Riding the storm hard... and newbie tips.

Hanuman · Post by **Hanuman** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 9:19 pm

I'm still a fresh novice in real terms - only passed my DAS a month ago - I thought I could put my years of driving vans, powerful cars etc to my advantage - which works in terms of having no fear in a straight line... those corners are still a learning curve....

I'm really enjoying getting to grips with the machine - had a pillion on the other day and took a run up to the borders - jedburgh way. I found cornering was easier with the pillion and generaly the bike was smoother - braking wasnt as jerky... I'm only 12 stone on my own.

I've learnt to stay off that back brake as the ass wobbles and doesnt like it when braking hard before a corner and i'm picking my exit sooner - winding it on.

I've read reports on the stock brake and suspension set up and it appears i'm aproaching needing some modifications - or i'm riding like a clown or I need to set up the suspension - and frankly I havent a clue how to go about it.

I dont ride every day - the bike lives in the garage and only comes out for leisure cruising and attacking the country roads - eventualy I will be doing a few touring trips, but the emphasis will be on riding for fun.

How should I set the bike up for my desired use?

I'm running Dunlop Sportmax D207F's.

I've heard of 'squaring' off of the back tyre... what is it - looking down at the back tyre it is beginning to appear flat, very slightly... what am I doing wrong? is it too much thrashing on straights?

cheers

Squiffythewombat · Post by **Squiffythewombat** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 9:35 pm

Hey dude,

Well in my opinion if you ride riding with a pillion easier you need to move your body weight about the bike more. It depends how your pillion reacts to corners too as if they try to sit up right and "balance" the bike they will make riding harder, if they lean in or just sit there like they should the weight transfer happens and you can feel the result.

Jerky braking could be something to do with suspension, im sure somebody else can address that, although if its not think about how you brake with a pillion and the way you have to be much smoother on the brakes, this could well be the case. Many people try to "punch" the brakes when solo but subconiously smooth out when riding 2 up!

back brake = death in my opinion (just my opinion, gold riders will say differnet, blah blah blah but they havent couriered!) lock the rear and you start to looose control, try to use the front whenever possible and apply smoothly, start firm but not too hard gradually increasing pressure untill the levers fully depressed. With a pillion you will need the rear more but only a tad to balance out the sus travel etc. Another tip is when riding through town use the rear brake to slow you down and "drag" as it will be much smoother when filtering etc.

Im sure having your suspension set for yourself will also help greatly as most peoples bikes are setup for the previous user or in some case still stock! Although this will help i always thinking focusing on your mental and general riding tips is good, afterall dont you reccon rossi would own us all on a 125? not always the bikes faulty...

Just my 2 pence..

(resevere the right to say this is all bullshit tommorow as im actually quite drunk, hence the babble)

Squiffythewombat · Post by **Squiffythewombat** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 9:40 pm

forgot to say:

Squaring off is generally down as kaz says, by lots of motorway miles or a very upright riding postion. Basically if you ride hard or are quite experienced you will use the entire surface of the tyre right up to the edge and it will wear consistantly, more so on the edges normally. An upright postion or many motorway miles will result in the middle of the tyre wearing much more quickly than the outside edges. Therefore as time progresses the centre of the tyre becomes more "flat" and less rounded hence the "squared off" term.

Chicken strips:

These are the edges of the tyre, when theres more tread on the outside or it appears much less worn these are known as chicken strips as the rider "doesnt push that hard so is a chicken"

Hanuman · Post by **Hanuman** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 10:15 pm

cool.

chicken strips

it's pushed to the limits, as fast as it will go before the corner appears. it's caught me out a few times. 120 in a jiffy .. on the private road .. I dont do many motorway journeys although I have straight line top whacked it a few times for a rush. I just love the acceleration.

I want to be a better all rounder though as its the twisties that get my blood pumping.

The pillion was hugging in to me tight and leaning well - mirorring my moves.

The back end doesnt seem to have much spring in it when i'm on my own.

I've been told I need a full blown sports bike and to get rid of my sports tourer... no chance. I love my storm. such a cracking ride. Although as a novice I cant compare it. It's comfy enough without being a joint breaker - although a 5 hour ride, which most rides turn into, often have my right knee joint in pain... the hand and wrist pains, and the forearm pains are going away, suspose it's just getting used to it.

Though I could really do with a gel seat pad - my ass has less meat on it that a chicken wing!

Fireman on a Storm · Post by **Fireman on a Storm** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 10:36 pm

My sugestion would be to take some further training. Either go back to the bike school you passed with for some post test training, if you was happy woith the service they provided. Or contact your local advance motor cycle group or IAM group for some training.

Shame your not nearer London or I would have taken you out for a day of further training for the cost of a couple of bacon rolls for lunch!

A while back I took out a copper who had just passed his test with the bike school I worked for. In 2 1/2 hours we improved his corner speed by about 20 mph and his forwards planning no end!

Hanuman · Post by **Hanuman** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 11:03 pm

cheers, just been looking at my local RoSPA group, think i'll join - probs be a larf.

Syntec4 · Post by **Syntec4** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 11:22 pm

cubicincubi wrote:cheers, just been looking at my local RoSPA group, think i'll join - probs be a larf.

If ya fancy A trip to Manchester, I'll take yer out for the day. I used be an Observer with the manchester group. We'll have ya peg scratchin before ya know it. As the fireman said, it'll cost ya a butty. We just like to ride with people who are interested!

Lee.

yellafella · Post by **yellafella** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 6:36 am

As far as chicken strips go, i usually have about 5mm left. But to be honest if you look at the wall angle at the tyre edge i reckon the cans ( standardish ) will touch down first ! Am i wrong ?

feef · Post by **feef** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 8:44 am

yellafella wrote:As far as chicken strips go, i usually have about 5mm left. But to be honest if you look at the wall angle at the tyre edge i reckon the cans ( standardish ) will touch down first ! Am i wrong ?

if there was zero tyre deformation, you're possibily right, but the rear will flex a little, and it might enough to allow you to run out of tyre before the cans touch down.

TBH I'm not sure I'd like either to happen

a

Squiffythewombat · Post by **Squiffythewombat** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 9:20 am

yellafella wrote:As far as chicken strips go, i usually have about 5mm left. But to be honest if you look at the wall angle at the tyre edge i reckon the cans ( standardish ) will touch down first ! Am i wrong ?

not in my opinion, i ride with BT010s (now BT014s) and can ride it to the wall but thats due to the fact my pegs long since got worn away, these tend to touch first, then the cans, or at least thats what ive found.

Like the others say you could join a club or an advanced rider training program but personally i wouldnt bother. Ive nothing against them they just tend to be very cleaky and full of "motorcycle" riders not MOTORBIKERS! (motorcycle riders use bmw's)

DONT LISTEN TO WHATEVER IDIOT IS TELLING YOU THAT YOU NEED A SPORTSBIKE! thats utter sh1t! The fast riders on here will keep pace with the weekend warrior r1's and the track day gixers no problem...its the rider not the bike! The storm can really be pushed much harder than people realise.

Plus try riding a gixer for four hours after the storm, pain doesnt even begin to describe it!

my 2 pence (again)

Fireman on a Storm · Post by **Fireman on a Storm** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 12:46 pm

VTR1000KAZ wrote:
Fireman on a Storm wrote:My sugestion would be to take some further training. Either go back to the bike school you passed with for some post test training, if you was happy woith the service they provided. Or contact your local advance motor cycle group or IAM group for some training.

Shame your not nearer London or I would have taken you out for a day of further training for the cost of a couple of bacon rolls for lunch!

A while back I took out a copper who had just passed his test with the bike school I worked for. In 2 1/2 hours we improved his corner speed by about 20 mph and his forwards planning no end!
Paul babe... can i come and stay with you for a few days!!!!!!!!

I don't mind but it'll be a squeeze with the wife and kids

I'll have to ask my wife as well

We could go for a bike ride as well

Fireman on a Storm · Post by **Fireman on a Storm** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 12:49 pm

Squiffythewombat wrote:[

Like the others say you could join a club or an advanced rider training program but personally i wouldnt bother. Ive nothing against them they just tend to be very cleaky and full of "motorcycle" riders not MOTORBIKERS! (motorcycle riders use bmw's)

my 2 pence (again)

Tha is one of the reason the Essex advanced motor cycle group has just dissafiliated with the IAM among other things

stevieVTR · Post by **stevieVTR** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 1:37 pm

I would never discount using the IAM or other groups as the benefits are worth it if your riding improves. Did my IAM test about 3 years ago with Herts & Beds and the observer was excellent and lived in the real world (tho' he did have a BMW, he borrowed his wifes CBR6 for the rides).
originally did it to try to improve and slow myself down on my brain out commutes but, if anything, made me quicker because my observation improved

craigybaby · Post by **craigybaby** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 3:21 pm

i'm glad to see that im not the only one who has problems with tyres and handling re: posts from cubi.....

from my digging into the two previous owners of my storm they were both aged and from the tyres probably spent most of the time upright. as such the edges of the tyres (front and rear) have got virtually no wear on the edges. I suspect that this is part of the reason why the storm is a bit of an effort to crank over on to its sides because u've got to try and coax it to overcome the sort of "lip" where the tyre usually makes contact with the road and the untouched bits of the tyre.

As i've said on my other posts i'm looking to change my tyres imminently - any ideas? i do commuting back and fore to work - mostly motorway but i do like pushing my bike around twisties with some other peeps from work. I'm a member of my local IAM and fast driving is part of my job.... if u get what i mean

so i'm not afraid of pushing cars/bikes - just finding my storm hard work at the moment

Squiffythewombat · Post by **Squiffythewombat** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 2:31 pm

craigybaby wrote:i'm glad to see that im not the only one who has problems with tyres and handling re: posts from cubi.....

from my digging into the two previous owners of my storm they were both aged and from the tyres probably spent most of the time upright. as such the edges of the tyres (front and rear) have got virtually no wear on the edges. I suspect that this is part of the reason why the storm is a bit of an effort to crank over on to its sides because u've got to try and coax it to overcome the sort of "lip" where the tyre usually makes contact with the road and the untouched bits of the tyre.

As i've said on my other posts i'm looking to change my tyres imminently - any ideas? i do commuting back and fore to work - mostly motorway but i do like pushing my bike around twisties with some other peeps from work. I'm a member of my local IAM and fast driving is part of my job.... if u get what i mean so i'm not afraid of pushing cars/bikes - just finding my storm hard work at the moment

Dude, the difference in grip is that there will be more on the edges if theres more tread (providing its warm obviously). Like i said in my
previous posts, in my opinion if you find it hard to crank over your not using your body correctly! With fluid body movements and weight transferance you shouldnt have too much trouble grounding out your pegs!

Its the "fast driving is part of my job" bit that worries me, sounds alot like policeman talk to me....!

FIREMAN...sounds good to me, if there was a more focused "realistic" group i would definatly join, i just dont enjoy old biddies who clonk on at 60mph all day on their bmw telling me how to "safely" filter etc.