I have to ride across that?!

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jstark47
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#11 Unread post by jstark47 »

As a footnote to this discussion...... if steel grate bridge decks remain scary even with practice, be aware that different motorcycles and tires handle these differently. Until I got a V-strom, I despaired of ever coming to terms with steel grate. The V-strom seems 100% more stable than my Bonneville on bridge decks or any wet surface. Since I can't see any obvious reason from the suspension of these bikes, I've concluded it's the tires Suzuki puts on the V-strom.
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Mistercory
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#12 Unread post by Mistercory »

point taken.
My Honda has a 21 inch front tire. It's slimmer than most.
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zed
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#13 Unread post by zed »

Mistercory wrote:By the way no one seems to know anything about toddler seats for a bike?

I was surfing the Motorcyle Cruiser Mag. website when I ran across this article;
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/street ... with_kids/
which led me to this;
http://www.childridingbelt.com/enginstrcen.htm
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Flting Duck
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#14 Unread post by Flting Duck »

As mentioned, staying relaxed and letting the bike go striaght by itself is the best approach. In general, the faster you go, the more stable the bike is - within reason of course. Keeping a constant throttle or acceleerating very slowly will yield the best results.

Leave extra room in front of you so you have more room to stop without any sudden braking moves. This means think ahead and start giving the car in front of you more room before you even get to the grating.

The first few times will be unnerving but with practice, you'll become comfortable riding on grates.
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courtney123
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#15 Unread post by courtney123 »

>>>any one know if they make toddler seats for a cruiser

Don't even think of it. You're a new rider and you want to put your kid in danger? Take this to heart: you will dump your bike. Not if, but when. It's part of learning.

You really want to put your toddler in a seat and then lay the bike down because of some newbie error? Look around - you see any experienced riders carrying young kids? Maybe they know better.

Don't mean to jump your "O Ring" but that idea is plain dangerous.
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ofblong
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#16 Unread post by ofblong »

courtney123 wrote: Look around - you see any experienced riders carrying young kids? Maybe they know better.

Don't mean to jump your "O Ring" but that idea is plain dangerous.
Quite a few actually.

My wife rode on her fathers bike most of her life growing up.
My adoptive father took his kids on his bike while they were growing up.
My grandfather took his kids on bikes when they were growing up.
I take my 5 year old for rides on my bike for short trips all the time (hes still trying to grow up :laughing: ). However My 5 year old can touch the pegs whereas my other children can not so I dont take them (cept in an empty parking lot).

as for the OP I started a thread about taking children that ended up turning into 2 threads.

viewtopic.php?t=22110&highlight=

viewtopic.php?t=22199&highlight=children
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Mistercory
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#17 Unread post by Mistercory »

courtney123 wrote:>>>any one know if they make toddler seats for a cruiser

Don't even think of it. You're a new rider and you want to put your kid in danger? Take this to heart: you will dump your bike. Not if, but when. It's part of learning.

You really want to put your toddler in a seat and then lay the bike down because of some newbie error? Look around - you see any experienced riders carrying young kids? Maybe they know better.

Don't mean to jump your "O Ring" but that idea is plain dangerous.
Thank you all for your concern about the little dude's safety. I didn't really think they made any kind of harness or device to put a little kid on the back of a bike. I realize I am a noob so if I ever needed to take him on my bike I would wrap him from head to toe in a couple of inches of bubble wrap so he'd be my little Michelin Man........

Ok...Ok...Ok. I was only kidding about taking him on my bike. It was a joke. I may be dumb but I'm not stupid.
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