What do you struggle with...

[jack_bm]

I think my main struggle is taking the third exit or going all the way round a round about, i always seem to go wide, probably with a little bit of target fixation, i just always seem to go wider, i probably need to slow down even more but that seems to slow... i will be going to a parking lot to practice my slow manovours as i havnt had a chance with this bike since i got it so hopfully that will help

What do you struggle with?

[jp129]

Dealing with cagers that are on the phone, texting, reading a book, or just plain stupid/inconsiderate.

[jack_bm]

Originally Posted by jp129

Dealing with cagers that are on the phone, texting, reading a book, or just plain stupid/inconsiderate.

i agree with you on that, i hate that so much theres nothing wrong with pulling over to text or phone someone.

[EthioKnight]

PARKING!!
I'm 5'6'' and there have been certain instances where I parked my bike on an incline and I had to stand besides and push it out while plenty of onlookers looked on, so freaking embarrassing.
So, now, every time I go to park in an area new to me, it's with a bit of anxiety. But I'm getting better at backing up...

[jack_bm]

Originally Posted by EthioKnight

PARKING!!
I'm 5'6'' and there have been certain instances where I parked my bike on an incline and I had to stand besides and push it out while plenty of onlookers looked on, so freaking embarrassing.
So, now, every time I go to park in an area new to me, it's with a bit of anxiety. But I'm getting better at backing up...

didnt see that one coming! i hate backing up into a space but i always park my bike facing out so if some cager hits her it wont push it fowards leaving the side stand to possibly pushed up meaning it would fall

[Nemesis]

Originally Posted by EthioKnight

PARKING!!
I'm 5'6'' and there have been certain instances where I parked my bike on an incline and I had to stand besides and push it out while plenty of onlookers looked on, so freaking embarrassing.
So, now, every time I go to park in an area new to me, it's with a bit of anxiety. But I'm getting better at backing up...

The more you practice parking in various angles/positions/etc. the more likely quickly learn to adapt without having to get off & push the bike. For example, you'll learn how to maneuver the bike just by pushing/moving the bike with one leg. Just relax and breathe.

Also, hit the gym while you're at it.

[avneet]

Parking lots at my University. People never seem to pay attention when backing out. I ride very slow in the parking lots for that reason. Even then, I have to hit the brakes as I see a cars reverse lights come on and they are into the street 1 second after. Once almost got t-boned like that at low speeds because she was reversing without looking straight back. I gave the girl one of those sideways helmet stares (the "what the heck" stare).

[jack_bm]

Originally Posted by avneet

Parking lots at my University. People never seem to pay attention when backing out. I ride very slow in the parking lots for that reason. Even then, I have to hit the brakes as I see a cars reverse lights come on and they are into the street 1 second after. Once almost got t-boned like that at low speeds because she was reversing without looking straight back. I gave the girl one of those sideways helmet stares (the "what the heck" stare).

Im also cautious in parking areas, i think once that's happened one time your more careful after that, i know i am

[jack_bm]

actually i have a question to do with the round about thing, i think im scared or panic because a lot of times on my 125 when i was learning to ride in the winter i slipped a few times on them due to spilt oil from trucks etc, if you cant see any oil on a dry day... will you still slip? i think thats the main thing for me.

Also how long does it take tires to warm up so you can really lean?

[nixthewiz]

U turns. I can never do one smoothly without jerking.

[cuz]

speed in wet conditions i slid so much i wana turn the 250 into a drift bike

[Jono]

Keeping the rubber side down.

[silverhana]

coming to a stop light/sign without feeling like I'm about to tip over ><!!!

any suggestions to improve my braking??

[KawiKid860]

Not being a squid. Wheelies and knee dragging are just so fun...

[jack_bm]

Originally Posted by silverhana

coming to a stop light/sign without feeling like I'm about to tip over ><!!!

any suggestions to improve my braking??

What do yuo mean feeling like your about to tip over? is that when your actually at a stop or coming to a stop?

Originally Posted by KawiKid860

Not being a squid. Wheelies and knee dragging are just so fun...

I yet to be able to get my knee down, i'll give it a try when i have leather trousers

[KawiKid860]

Okay exagerating lol, Havent had my knee down yet, but had it really far over the other day :P was an empty, very tight turning exit ramp... not quite the track but not totally unsafe.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by jack_bm

What do you struggle with?

reality.

[Xoulrath]

Originally Posted by alex.s

reality.

I second and fully endorse this response.

[Rexbo]

Originally Posted by jack_bm

What do you struggle with?

Bears. They are strong and have sharp teeth.

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by nixthewiz

U turns. I can never do one smoothly without jerking.

feather the clutch, and give it just a little rear brake as you turn. U-turns = butter smooth.

[Slono]

I struggle trusting the grip on my tires. Even though I only ride in the city and on freeways, I always go super slow on the on/off ramps and don't lean much when making turns in general. Is this fear justified, or am I being paranoid?

[avneet]

Originally Posted by Slono

I struggle trusting the grip on my tires. Even though I only ride in the city and on freeways, I always go super slow on the on/off ramps and don't lean much when making turns in general. Is this fear justified, or am I being paranoid?

Same here. I try not to lean to much here in Santa Cruz. The streets are already broken as is, at least up on campus. In the morning the streets are wet from the ocean mist. I'd rather not slip here and take the turns slower

[choneofakind]

Slono, as long as they're warm, you're being paranoid. The irc roadwinners on the current bikes aren't bad, at least they weren't when I test road my buddy's bike. They didn't feel as confident as my tires though. You're fine on those. But once they wear out, buy better ones.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by Slono

I struggle trusting the grip on my tires. Even though I only ride in the city and on freeways, I always go super slow on the on/off ramps and don't lean much when making turns in general. Is this fear justified, or am I being paranoid?

truth: you dont need grip or traction to go where you want to go. just give it more gas.

[jack_bm]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Slono, as long as they're warm, you're being paranoid. The irc roadwinners on the current bikes aren't bad, at least they weren't when I test road my buddy's bike. They didn't feel as confident as my tires though. You're fine on those. But once they wear out, buy better ones.

That put my mind slightly at rest, i read all these things about them being bad so now im like super nervous about them haha nice to know that you find them not to bad but will be deffinatly be upgrading once they were out think tehy was new when i bought the bike though will have to wait a while

[leed]

Originally Posted by EthioKnight

PARKING!!
I'm 5'6'' and there have been certain instances where I parked my bike on an incline and I had to stand besides and push it out while plenty of onlookers looked on, so freaking embarrassing.
So, now, every time I go to park in an area new to me, it's with a bit of anxiety. But I'm getting better at backing up...

I push mine too when I'm lazy and I'm 5'7" with short legs. Sometimes it's just more worth it to get off and roll it instead of the possibility of losing stability (sand, dirt, rocks, oil, water, etc) while on the bike and tiptoeing backwards. I take no shame, though. Besides, if I get a bike that's any bigger than our Ninjettes, I'm going to have to do it no matter what.

[TBC]

I'll admit it: downshifting. Just can't quite get the hang of it . Just need the weather and the time to practice more...

[nickjpass]

I struggle with trigonometry...oh wait...this is a motorcycle forum! I don't have one!

[Firehorse]

Sounds like we all struggle with things we can practice and improve at so that's good

Braking, practice smoothness. This improves anyone's technique. Even emergency braking is best done smoothly - it's just really fast but still a PROGRESSIVE squeeze, no grabbing.

U-turns. Usually a problem of not looking where you should. I had to force myself to look back over my shoulder to get my u-turns smooth. Kinda scary at first. If you were on a bicycle, you would do it naturally without a thought - trust yourself. Your body has it all worked out in a flash, eyes and brain and body will just do it but you need to look where you want to be and trust yourself.

Those two above are the first things I'll be catching up on in the spring when I get my bike back.

Haven't done a round-about yet but maybe it's the same thing, looking where you want to go and adjusting speed to keep yourself in the tire tracks and not the center where the oily bits are?

Downshifting. I've still got work to do there before I'm any good at it but for a while I used the numbers in the manual for the rpms to shift from 4 to 3rd and spent a night toodling around just for the purpose of practicing that. I don't look at the rpms anymore so it must have helped for all the shifting.
Worth doing it a few times by the book so you can feel what a "pefect" downshift feels like. Again SMOOTH release of the clutch.

Cold tires: I read that the IRCs take about 45 mins of cold riding to warm up. Don't know if this is true but I don't lean when it's really cold out until I've done a few hard stops and they feel good.

Parking: I've become a hawk at finding slight grades in parking lots...
Makes my take offs much nicer. That's what I struggle with. My take-offs suck. Bike still wants to stall after I get going a few feet. Maybe the revs. Used to give it too little throttle but now maybe I give it too much. Practice should iron that out.
I hope.

Good topic, hope to hear more useful comments.

[choneofakind]

Ms. T work on the clutch control. It sounds to me like you're letting it out too quickly. If you have to, practice getting the clutch just to the point where the bike starts inching forward. Then give it a little gas, and smoothly let the clutch out. Basically that will become muscle memory and you'll be able to do it quickly and smoothly and work up to being able to launch hard or get moving quickly when facing up hills

[Firehorse]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Ms. T work on the clutch control. It sounds to me like you're letting it out too quickly. If you have to, practice getting the clutch just to the point where the bike starts inching forward. Then give it a little gas, and smoothly let the clutch out. Basically that will become muscle memory and you'll be able to do it quickly and smoothly and work up to being able to launch hard or get moving quickly when facing up hills

Nope, sadly I already went through that phase. I can toodle around using only the clutch and brake. Could ride for ages like that, slow obstacle courses, no problem. Don't have trouble on hills these days either.
Starting onto the throttle, no problem at first, get going and all is well as long as it's slow. As soon as I give it more throttle, if the bike is cold, it dies. It's like it hates to go from 10kph to 30kph in a short space of time. No problem if I slowly increase my speed, 5, 10, 15, putter putter,,,20, 25..


Since it doesn't do this when it's warm, I thought that was the problem but them I tried take-offs in a parking lot after I rode there. No problem once the bike is running. If I turn the bike off and start from scratch, it's back again.

If I ride for ages, no problem, can take off from a light quickly. If I were to turn off the bike at the same light and try it, it would want to stall at about 15kph. I can usually save it by a full on yank in of the clutch or letting it die and hitting the start button again.

It's almost like the gas gets cut off at about 15 or 20kph. Doesn't seem to make a difference if I'm holding the revs high or not.

My instructor told me that I could let the clutch out a bit faster than I do,

I'm going to video someone else doing a perfect take off on my bike and then video me doing it. I should be able to catch what the issue is. Someone here suggested that.

oops sorry for the loonggg reply...

[choneofakind]

This might sound stupid, but are the carbs completely stock?

[Firehorse]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

This might sound stupid, but are the carbs completely stock?

Never a stupid question when you're helping out a newbie! Something that would be obvious to an experienced rider could be a complete mystery to me.

Carbs are stock, the bike is brand new, bought in May 2011 but couldn't really ride it until Sept.

History of my stalling issue:
Constant stalling at first.
Couldn't take it to the dealer to check because all summer I thought it was me and without being able to get out into the very fast traffic in front of my house, I just trailered it to places to practice. Still stalled too often.

Late summer, I found out that I hadn't learned about using the clutch, finally spoke to someone who rode a motorcycle. Got through my whole first course without using it properly, only used it to shift, never for starting or slow riding, dirtbike didn't need it. .Instructors never noticed a thing and I didn't know any better.

Took another course late august to fix the clutchwork issue once I found out about it and it was awesome, like a whole world opened up. Got through the course with flying colours and scraped a peg in the cones (still my only claim to fame). But then I was back at home and can't make my bike takeoff from a cold start like I could with the cbr125.
As long as the traffic is next to nothing for the initial take-off, I still ride. Ride all over, it's fabulous but I still have this issue from a cold start.

Already turned up the idle. Was set at about 800.. got it to a happy spot at 2300 where it wouldn't have that issue and slowly sneaked it back down to about 1800rpm.

Any other ideas I should look at? I still think it's something I'm doing but there's always a scary thought in the back of my head that it might be something about the bike. At least if it's just me, I can work it out.

[choneofakind]

Check out the DIY shimming thread.

by stalling issue, I'm assuming that you mean it sputters a little at about 5-7 mph when taking off from a stop right? not completely stalling and dying to the point where you have to restart it?

if that's the case, the fact that it only happens when the bike is cold, but not when warm tells me it's a a possible lean issue in the low-midrange and 1/4-1/2 throttle opening, which is where the needles take effect. You might benefit from 1 washer on each needle. At least, it wouldn't hurt anything to try it and see if the change is good, bad, or no change at all.

[Firehorse]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Check out the DIY shimming thread.

by stalling issue, I'm assuming that you mean it sputters a little at about 5-7 mph when taking off from a stop right? not completely stalling and dying to the point where you have to restart it?

I've got that mod on my desktop waiting for spring! It's very well explained and looks doable even for a newb. Sometimes it does completely stall at about that speed. I read an article in one of the MC mags and they said that is the first mod they would do to a ninja because of this problem. They said something to the effect of 'anemic idle and sluggish off the light performance leading to upset tailgaters and requires true finessing of the clutch"
Hmm, yep, sound like the issue. Maybe I have their test bike...

if that's the case, the fact that it only happens when the bike is cold, but not when warm tells me it's a a possible lean issue in the low-midrange and 1/4-1/2 throttle opening, which is where the needles take effect. You might benefit from 1 washer on each needle. At least, it wouldn't hurt anything to try it and see if the change is good, bad, or no change at all.

Thanks, that will be my first real mod. The article also suggested the sprockets as well. It didn't seem to happen on all the ninjas they tested.

Lean issue, yes, I should have mentioned that I keep the choke on at least a little bit for ages. I think you may have it Sherlock.

I'm so looking forward to spring. The problem will be fixed no matter what the reason is because when it works perfectly, the acceleration is a blast!

[RaZeDaHeLL]

What do I struggle with? Backing up on inclined surfaces. I always hold the front break when backing up ever since I tipped over on an uneven surface. It's because I'm short.

Originally Posted by silverhana

coming to a stop light/sign without feeling like I'm about to tip over!!! any suggestions to improve my braking??

Try breaking easy. Apply the breaks well before you have to stop. The faster you slam on the breaks, the more unstable you will be when you actually stop.

[cbdallas]

I still struggle with anxiety in fast-moving, high-traffic situations. I know it comes from my wreck in 2009. Sometimes it gets so bad I just have to exit the highway and take side streets to my destination. It's even worse if it's windy. I never had that issue pre-2009. I wish I could get over it.

[Motofool]

You are doing the correct thing by exiting the highway.

Your mind can get overwhelmed with stimulus and worries and panic and lead you into a self-defeating situation in heavy traffic.

I am in that environment about 95% of my riding time; and I have felt the same when things become hairy, like entering a shower or an accident scene, which drive cagers crazy.

The ideal state of mind (very hard but not impossible to achieve) is that one in which you observe everything happening around you without thinking at all, just ready to take automatic evading action (controlling breathing helps a lot).

Being automatic, that evading action may not be the best of all the possible ones, but it is always better than over-reacting or freezing up.

What do I struggle with?
Cagers tailgating me and texting or talking to a passenger at the same time.
I just had one of those last evening.
They just take too much of my attention from the road ahead.

[Nemesis]

Originally Posted by jack_bm

What do you struggle with?

Honey Badgers! Damn little suckers do whatever they want cuz they don't give a F@@K. They're not afraid of anything...and I am. I hate them.

[silverhana]

Originally Posted by jack_bm

What do yuo mean feeling like your about to tip over? is that when your actually at a stop or coming to a stop?

lol, coming to a stop, but so far I've been braking lightly just before the stop, so it's gotten better. yay!