LegUp LandingGear for full size Harley Davidson
Shortly after we mentioned the project by the University of Minnesota students to design and build landing wheels for paraplegic riders, I got a note from Michael at GoodGuys Powersports who told me there is a similar product, called LegUp LandingGear, already available commercially for full size Harley Davidson touring bikes. It's a pushbutton and computer controlled assembly that lowers wheels when you're coming to a stop and stabilizes the bike at rest.
Watching the video on the LegUp website, it looks like the wheels work pretty smoothly. You can raise them with a button or they will retract automatically when you begin to accelerate. When retracted, the lean angle is not affected and you can actually ride at slow speeds with the wheels down and they allow some lean to take place. You can only lower the wheels below 10 mph and they raise automatically above that speed.
The LegUp system is designed to work with your legs, it will support the bike unassisted but it is not really designed for someone who has no use of his or her legs, instead, it serves as an assist for those who would rather not move to a trike but are beginning to find the weight of a full size Harley a little more than they can easily handle, due to bad knees, bad hips or any other reason. It is also useful for those with shorter legs having a hard time with these 850 pound machines.
The LegUp LandingGear system is $2999 and can be installed without any permanent modifications necessary, you can remove it later if you sell your bike. Currently available for full size touring bikes, including the redesigned 2009 models, plus they're planning on adding more models in the future.
The system looks very unobtrusive and could be a nice addition for some folks. Now just add a Harley Davidson automatic transmission and you're set. It's no secret that many long time Harley riders are getting up in years and accessories like this can help extend their riding time on 2 wheels. Cool product.
Link: LegUp LandingGear
Related: Landing wheels for paraplegic riders
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{ 18 comments… add yours below ... }
Very, very cool. The most common complaint that I hear about the big FL’s, is the “parking lot” weight. If you make this product widely available, and moderatly priced, it will be a huge winner. I can think of several of my fellow FL riders who would leap at the opportunity to have acess to this wonderful development.( A Harley Davidson automatic trans is long overdue. So is a modern liquid cooled engine). Ride Safe, Mark.
I dunno – the very first thing that went through my head was “training wheels” – which is uncharitable, as is the other thought I had; “why on earth do you want a bike that weighs so much that this is necessary or useful?”
But all that aside, I think that Mark X has it right – this is something that will sell, and sell big if the price is right, because it really is useful for really big bikes.
What are the alternatives to big and heavy? If you want to ride two-up, go on longer trips and pack some stuff you need a bagger. Older riders may not be comfortable in a sport-touring crouch for long distances. I can’t think of any light, comfy touring bikes for two people.
Man.. and I already thought harley riders where a little silly….
Badass!
Some years ago (20+) there was more than one system available for use on Goldwings and the like. One was even developed, if not produced, here in the Rogue Valley in the town of Rogue River. All operated on the same principle as the one noted above with the exception they all had larger wheels. Nothing much new under the sun it would seem.
For Honda riders:
http://www.trikealternative.com/retractatrike.shtml
I gotta think that ‘bigger/heavier’ is not always the best option. Maybe one of the 900ish V-twins made by the Japanese? or a standard?
If the onus is on the ‘tradition’ of having a big pig…er, “road bike”, then we’ll continue to see silly things like this pop up to accomodate people with more scooter than they can realistically handle. If people can be honest with themselves they’ll buy the bike that fits their frame, their actual physical requirements and not continue chasing an image to play dress-up on weekends….
aw forget it. Buy a sled and put training wheels on it. Feel your bliss. I’ll try not to laugh.
This is about as ridiculous as having a car that parallel parks for you. I’m not going to elaborate on why having the simple skill of balancing your bike or having control of your own vehicle is important. There is a reason why the FAA makes it illegal to use auto-pilot to land planes.
I have a hunch most of the critics here are young and never give the idea of bad knees or a bad hip a second thought. Even some of the best long time riders can get to the point where an assist might be nice and that’s the point of these wheels. Keep your comments and feelings about this in mind as you age, there may be a shift in your perspective. In fact, I can almost guarantee it.
I think that is an ingenious product. People with limited mobility due to physical limitations do not necessarily have poor riding skills. More than youth, I think many of the negative comments are based on another bias. Suffice to say, if this same product were demonstrated on a Gold Wing or the Vulcan 1700 Voyager, I think the comments would be different.
I wonder how many of those who don’t approve of this sort of thing have a phony image of themselves and their bike (assuming they actually ride one). I also wonder of the above who would snicker at a stopped rider with one of these would be doing so whilst sitting in a car.
There are a lot of disabled vets would love something like this – they’d flatten the above badass snickerpusses in an arm wrestling match.
no offence meant, I just think it’s an amusing device for a Harley…the antithesis of the ‘hard man ‘ image. if you featured it on a Gold Wing, you’d assume it was standard equipment!
I’m a critic with two screws and the arthritis to prove it in his left knee, a result of a get off in ‘92.
My real point is that everyone has to decide what is the right bike for them. If you are limbless and chose to ride, then make those adjustments as needed.
But if the discussion is one of “I want too much bike for my realistic needs – are there assists that will allow me to have too much bike?”, then yes, I’m a critic.
We all, riders and non-riders, need to learn to live and ride within our actual means, and that includes size, shape, condition and ability.
On the plus side, if it fails at least you won’t be going faster than 10mph.
I have fuzzy memories of hitting gravel on a skateboard at speed, and have a feeling those small wheels will have similar issues as a skateboard does.
Was I going 10mph or less, or way faster on that skateboard? Felt faster, but I’m guessing.
The real world is not the pristine smooth, gravel and hole less parking lot depicted in the picture.
$3000 !!!! …WOW. You will need at least one good arm and leg to pay for this thing!
MAX, why don’t you build it for less?
I could…..but I really don’t see a market for this thing. Product liability alone would scare the begeezus out of me ‘cuz you know you’ll get sued every time someone takes a tumble equipped with this contraption. They sue everyone, lol.
The Kneeslider does not endorse nor imply agreement with any particular comment just because we let it stand, but, you already knew that.
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