I know the old adage about front vs. back braking and I've seen that your front brake will stop you horrendously faster than your back brake but as a general rule I don't find a fast brake required. I therefore feel comfortable relying more heavily on my back back.
Scenario: Cars slowing in front of me. I use my back brake, touch my front brake minutely and change down a gear. Problem solved.
I've always been a bit militant about my back brake and using it more than my front brake. It feels more controlled.
Yesterday, however, I was forced to perform 2 emergency stops and locked it up both times.
Scenario: Cars putting along at 50kph, large gap ahead of me and suddenly traffic stops. I'm not expecting traffic to stop where it did and am completely caught by surprise. Emergency brake. Lock up the back wheel and keep careering towards the back of the car, release the back brake and take a firmer hold of the front, reapply the back brake and lock it up again. Stop with an inch to spare. Traffic moves on straight away and I'm forced to let out a deep breath and go again or be run over.
Traffic heads off fast and I'm all shaky from the fright. Traffic stops suddenly again and although I've got plenty of room this time (and paying attention) I still lock up my back brake.
So why did I lock it up? Getting so used to using my back brake, in an emergency, I go straight for the back brake. But because I'm also pulling in my front brake more and therefore displacing all the weight of the bike onto the front wheel then a harder than normal back brake results in a locked up back wheel because there's no weight there.
Solution - retraining myself to use my front brake more.
My mood - annoyed that I have to relearn something that I've purposely taught myself not to rely on. There's nothing wrong with using my back brake as I have, except that when push comes to shove in an emergency situation, a locked up back wheel doesn't help to slow you much at all.
Showing posts with label suzuki. Show all posts
Showing posts with label suzuki. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
2 month SV650S review
So I've had my little baby girl for about 2 months now and although she still remains nameless, I love her to bits.
She has enough power to see me amused on city streets and quick on highway runs. She's light and her centre of gravity is low enough to stop me freaking out on hills or angles. I've become used to the need to accelerate all the way around the corner to stop the front wheel from feeling too light and her initially pinchy front brake has worn in (or out, may need replacing) so I don't suddenly find myself with my nose out over the front light.
She has some not so cool points. At slow speeds that involve a lot of clutch work, you find yourself resting on the handle bars. This causes cramp and sore hands. Eventually, it cuts the circulation off to the tips of a couple of my fingers and leads me to start slipping it into neutral in stopped traffic just to get a rest.
For some reason, the peg seems to be directly behind my leg when I put my foot down. This means when I pull away, even if I'm quick to lift my leg up, the peg still catches my leg. The peg just folds back but it could be dangerous and is annoying. I've tried putting my leg out sideways further but it doesn't work as my legs aren't quite long enough.
There is no engine temperature gauge. This freaks me out a little in 30+Celcius weather when I'm sitting in stationary traffic.
My seating position means that when I got over a bump or hit a pothole, I'm jettisoned into the tank. I don't know how the boys survive, as I'm a girl and I still nearly cried after hitting a couple of aggressive holes.
Overall, the bike is balanced and easy to manoeuvre. The power comes on quickly but controlled and a quick twist of the wrist tends to get me out of trouble and not into a whole lot more.
Her brakes are good and stopping suddenly mid-blind-corner for a road-worker casually spinning his stop/slow sign didn't cause too much drama, other than scaring the crap out of all involved and almost tempting me to give him a mouthful of abuse for his carelessness.
She purrs like a kitten and her custom pipe means that I'm usually heard before I'm seen.
All in all, I'm in love with her. Although not completely disillusioned by her not so cool points.
She has enough power to see me amused on city streets and quick on highway runs. She's light and her centre of gravity is low enough to stop me freaking out on hills or angles. I've become used to the need to accelerate all the way around the corner to stop the front wheel from feeling too light and her initially pinchy front brake has worn in (or out, may need replacing) so I don't suddenly find myself with my nose out over the front light.
She has some not so cool points. At slow speeds that involve a lot of clutch work, you find yourself resting on the handle bars. This causes cramp and sore hands. Eventually, it cuts the circulation off to the tips of a couple of my fingers and leads me to start slipping it into neutral in stopped traffic just to get a rest.
For some reason, the peg seems to be directly behind my leg when I put my foot down. This means when I pull away, even if I'm quick to lift my leg up, the peg still catches my leg. The peg just folds back but it could be dangerous and is annoying. I've tried putting my leg out sideways further but it doesn't work as my legs aren't quite long enough.
There is no engine temperature gauge. This freaks me out a little in 30+Celcius weather when I'm sitting in stationary traffic.
My seating position means that when I got over a bump or hit a pothole, I'm jettisoned into the tank. I don't know how the boys survive, as I'm a girl and I still nearly cried after hitting a couple of aggressive holes.
Overall, the bike is balanced and easy to manoeuvre. The power comes on quickly but controlled and a quick twist of the wrist tends to get me out of trouble and not into a whole lot more.
Her brakes are good and stopping suddenly mid-blind-corner for a road-worker casually spinning his stop/slow sign didn't cause too much drama, other than scaring the crap out of all involved and almost tempting me to give him a mouthful of abuse for his carelessness.
She purrs like a kitten and her custom pipe means that I'm usually heard before I'm seen.
All in all, I'm in love with her. Although not completely disillusioned by her not so cool points.
Monday, December 15, 2008
BMW 650 CS
Licencing woes saw me back at Bike School. The day was uninteresting except for getting to ride a random bike of a mid-range nature and seeing what a good pick my SV650S was. I won't say I knew it all and I won't say that the practice wasn't good for me. I will say that the instructor said I was the most skilled girl of my level he'd seen and that during my road ride he only had one comment to make - which was that I put my foot out too soon when I was pulling up and that I should only put it down at the last minute. Fair call, I'd say and I've been practicing not doing that.
It was interesting to note the different setup on the BMW650CS though. The bike was built low and the front forks were out like a trailie. The gears were weird and the only time I saw any semblance of its engine size was when I thrashed the daylights out of it in 3rd gear and got from 50kph to 80kph in a few seconds. Otherwise, she felt gutless and clunky. Especially weird was how the gear pedal would keep going down even when you were in 1st gear. My ZZR and SV always stop when you get to 1st gear and I guess I thought that's how all bikes behaved. Imagine my surprise when I tried to get back to 1st suddenly, only to be unable to find the bottom of the gearbox. The centre of gravity was low and the steering light so figure 8's were a breeze (despite being made to go first with everyone watching - apparently, this 'lady friend' can still turn it on a dime.)
I can understand why they were picked for the riding school because they were forgiving and built low. There is power there but it's hard to find and certainly doesn't surprise you when it arrives. Their brakes are good and I scared myself a couple of times with careless front brake grabs but the bike forgave me more than it should have. The back brake held the bike back well while slow cornering in non-chugging revs and 2nd gear.
Their balance was good and I managed to complete the 12second minimum slow ride (have no idea how far the distance was - 10 metres?) the first time round without horrendous wobbles. Again, the steering was light and the bike easy to push around so when it came time for the 30kph emergency counter-steer my only problem was getting back onto the course after an overly vigorous manoeuvre.
My particular bike had certainly seen its share of learners though with clunky 1st and 2nd gears, a very easy to find false-neutral and a few scratches. I though it was going to rattle itself to bits on the road ride though.
I wouldn't buy one personally. I found them all a bit meh but I could see how they make a good learner bike. Their upright seat keeps you from leaning on the handlebars and their low centre of gravity means less freak-outs if the bike leans one way or the other when stationary.
All in all a fun day and a semi-decent bike. Although, a waste of $400 as the licencing woes continue.
It was interesting to note the different setup on the BMW650CS though. The bike was built low and the front forks were out like a trailie. The gears were weird and the only time I saw any semblance of its engine size was when I thrashed the daylights out of it in 3rd gear and got from 50kph to 80kph in a few seconds. Otherwise, she felt gutless and clunky. Especially weird was how the gear pedal would keep going down even when you were in 1st gear. My ZZR and SV always stop when you get to 1st gear and I guess I thought that's how all bikes behaved. Imagine my surprise when I tried to get back to 1st suddenly, only to be unable to find the bottom of the gearbox. The centre of gravity was low and the steering light so figure 8's were a breeze (despite being made to go first with everyone watching - apparently, this 'lady friend' can still turn it on a dime.)
I can understand why they were picked for the riding school because they were forgiving and built low. There is power there but it's hard to find and certainly doesn't surprise you when it arrives. Their brakes are good and I scared myself a couple of times with careless front brake grabs but the bike forgave me more than it should have. The back brake held the bike back well while slow cornering in non-chugging revs and 2nd gear.
Their balance was good and I managed to complete the 12second minimum slow ride (have no idea how far the distance was - 10 metres?) the first time round without horrendous wobbles. Again, the steering was light and the bike easy to push around so when it came time for the 30kph emergency counter-steer my only problem was getting back onto the course after an overly vigorous manoeuvre.
My particular bike had certainly seen its share of learners though with clunky 1st and 2nd gears, a very easy to find false-neutral and a few scratches. I though it was going to rattle itself to bits on the road ride though.
I wouldn't buy one personally. I found them all a bit meh but I could see how they make a good learner bike. Their upright seat keeps you from leaning on the handlebars and their low centre of gravity means less freak-outs if the bike leans one way or the other when stationary.
All in all a fun day and a semi-decent bike. Although, a waste of $400 as the licencing woes continue.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Cramp
My riding instructor was telling us that good riding was made up of good riding skills, good bike control and “Something else that Cariad lacks! What is that?” the room hushed as no one wanted to say anything. He waited. “Come on.” He said “What do you suffer from on the bike?” looking directly at me. I shrugged and said “Cramp?”
Apparently, the correct answer was self-control and apparently, I lack it but that’s another story.
I’ve found with my new bike I have some new pains. My morning commute sees me feel the annoying and distressing pain of cramp in my left hand from riding the clutch for 40 minutes. I settle back in the seat a bit and relax my arms but as soon as the clutch comes in, it puts pressure on my wrist which in turns leads to circulation being cut off to half my hand and fingers. Every light change I flick it into neutral (making sure traffic behind me has stopped) and rest my hand. If, by some miracle, I’m able to let the clutch entirely out then I give my hand a good shake but the feeling never lasts long as traffic stops and back in comes my clutch.
I’m not sure if there is a remedy. I certainly suffer from it on the bike though. Maybe I should email that instructor..
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Back on two wheels..
After a couple of months after having give up my two wheels to relocate interstate, I am once again back on a steel ride.
Every time I suit up I feel this sick feeling in my stomach. It's like being a newbie again and almost fearing the ride. Will I stack it? Will a car try to kill me?
I bought myself a Suzuki SV650S, which is not the world most powerful machine but the girl has legs and is certainly an upgrade from my Kawasaki ZZR250, which I left interstate.
Everything about her is different. Her rev range. Her clutch point. Her gears. My ZZR would happily go up through the gears and reach 4th at about 60kph. My SV will reach 60kph by 2nd and if I'm nonchalantly going through the gears I'll find myself doing 90kph in a flash.
The rev range and clutch point is my main point of note at the moment. Keeping the revs high enough to stop the chugging but without sounding like I'm revving the daylights out of her. Finding the clutch point quickly but delicately so I don't stall or have her stand up on her rear wheel on me.
I'm planning on commuting every day and, although it is a short commute in kms, thanks to the wonderful Brisbane traffic, it's filled with constant stopping and starting. Perfect practice time.
Bring it on..
Every time I suit up I feel this sick feeling in my stomach. It's like being a newbie again and almost fearing the ride. Will I stack it? Will a car try to kill me?
I bought myself a Suzuki SV650S, which is not the world most powerful machine but the girl has legs and is certainly an upgrade from my Kawasaki ZZR250, which I left interstate.
Everything about her is different. Her rev range. Her clutch point. Her gears. My ZZR would happily go up through the gears and reach 4th at about 60kph. My SV will reach 60kph by 2nd and if I'm nonchalantly going through the gears I'll find myself doing 90kph in a flash.
The rev range and clutch point is my main point of note at the moment. Keeping the revs high enough to stop the chugging but without sounding like I'm revving the daylights out of her. Finding the clutch point quickly but delicately so I don't stall or have her stand up on her rear wheel on me.
I'm planning on commuting every day and, although it is a short commute in kms, thanks to the wonderful Brisbane traffic, it's filled with constant stopping and starting. Perfect practice time.
Bring it on..
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