View Full Version : Change of pants moment
Specialone
26-04-09, 11:06 AM
Had a ride out this morning and after 5 mins i was going up a hill on a long sweeping bend in 3rd about 5k revs when i missed a gear for the first time ever and let the clutch out and with severe engine braking had the most scary wobble on the back end, frightened the brown stuff out of me.
Anyone else had similar?
I dont normally change gear or brake on bends so dont know why i did, wont be doing that again thats for sure !!
Does anyone else get aching wrists and hands after riding for 30 mins + ?
Dont know if its just my heavy frame bearing down on my wrists or im just gripping the grips too tight.
Hope it gets better in future after more miles under my belt.
Alpinestarhero
26-04-09, 11:13 AM
I've not quick snuck gears home before, and it is a bit suprising when it happens when you have thought you got the next cog in right.
Buuuut its one of those things :D at least you kept it upright, and at least you know what happened. Just kick that gear home properly next time. Nothing wrong with grabbing the next gear (down or up) mid-corner, I have done it a few times but you have to be certain you are composed :) (and when downshifting, accompany it with a blip of the throttle before re-engaging the clutch so the engine speed matches the rear-wheel speed, else you could have another brown-trouser moment!)
As for achey wrists and hands...your holding the bars too tight! Relax your hand grip, and grip the tnak more with your knees. Also, try adjusting the brake and clutch lever down a bit....suzuki has the angle way too high!
Matt
Specialone
26-04-09, 11:19 AM
Thanks matt, ill look into the adjustments.
Good to hear its not just me that has 'moments'.
i know when i'm riding its probably my grip thats too tight but cant seem to get my brain and hands to communicate in relation to that.
phil
Alpinestarhero
26-04-09, 11:37 AM
I know what oyu mean, its a change of habit...and habits are hard to break lol But you'll find also that you can handle the bike better by calming the grip on the bars, so its well worth working at :)
Everyone has moments, my dad has been riding 35 years and has moments....most of those on the wobbly wobbler (AKA pegeot speedfight scooter.....no damping on the front shock!)
Think yourself lucky, the last time I locked the rear up I hadn't scrubbed off enough speed to make the corner (or at least that was my perception). Choice of throw it down the road or hit a dry stone wall.
So yes, we all have those moments.
Nothing wrong with grabbing the next gear (down or up) mid-corner, I have done it a few times but you have to be certain you are composed :) (and when downshifting, accompany it with a blip of the throttle before re-engaging the clutch so the engine speed matches the rear-wheel speed, else you could have another brown-trouser moment!)
Now, if the rider is truly composed, there should be no need to be faffing with the gear lever mid bend.
When taught to ride (on the road), the vast majority are told to not go anywhere near the gears mid bend - and that's for a very good reason. Changing gear upsets the balance of the bike, and can cause unpredictable things to happen.
However, sometimes you need to change gear, and sometimes you just want to, whilst mid bend. Forward planning & reading the road properly will ensure that you only ever do it when you want to, rather than need to. Even then it will usually be upshifts as you pull out of the bend.
Don't get me wrong, I still fluff things up too. :)
As for achey wrists and hands...your holding the bars too tight! Relax your hand grip, and grip the tnak more with your knees. Also, try adjusting the brake and clutch lever down a bit....suzuki has the angle way too high!
I'd go with adjusting the levers first myself, then just make sure you're barely holding on to the grips whilst riding - as Matt said, hold with your knees against the tank (fist sized gap between your groin & the tank), and just push your legs together harder under breaking, relax under power.
Shellywoozle
26-04-09, 12:12 PM
Ride to the Police driving theory like I should do and you wont be changing mid corner
Information
Position
Speed
Gear
Acceleration
Look well ahead of you and soak up all the information, hazards which will affect your path. Position yourself on the road to tackle that hazard, adjust you speed accordingly with acceleration sense/braking, change gear for that speed, take the hazard and accelerate !
Woo hoo why can't I follow that!
Hope you haven't give your pants to ya misses to wash and I hope they werent white ones LOL ..... else the skid marks wont be on the road haha
Specialone
26-04-09, 12:16 PM
Ride to the Police driving theory like I do and you wont be changing mid corner
Information
Position
Speed
Gear
Acceleration
Look well ahead of you and soak up all the information, hazards which will affect your path. Position yourself on the road to tackle that hazard, adjust you speed accordingly with acceleration sense/braking, change gear for that speed, take the hazard and accelerate !
Woo hoo why can't I follow that!
Hope you haven't give your pants to ya misses to wash and I hope they werent white ones LOL ..... else the skid marks wont be on the road haha
I havent checked them yet lol !!
I know what i done wrong but like other things in life for a split second i made the wrong choice and hopefully wont repeat it.
Shellywoozle
26-04-09, 12:19 PM
I havent checked them yet lol !!
I know what i done wrong but like other things in life for a split second i made the wrong choice and hopefully wont repeat it.
Errr they will be stuck to ya bum hairs :smt101 errrr ya misses will be peeling them off ya and you will be screaming in pain as they wipe out ya hairs.
We all learn by our mistakes glad you kept it upright and was only your pants you wrote off LOL
xxxx
I know what i done wrong but like other things in life for a split second i made the wrong choice and hopefully wont repeat it.
Never let the bike go somewhere your brain hasn't been at least 3 seconds before.
EDIT: BTW Shell, you can teach me how to use IPSGA properly next weekend. :)
Shellywoozle
26-04-09, 12:43 PM
OK Baph will do, maybe going to Oulton yet dude, Mum MAY be able to have Sam ... working on it but it's only a MAYBE.
Off to work now so all ride safe and keep those pants cleanxxx
I would'nt say i get aching hands as such but i often get really bad pins and needles after a while which i dont enjoy.
Specialone
26-04-09, 04:21 PM
I would'nt say i get aching hands as such but i often get really bad pins and needles after a while which i dont enjoy.
I have them as well sometimes, especially on my left hand for some reason.
You been riding long ? as im hoping my aches and pains will ease with more experience.
I've had the SV for about 9 months now but i get pins and needles now the same as the day i rode the bike home i mainly get it in my right hand assumed it was summit to with using the throttle.
mick
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