 Newb Asks - how far is too far?
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 168
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 168 |
Hi there, as some of you know i only recently passed my bike test and my first bike (ever) is a '07 Triumph America.
Anyway, i've been out and about on it, no long rides yet apart from a pants wetting trip to Stratford upon Avon, most of my journeying being in or around Birmingham (which is nightmarish enough).
So i have a couple of questions that i'd rather find out the easy way rather than the tarmac way.
The key one being, how far can i lean before the bike decides to dump me?
One of my big weaknesses has been my ability to lean into corners, on this kind of bike at least - i was fine on the practise bike which was much smaller and a more 'standard' setup.
It'd be really useful for me to know what it's capable of both at slow speeds and mid speeds (40mph) as i've been fairly conservative with it so far and thats caused me to either take corners too wide or be too cautious on slow speeds (for fear of dropping it on mini roundabouts).
My other question is a bit simpler : (ballpark figure) how far can i go before i run out of petrol? First time i went out i ran out of fuel at 70 miles (on a duel carrageway in fact) before i had to switch to the reserve. Second time was slightly longer but not much more.
I'm aware i probably had the choke partly out for my first runs (don't ask) but i've been cautious to go over 70 miles before refueling and i reckon (looking at stats at least) that it should have another 15 - 20 miles in it before i need to switch to reserve.
am i wrong? (probably)
cheers for any help you can offer
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Re: Newb Asks - how far is too far?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
I usually fill up at around 100 miles. I can usually go 135 - 140 before switching to reserve, so that gives me plenty of time to look for a petrol stop on my side of the road. With allowance for all the small towns around here with very low speed limits, that works out to about 2 hours riding, which leaves me ready for a loo stop as well, so it all works out well.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Newb Asks - how far is too far?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,217 Likes: 61
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,217 Likes: 61 |
about 130 to 150 miles here if my tank is full before I hit reserve. As for leaning you can lean until you scrape parts on the ground as long as the road conditions permit (no gravel , leaves or anything else slippery) You can't lean as far at slower speeds , you will get a feel for it with experience. Don't push it now, you will learn in time. Speaking of slippery, open grate bridges, manhole covers, the lines on the road (any paint on the road) can all be very slippery when wet. Also when it starts to rain the center of your lane will be slippery too from oil that collects, in the rain stay in the tire tracks where a cars tires would be. Leaves , grass clippings, and gravel are slippery too.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Newb Asks - how far is too far?
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,527
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,527 |
Saddle time ....and more saddle time are indicated here. Ride and then ride some more. Pay close attention to the fundamentals you have already learned.
Cutting a nice line through a tight little corner at a fair speed comes with correct technique and practice.
In my opinion its very important to keep your line of vision high and "look where you want to go." The bike will go there all things being equal as long as you stay within the abilities of the machine at any given speed and road condition.
Its amazing how much smoother a line through a turn is accomplished when you look high and away and through the turn. If you look down and to the ground then target fixation tends to want to set in and the bike will want to go where you are looking short term and you will have to then correct or find yourself going too wide out of the turn.
I try to practice thinking of my head and torso and my hands on the bars as a visual "attitude indicator" with my head/line of vision remaining horizontal and high looking away and where I want to go while still maintaining a visual aspect of the road contition directly in front of me.
Too me its sorta like flying an airplane and keeping it straight and level. Your line of vision and sense of balance and your center act as a gyroscope in this application.
Once you get some saddle time and concentrate on good fundamentals they will become second nature.
Last edited by clanrickarde; 07/16/2008 2:31 PM.
"Proud to be an Infidel" ... "100% pure American Jingoist"
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 Re: Newb Asks - how far is too far?
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626 |
I normally ride like I'm fleeing the scene, and I usually get at least 100 miles before reserve. How far can you lean? It takes practice to find that out. Check out the tips in this one: http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/forums/...ge=0#Post159441Good Luck 
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: Newb Asks - how far is too far?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152 |
Quote:
It'd be really useful for me to know what it's capable of both at slow speeds and mid speeds (40mph) as i've been fairly conservative with it so far and thats caused me to either take corners too wide or be too cautious on slow speeds (for fear of dropping it on mini roundabouts).
as far as leaning goes I think you would run out of guts/skill/attention before you overran the geometry of the bike. Looking through the turn and countersteering will get you through any on-road situation. Maybe make it a point to spend time in a parking lot doing low speed turns - it's a worthwhile investment and if you can get down far enough you'll hear what scrapes first (those little steel nubbies on the bottom of your footpegs).
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Re: Newb Asks - how far is too far?
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,210
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,210 |
Im having this concern lately on the rides to and from work. My situation is a bit different because i have a lowered bike. Do you guys have problems with bumpy curves? Like when the bikes hopping as youre turning?
Im wondering how far I can push it on turns like this. The tires are always touching but the wieght is shifting alot and im affraid if I angle too much when the weight bounces up, the rear tire will get loose on me.
And Im also wondering if this is amplified a bit more because i have a hard/lowered suspension.
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Re: Newb Asks - how far is too far?
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 186
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 186 |
I with you there bro, the rear on y bike is stiff and low and bumpy curves can be hairy. to answer the question of how far you can lean? i have indicators on my bike, my pipes, but one has to learn to trust the bike to right itself when cornering. if you travel slow and look down at the corner you are in that is where you will end up. down in the corner. you have to ride with your eyes in front of you, anticipate, execute, continue riding and repeat as needed....
2006SM XS pods,145/45,XS springs,arlen ness mirrors,19t primary,Reality is you are the weak and I am the tyranny of evil men, but I'm tryin REAL hard to be the shepherd. Scott Jackson McCain
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Re: Newb Asks - how far is too far?
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 186
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2008
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CHECK THIS OUT, I think everyone will be impressed.....http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=99KKx7cB-Ok
2006SM XS pods,145/45,XS springs,arlen ness mirrors,19t primary,Reality is you are the weak and I am the tyranny of evil men, but I'm tryin REAL hard to be the shepherd. Scott Jackson McCain
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Re: Newb Asks - how far is too far?
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,210
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,210 |
Quote:
I with you there bro, the rear on y bike is stiff and low and bumpy curves can be hairy. to answer the question of how far you can lean? i have indicators on my bike, my pipes, but one has to learn to trust the bike to right itself when cornering. if you travel slow and look down at the corner you are in that is where you will end up. down in the corner. you have to ride with your eyes in front of you, anticipate, execute, continue riding and repeat as needed....
Its not exactly worrying about the angle of the turn, im wondering about the bouncing throwing my geometry off if i push it too hard. The weight coming off the back wheel in a bounce to kick the rear out.
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Re: Newb Asks - how far is too far?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152 |
Quote:
Do you guys have problems with bumpy curves? Like when the bikes hopping as youre turning?
Holy cow no, I was thinking of a stock bike on regular pavement!
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Re: Newb Asks - how far is too far?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,217 Likes: 61
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,217 Likes: 61 |
Quote:
Quote:
I with you there bro, the rear on y bike is stiff and low and bumpy curves can be hairy. to answer the question of how far you can lean? i have indicators on my bike, my pipes, but one has to learn to trust the bike to right itself when cornering. if you travel slow and look down at the corner you are in that is where you will end up. down in the corner. you have to ride with your eyes in front of you, anticipate, execute, continue riding and repeat as needed....
Its not exactly worrying about the angle of the turn, im wondering about the bouncing throwing my geometry off if i push it too hard. The weight coming off the back wheel in a bounce to kick the rear out.
You guys are sissys! (kidding) Try riding a hard tail with a springer front end! You have never felt a bike hop or skip in a corner yet! LOL
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Newb Asks - how far is too far?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Quote:
i've been out and about on it, no long rides yet apart from a pants wetting trip
Sounds like you've already been testing the limits    .
Good advice all around here. Should go 130-150 miles before reserve. You can lean way over in turns, I scrape my pegs often. Sometimes as slow as 5 mph just for grins.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Newb Asks - how far is too far?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
Anthony I usually fill up around the 150 mark, but that is usually conservative riding, as for leaning once the foot pegs catch I think you have leaned far enough. The only way to learn is to ride it, being a lot more cautious in the rain or wet ground..
I now have the 08 speedmaster and find that the new tank I can go a little further, but will need to set my margin after the service (500) tomorrow...
Ray(UK)
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Re: Newb Asks - how far is too far?
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,210
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,210 |
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
I with you there bro, the rear on y bike is stiff and low and bumpy curves can be hairy. to answer the question of how far you can lean? i have indicators on my bike, my pipes, but one has to learn to trust the bike to right itself when cornering. if you travel slow and look down at the corner you are in that is where you will end up. down in the corner. you have to ride with your eyes in front of you, anticipate, execute, continue riding and repeat as needed....
Its not exactly worrying about the angle of the turn, im wondering about the bouncing throwing my geometry off if i push it too hard. The weight coming off the back wheel in a bounce to kick the rear out.
You guys are sissys! (kidding) Try riding a hard tail with a springer front end! You have never felt a bike hop or skip in a corner yet! LOL
yeah thats what im talking about hopping...if you angle it down to a normal aggresive angle will it jump out from under you?
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Re: Newb Asks - how far is too far?
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 168
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
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Posts: 168 |
Cheers for the good advice all, looks like i was being ultra ultra conservative on the old fuel tank front. On the leaning, i guess it's down to practise practise practise so i'll keep on at it. It's good to know it's got more in it so it'll give me a bit more confidence in throwing it around (without hopefully it throwing me around). on the plus side, i can stop practising U Turns with the missus as she just passed her full test today (after failing the first time). off to Triumph Birmingham we go. 
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Re: Newb Asks - how far is too far?
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 29
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 29 |
I just ran mine to reserve for the first time and got 149.3 before i started sputtering. I rode pretty conservatively though.
"Nil Desperandum"
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Re: Newb Asks - how far is too far?
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,382
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,382 |
When you are dragging a nice consistent slice of heel off your boot you are in good shape... when it feels like it is going to knock your foot off the peg you might be getting to the point of too far. I love heel scraping but hitting the hero pegs isn't something I want to try.
'06 TBA - Black, AI and Snorkel removed, K&N Drop In, Gutted Stock Pipes, 145/42, 2 turns out.
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Re: Newb Asks - how far is too far?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
When I'm scraping my floorboards, I know I've leaned about a 1/16th" too far...
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Re: Newb Asks - how far is too far?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
Quote:
You guys are sissys! (kidding) Try riding a hard tail with a springer front end! You have never felt a bike hop or skip in a corner yet! LOL
been there, done that, din't get no steenking Tshirt. My bum is still sore from when the pogo seat bottomed out and that was some 45 years ago.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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