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Young_gun_rider
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 12:16 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Okay, I have a complete stock 2003 blast. I wanna know how far it is safe to lean it over into turns on dry clean pavement.

I just don't know.... with how the handle bars are..... how far have you leaned it over, and at what speed?

Thanks, YGR



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Young_gun_rider
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 12:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)



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Gearheaderiko
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 12:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Lean it until the pegs scrape. You can then go a little more as the pegs will flex up (but your boots will probably be scraping too). After that you'll have to hang off.
Speed is more or less irrelevant as you can scrape pegs going slow or fast. I've seen full speed beyond where the stock pegs scrape on stock (Pirelli not Dunlop) tires.
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Young_gun_rider
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 12:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)


Handlebars / Controls
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Young_gun_rider
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 12:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Alright. thanks. You'll have to excuse my newbiness! It's just.... where I live, there are lots of pretty harsh low-speed curves.... I am just afraid that at low speeds like 15-20mph.... the tire will lose traction?

Sorry.... its just that I am VERY new to riding.... like this-is-my-4th-day-on-a-motorcycle new...
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Gearheaderiko
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 01:04 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

There isnt an answer for your question. The tires you have on your Blast are the best stock sized tires you can get (we race on them). At slow speeds your biggest problem will be leaning too far over and lifting up the rear tire (by virtue of firmly planting the footpeg in the pavement). But I highly doubt you'll have that problem. You're usually not leaned over anywhere near as far as you think. Its very unlikely that you'll lose traction at those slow speeds either. You can have complete confidence in those tires and I've seen them pushed to limits you wont be capable of for years. Thats not to say there arent a hundred bonehead moves you could make to throw you off your bike. It is a motorcycle after all!
If you havent done so already, take a Motorcycle Safety Course.
Or read Proficient Motorcycling by David L. Hough an excellent book for beginners and experienced riders too.
A large empty parking lot can help you find that lean point and practice, practice, practice!
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Titusand
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 02:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I too am new, under 5,000 mi. on a motorcycle. I have not yet scrapped the pegs on the bike. If you are that new I would highly, highly recommend viewing the "Ride Like a Pro" DVD's, especially the newer ones. You can view some snippets on the corporate web page and on youtube, but those are generally just teasers. These DVD's convinced me to get a motorcycle and have made me a very confident rider.
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Titusand
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 03:00 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

It was my experience that it took me 100 miles of riding to internalize the operation of the controls, especially the differences between a motorcycle and bicycle, so I would use them without consciously thinking of it. At 1000 miles I was confident enough to mentally categorize myself as no longer a raw beginner. And viewing those DVD's just once is not enough, because although he is merely presenting information, YOU are learning not just information but learning a skill, and that takes practice, practice, practice. Indeed, I found out as I watched them and accumulated miles, I increasingly understood the concepts he presents.You should also get a few new rider books from a library and go through those.
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Titusand
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 03:09 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Also, at some point you are going to wipe out on the Blast, but practicing the skills in those DVD's will help immeasurably. I fell on my third day out, and it was a very cheap lesson: I was only going about 3 mph, and I broke a Cardinal rule of motorcycling, bringing the bike to a halt while turning. You can do that on a bicycle, but do that on your Blast and you will see how fast the ground will reach your face! But the Blast being what it is, the world's best trainer, two $12 turn signals later, she was good as new. Also if you watch those videos, you will then observe how many silly habits some other riders have.
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Titusand
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 03:16 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

As for losing traction at those speeds, no, it will not happen on any normal road at those speeds. In terms of losing traction, what to watch out for are pebbles and other small loose materials on a curve. My general rule is this: if in a section of debris on the road, you can see more road than small pebbles or sand, you will maintain traction (unless you are pushing it hard), if you see more debris than road surface.... WATCH OUT! Err of course on the side of caution.
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Young_gun_rider
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 08:15 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks guys! you all are very helpful! The guy that sold me the blast actually told me about this site to begin with..... Glad he did! I will make sure to do the same thing if the sad time of selling the bike comes to me!
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Milt
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 08:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Don't worry about your Blast. It's a very capable bike. However, it's only as good as its rider.

DO take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course.

DO wear as much protective gear as you can afford - helmet, gloves and boots at the minimum. Otherwise, cover all the skin you want to keep with leather.

You may be more comfortable with sportbike style handlebars. They're cheap, easy to install, and if you hate them, you can always go back he stock bars.
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Milt
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 08:34 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

By the way, that's one pretty Blast.
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Titusand
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 09:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

How many miles are on that Blast?
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Young_gun_rider
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 12:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

There are 29019 miles.... I have put about 100 on there myself. She runs strong!

YGR
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Buellistic
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 01:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Tight corners is where the BLAST lives "BEST" as all BUELLS do ...

"BUT" a little SUSPENSION TUNING will make it handle better and "SAFER" ...
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Indybuell
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 01:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Take the MSF class. It could save your life.
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Young_gun_rider
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 01:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Oh I will take out! I'm all for safety before injury!

Now ima play with the curves today after school! I love this bike! Couldnt have asked for a better first vehicle!

YGR
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Buellistic
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 01:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Make sure you ride with a "FULL FACE" Helmet because if you fall on your face
you will understand why ...

That way only your FACE SHIED destroyed ...
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Young_gun_rider
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 01:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Full helmet, gloves, and a jacket (textile at the very least)
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Titusand
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 03:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I love the Yellow Blast, and it's real noticeable on the road too. It's great to hear about your enthusiasm! Do you know anything of the history of the bike, such as owners or maintenance done on it?
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Young_gun_rider
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 04:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

One previous owner.... Nice guy. He babied it, and didnt wanna let it go, but he needed somthing bigger, and of the touring variety.

Boy, am I enthused! I used to really enjoy using my moms car.... But since I started to ride... I dont find cars fun.... Convienent yes.... But not fun.
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Themagster
Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2012 - 10:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My first time ever riding on mountain roads and on real curves I was in North Georgia riding from Blairsville to Helen and was learning, getting my groove and starting to really build my confidence. On the way back from Helen I was a little too confident and riding more aggressive than I should have. Rounded a curve and thought to myself "I'm really getting this" leaned into it and hit that peg, thought to myself "wow, I'm really leaning over...shit, I'm really leaning over..." never ever second guess yourself in the middle of a curve and never look to see where could go, because as we all learned in those rider safety classes, you go where you look. Needless to say, I sat the bike up, looked at the edge of the road and ended up, well, on my ass. X-marks the spot, still have a rock I picked up put a big black X on it, then picked the bike up and rode back to cabin without a footpeg, using the frame to hold my foot up. That was 7 years and 96,000 miles ago, still love my Blasts. Ride it long enough and one day you will touch that peg.
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Young_gun_rider
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2012 - 12:46 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hahaha nice story. I am sure hitting that peg for the first time sure is scary!

How does leaning and control differ on slick roads?

How does it differ between dry, just barely wet, pretty wet (like after it just got got done raining)... and well, WHILE it is raining?

What about a few loose pebbles in the curve?

I am SO ready to really test this thing... but I am a little cautious in less than perfect conditions, you know?



YGR
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Buellistic
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2012 - 09:48 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

With all this talk about doing the curves in the back country, one should try
out your riding ability in a BIG PARKING LOG with varying conditions ...

That way someone can CALL 911 if you do not get up !!!

Ride "SAFE" and "RESPECTABLY"
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Young_gun_rider
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2012 - 11:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hahaha

Good Idea, actually!

It's a beautiful Sunny day where I live, so I guess I'll hit the parking lot, and then ride around!



.......

YGR
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Titusand
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2012 - 12:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

As I mentioned, MY rule of thumb is if you can see more payment than loose material, you will be OK, or better yet, "I" will be OK because I find while it's fun to floor it, I don't go screaming around corners.... yet. If the lose material is anywhere near 1/2 or over, I take the corner slowly, like bicycle slowly. That's what "I" do and what I suggest you do, in addition to talking to people who ride their bikes harder than i do, until you have more miles under your belt.
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Gearheaderiko
Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 - 10:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"A large empty parking lot can help you find that lean point and practice, practice, practice!" Hmm, where have I seen that.......

Wet is slick. I've seen too many experienced riders forget this.
The first 20 minutes of rain and when the rain is drying up after its stops are slicker than just rain.

Anything that comes between you and perfect, clean pavement, will cause you to lose traction. If you'd slip running on it, you'll slip riding on it.

Traffic control paint (white lines, stop, center lines, etc.) are slicker than asphalt and very slick when wet. This includes "tar snakes', the stuff they fix cracks in the road with.
Manhole covers-slick, very slick when wet.
Railroad tracks, cobble stones-the same. The list goes on and on.

Rather than ask questions buy a beginners (or experienced) motorcycling book. The information will generally be in a much better format going from complete novice and ending at experienced. It will cover everything here and in a much better way.
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