[Munch]

I have had only one place near my homestead that was different. THAT’S where I got my Vulcan 500. For some reason most shops I have been to walk around like there is an air of exclusivity and unless you look the part you get ignored. The dealer I bought from went beyond that, they were very friendly and on the ball…. gave me the service that you always read about and end up saying “wtf , where was that when I was there”. The guys were very friendly and informative. Not to mention they busted their tails getting the 500 in for me and gave me a call as soon as it hit their pre delivery warehouse. LOL, I had the thing insured before it was even officially in their inventory.
The HD dealership…. 1 of 6 people actually talked to me… no surprise it was a technician. Growing up where I did in the south though and around the guys I did, I felt uneasy about sitting on a HD, though really wanted to . I was brought up that a mans bike is second only to his wife, sit on it and you might as well sleep with his wife. Unfortunately that’s ingrained in me and never sat on em. The Honda dealers here…forget about it…. you might as well be a hillbilly in a doctors convention.

Of course I I always wonder what would have been different if I hadn’t cut my hair. …. hmm… give it 6 months and I may find out.

Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[Munch]

Well I imagine the itch went away quick like huh. I also make it a habit to watch the mirrors….if I see someone approaching I flash my brake lights a couple of times. They might not see the bigger red one up in the air but likely to see my flashing one on the ground. That and its cheaper and less annoying then getting the modular(?) brake lights.

Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[Munch]

:^) much better statement, almost well enough to where I wouldn’t argue it unless you catch me on a day I was feeling ornery.

Again…clear statements when dealing with us beginners need more focus.

Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[Munch]

Welcome to QA!!! lol Good thing you were in local neighborhood instead of highway…. still kinda dreading that when it happens.

Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[Munch]

I Applaud you for at least giving a link to the MSF site, though I saw no real conclusion in that other then a “stoppie” (which a new rider should not be doing) the front brakes are doing 100% of the stopping force. Even in that documentation they let you know that rear brakes are integral in the procedure thus eliminating the 100% part. It does give excellent explanation of weight transfers and process of the weight movement in the braking process.
Though my case was not really so much on the actual braking percentages as it is the contradictory terms . A straight new rider which I was not so long ago and still am will listen to everything he/she can grab and learn from , especially in anticipation of getting on the bike for the first time…. saying that the front brakes do 100% of the stopping ( thus wondering why a rear brake would be needed, trust me thought patterns run in that directions for some), then in the same paragraph saying that the initial stop should be initiated using the rear brakes…. kinda leaves one scratching their head if they have never been on a bike.
All “scientific” models can be proven or dis proven as there is a particular “chaos” theory that gets involved ..even in “controlled” situations… its called the human factor. That very study you linked even lets the reader know that in the tests, the riders (more then one, already inconsistent return for data) were allowed to use their own styles of stopping. Again…not so much on the technical as I am on giving CLEAR information. One reason why counter steering is such a confusing topic to learn about.

Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[Munch]

Just watch where that tires shine goes……. if you want to keep the bike shiny

Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[Munch]

“BTW, front brake provides up to 100%, regardless of the bike type.” from that to this == “squeeze clutch, rear brake and a front brake at the same time, but for the first split second be heavy on the rear and light on the front” ….. what?! This is the type of talk I got from my peers in RL that would confuse the crap outta a beginner.
I know what you meant but a total beginner is trying to absorb everything word for word….. pleases be careful in how you put things especially when every trainer, DMV and beginners sites stress the 70-75% rule of thumb for front brake effectiveness.

Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[Munch]

See if you can trace where the speedo cable is , on my Vulcan it runs down to the front…could be that in washing oyu just un screwed it… never seen the bike in real life so couldn’t guess any better…. but if the odometer rolls on while driving and the speedo doesn’t budge then its the gauge. Not sure about it being a fuse though since all the pics I see are showing it to be an old school gauge and not digital.

Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[Munch]

Agree on the opinions thing …but… stupidity unfortunately is a natural thing…. intelligence occurs only after things are added such as experience and teaching. So still qualifies. Botox, silicon, stabbings(some) , gunshot deaths(some) I agree are not natural selection just ill informed suicidal tendencies. :^) BUT there again some would say the same about our sheer need to be on our bikes.

Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[Munch]

#1 try to position your feet closer to the outside of the pegs maybe…. set yourself up like a giraffe trying to drink water.
2&3 will get better with focused practice
#4…. well your kinda supposed to use the front brake more as it does 70% of the stopping… The rears may need to be adjusted a tad but that’s more for preference then anything… they are there to assist the fronts. As far as 2 finger against 4… hmmm kinda off sound seeing how 4 fingers would give you better leverage and require less effort then the 2 fingers, have any history of joint or muscle problems in your forearms?

Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[Munch]

Good lord man …what ya looking to tow? https://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/forum/forum-topic/1241/can-am-spyder
Maybe look into one of these?

Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[Munch]

Tip: just don’t click on Biker babes type sites and IT shouldn’t even have a reason to look :^)

Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[Munch]

Ask away …sure someone here has an answer/opinion lots of experience and beginners alike here. Grats on the bike!

Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[Munch]

Good start…. best steps to learning is recognizing what your doing wrong and even more so …admitting that you did it wrong. Let me know how your MSF goes…. mine starts in 2 weeks, though I got nearly 1000 mile son my Vulcan already. I am looking forward to what they can teach me, always looking to learn. After this run of the courses though they have an “advanced” course that you can go back for…. that will likely be next summers adventures.

Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[Munch]

Personally why should a rider new or otherwise be “forced to fit” the group?
A good group ride should have a good assessment of everyones skills and bike capabilities before departing so that the lead bike ( veteran rider) can allow for adjustments and eye problems for the lower skilled and steer the group away from them. The tail rider should be as equally skilled as the lead to help spot trouble from the lesser experienced ( positioned in between) and be able to communicate that to the lead so no one gets pushed or lost, and ultimately endangered.
As many have stated on this wonderful site… go sit on a bike…. then another one…..then on to another dealership of different manufacture…. sit on theirs…. find what fits YOU ….not your friends… not us…. but your comfort.

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Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[Author]

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