I'm a bigger guy and I needed a little more room on my 1125r. I put Uly pegs on there and the extra 1-1.5" in legroom really made a lot of difference. Not only is it more comfortable I feel that I've got more control over the bike because my posture isn't as out of sorts.
As far as the whole rear peg debate goes, how many bikes have highway pegs? What's the difference between feet up and back on passenger pegs or up and fwd on highway pegs on a cruiser/bagger? None IMHO... sure in both cases your feet aren't immediately covering the brake and you'd have to reposition to access the pedal in either posture but I don't think it's as huge of a safety issue as some posters seem to claim.
As far as folks claiming this class or this book taught this n that, well I think anybody on this board that's got more than 1000 miles in the saddle will agree that no class or book really covers every scenario and nor could they. Just because somebody claims to be a 'qualified' instructor doesn't mean that they can predict the outcome of every situation and thus tell you how to ride properly.
Here ya guys go, yours truly chasing a GSX-R 1000 around ECR.
Notice what happens to him at about 2:05 going into turn 1. He's not mashing the brake. He's just touching it. You can see if you look close.
Going into this day, the rider being filmed had some very strong feelings about using the back brake for setting vehicle speed. Arguments like "stopping distance is shortest" and "it settles the chassis." Coming out of this track day, he has a different opinion, and what you see happen at 2:05 is some of the reason why.
(My stuffing him repeatedly into turns 3 and 6 on the brakes -- not in this video -- is another. Notice how I catch up with this much faster bike almost exclusively going into turns.)
If you are going to use the rear brake and not slide the tire, you gotta do it with the bike straight up and down. That's very much NOT the fastest way around a track, so when the pace picks up, things like this happen.
You guys that can manage a loose rear wheel are like gods to me. I've just not got the skills.
Just because somebody claims to be a 'qualified' instructor doesn't mean that they can predict the outcome of every situation and thus tell you how to ride properly.
Who tries to predict the outcome of every scenario? You lay down solid base knowledge of how to operate a motorcycle (or how not to) and apply them as situations occur. It's up to you guys if you want to listen to the Keith Codes of the world or not.
A lot of what's been posted since my first post, is off-thread. OK, my fault for mentioning rear braking. And Fresno, I didn't mention your name, so you "outed" yourself, not me.
However, back on thread: riding with chest-on-tank (intake cover) with boots back on the rear pegs, is a very effective way to ride the 1125; and I've been doing it for thousands of kilometres, so I'm qualified to say.
And I've been professionally trained, and likely have done more miles in the last 3 years than the above critics have; so I take no offense at the insults as it says more about the posters' low self esteem, than it does about my knowledge (not opinion, but knowledge based on actual experience).
I ride very day, rain or shine, hot or cold (we don't have snow or ice here) and if you do that, too, on your 1125 at least 400 miles a week, including 'boots up', then you're entitled to an opinion on this topic. If not, shut up and learn from someone who does.
I ride only in freeway conditions with boots on the rear pegs. I have a lot of experience at handling traffic situations at these speeds and with vehicles travelling in the same direction. And I can tell you that, on the 1125, front brakes ONLY in an emergency in such conditions, or the rear end slides out dangerously.
Fresno, I'm flattered that you remember my posts; but you don't learn from them, which is a shame. I agree that the rear brake, when used in combination, SHOULD give quicker stopping ability. But in fact, your hero Erik just didn't accomplish that with the 1125, and anything serious involving the rear brake causes a nasty slide.
And your hero couldn't even keep his company running, so I wouldn't be relying on him to "get your back". He's done a runner on you, and the rest of us, too.
You wrote: "so I take no offense at the insults as it says more about the posters' low self esteem"
No, I don't have "low self esteem." In fact, I feel quite superior to most people and look down on them -- you included.
"than it does about my knowledge (not opinion, but knowledge based on actual experience)."
You still seem to have this idea that not having crashed is vindication. It's not. I can find people who scuba dive alone, people who practice erotic asphyxiation, and people who ride motorcycles without helmets. And each of them will point to the lack of a tragic outcome as "proof" that they "know what [they're] doing."
But in fact, your hero Erik just didn't accomplish that with the 1125, and anything serious involving the rear brake causes a nasty slide."
That says much more about your lack of experience/skill in using the rear brake than it does about the design of the bike.
girls girls lets stop arguing here, as Froggy said "Ride it however your most comfortable"
I think interstate would be alright. Everyones going the same way, less deer and you can see people coming a long ways away.
I'v used the rear brake once, and honestly I had to double check if my foot was even on it. You really needa mash that sucker for it to do NE thing at all. I'v road full size motorcycle and its more effective on them. But if you want to stop in a hurry obviously the way to go is to use both.
So you are now blaming the bike for your change of heart on the rear brake? I see. So what's your excuse for riding "boots up" on other bikes? All those rear brakes suck too? Make up your mind.
It really is hard to argue with someone that has so much riding experience on the freeway. I mean we all buy sportbikes to drone up and down the superslab, right? Other than flat bottoming your tires, you aren't accomplishing anything as far as I am concerned.
You should really listen to yourself. Comical to say the least.
And your comment about Erik Buell is not only offensive to me, but I am sure anyone who reads it. Erik has more class in his fingernail than you will ever hope to have. Buell's demise had very little, if anything, to do with Buell and everything to do with HD's financial practices. If you believe otherwise, you are more ignorant than you have already shown (if that's possible.)
Posted on Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 01:43 am:
I don't care what your opinion on this topic is - all of you take notice - one more seriously rude comment on this board to another member will get you suspended the first time and banned the second - no if and or buts about it - if you can't act like adults I'll chuck you like a baby in a pumpkin throwing contest - I hope I am understood this time, I obviously wasn't last time. Last warning. EZ
Posted on Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 01:57 am:
And your comment about Erik Buell is not only offensive to me, but I am sure anyone who reads it. Erik has more class in his fingernail than you will ever hope to have. Buell's demise had very little, if anything, to do with Buell and everything to do with HD's financial practices. If you believe otherwise, you are more ignorant than you have already shown (if that's possible.)
Posted on Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 11:40 am:
He may've been professionally trained... but it doesn't mean the lessons sunk in.
Been teaching for almost 20 years. I know for a fact that for a LOT of people, what you say goes in one ear and out the other. They'll do the exercises in class but as soon as they leave they go right back to riding the way they always did.
