A question for all the experienced guys

X

XXXXXX

New member
Okay first bike so I'm just getting the feel and all that. I haven't really ridden without an (Ohlins) damper so I'm spoiled. Mine is set just 1-2 clicks past halfway so it's not too stiff. The other night I was accelerating hard and hit a choppy surface...my front wheel was shaken up a bit. Also when I'm cornering and I hit a manhole or pothole the bars get jerked too. (If you don't have these where you live you're lucky!)

I just want to get some feedback on how the bars behave - what makes them do what specifically...how I can be prepared...and how to pre-empt or counter it. Assuming steering damper settings will come up too, whatever you got.

Thanks
 
Most of what you experiencing comes from holding onto the bars to tightly. The bike will react like this if you have a firm grip or too much wieght on the grips. Try a looser grip with less wieght on you arms.
 
too much weight on the bars when it's at lower speeds...and I'll try loosening the grip, that's a new guy habit that I'm working rapidly to lose!
 
I always assume there is a pothole, pedestrian, whatever around every corner - even familiar ones. Avoidance, whenever possible, has kept me upright for 12K miles/year. Down here, it is also safe to assume that old asphalt and the hundred degree sun will make every turn an oil slick... I also had to learn how to relax the forearms - not only did it affect handling, it was a quick route to carpal tunnel....
 
but a lot of my riding has been at night lately and I'm definitely more tightened up at night. Daytime too but not as bad...I'm getting there!
 
NewDuc,

I agree. One tends to tense up when we don't know what's ahead or what to expect from the bike or even our own actions. Sometimes the best thing is to turn an adverse road hazard into a training situation. Find a deserted road or parking lot with some bad asphalt and practice.

Have you ridden any dirt bikes? If you get accustomed to ripping across some rough terrain you gain the ability to not only grip the bars enough to maintain your grip and control but allow yourself to go with the flow and give with the blows that the bike takes going over the bumps.

You cannot always keep the bike on the exact intended path. But knowing that if the front end is going to twitch but settle again or when the back wheel kicks out to one side and snaps back if you do nothing more than relax and use your knees like riding a horse or a bull you will keep yourself centered on the bike.

When you can anticipate hitting a bad pothole the best thing to do if you are able is gas it to lighten the front end so the wheel does not drop too deeply into the hole impacting the opposite lip of the hole full on. At the same time, raise your butt off the seat so that your full weight is on the pegs. When your back wheel starts to drop into the hole flex your knees and absorb the impact with you body off of the seat. This will lessen the impact on the bike and rear suspension and allow the rear suspension to absorb the impact more effectively.

Anyway, a few things to get you thinking about it.

Ciao,

Scott
 
to almost all of that...thanks. I'm pretty good over the bumps, getting off the seat and even yanking up the bars on the real bad ones. Been on dirtbikes but can't say that I have been on them enough...got a CRF250 to learn better on and get some frustrations out but my buddy moved in with his girl and disappeared so I sold it!

Anyway, I appreciate the helpful hints...feel free to keep them coming! Track day Monday should be a big help too.
 
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