(Aside from the MSF) I just started riding a few weeks ago. One thing I'm having a problem with is accelerating from a stop. At first I stalled the engine a lot because I couldn't get the right combination of letting off the clutch and opening the throttle. I've got it now to where I don't stall it anymore, because I keep opening the throttle as I let out the clutch. The problem with this is that I start off pretty quickly, so if I were, for instance, in a long line of cars at a stop sign going a few feet at a time I wouldn't really have time to brake before running into the car. I've tried opening up the throttle a lot and then easing out the clutch, but that still stalls it. Is there a more graceful, controlled way to start accellerating from a stop that won't stall the engine?

Also, I've noticed that after about 20-30 minutes of riding my hands start to get kind of tingly (like when you fall asleep on them) and start to hurt a bit. Is that just because I'm not used to the sportbike riding position, or am I gripping the handlebars too tightly?


Thanks,
Ian

too tight-need to relax. hands wont hurt then.

you need more practice with the friction zone in a parking lot in order to get the finess necessary to modulate the clutch/throttle better. just practice....

You should be able fully engage the clutch at a very low RPM and very low speed.  You just need to practice in a parking lot or in a quiet neighborhood.

practice that thing they make you do in the msf where you dont engage the throttle at all...just  hit the friction point of the clutch and you'll start rolling very slowly...when u get comfortable with the friction zone you shouldnt have any problems accelerating from stops


- alex

starting:
there should be enough power while idling to make the bike roll in 1st gear.  just get out somewhere flat (parking lot) and practice letting off the clutch slowly, without using the gas.  (just to be sure, you're doing the ducky walk here -- feet walking along the ground.)  just pay attention, and you'll feel the bike start pulling.  that's your friction zone... learn it, love it. when you're in the friction zone, there is more control, since the throttle is less responsive... ie you can give it quite a bit of gas, but only feel a little power increase.  just practice finding the zone from a stop.

tingling:
take the weight off your hands/arms.  use your back more to hold yourself up (it helps to squeeze the tank with your knees).  there's an easy way to tell if your arms are too tight.  while riding, do the chicken flap with your elbows =)

and don't be afraid to play around with the clutch's friction zone until it grabs the bike at a position you are comfortable with. The clutch on a motorcycle can be ridden on without concern.

Letting the clutch out isnt a smooth constant let out with your hand.  Just let it out till your hit the friction zone then sorta hold it there while accelerating then let it out some more.  When I started riding I would try to let the clutch out to without pausing halfway engaged so it would stall.  like the other posts say, practice.

Turns out there were two problems

1) I wasn't pausing inside the friction zone (like 94suzuki500 said), but more importantly

2) My clutch cable was very, very loose. But, after watch Kerry's clutch adjustment video a couple times I tightened it up and things are much smoother now.

Thanks guys

On the hands tingling thing...do your shoulders get tired too?  You're too tight on the bike.  Loosen up.  It may help to stretch before you ride.  When you are on an open road try riding with the lightest possible touch to the bars.  You will be surprised how light of a grip it takes to maintain throttle and to turn.  Grip more with your knees and support your torso with your abs/lowerback.

I had the same numb/tingling hands problem.  It was from two things:  gripping too tightly and putting way too much weight on my hands/arms.

try pinching your knees on the tank and arching your back a bit so you're supporting your torso with your back/abs.  Ideally, you don't want to carry your weight on your hands--this keeps your grip "light" and allows you better control of the bike.

I had the same problem when I started riding. When I got my bike rejetted it seemed to help a lot. I don't know if that would make a difference or not, but I know especially when it was cold, I could hardly get the thing to move without stalling it.

I've also found that it is a lot easier to hold on with my legs and support myself with my torso if I put my toes on the pegs instead of my heels. I kept my heels on the pegs for a long time, because I was worried about not getting to the shifter and brake quickly enough, and also because that was what I learned in the MSF class. Putting my toes on the pegs has made a world of difference.

Quote from: LauraI've also found that it is a lot easier to hold on with my legs and support myself with my torso if I put my toes on the pegs instead of my heels. I kept my heels on the pegs for a long time, because I was worried about not getting to the shifter and brake quickly enough, and also because that was what I learned in the MSF class. Putting my toes on the pegs has made a world of difference.

i second that.

here is my question.  i usually ride with my toes on the pegs and (most of my weight... when i remember ) held up by my back/abs/legs.... however, once i start braking, especially when braking fast, i shift my feet and with the added change in momentum, i find it _really_ hard to keep a light touch... if i had to brake and swerve in quick succession, i'm not sure i'd be able to do it.

am i doing something wrong?  suggestions?

Quote from: crash

Quote from: LauraI've also found that it is a lot easier to hold on with my legs and support myself with my torso if I put my toes on the pegs instead of my heels. I kept my heels on the pegs for a long time, because I was worried about not getting to the shifter and brake quickly enough, and also because that was what I learned in the MSF class. Putting my toes on the pegs has made a world of difference.

i second that.

here is my question.  i usually ride with my toes on the pegs and (most of my weight... when i remember ) held up by my back/abs/legs.... however, once i start braking, especially when braking fast, i shift my feet and with the added change in momentum, i find it _really_ hard to keep a light touch... if i had to brake and swerve in quick succession, i'm not sure i'd be able to do it.

am i doing something wrong?  suggestions?

Crash, I naturally do the same thing.  However, I'm trying to break the habit by consciously tightening my leg grip on the tank and my back/abs every time I brake.  It also helps to sit more upright (especially when using non-stock bars) .. and I try to shift my feet and sit up in the same motion.  

I'm hopeful that by doing so it'll eventually become second nature and I'll lighten up on my hands/grip while braking.  So far so good .. when I actually remember to do it.  :lol: