- This topic has 19 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 6 months ago by Rupmisc.
larger CC question
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September 26, 2008 at 6:28 pm #2152BuddParticipant
I have often read post about the twitchyness of larger bikes’ throttles and wondered if learning on the non twitchy Ninja is going to get me in trouble when/if I ever hop onto a machine like that. I don’t worry about blipping the throttle a little too much because it takes a deliberate twist to jerk the ninja at speed.
My theory is that all the other stuff that you have to think about while learning to ride (blinkers, shifting, watching the road, clutch control, looking good, clutch control) should all be second nature when I hop on something larger and that I may have to learn to be softer on the throttle (brakes too I guess), it is the only thing I really have to focus on. My throttle control has improved on my bike. I now can move my hand in smaller increments than I seemed able to when I first started out. I have a much softer touch.
So, will the forgiving throttle on my bike cripple me when I get on a more twitchy bike? Will being used to softer breaks cause me to launch myself over the bars? I don’t think it will be a problem, but I would love to hear any experience that anyone has.
September 26, 2008 at 6:38 pm #12810RabParticipantA full-on super sport will have a twitchy throttle (typically an Inline 4 engine). Twins? no, not really.
Whenever you get on a different bike, just use the controls very gently until you get the feel of them; that’s all.
September 26, 2008 at 6:39 pm #12811IanCParticipantYesterday I rode a Triumph Legend 865cc after only riding my Rebel 250, my friend is selling it and I’m considering buying it.
My Rebel has a very forgiving throttle and is very light. The Triumph is 69 hp out the door and with the mods this guy put on probably in the 80’s now and about 470 lbs, it took me about 5-10 minutes to get used to the weight (problem at gas station) and the throttle. After that it was mostly getting used to the seating position (standard vs cruiser) and the hydralic clutch. I was suprised at how little problem I had actually.
September 26, 2008 at 6:42 pm #12812megaspazParticipantno twitchiness on my ducati super sport 848… but that’s a l-twin engine.
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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…September 26, 2008 at 7:18 pm #12815ranetteParticipantAhhh Budd, we meet again. This time drifting a bit onto my turf. One thing that starting on a larger bike has taught me is the need to be precise with your movements, especially those of your right hand. On my 150cc scooter I’ve had the throttle fully opened more times than I can remember, on the motorcycle I probably never will. That being said if you’ve become a capable rider on a smaller bike my guess is that you won’t have trouble jumping up in size, though much as Rab says whatever new bike you might be on take the time to adjust yourself to the controls. It will feel different, certainly less forgiving, but nothing that a little practice combined with some discipline shouldn’t be able to take care of.
September 26, 2008 at 7:54 pm #12818BuddParticipantI figured it was like hopping into another stick shift. once you find that friction zone your body almost zeroes in on it and you adjust to the steering without effort. I don’t plan on getting a bigger bike anytime soon but you never know when you will get the chance to go for a ride on one.
“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine
September 27, 2008 at 12:59 am #12836RupmiscParticipantOk, after 2 months and 1300 miles on the CB 250, I have test ridden some bikes, and am expecting to take delivery of a Ducati 696 (mini monster). I was lucky enough to have test ridden that bike, a 2008 Triumph Scrambler (air cooled approx 900 twin), and a 2008Triumph Speed Triple (liter- three cylinders). So, I am hardly experienced, but I feel that going up in ccs is only part of the equation.
Weight, CoG, brakes, and “other”; four variables that make a difference – to me. Taller and heavier made for more effort in turns, and more care at low speeds. The 696 may have a more sensitive throttle at high revs, but nimble, light weight and good feel make it easier to ride than the other two. Larger also makes acceleration feel less scary, but you are still accelerating.
I am not suggesting any of the above should be a beginner bike. I may not be ready for the 696, and I will ride it very easy for some time. It is nice to feel able to keep ahead with a semi behind me. The hardest transition, for me, will be from drum brakes to disks, and while the Duc has amazing brakes, even the retro Triumph brakes felt very different from the Nighthawk. It makes me wonder if the nighthawk should have disk brakes, just because a beginner needs a less threatening place to get used to them. Extra point to the Ninja 250.
Other comments:
Wow Megaspaz, I didn’t realize you bought the Duc. Last time I remember you mentioning it, you were thinking about it. The 696 is a V twin, but the 848 isn’t just a little twitchy? 138 BHP? Are you sure that it isn’t the rider who is more precise? Happy riding either way.
I hope that a year on the 696 will prepare me for a heavier bike. I could easily see adding a Sport-Tourer to the collection some day. It would be nice to carry enough stuff for a three day trip, or a bunch of camera gear.
September 27, 2008 at 1:47 am #12842BuddParticipantI really like the look of the scrambler. That is a sharp bike.
“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine
September 27, 2008 at 1:53 am #12843RupmiscParticipantThe Triumphs are gorgeous. The 2009 T100 is out, and now has a liquid cooled engine. There are new Bonnevilles coming in the spring that are supposed to look more 70s than 60’s (which, having lived through the period, I question as a marketing strategy – – nothing looked better in the 70’s) but also have alloy vs. steel wheels. I suspect that control will improve.
Budd, I read your post on your experience in this site. I’m going to tell you here that it is a great post. It is so good, that I don’t want to post there until I can say something that really adds to what you said. I’m thinking that post should be a sticky. Alone.
September 27, 2008 at 4:03 am #12848megaspazParticipantbought it 3 weeks ago. https://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/forum/forum-topic/1323/id-introduce
no. no twitchiness. it has the twin linear power delivery characteristics. 1st gears pretty tall though. Using more clutch to even out shakiness before getting above 4.5k rpms. it does not like being below 4.5k rpms. The throttles pretty stiff as well compared to the sv… takes a bit more wrist action to get to vroom. A fun bike. The brembo brakes are actually the hardest thing to get used to. Really precise and powerful. just got it back from 600mile service last tuesday… 200 miles since then… about 400 more before it’s “broken” in. can’t wait to open her up.
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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…September 27, 2008 at 4:06 am #12849IanCParticipantWell I went back out on the Triumph today and it’s not the bike for me, it’s too long, after 30 miles my upper back and neck were really sore from reaching, even though I was trying to sit upright. But it was a lot of fun and what a difference on the freeway the 865cc 80hp 472 lbs makes over 250cc 22 hp and 300 lbs. After I got back from the ride a total of 42 miles I got back on the Rebel and drove it around the block, I felt like I was riding a kids bike. I’m sure I’ll grow back down into it until I get something bigger.
One other thing on Rupmisc is that the 2009 Bonevilles are fuel injected, but they have fake carbs to keep the retro look.
September 27, 2008 at 4:11 am #12850megaspazParticipantperhaps you need a super sport for that back and neck.
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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…September 28, 2008 at 2:49 am #12871RupmiscParticipantCongratulations. The 696 comes with Brembo brakes too. Don’t know if they’re the same, but their sensitivity is the biggest change I expect to have to get used to. Bike gets delivered Tuesday. Hoping MA weather will let me get 1000 miles on it before it sleeps for winter.
September 28, 2008 at 11:21 am #12877megaspazParticipantThe rear brakes between the two bikes are exactly the same. The front brakes appear to be different.
848:
2 x 320mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo calipers 4-piston, 2-pad
696:
2 x 320mm discs, 4-piston radial caliper
The main difference I noticed between the brakes on the 848 and the sv650s is you think of the sv650s as having 70%/30% front/rear braking power ratio, the 848 seems to me to be around 90%/10%. That’s taking some getting used to as well.
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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…September 28, 2008 at 12:18 pm #12879ranetteParticipantCongratulations, though with our meager level of experience I hardly think either of us could be called a “Ducatista”. How about we refer to ourselves as “Ducatinos”?
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