The General Motorbikers Discussion Thread

[TJP]

The rules for World Superbike are quite balanced at the moment. 1200cc twins vs 1000cc 4 cylinder bikes have resulted in some fantastic races this season.

Remove Troy Bayliss from the standings and the wins are spread quite well amongst the 4's and twins.

What I'd like to see the FIM adopt is an 1100cc limit for triple cylinder engines (so Triumph enter the top tier) & for the 1000's to have the 14K rev limit removed.

What Ducati did do was go against the previous agreements made with other manufacturers in not selling road going race specials. The 1098R (which is 1198cc's, despite the 1098 moniker) broke this agreement.

Further, the Japanese manufacturers got burnt trying to sell their high priced race specials like the Yamaha R7, Honda VTR 1000 SP1 & SP2 et al.

I could see the Japanese leaving Superbikes if Ducati are allowed even more capacity increases in the (near) future.

[Karoug]

Originally Posted by TJP

Seeing as we are discussing World Superbikes, RIP to Craig Jones who died Sunday night after a very nasty crash in the WSS race.

http://www.ducati.com/clinica_mobile...ticle&periodo=

R.I.P Craig

[Jon]

Indeed,

R.I.P Craig Jones.

[Blind_Io]

I do quite a few Sport Touring rides and am usually the "sweep" rider. I make sure that everyone stays together, carry tools, first aid, water, phone, and help sheepdog the newbies. Jason, the leader, and I decided that we really need to get some radios so I can talk to him and let him know if the group gets broken up. He picked up a couple Cobra radios one Ebay. I need to get myself a microphone system so I can talk to him. He wears an open-face helmet so he can just use the handset and an ear-bud. I, however, use a full-face helmet and most the communication will be me informing him of my position.

Clearly a throat mic is the way to go, but I don't have alot of money to drop on this. Here is what I'm thinking about getting. Any thoughts?
http://firefoxtechnologies.zoovy.com...hroat_Mic.html

[KaJuN]

Throat mics are quite popular with pilots of open-cockpit airplanes since the wind noise makes using a normal headset almost impossible. If you're serious about it an aviation-grade mic might be worth the extra money if it can be hooked up to your radio. David Clark makes some very good stuff.

[Ottobon]

Anybody know if theirs any advantage to thumb throttles like they have on 4 wheelers? How are MotoGP bikes and such usually controlled? I would think that having to twist your hand would play a number on steadying and controlling finite inputs on the bars.

[Blind_Io]

Personally, I like the twist throttle and I don't think I would put a thumb throttle on a bike if I could help it. It's a very natural motion to roll off the throttle to squeeze the brake. I would be worried that in a tight spot the instinct would be to grab the bar, which would open the throttle wide.

[Spectre]

That's exactly why thumb throttles are banned from road bikes (unless the operator is handicapped and unable to roll on or off the throttle). A twist throttle also allows for more precise throttle control than a thumb throttle.

Pretty much every bike you see out there is controlled by a twist throttle, Ottobon. That specifically includes MotoGP, WSB, AMA SB, and pretty much every race series I've ever heard of. Now, the twist throttle might not be connected to anything, i.e., drive by wire, but it's still a twist throttle.

[NooDle]

AFIAK quads are thumb throttle, and they're considered road legal too.
I never liked the system because as you say, it's very hard to gently touch the throttle,it's more like all or nothing

Question is : are they bikes? Ive driven one both on and offroad and I dunno. Accelerate like a bastard though, but they dont do much in terms of braking

[Spectre]

Over here, quads are not considered road legal at all, with few exceptions. Over here, if it has four wheels it has to meet full automotive safety/emissions standardsif it wants to be road legal, including airbags, seatbelts, and lighting standards.... which is why that idiotic GWiz won't be sold here any time soon.

Also, over here the larger quads usually have twist throttles these days anyway.

[Crazyjeeper]

I hate thumb throttles. I rode a quad on the rubicon trail in northern california a few summers ago and my thumb was sore for months after that.

[Spectre]

I think someone was looking for one of these:



Well, someone in Dallas has one, it's $800.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mcy/804001519.html

[KaJuN]

I'm on my way to Dallas right now! It'll fit nicely in the back of my Disco.

[Karoug]

Originally Posted by KaJuN

I'm on my way to Dallas right now! It'll fit nicely in the back of my Disco.

But can you fit the Disco on the back of that scooter?

[KaJuN]

There's only one way to find out.

Speaking of motorbikes and Land Rovers I've been thinking it would be a good idea to get a cheap dirt bike to use to scout trails before we take our big rigs somewhere they might not fit.

And in other motorcycling news I thank the makers of WD-40 for fixing my inoperative left hand turn signal.

[Jon]

WD-40 is truly wonderful stuff.

[Peter3hg]

Shame that there are so many idiots who think it's a lubricant.

[Spectre]

Yup.

It's not a lubricant, it's not a penetrant, all it is is a water displacer.

[British_Rover]

Originally Posted by Spectre

Yup.

It's not a lubricant, it's not a penetrant, all it is is a water displacer.

and makes an excellent makeshift flame thrower.

+ YouTube Video

Do not attempt and definitely don't attempt indoors using a regular lighter to set it off.

If you are going to do it do it outside and use a BBQ lighter or match.

[tigger]

Originally Posted by KaJuN

Speaking of motorbikes and Land Rovers I've been thinking it would be a good idea to get a cheap dirt bike to use to scout trails before we take our big rigs somewhere they might not fit.

It might not be a bad idea, just be careful. Riding in a local ORV area (mostly reserved for trucks) I decided to ride through what I thought was a long puddle on a fire road. Turns out it was a huge rut that was 2.5-3 feet deep. I submerged my bike past my knees, steam was rolling off the engine, water and mud were flying as I pinned the throttle to get out ... it was epic . My friends turned around just in time to see me sputtering out of it, and of course laughed their asses off (they'd gone around.)

Also, when you're in the woods, always ride with a friend. Riding alone, especially if you're trying to cut a trail, is just a recipe for trouble.