Motorcycle Forums

erm

you could wash the butter from ypur fingers

As aeh

be very, very gentle on the front when coming to a halt.

Once a bike goes over to a point, there's no getting it back - it's merely a case of hoping damage isn't serious.

If you haven't had the bike long, you'll need time to adjust to it and get a feel for it.

Again, as aeh, we've all dropped bikes at some point, and those that haven't, will do it - its easier done than people think.

Use the front brake to lose speed

use the rear in traffic or when going slow, if using the front, don't grab, be gentle and squeeze slowly and progressively.

expatgirl

It has already been mentioned.

Nothing wrong with your brakes.

Most bikes now have two big discs and calipers on the front and one small disc / caliper on the rear.

There is far too much braking power available to control a bike with the front brake at slow speed.

You will find using the front brake at slow speed say approaching a junction, that the front tends to bite a little too much, the front end dives a little, and steering becomes heavy.

If you use rear brake for slow speed, you drag the rear end. This make s the rear squat a little, bike doesn't nose dive and steering is easier. simply because there are now no forces in the front end.

when out on the open road and you want to lose some speed Front brake (then a little rear) and when down to 20mph and below rear brake.

Another good tip, when you approach junctions (give way etc) point the bike in the direction you want to go if it is safe to do so. This allows you to pull away on a straighter line (excelerate quicker) and avoid those horrible sharp corners.

Hope this helps.

expatgirl

Just some reassuring words

I dropped my TRX 850 the day I bought it. reason was simple, I wasn't used to it and I did something wrong.

Because it was a twin I didn't give it enough revs turning into a junction, it stalled and I dropped it. Big mistake was leaning into the corner at slow speed. If I had kept it upright I wouldn't have dropped it.

If you are on your tip toes you will obviously be concerned about dropping your bike. You must get into the habit of keeping the bike upright and use the rear brake at slow speed. (fingers of the front brake lever). This will keep the front end light and easy to turn. (keep chin up and look where you want to go) and you should feel more in control and your convindence will increase.

You are not alone, I have been involved in slow riding coaching and its suprising how nervous some riders are, but simple things like using rear brake make a big difference.

Please let me know how you get on.

P.s I smile when I see riders that have outriggers, those that drop both feet down at slow speed incase they drop it! It really is so simple to fix.