Hi Everyone,
When you're practicing low speed maneuvers in a parking lot, are you able to keep the machine running in tight turns using clutch control only? I sometimes get paranoid that the bike will stall so I end up giving it some gas. I'd rather not touch the throttle when doing tight figure 8s etc, so my thought was to up the idle for the parking lot.
What do you guys do?
It's been a while since I've practiced my low-speed maneuvers (gotta put that on my list).
But ... don't you want to practice under conditions as close to "real world" as much as possible? If your bike's gonna stall when you're turning corners and avoiding cars in the parking lot on your "real" trip to the store, you don't want to be surprised by something you're not familiar with.
If you feel that increasing the idle will help you not to drop the bike early on (while you still don't many miles under your belt), then I'd say go for it. But after you get some experience, I'd leave the idle screw where it is. :thumb:
The idle speed should be 1200 rpm. (From the manual) Anything higher makes things 'buzzy' and anything lower could cause a stall.
If you need to, slipping the clutch works well for me. I keep the front and rear brakes covered, along with the clutch whenever I'm riding.
Slipping the clutch for slow speed (near tumbling) helps keep the rpm's up. It also allows for immediate acceleration when needed. The rear brake can help stabilize the machine. Also throttle can. Each situation is different, so practice practice practice.
If you're having trouble with power or hesitation (carburation) during low speed stuff, FIX IT. Nothing is sweeter than impressing the chick on the back with a SMOOTH FLUID series of U-Turns or parking lot manuvers. Well, so says the wife. :thumb:
Oh, and if you have excessive chain slack, that can make power delivery 'iffy' at very low speeds. Tire pressure too.
Good luck, and remember, it's ok to slip the clutch !
Quote from: beRto on November 07, 2007, 07:42:49 PMWhat do you guys do?
I keep a steady throttle, fast idle as if pulling away, slip the clutch (it can take it) and fine tune my speed with the rear brake. Keeping the revs up helps with low-speed stability because you'll get more gyro effect from the faster spinning crank when you're not getting it from the wheels. :icon_razz:
Quote from: beRto on November 07, 2007, 07:42:49 PM
Hi Everyone,
When you're practicing low speed maneuvers in a parking lot, are you able to keep the machine running in tight turns using clutch control only? I sometimes get paranoid that the bike will stall so I end up giving it some gas. I'd rather not touch the throttle when doing tight figure 8s etc, so my thought was to up the idle for the parking lot.
What do you guys do?
Yep... I feather the clutch and hold the throttle fairly constant during slow maneuvers. Plus I already have pressure on the clutch if I have to pull it in and stop quickly.
Always have the throttle open a bit and use the clutch to control the power to the rear wheel. Do not close the throttle in slow speed maneuvers unless the clutch is puled in all the way or you will stall it and drop it.
Sorry to go off topic a bit but do you guys cover the clutch will normal riding? (I was taught not to cover the front brake while normal riding and can't remember if I should cover the clutch or not).
Quote from: Yev on November 08, 2007, 10:42:41 AM
Sorry to go off topic a bit but do you guys cover the clutch will normal riding? (I was taught not to cover the front brake while normal riding and can't remember if I should cover the clutch or not).
No. Only when I want to shift.
Quote from: Yev on November 08, 2007, 10:42:41 AM
Sorry to go off topic a bit but do you guys cover the clutch will normal riding? (I was taught not to cover the front brake while normal riding and can't remember if I should cover the clutch or not).
Some cover both all the time. I find it very uncomfortable covering the front brake and controlling the throttle at the same time, I cover the clutch in slow speeds just to make things easier.
Alright.. I found covering the clutch at all times to be a little strenuous on my palm and I feel a lot more comfortable at high speeds not holding it. So thanks for your inputs.
Quote from: CndnMax on November 08, 2007, 10:37:06 AM
Always have the throttle open a bit and use the clutch to control the power to the rear wheel. Do not close the throttle in slow speed maneuvers unless the clutch is puled in all the way or you will stall it and drop it.
This is good info. And I assume everyone is in first gear right?
On the 250cc bikes we had in the MSF, they had us do it in 2nd gear and just feather the clutch/use the rear brake to regulate speed (no throttle usage at all).
I use the clutch and somtimes a little throttle when making tight turns or figure-8's at parking lot speeds.
I always cover the clutch in town, usually with two fingers on the brake lever as well.
I've made such a habit of covering ALL THREE (clutch, fb, rb) that it feels very odd when I don't.
You know that feeling when you don't have a seatbelt on ? (I always buckle up.)
Thats the feeling I get when I don't cover the clutch/brakes. Resting my hands on the levers is comfortable for longer trips.
YMMV
:)
Quote from: ohgood on November 09, 2007, 04:08:36 AM
I've made such a habit of covering ALL THREE (clutch, fb, rb) that it feels very odd when I don't.
You know that feeling when you don't have a seatbelt on ? (I always buckle up.)
Thats the feeling I get when I don't cover the clutch/brakes. Resting my hands on the levers is comfortable for longer trips.
YMMV
:)
I'm the same way. I don't feel right just holding the grips.
I'm with OhGood and JoNathan, I cover both in town or on a slow fwy with two fingers, AND I'm ready to tap my back brake, because it's that fraction of a second response that could stop me 20 feet sooner if someone turns left in front of me. I have NOT done my low speed maneuvering practice on this bike yet, but did a lot on all my others (only rode this twice so far, T-Day will be #3!). BUT, yes, just pulling into turnouts up the canyon and getting it maneuvered around the cars in the garage, etc, I just feathered the clutch with her revved about 3K or less, you should make that an instinct anyway, always know where your sweet spot in the clutch is in relation to your throttling on. Just wind it up a bit to where it's smoother, and just light on the clutch out and bak in if necessary, kind of like tapping the sweet spot to move the bike as needed, and foot above rear brake to apply light pressure if needed as well. Relax on the bike instead of tensing up, it will turn easier, remember low speed turns are just a little weight on the handgrip and she's turning. If you have lots of room, figure 8s are a lot of fun, you can get a nice rhythm going, and it trains your muscle memory really well! Looking into the turn will tighten it up, the bike goes where you look, be careful looking over your shoulder! :laugh: When you're confident, let it lug a little in first when doing your turns and stuff, mine isn't that bad coming up to lights and stuff, and I pull the clutch in before it feels like it may stall, but it goes slow well for me. It's a bit poppy and stumbly, but it's consistent, which makes it not such a big deal once you are used to it. But I have already had a cold blooded bike like this, just half the engine size! :icon_mrgreen: