Accelerating from a stop on ninja 500

Message

younggun · Sat Jul 29, 2006 12:49 am

take moto's advice especially if you are just starting out, wouldnt want you to become the part of the statistic of new bikers

ofblong · #12 Unread post by **ofblong** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 1:34 am

I just started riding and I guess in the 180 miles I have put on in the last 4 days I have figured out that I just shift based on traffic. If I got someone in front of me I just shift to keep a good enough distance (about 3 seconds) away from them. If there is no one around I play around with it seeing what I can and can not do. I am by no means an expert in any way shape or form. If there is someone behind me I try to shift to keep them from running me over lol. I dont have a crotch rocket either but Imo the principle is the same.

Sat Jul 29, 2006 5:19 am

do not take verms advice.he is reverting to his awesome experience on the track.wot launches will get you killed.wait until you have as much track time as verm before trying that.

VermilionX · Sat Jul 29, 2006 5:25 am

hey, don't take it on me, i just answered his question.

and i did warn the person about WOT launches. i even told him that i don't do it yet.

kabob983 · Sat Jul 29, 2006 12:58 pm

The EX500 has plenty of get up and go. Don't worry about racing off the line, if you really need to distance yourself a bit do it when you've got some momentum. Nothing looks sillier than a biker revving and ready to go who stalls out!

I've got to change my previous answer about shifting too. I seem to do it closer to 8,000 RPM's. When on twisties I tend to keep it higher (subconciously, maybe closer to 10,000)

NinjaRyan · Sat Jul 29, 2006 4:23 pm

First of all I would never do anything that would endanger myself or traffic around me. Ya'll have valid concerns tho. I asked the question due to the other day a 75 year old man on a moped in the next lane at a stoplight left everyone in the dust. I have been following the guidelines set in the manual as to when to shift. Using those guidelines I wasnt getting off to a good swift start. Shifting from 1st to 2nd @ 7,000/8,000 rpms should solve this, I'm hoping. I'm taking it out tomorrow afternoon and will try this technique.

Kim · #17 Unread post by **Kim** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 3:51 pm

I agree with Moto as well. Shift like the manual tells you to until you're comfortable. Then you can start making adjustments to your riding style.

asiantay · #18 Unread post by **asiantay** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 6:47 pm

The guy on the moped doesnt have a clutch... duh

He can apply Verm's "WOT" method and he'll only have a high speed of 80mph and doesnt need to worry about RPMs etc... YOU on the other hand are capable of.. well, a lot more.

And as for shifting... I do it as soon as the engine starts to whine (high pitch). You usually wanna get out of 1st into 2nd ASAP cuz the bike is smoother and less jerky in 2nd (trust me, try pulling a u turn in 1st and you'll have a whole new appreciation for 2nd). As for accelerating quickly, its just a matter of knowing when to shift and being smooth. Its not (CROTCH) rocket science.

Silly Verm, wots are for SQUIDS!

ofblong · #19 Unread post by **ofblong** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 1:19 am

asiantay wrote:The guy on the moped doesnt have a clutch... duh

He can apply Verm's "WOT" method and he'll only have a high speed of 80mph and doesnt need to worry about RPMs etc... YOU on the other hand are capable of.. well, a lot more.

And as for shifting... I do it as soon as the engine starts to whine (high pitch). You usually wanna get out of 1st into 2nd ASAP cuz the bike is smoother and less jerky in 2nd (trust me, try pulling a u turn in 1st and you'll have a whole new appreciation for 2nd). As for accelerating quickly, its just a matter of knowing when to shift and being smooth. Its not (CROTCH) rocket science.

Silly Verm, wots are for SQUIDS!

I found it easier to do a u-turn in first than in second.

Nibblet99 · Mon Jul 31, 2006 1:30 am

To be honest, speedy takeoffs will come naturally with familliarity with your bike, and riding experience. Its not something I would consciously be working on, as theres so many other more important things to be aware of, when taking off from a stop.

Just relax, ride your own ride, and let it happen over time

As for U-turns second gear is a lot smoother... but

For me, first gear is the way to go, you can turn tighter, and are less likely to stall. When your clutch control gets better you can turn just as smooth too.

On a full blown sportsbike though, that may be different, as the have less steering ability, and require more lean on the bike, so you have to go a lil faster to maintain balance