 Keeping a straight line
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 34
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 34 |
It's a rare occasion when I get stuck behind a queue of traffic for any length of time but recently I was in such a situation for about 25 minutes. It wasn't possible to do a 'white line' sprint overtaking because the A road (UK) in question was very narrow and there was a lot of oncomming traffic. So it was start-stop until the road was clear. I had a Kawasaki rider beside me and as the traffic pulled forward then stopped he could keep a really good straight line at slow speed. It took me by surprise how hard it is to do this with my 2011 America.
I have ridden bikes for years and my last bike, a Honda Shadow 750 could very easily maintain a straight line at slow speed. I cannot figure out why it is that this bike should be so hard to do this. Any thoughts on this guys?
Alan
There are 10 types of people in the world. Those that understand binary and those that don't!
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Re: Keeping a straight line
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 473
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 473 |
Unfortunately, I have to do this regularly. Crawling speeds for a few km at a time on occasion.
What I was taught to do in my training was to clutch-throttle (no more than 1500 rpm) and ride the clutch, and to keep head and eyes up. RPM should be steady. A slight dab or drag on the rear brake also helps stabilize the bike. This process works like a charm. Naturally, the clutch takes the abuse, but I was told that they are designed to deal with this. The longest I've owned a bike was 4 years, and 40,000 km, and the clutch was still good when I sold it.
Anyway, this technique works for me on my Speedmaster, and every other bike I've had for very slow paced walking speeds. And, yeah, you get a bit of a workout doing this.
My wife and I practice slow speed crawling (among other techniques) in a large parking lot and we use the painted lines to ride on. My wife can run over 100 metres at a slow crawl and not waver off the painted (4" wide) line. I'm not THAT good, but she has always had excellent balance.
HTH,
H.
Last edited by hyates; 10/15/2011 2:51 PM.
2010 Speedmaster Black/New England White
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Re: Keeping a straight line
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152 |
+1 on riding the clutch and rear brake for stability. I haven't had to do this for km at a time but it is a worthwhile technique when you need it.
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Re: Keeping a straight line
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Alan, my guess as to why this whole slow-speed straight-line holding thing seems harder on our bikes is because the forks are raked out a plenty "generous" 33 degrees(as compared to the standard Bonnie's steeper 29 degrees of rake) and a situation which contributes to slower speed "flops" of the front wheel.
Have you ever watched a guy ride a "raked-out" Chopper and noticed how much this handling phenomenon seems to happen in a case such as that?
(...it's the same principle)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Keeping a straight line
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
For sure Dwight. I could hold my '02 Trophy very straight at a crawl even though it was rather top heavy.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Keeping a straight line
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 538
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 538 |
Quote:
It's a rare occasion when I get stuck behind a queue of traffic for any length of time but recently I was in such a situation for about 25 minutes. It wasn't possible to do a 'white line' sprint overtaking because the A road (UK) in question was very narrow and there was a lot of oncomming traffic. So it was start-stop until the road was clear. I had a Kawasaki rider beside me and as the traffic pulled forward then stopped he could keep a really good straight line at slow speed. It took me by surprise how hard it is to do this with my 2011 America.
I have ridden bikes for years and my last bike, a Honda Shadow 750 could very easily maintain a straight line at slow speed. I cannot figure out why it is that this bike should be so hard to do this. Any thoughts on this guys?
Alan
Honda Shadow Aero has a 34 degree rake!!! SOO if America and Speedmaster has 33 degree would that not mean it SHOULD be EASIER on a Speedmaster or America?? 
I would have to say the center of gravity of an Honda Shadow Aero is lower which helps along with a fatter shorter front tire which could also HELP IMO 
Triumph being a taller riding more top heavy sure doesn't help!!
OR this means you like you Triumph MORE and is scared that you will drop it?? 
OR your riding skills have gone DOWN HILL?? And more practice is NEEDED?? 
Are we there YET? I gotta go pee!!
08 SpeedMASTER, Black and Red!
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Re: Keeping a straight line
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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 |
Using the engine as a gyroscope by keeping the RPM's up makes a lot of difference.
Also, keep in mind that the engine is offset a little to the right to fit the chain around the fat rear tire. Because of this, it might help a little to sit just a little to the left to balance it out.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Keeping a straight line
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
If I enter the 'slow ride' contest at next year's biker rally this info will come in handy. I'll have to practice your suggested techniques there, Ed!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Keeping a straight line
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
If I enter the 'slow ride' contest at next year's biker rally this info will come in handy. I'll have to practice your suggested techniques there, Ed!
I have a world of confidence in ya ,Keith , you'll be great :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY9Uh-Eupv8
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Re: Keeping a straight line
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
Quote:
If I enter the 'slow ride' contest at next year's biker rally this info will come in handy. I'll have to practice your suggested techniques there, Ed!
I have a world of confidence in ya ,Keith , you'll be great :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY9Uh-Eupv8
I'll have to let you know how it turns out, but with that song ringing through my head it should be a bit easier!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Keeping a straight line
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 513
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 513 |
I think our bikes have a balance issue. I've had a Speedy and now an america and both bikes rear kicks out to the right if the.rear tire is locked while braking hard. Slow crawl riding can be affected by a lot of factors. Some times I have no problems then the road surface changes and I'm all over the lane. Maybe adjusting the rear tire could affect it. Center of gravity? Anyone whose lowered their bike have any comment?
Its more fun to be ridin'! I'm still ridin 
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Re: Keeping a straight line
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,715 Likes: 4
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,715 Likes: 4 |
Quote:
I think our bikes have a balance issue. I've had a Speedy and now an america and both bikes rear kicks out to the right if the.rear tire is locked while braking hard. Slow crawl riding can be affected by a lot of factors. Some times I have no problems then the road surface changes and I'm all over the lane. Maybe adjusting the rear tire could affect it. Center of gravity? Anyone whose lowered their bike have any comment?
is your rear tire perfectly in line with the front?
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Keeping a straight line
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
I've often kinda wondered if perhaps the engine on our bikes being placed off-center and to the right of the frame in order for the drive chain to clear the wider rear tire/wheel might have an affect on this whole balancing issue?
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Keeping a straight line
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 513
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 513 |
Quote:
is your rear tire perfectly in line with the front?
Yes, I usually check that when I adjust my chain or have the wheel off for any reason unless I'm in a hurry.
Its more fun to be ridin'! I'm still ridin
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Re: Keeping a straight line
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,847
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,847 |
Just wobble back and forth across the whole lane and pretend you're a NASCAR warming your tires. 
Warren
04 Caspian Blue and Silver America
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Re: Keeping a straight line
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 582
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 582 |
everyone knows that turns are more fun than straights! 
"Got the wind in my face the road goes on for miles...."
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Re: Keeping a straight line
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,212
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,212 |
heck if i am between the yellow and the white or two whites i am a pretty happy camper! i usually waite till they move, count to ten then WOT to the bumper.....heck ya!:-)
2007 Speedmaster and miss it!
2013 T-Bird Storm and Luvin it!
Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at 70 mph can double your vocabulary
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Re: Keeping a straight line
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
We had a joke about driving back when I lived in Zimbabwe. The roads there were so full of potholes we used to say, "if he's driving straight, he must be drunk."
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Keeping a straight line
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,284
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,284 |
Quote:
I think our bikes have a balance issue. I've had a Speedy and now an america and both bikes rear kicks out to the right if the.rear tire is locked while braking hard. Slow crawl riding can be affected by a lot of factors. Some times I have no problems then the road surface changes and I'm all over the lane. Maybe adjusting the rear tire could affect it. Center of gravity? Anyone whose lowered their bike have any comment?
My bike is slammed 2" front and rear, it tracks pretty straight. I lowered it when my brother owned it so I have no point of reference.
Strangler
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Re: Keeping a straight line
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
I don't know about a balance issue, mine will track dead straight with hands off the bars from speed all the way down to a crawl. That said, stop and go traffic can make any good rider wobble when the bike's neck angle is over 30° because you keep losing your inertia and the "friction zone" is the only remedy.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Keeping a straight line
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,580
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,580 |
Quote:
I think our bikes have a balance issue. I've had a Speedy and now an america and both bikes rear kicks out to the right if the.rear tire is locked while braking hard.
I've only locked the rear wheel once, and she kicked out to the left.
The only reason I can think of for us to be different is that we ride on opposite sides of the road, and the roads chamber is deciding which way she kicks.
That's just a guess, which could easily turn out to be a great big dollop of bovine poo
Too old to die young, too ugly to leave a good looking corpse
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Re: Keeping a straight line
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10 |
I'm not sure Bryn.
I only locked mine up once in an emergency stop too, and it kicked out to the right.
We drive on the left in Australia as well.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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