The General Motorbikers Discussion Thread

[Blind_Io]

Originally Posted by Spectre

Spotted this on my Nighthawk forum, it may take a second to figure out, and you will need to look at the enlarged version:

Yeah, I've posted that one before. It always makes me smile (especially after I ride my Honda with a bunch of overpriced pig-iron.)

[Censport]

Speaking of the Nighthawk forum, I've got the last piece from my '85 CB650SC listed on eBay. Same name as I use here.

[BlaRo]

IT WORKS!



Finally got around to sorting my bike out. Tried starting it in front of my friends, to no avail, and naturally they laughed about it. After they left, I realized that the kickstand was down and the kill switch wasn't letting it start. So I took it off the stand, put the choke on, let it rev for a few minutes, turned off the choke, and took it around the block for an hour. And it's alive!

And I only stalled it twice.

Here it is in all of its glory in the Post Your Car thread. Man, it feels good to create a new thread in there.

[Spectre]

Originally Posted by BlaRo

IT WORKS!



Finally got around to sorting my bike out. Tried starting it in front of my friends, to no avail, and naturally they laughed about it. After they left, I realized that the kickstand was down and the kill switch wasn't letting it start.

First thing you do with a bike that has that idiotic safety switch - disable it.

[Epoq]

Originally Posted by BlaRo

IT WORKS!



Finally got around to sorting my bike out. Tried starting it in front of my friends, to no avail, and naturally they laughed about it. After they left, I realized that the kickstand was down and the kill switch wasn't letting it start. So I took it off the stand, put the choke on, let it rev for a few minutes, turned off the choke, and took it around the block for an hour. And it's alive!

And I only stalled it twice.

Here it is in all of its glory in the Post Your Car thread. Man, it feels good to create a new thread in there.

This has happened to me so many times..!!

Although in my case, it's my dad's fault. Every time he checks out my bike he absolutely HAS to touch every switch and knob. That's all fine and dandy except that while he's at it he always flips the kill switch on and leaves it at that.

I still remember the horrible feeling I had when I only had about 100 miles on my Ninja 650 and tried to start it. "Sh!t, I only just got this!" I thought as I pressed the starter button and nothing happened. And this happened about 4 times after that, and each time I noted that this happened after my dad took a look at the bike.

[Spectre]

Um... you're supposed to turn your kill switch off at the end of a session, and then turn it back on *just* before you tag the starter button.

Your father has it right, you don't.

[Peter3hg]

Originally Posted by Spectre

Um... you're supposed to turn your kill switch off at the end of a session, and then turn it back on *just* before you tag the starter button.

Your father has it right, you don't.

Kill switches are only there for emergencies (stuck throttle, crash etc.). It serves no purpose flicking it off when the engines off.

[Spectre]

Leaving the switch off until you're ready to go saves your ignition system from heating up pointlessly until you're ready to go (and thus that much more time off the coils and ignition box). In addition, on older bikes, you can actually cause damage to the points if you leave the ignition on without the bike running. Plus you eliminate one of the larger loads on your battery until you're ready to go.


Which, as one poor guy on an old Triumph triple found out at the last meet, is anything but trivial.

[hansvonaxion]

I've always cut the engine via kill switch and then repositioned it just before starting. Can't remember if I was taught that way or what, but I always thought it was the way to do it (even though I can understand the argument that it's an emergency kill switch).

Try to start a bike once or twice with the kill switch enabled and you soon learn to check it first.

Another noob trap is the indicators, damn things don't self cancel.

[Redliner]

Originally Posted by hansvonaxion

Another noob trap is the indicators, damn things don't self cancel.

That's true. It takes some tim to get used to it.
If I remember correctly, some newer BMW's have auto-canceling turn signals.

[hansvonaxion]

Originally Posted by Redliner

That's true. It takes some tim to get used to it.
If I remember correctly, some newer BMW's have auto-canceling turn signals.

It wouldn't surprise me. I guess they use some kind of steering angle and lean sensor (to account for low and higher speed cornering)? Highway lane changes are tricky, but they could use something like a 5 flash button type deal, if you know what I mean.

But it's the same as the kill switch, once you're used to it you'll rarely screw up.

[Redliner]

Originally Posted by hansvonaxion

It wouldn't surprise me. I guess they use some kind of steering angle and lean sensor (to account for low and higher speed cornering)? Highway lane changes are tricky, but they could use something like a 5 flash button type deal, if you know what I mean.

But it's the same as the kill switch, once you're used to it you'll rarely screw up.

I have no idea how BMW does it. And I don't know what a 5 flash button is.

[smib]

I assume it's a second signal button that only makes the light flash 5 times, so it's meant to only be used when changing lanes.

[hansvonaxion]

Originally Posted by smib

I assume it's a second signal button that only makes the light flash 5 times, so it's meant to only be used when changing lanes.

Yeah I just made it up. Don't cars have those kind of lane change indicators now?

If you were to push the indicator switch but not quite hard enough to fully click into place it would trigger the lights to flash, say 5 times.

When making lane changes in a car I used to just push the stick hard enough to engage the indicator but not click into position, meaning that when I released pressure it would turn itself off. No need to click it on and off.

[Spectre]

Originally Posted by hansvonaxion

Another noob trap is the indicators, damn things don't self cancel.

An increasing number of bikes come with self-cancelling turn signals. Honda Goldwings have had them for nearly 20 years, though. IIRC, they beat BMW to market with them.

[Peter3hg]

Originally Posted by Spectre

Leaving the switch off until you're ready to go saves your ignition system from heating up pointlessly until you're ready to go (and thus that much more time off the coils and ignition box). In addition, on older bikes, you can actually cause damage to the points if you leave the ignition on without the bike running. Plus you eliminate one of the larger loads on your battery until you're ready to go.


Which, as one poor guy on an old Triumph triple found out at the last meet, is anything but trivial.

I see your reasoning but personally I only turn the ignition on by the key when I'm about to start the engine so I guess it doesn't affect me.

[Jon]

Had my first lesson on a 500cc today

1. Wow the bike feels a lot more stable.
2. The gear change and back brake are further back than i thought they would be. Takes a little getting used to.
3. 51bhp is a lot more pokier that i first thought

[Censport]

I wish I had the talent and skill of the White Bike Troopers (Japanese Motorcycle Police):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWaq0zOaAVU

[BigDaveDogg]

So I'm nearly certain now I'm going to sell my bike. After checking the market, bikes like mine with more miles and fewer/less tasteful mods are going in the high 7k's. Anyone know/use a reputable pricing website for bikes? Curious to see what some of them have to say.

[hansvonaxion]

Originally Posted by Censport

I wish I had the talent and skill of the White Bike Troopers (Japanese Motorcycle Police):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWaq0zOaAVU

They even look over their shoulder.