Guys,

I threatened you I'd be back with further escapades, well here I am. I finally became legal on Friday; Permanent Tag and Motorcycle Endorsement on the License. Rained Saturday, took it out Sunday.

First I went down to the parking lot for a while. Ran it fast (for me anyway) 45 - 55 mph to get used to the speed. I practiced stopping quickly a few times from these speeds, locked up the front wheel once but recovered OK. I saw another motorcycle show up on the opposite side of the lot, a side I'd never ventured to before. A girl started to ride, while a guy watched. She dropped the bike, so I went over to check she was OK. Boyfriend was trying to teach his girlfriend how to ride. He said she didn't want to wait for a smaller bike, so they were out there and she was dropping his $25,000.00 Harley. He's part of a club that uses the lot for training and he showed me the lines and such that they've painted on the lot and how they were used. He also gave me some pointers. One of which MaxB gave me in my intro post, using the back brake while making slow speed turns.

http://www.silverwing600.com/introductions-f1/brand-spanking-new-t1926.htm

I did this for a while in a circle and it went pretty well, but I could eventually smell the brakes, so I stopped. Later I tried my hand on a design that has you making a U turn, I didn't want to burn the brakes anymore, so I didn't use them. I had the opportunity to test my new helmet, jacket, and gloves. They all worked pretty good. I've got a sore shoulder and a stain on my new jacket I can't get out.

I was going very slow, with the handlebars tuned to the left. Bike went down and I went forward to the right, landing on my right shoulder and bouncing my head on the pavement. The guy who gave me the pointers, said its more difficult with the combined brakes, you really don't want to brake the front wheel.

So, my question is, How do I practice slow speed turns, keeping the centifugal clutch engaged, without braking the front tire or burning the pads?

Other than the fall, I had a blast. I took it out on the roadway afterwards and didn't want to come home.

Thanks,
Bill

Sorry you've had an 'off'.

Use the back brake - the linked system applies the rear well before the front so unless you grab a big handful the front linked brake won't do anything.

Firstly, sorry to hear of your 'off'.

However when it comes to slow speed stuff, I'm not overly big on the theory of staying upright.

My method is similar to aviation test pilots!!!! I work slowly up to any maneuver. Instinct and seat of your pants style I suppose. Exploring where the envelope is and sticking within it. All scoots are different so every new machine is a challenge but enjoyable, exploring exactly the machine and I can do.

With the brakes, I start with forward only braking then build up the speed to find out where the limits are. Likewise with cornering. I won't push myself if there are other road users about, their safety is equally as important as mine.

In all my time on two wheels, (this is the bit where I tempt fate!!), I have never had an off. Work up slowly as maintain a safe environment. If at any stage you feel that butt squeezing moment it is getting unsafe so abort whatever you are doing and get the bike and yourself into a safe configuration as soon as possible. No point throwing a good body and an expensive machine down the road just to look cool.

There is no training like experience. Get out on the roads and get some miles and I think you will find the braking will become a natural event rather than a planned maneuver, stay safe and treat every ride as a training ride. Be critical of your actions and learn from any mistakes.

You can practice as much as you like in a parking lot but nothing beats the road under actual riding conditions.

Most of all, enjoy the experience.

There are pros and cons to a linked braking system. I've previously had them on my vtx 1800 and on my wife's current S'wing. You've just discovered one the the cons! If you want to practice these maneuvers, you should use a bike with non link brakes, otherwise just go slowly with proper throttle control and a featherlight touch on the left brake lever.

I agree with Waspie's advise...the best practice is to get out there and ride!!! (leave the parking lot maneuvers for visits to 7-11 stores)

Bill,
First off, sorry about your drop! Better it happens when you're practicing in a parking lot than avoiding something out in traffic!

When braking to keep the clutch engaged, you really should only need a very light pressure on the REAR brake only. The CBS will not apply any front brake until you're at about 40-60% or so of rear-brake application. If you're applying that much brake, you're braking too hard.

When doing slow speed practice, take a few moments between maneuvers to allow the brake to cool off. If you smell the brake heating too much, just take a short 2-3 minute break, or practice some maneuvers that don't require braking.

Good luck, and ride safe!

I think you'll find that a 2004 with 10k miles on it is "almost new" or just barely broken-in.

Gotta love Hondas.