Got my bike home today

Hey everybody!

I got my bike home today after a 7 hour drive to pick it up. (Thanks, Ebay) I just got it unhitched from the trailer and took it for a quick ride.

It sure does ride easy and smooth. As I said before, I've ridden dirt bikes since I was a little kid, and this is my first street bike. It's much heavier and it has a lot of switches and doo dads (horn, signals, etc) that I'll have to get used to using. I just have a few questions.

Is there any trick into getting these bikes into neutral? So far it has always taken me several tries. Up into second and then back down seems to work better than up from first. I'm not sure why, but if there's a trick to it, I'd like to know it.

Second, does anybody have any advice for me on quick small turns? I am a little wobbly while trying to turn it around because it's hard to guage how much throttle to give it. Admittedly, I've only taken it on one ride and turned it around twice, so I'm sure this is something that improves with practice.

I am totally happy with it though. My short legs are able to reach the ground easily, and it sure is a sexy looking bike. I can't wait to make it legal!

Paco
'82 Seca XJ650R

 

Trick: When in first dont lift the full way and you get neutral

Im going on my 3rd summer with my Maxim. I still sometimes have difficulty getting that neutral.

 

I have the same problem with mine, some times it takes a few tries to get in to neutral, havent really found a good trick.

 

Mine hits neutral fairly easily. Most of the time
I pop it into neutral as I am rolling to a stop. Just a gentle pressure up from 1st till the green light comes on.

Tight turns are relatively easy. Just takes a bit of practice. All about balance and correct speed. I read recently the correct way to do it which basically stated 2500 RPM and slip the clutch a lot. ot how I would recommend doing it but it may be the correct way to learn.

Can't exactly describe how I tight turn but basically I do it similar to any turn. I start off and lean the bike a little then start accelerating gently.Once moving I just keep leaning it over and increase the revs according to lean. This is for U-turns only of course as I end up power on to straighten up.

Slow turns in a car park are simply balance and getting used to the bike. My bike is so well balanced that I can come to a complete stop before taking my feet off the foot pegs.

It will feel right soon enough though so don't try too hard and it will come easy.

 

same for me...
a small tap down from second usualy lands it in nutral
while a slow drag up from first can some times land in in nutral but usualy finds second on accident... no real trick that i've found

 

Thanks for the replies! I'll try after work tomorrow.

 

Ditto on my neutral hunt, happens to me all the time. As for tight turns, use your clutch to control speed. Feather it in and out to apply just the right amount of power. Practice.

 

1: for neutral, be stopped and in first, lift 1/2 way to 2nd

2: turns: the bike will go where your eyes are looking, never look down, cause that's where you'll end up. if you're talking u-turns and figure 8's be in first, or low rev's on 2nd gear, on the straight rev a little, and coast thru the turn.

You might invest in a MSF class. They're kinda pricey, but worth every penny. They'll teach you proper technique, and around here once you pass your class (atleast here in NY) you may beable to avoid the dmv skils test.

 

to make tight slow speed turns, place weight on your outside footpeg, while turning the bike. Without the "counter-weight" the bike just wants to fall over as you start turning, because you are not moving quick enough for htere to be the gyroscopic forces from the wheels to aid in balancing the bike.

 

I used to have the same problem with slow turns. Pretty common I would think and I agree that practice and the MSF course are the way to go. I've found the my biggest problem was going too slow. I'm not suggesting you really hammer through a turn, but make sure you have enough momentum. As mentioned earlier, judicious use of the clutch is the key. In the MSF course I took, we spent some time learning how to go a slowly as possible in a straight line. You'd be amazed how much that helped me in turns. It teaches you to use the clutch to keep the momentum where you need it.

Greg

 

Thanks guys. I've been practicing and I've gotten pretty good at u-turns. I want to take the MSF class but there's a two month wait here in WV for it. Once I pass it though, I'll get a discount on my insurance, and, as was stated earlier, I won't have to take the state skills test. Until then though, I'm on my own. I want to get good enough that the tests from the MSF are easy. I've had lots of experience on two wheels, just never on a bike this heavy, but it's come easily with practice. I'll let everybody know when I get my full-fledged license. It's just the learner's permit for now, so no riding after dark.

 

Do you guys find it easier to hit nuetral if you roll the bike forward slightly while you shift up? I usually do so with my feet, and seem to have a better chance of hitting it. Is this my imagination?

 

I share your observation Rich. Much easier while rolling.

 

It might not be good for the gears, but I can easily pop it into neutral if I let a little bit of clutch out at idle while applying pressure up from first. Starting from 2 is possible, too, but not as easy. Note I'm talking a VERY little bit of clutch release here - I never hear any clunking ot pinging doing this, other than the customary click of things falling into place.

Turns are all about practice.

Good luck with the bike.

 

Most insurance companies also give you a break if you've done MSF.

kip