My 2 weeks of riding. What I have accomplished.

SwiftTone · 03-29-2005, 05:57 PM

So I've been riding my '94 CBR600 F2 for around 2 weeks now. Before those 2 weeks, I practiced up and down my community pissing my community off cause my bike is kinda loud. One lady said, "your bike is obnoxious" so i put it away because I didnt have a license, permit, or even plates on my bike yet. so I didnt want any trouble. But I got to practice aobut 10 miles at slow speeds doing manuevers and learning how weight transfer affects the bike. You know, all the stuff you need in parking lots and stuff. Took it up to 35mph, in a 40mph zone, and got a lil scared. Cause there was a lil traffic. Parked it in my garage for the winter.

So 2 weeks ago, weather started to get warm(30-40, lol) and I went and got my permit. Basically in MA, permit is as good as a license minus the fact that you cant have a passenger, and cant ride from sunset to sunrise.

I get my permit, rushed home, and jump on my bike to get a lil cruise I've been craving all winter long. I jump on, I have about 1 hour of daylight left. And set off. Surprisingly, I wasnt nervous at all. The cold was a lil bit annoying, but I was just happy I can ride my bike.

I keep it under 4-5k rpm for a couple days. Just trying to take it easy. Learn the characteristics of the bike. The importance of weight transfer, the way to use the handlebars at different speeds. Learn the brakes, how applying the front and rear brakes affect the way the bike handles. Also braking in the corners.

So about every 2 days, I bump my shift points up 1k rpm, till I reached 10k rpm 2 days ago. I felt comfortable, and there was no traffic around, it was a nice day and nice road conditions, and I just got curious. So I pulled my clutch in, clicked down twice on the shifter, and blipped my throttle to rev-match. In 2nd gear and openned it up. I'm at about 6k rpm and I think my powerband starts at around 7-8krpm . What a sensation. Took it up to 11k rpm, cause I didnt think itd go up so fast, pulled my clutch in, close the throttle, upshift, clutch out and back on the throttle simutaneously. Went for another second and upshifted 2 clicks and stood back up from my tuck. I just had a big grin on my face. Wow, this thing is quick. All that time, I didn't really feel scared or anything. Just, a feeling that I wish that was always present in myself.

Other than that, I've been practicing cornering, and braking. I've been concentrating mostly on countersteering, and target fixation. I'm getting pretty used to it. Although, target fixation does require more concentration.

Also, I've been tooling around how brakes affect cornering abilities. I find when I'm leaning into a turn and applying the front brakes at the same time, the bike likes to go wide, or understeer. If I use the rear, the bike likes to rotate a little bit more, without locking up the brakes. I went to a parking lot that was a bit sandy and experimented with locking up the rear brakes a little. It sure is a little bit scary the first couple times. But I got it down so the rear would almost stay straight even if it locked up. I'm not planning to lockup, but just incase I need to brake hard, I could control it. I want to practice to a point so that it'll become instinct.

I'm starting to look at gear now. Just waiting till I can afford some gear. Might be another month. I guess thats one of the next steps I should take. Along with taking my MSF and getting my license. I think thats what I want for my birthday. Plus, I dont think my parents would mind if their money is put into educational purposes.

Anyways, I don't feel like typing anymore, I'll add some stuff lateron.

-Swift, out

ServoR6 · 03-29-2005, 06:16 PM

Keep practicing, get some gear, and ride safe!

Glist3rin · 03-29-2005, 06:16 PM

good for you, same route i will be taking accept for the gear part.... i have fallen off my dirt bike at 35, with no gear, shit hurts, and it was alot more fluffy then street. i wouldnt hop on a street bike without gear, even if i was just going 10mph... things can get hairy all to quick when riding a bike...

dug · 03-29-2005, 06:46 PM

Watch those front brakes! Try and have all your braking done before you start leaning for a turn. It's very easy to use up all your 'traction pie' and wash the front. Keep practicin', tho, that's the way to go. Good luck and good ridin'.

2000NinjaZX6R · 03-29-2005, 09:56 PM

DON"T BRAKE IN THE TURNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! if you had taken MSF you'd know that. That is the quickest way to wreck, brake down to a safe speed and then off the brake through the turn then as you exit the turn accelerate

Later
B

SwiftTone · 03-29-2005, 11:21 PM

So increasing the brakes before the turn is alright. Once you are turning, you should either apply the same amount of brakes, not more, or you can ease off the brakes mid turn. Am I getting this correct?

What do I do if i need to brake during corner.

fengler · 03-29-2005, 11:28 PM

if you find yourself needing to brake in a turn, dont do so, but rather lean more.

Rascus · 03-29-2005, 11:57 PM

If you absolutely need to brake in the corner and you are able to do so you want to "gradually" apply your brakes. As the bike begins to stand up more and more apply more and firmer brakes until the bike is stopped. Do not grab the brakes because you will most likely tuck the front wheel and low-side. This is only good like i said if you have the run-off room to do so. You will practice this maneuver in the MSF class.

alaska cajun · 03-30-2005, 12:45 AM

What do you mean by consentrating on target fixation?

SpeedyQuaker · 03-30-2005, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alaska cajun

What do you mean by consentrating on target fixation?

I was wondering about that too. Maybe concentrating on NOT target fixating?

RACER X · 03-30-2005, 12:00 PM

go take the www.msf-usa.org class, pronto.

90% of m/c deaths are people who are "self-taught" or taught by friends family........

SwiftTone · 04-01-2005, 09:49 AM

Ok, I practiced to braking you guys were talking about. Getting my braking done before the turn seems much easier. Thanks.

Target fixation: where you look is where you go. So I meant looking where I want to go. =)

I'm planning to buying leather and taking MSF when I can afford it. So stop telling me to do it =)

alaska cajun · 04-01-2005, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwiftTone

O So stop telling me to do it =)

we are here to protect and serve,it's our job

chsnprodigy · 04-01-2005, 06:13 PM

Go Take The Msf Course. And Be A Little Bit More Respectfull To People Who Are Trying To Help You!!!

SwiftTone · 04-01-2005, 08:27 PM

Dude, I am going to take it. I know you guys are just here to help and I appreciated. But I never said I'm not going to. Just matter of time when I can afford it.