Newb question... staying upright at city speeds

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ledzep12184 · Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:39 pm

A lot of times when I'm going down the road it feels like the bike is trying to get away from me. The crazy thing is that I dont even go that fast. Mostly like forty... I think the fastest I've gone is fourty five. (I'm still having trouble braking quickly) Is this a problem with
a. the roads
b. the wind
c. the bike
d. me

#2 Unread post by **dr_bar** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:45 pm

No offence intended but my guess would be, "d."

MattC13 · #3 Unread post by **MattC13** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:53 pm

Have you taken the MSF course yet? If you havent you probly should if your still having these problems.

ledzep12184 · Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:55 pm

yeah, i took the class... but we only hit 3rd gear one time. plus we were riding little 125ccs around and those didnt really do much under power except putt putt.

jonnythan · #5 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:59 pm

Could have something to do with the fact that you're a newbie on a 500lb bike with 100 horsepower.

ledzep12184 · Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:28 pm

jonnythan wrote:Could have something to do with the fact that you're a newbie on a 500lb bike with 100 horsepower.

how did you know that

#7 Unread post by **Wrider** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:35 pm

The earlier post with "Newbie on a Honda VF750 Interceptor" as a title kinda gave it away...

Anyway, yeah, some bikes kinda feel like that at first. Instead of just accelerating, try to keep a steady throttle hand... make sure to leave your hand in the exact same place, then let the speed level itself off. (Make sure to pick a long straight road for this.) If it still feels like that after it's leveled off, try tucking behind the fairing, that may make all the difference...
Wrider

ledzep12184 · Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:39 pm

i guess my real question is, can you just tip over for no other reason than balance was lost? It seems to me that the speed would work to keep one stable.

Septimus · #9 Unread post by **Septimus** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 5:30 pm

[quote]can you just tip over for no other reason than balance was lost?[/qoute]

Losing balance is typically the culprit for things falling over.

A bike is certainly more stable at speed, yes. A heavier object needs to be going faster for the same amount of stability as a smaller object. Probably one of the reasons that lighter bikes are more "newbie friendly" since you don't have to deal with having a heavier/more powerful bike.

IcyHound · #10 Unread post by **IcyHound** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 6:57 pm

You're not going to tip over. Relax your grip on the bars. You are probably hanging on tightly. Your grip is putting input into the front wheel when you react to the situations around you. This is making you feel wobbly because you are unconsciously wobbling. Even at slow speeds unless you are at 1mph you should be able to stay fairly upright if you relax and trust the bike.

Also you may be unconsciously shifting your weight when using your rear break, unbalancing you more.