Class... Class??!! What Riding Skill Have You Worked on Today?

[eddiekay]

OK...I swear this is true.
Only in NYC.....
straight road ( BQ expressway)...straight road
we're behind some gangsta on a sport...not going fast...maybe 40
we see the bike veer sharply, then he straightens it out
he repeats this maybe 3 more times but always straightens up and continues to ride.
Finally... meet him at an exit ramp and ask what was wrong back there?
His reply...I was tryin' to knee drag

[mrlmd]

"question; how long do you guys warm up the bike before hitting the road? i warmed her up last night for about 5 minutes and when i took off, it seemed she didn't want to move...sounded like gas wasn't getting into her organs fast enough. "

It's not really a good idea to let the bike sit at idle for 5 min, for it to "warm up". And not good for a car either. At idle there's very little battery charging and poor oil circulation through the engine. Start it up with some choke. set it to run 2000-2500 rpms and go - ride off at moderate speed, that warms up the engine a lot quicker, charges the battery and circulates the oil much better. It should be fully warmed up within a few minutes or a mile or so of riding. As you are riding, just turn off the choke slowly, It should be off within a mile or two or a minute or two without a problem.

[CC Cowboy]

I practiced my squid skills tonight. I still got it!

[Flashmonkey]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

I practiced my squid skills tonight. I still got it!

With or without underwear?

[Blackwidow]

i learned something new today, but it wasn't about skills, so i apologize in advance Kelly if this isn't the right thread to put it in.

On my way to work I saw a biker come up next to me, so i moved the car to the side to give him ample space to pass me safely...I noticed he had his hazard lights on...I didn't even know bikes have that option. I'm not sure what type of bike it was, but it was sport and a really big one that looked super fast.

[dubojr1]

Originally Posted by Blackwidow

i learned something new today, but it wasn't about skills, so i apologize in advance Kelly if this isn't the right thread to put it in.

On my way to work I saw a biker come up next to me, so i moved the car to the side to give him ample space to pass me safely...I noticed he had his hazard lights on...I didn't even know bikes have that option. I'm not sure what type of bike it was, but it was sport and a really big one that looked super fast.

I think Suzuki's have hazard and parking lights. Sounds like a Hayabusa.

[Cuongism]

Doesn't the ninja 650 have them too?

[Blackwidow]

i looked online to see pics of Hayabusa, and yup, you're right Jason...it was a Hayabusa...awesome looking bike.

[Cuongism]

By awesome, you must mean extremely fugly
Back on topic, I replaced my fork seals and dust covers.

[Flashmonkey]

Originally Posted by Cuongism

Back on topic, I replaced my fork seals and dust covers.

Good God...how messy did it get?

[Cuongism]

Messy? The fork oil I use is dark greenish, but I have a pan that collects all the fluids. It's not really messy, just time consuming.

[Blackwidow]

YAY- i'm at 358 miles, what does that mean? well in 142 more miles I get to rev that sucka up and hit the freeway...woot woot.

Staying on topic....i learned that going 70mph isn't as scary as I thought. going riding this weekend I actually hit that speed and it felt sooooo good. though I realized i really need that double bubble windscreen...the wind was pretty hardcore.

[kkim]

Originally Posted by Blackwidow

well in 142 more miles I get to rev that sucka up and hit the freeway...woot woot.

you do know you really don't have to wait till then, don't you?

[Blackwidow]

yes...but i rather wait and have a peace of mind. I mean i hit 70mpg while keeping the rpm under 7K, but i don't want to constantly look at my gauge, I want to keep an eye out on the road. thats why i want to wait till 500 miles, get my oil changed and get on the freeway.

[kkim]

well then I hate to break it to you, but it's 600 miles, not 500... and full break in doesn't occur until 1000 miles according to Kawasaki.

[Blackwidow]

i love it..."i hate it break it to you BUT i'm gonna anyway" lol

The kawi dealer said 500 miles...so i'm sticking to that. i'm following directions so they don't have an excuse to void my warranty.

[kkim]

unfortunately, your warranty is with Kawasaki, not your dealer.

[Blackwidow]

ok damn it, i'm scared!!! lol there i said it!! people here drive like a-holes! im using the break in excuse to avoid the freeway as long as i can. its the story i keep telling the bf..and its the story i'm gonna use to tell you fine folks.

i'm waiting to hit 500 miles because of the break in period not because i'm scared. thats my story and i'm sticking to it. loool

[Flashmonkey]

Ah the freeway. My very first thought upon entering the freeway on my ninja 250 was "Holy sh*t...is it always this windy?!?!?"

Good times.

Anyway, take your time with this. You'll know when you're ready.

[kkim]

yeah, get some time on uncrowded roads other than the freeway to become comfortable with the speed. long rides in the country are nice.

gl... take your time. you need to be confident in yourself and abilities before moving to the next step. baby steps... remember?

riding is supposed to be fun. when it ceases to be that, take a step back, regroup and clear your mind before proceeding.

[Ryosen11]

Originally Posted by Flashmonkey

Ah the freeway. My very first thought upon entering the freeway on my ninja 250 was "Holy sh*t...is it always this windy?!?!?"

Good times.

LOL +1
and yes no need to rush.

And for myself, lately I've been working on my acceleration through the turn. I need to be more smooooth!

[Flashmonkey]

Originally Posted by Ryosen11

And for myself, lately I've been working on my acceleration through the turn. I need to be more smooooth!

It's worth mentioning that cleaning and lubing your chain helps with the smoothness.....a LOT. If the throttle is a little choppier than normal...clean your damn chain.

[Ryosen11]

Originally Posted by Flashmonkey

It's worth mentioning that cleaning and lubing your chain helps with the smoothness.....a LOT. If the throttle is a little choppier than normal...clean your damn chain.

I wish I could blame my chain for the choppiness but....it's me...my skill.

But I didn't know it makes that much of a difference!

[Flashmonkey]

Originally Posted by Ryosen11

I wish I could blame my chain for the choppiness but....it's me...my skill.

But I didn't know it makes that much of a difference!

Oh yea. It's not earth shattering or anything, but I find that maintenance throttle is a little easier to maintain when your chain is nicely lubed.

[Rosie]

Like Paulette.. I'm scared s%#$less of the highway speeds
As soon as I get close to 65-ish that wind blowing so much scares me!!

How do you get used to that?? I mean.. that's a lot of wind hitting you sometimes..

[Flashmonkey]

Originally Posted by Rosie

How do you get used to that?? I mean.. that's a lot of wind hitting you sometimes..

It does take some getting used to. Especially when there's a fairly strong cross wind. You'll get used to it, though. Depending on your personality type, you may even get addicted to it.

[Rosie]

Originally Posted by Flashmonkey

It does take some getting used to. Especially when there's a fairly strong cross wind. You'll get used to it, though. Depending on your personality type, you may even get addicted to it.

I always feel like I'm gonna get blown off the bike!
I guess it's still too soon for highway WOT

[Ryosen11]

Originally Posted by Rosie

Like Paulette.. I'm scared s%#$less of the highway speeds
As soon as I get close to 65-ish that wind blowing so much scares me!!

How do you get used to that?? I mean.. that's a lot of wind hitting you sometimes..

Upper body relaxed. Arms not stiff. Light grip.
If you are tense, your upper body movement will cause your bike to move as well. Use your leg, squeezing the bike to hold you securely on.

You'll get use to it. Increase your travel distance little by little on a familiar freeway.

[ally99]

Originally Posted by Rosie

I always feel like I'm gonna get blown off the bike!
I guess it's still too soon for highway WOT

Trust that you won't. Make a conscious effort to relax that upper body. There are time we all want to tense up on the bike. When this happens, feel free to transfer that tension to your thighs. They can grip your tank all you want! It's much more important that your upper body be loose and fluid. (What? No smiley for being blown off your bike by the wind? Smilies are lettin' me down! )

[Rosie]

Originally Posted by ally99

Trust that you won't. Make a conscious effort to relax that upper body. There are time we all want to tense up on the bike. When this happens, feel free to transfer that tension to your thighs. They can grip your tank all you want! It's much more important that your upper body be loose and fluid. (What? No smiley for being blown off your bike by the wind? Smilies are lettin' me down! )

I find it very easy to tense up when the wind blows.. I feel like if I don't I'll loose control of the bike. One time I even thought to tuck so the wind would not blast on my upper body, but I do realize a tuck at 60 mph looks pretty stupid I suppose it'll come with time. I have already learned how to shift very smoothly and break without issues and without locking tires, I guess this will be my next skill to learn

[onetruevibe]

I've been working on throttle matching when downshifting. To get a feel for it, I started by looking at the tac before pulling the clutch...so I knew what to match....but I quickly realized that that's a stupid crazy thing to do.

So...I'm working on just "getting a feel for it" and keeping my eyes on the road.

I've stayed away from the highways to this point. Mainly because there's not much need for them around here. The twisty country roads get me where I'm going just fine. Besides, there are no cows to dodge on the highway. zzzzzz.

That said...the highway does feel a bit like unexplored territory that must be conquered. Maybe next season.

[rockNroll]

Originally Posted by Rosie

I find it very easy to tense up when the wind blows.. I feel like if I don't I'll loose control of the bike. One time I even thought to tuck so the wind would not blast on my upper body, but I do realize a tuck at 60 mph looks pretty stupid I suppose it'll come with time. I have already learned how to shift very smoothly and break without issues and without locking tires, I guess this will be my next skill to learn

A tuck at 60mph isn't stupid, it might be functional as well as fun. Just make sure to keep your head up enough that you can still get your big picture view. Easy on your bars, relax them arms. Practice swerving, using pressure on your bars only (when not in wind). When a wind gust throws you, this is all it takes to keep things under control

[Rosie]

Originally Posted by rockNroll

A tuck at 60mph isn't stupid, it might be functional as well as fun. Just make sure to keep your head up enough that you can still get your big picture view. Easy on your bars, relax them arms. Practice swerving, using pressure on your bars only (when not in wind). When a wind gust throws you, this is all it takes to keep things under control

The tuck felt pretty silly to me Like, I'm no Wayne Rainey or Valentino Rossi you know? I did have to push on the bars once when the wind was blowing a bit too hard just to keep the bike straight, and that scared me so I figured highway speed is just going to be worse. Practice, practice, practice