height to your boots to just practicing riding (Daytona makes a boot with an extra thick sole).  Slowly it will come natural to you every time you mount the saddle.  Enjoy & ride safe!

 

[Triumphant1]

Thanks to all who've responded! I too, have felt the bike to be a bit top heavy, and I do use the top trunk to hold stuff like extra gloves, Plex cleaner, detailing junk etc. I should at least store that stuff in the panniers to lower the center of gravity I guess. And practice. Maybe I should practice first with the top trunk and panniers removed and put them back on once I get more skilled.  Here's a question: does the mode (comfort, normal and sport) affect the seat height? I've had a lowering kit added to the bike and that helped immensely, but I can use every mm I can get. I'm 5'8", but most of my  height is in my torso...sigh...