friction zone

[TXFJR]

Wow! I'm looking forward to it!

 

[wfooshee]

Revs are what kills the clutch, not necessarily slipping. A huge difference between engine speed and road speed will eat it right up.

We had a member post some months (years?) back about his fried clutch, and this was after posting vids of his riding on his commute. He was using the clutch to regulate road speed, keeping the engine running at least 5 grand. We told him to change his evil ways, he didn't. He posted about clutch not holding power a few weeks later......

 

[Yroundrdn]

I have been to the motor Academy, it was the best training I've had and after three weeks it is amazing how sharp your skills are. The problem is like anything else it is a diminishing skill that you must keep up. I know the guys on our department practice once a week. Everytime I get on my bike I slowly work my way back to the slow lock to lock turns and the figure eights in a parking lot. It surprises me sometimes how long it takes to get back into it.

One of the instructors was a friend of mine and spent 2 months with me prior to the motor academy. He taught me a lot about head position, where to look and body positioning. If you can find somebody on your department to spend some time with you you will be surprised how much these little tips help.

If you are ever in San Diego send me a PM and I will set something up with one of the instructors for you.

as for the clutch, I know the BMWs use a dry clutch and do need to be replaced once in awhile. Considering the daily abuse they get I can't imagine you will go through a clutch.

 

[bikerskier]

Great topic for all riders to pay attention to, especially the comment on decreasing skills after some time off the bike. There is no substitute for practice and there is is no shame in taking courses or lessons at any level of riding skill. In my short riding career of 51 years, riding both dirt and street, I still learn from the Team Oregon Advanced Rider Training course and recommend it to everyone. My recent 72 day ride really raised my skill levels and reminded me that saddle time and practice are critical to a safe and fun ride.

 

[TXFJR]

Bikerskier, I completely agree. I practiced some low speed maneuvering before my son and I went on a 200 mile trip (I know that's not a long trip, but for me it was!) and it was AMAZING how much better I felt about the bike, my control of the bike, and how much more I actually enjoyed the trip instead of constantly worrying about the "what if". I completely understand that its a perishable skill, and I need to continue practicing, along with taking the advanced course.

I guess what I was trying to say was that it was incredible how much even a little bit of brushing up impacted my ride yesterday. There were a couple of places where i had to make some slow, tight turns in a parking lot, and I actually looked forward to it, not dreaded them like before.

The other area I realized I need to practice is making smoother stops at lights. I do "ok", but after looking at videos and really watching some good riders, I realize my stops are not "butter smooth"....they are more like "crunchy peanut butter smooth"! One thing I was doing was applying front brake along with rear to make the final stop, and now I release the front brake a couple of feet before the "landing" or complete stop, and regulate the last foot or so with the rear only, that made a HUGE difference.

I think the best thing I did was be humble enough to admit that my age or "so called" experience were not enough to rely on, and although I do believe those things make me a SAFER rider (because I am more aware of dangers) they didnt in themselves make me a BETTER rider. So, now that my son and I ride together, I am actually learning a lot from him, since he recently took the basic course and all those things are fresh in his mind. I believe I may be back to TRULY enjoyng this sport/hobby all over again!

Thank you to all the folks in this forum that have given such great advice and tips!