my first 60 miles

[1will]

So, it's about time i guess. Finally got out there on the 500.

Clutch/throttle coordination starting from a stop was something i really got a feel for today around the neighborhood. I still don't have it nailed but I was very pleased with my improvement throughout the day. Figure 8's in the parking lot were smooth and tight, pretty much full lock all the time every time.

After about 20 miles in the neighborhood i took off into traffic. It was uneventful but certainly an experience. I headed for some good back roads to get away from the traffic and run the bike through the gears. Kept it under 4k with the exception of a couple little hiccups (a little throttle=instant revs with that clutch pulled in! not too close to redline at least ) and was very impressed with the accelration at what I'm guessing was well below the actual powerband. Got a taste of riding in a moderate rainfall too.

Areas to work on: Stalled a couple times at traffic lights (perfomance anxiety? ), gear selection and matching engine to road speed (this is my first manual tranny). And finally, getting my butt to the store for some proper riding pants and better gloves. A short list but some key items.

Gold star for the day albeit with room for improvement: Bike maneuvering, maintaining lane position, and using outside inside outside through turns. I feel like I have decent posture with bent arms and a relaxed grip. Feeling comfortable with control locations, signaling turns, etc. I also felt very good about riding in the rain, sort of overcame that mental block, went easy and everything was fine.


Q's

When shifting, up or down, should the clutch be let all the way out before reapplying throttle or should throttle be reapplied as you move through the friction zone?

The owner's manual has recommended speeds for shifting up/down from each gear, but is rpm's generally a good indicator of when to shift? For today, becuase of break in I was pretty much upshifting at 4k and down at the recommended speeds. Any better techniques?

thanks all

[Z (fka Sweet Tooth)]

Q's
When shifting, up or down, should the clutch be let all the way out before reapplying throttle or should throttle be reapplied as you move through the friction zone?

That would be option #2...gently apply the throttle as you let out the clutch. If you let the clutch out all the way with out throttle you're going to stall.

Another reason for possibly stalling at lights is that you might not be in first gear. Remember to down shift as you reduce your speed, when you come to a full stop at a red light, just hit the shifter again just to make sure you're on 1st gear.

I hated shifting in the begining it was so cumbersom, especially when you hit a ton of stop signs and red lights, but it takes practice...

I'm glad to hear that you're getting out there and practicing. You'll feel more comfortable the more you get out.

[1will]

TY for the tips and encouragement sweet tooth.

i'm glad i made it out today. the weather really held as well as i could have hoped. as of about 30 minutes ago things have turned apocalyptic outside...