| Author | Message | ||
     Whatever |
Ok, I know this will sound pretty lame, but I have been riding an M2 for eight years and have had an XB City X for a few months... I still freak out when I turn sometimes cause this bike handles so differently... turning is no effort and I feel like I am about to over-turn then I tense up... gonna have to start taking her to a parking lot to mess around just to get a new skill set... the suspension and front forks are adjusted to my weight... Tonight I was doing some donuts in the cul de sac in front of my house... and the bike is just wanting to lean and I am not used to the lean angles... I feel like I am about to go down when I lean into a sharp turn... I am ashamed to say it, but it feels like I am about to lose control at times... I have gotten used to turning the front forks and them hitting the tank so my turn radius is limited on the M2 and I have seen some video of people riding in very very tight circles on the City X... what do I need to do? Any ideas??? | ||
| Mike5876 |
practice on a bicycle | ||
| Loud_and_low |
Not lame, no shame. Recheck your suspension and tire pressures. I everything looks correct, then a clean parking lot and as many donuts and figure 8's as you can do. Then go out another day and do some more. I think you'll achieve a feel for the bike. The parking lot was my best friend when I bought my sx. After 4 or 5 times there, I was dragging a knee. If you just can't get the feel for the bike, you can adjust the geometry a little with suspension adjustments to slow the steering down. But Hopefully you just get the feel of the bike before you alter it's handling. Just my $.02. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Try figure 8s instead of circles: you'll learn both directions and braking as well. There's a UK magazine that has youtube lessons that are pretty good. Search "MCN corner". You already know that if you're not getting along with the bike, you can't go out on a date. Maybe it's not the bike for you. | ||
| Blackm2 |
More gas. XB's do like to lean so stay relaxed, and when you feel like you are leaning too far(which is in your mind btw) just ease ON the throttle, don't panic and crank it. Lean forward and look through your turn too, stuff I'm sure you know already but always good reminders. Check out Lee Parks and Keith Codes' books. Have fun and stay RELAXED. | ||
| Gunut75 |
It may be that your target fixing on 5 feet in front of the bike. Make sure you are looking through your turn. If the bike feels jerky or unpredictable add a bit of throttle (2500rpm or so) and use the clutch to modulate your speed. Sometimes a touch of rear brake while doing this will give you even more control. The parking lot time is priceless for slow speed maneuvers. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Part of it is also the tires. I've never liked the Pirelli tire profile. Recheck the suspension as has been noted. The XBs are SUPER sensitive to correct (or incorrect) suspension settings. Keep in mind that the M2 has a 55" wheelbase. The SX has a 52" wheelbase. In bike terms, its the difference between a sports care and a bus. The forks are also a much steeper rake. Try moving around on the bike. Tight circles often require you to counterbalance on the outside of the bike.   Try standing on the pegs and allowing the bike to move below you (think dirt bike/mountain bike). Keep your knees bent. I think you'll find that moving around on the bike will help to fix some of the lean angle concerns. The SX has a much better lean angle capability than the M2. You'll be hard pressed to out lean it. Hanging off a little more will keep it more upright. You can decrease the preload in the rear. This will allow the bike to sag more in the rear slowing the turn in response and causing it to feel more "stable". | ||
| Iman501 |
if you do find an empty parking lot bring side walk chalk to put down some courses or something to practice on. its one thing to know you have plenty of room for mistake in a parking lot, but another thing once your actually on a curvy road where you don't have much room to just straighten the bike out and try again | ||
| Christopher12 |
+1 on tires pressure. I had a "drop into the turn" feeling when tires are low on pressure. It's not the same as the sliding feel, it's when leaning over normally and suddenly a slight feel that I'm dropping into the turn. Scared me a bit when first happen. Christopher | ||
| Aptbldr |
+1, low tire pressure = inconsistent 'turn-in'. Literally turn head and look over your shoulder making slow tight turns, like FtB's right illustration above. Adding this works to smooth tight turning for me. | ||
| Whatever |
All good advice. What is the name of the Lee Parks book, I will look for it on Amazon. I also took an advanced rider course years ago when I got the M2 and I really want to do that again. I will refrain from the track day until I get the hang of it. Also, with the new hard bags loaded, what do I need to adjust? It will be approximately 40 extral lbs in the back. Then if I take them off at my destination, I need to adjust suspension again? Too bad it is raining today, I was thinking of going up to the community college to do more donuts...  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Also, with the new hard bags loaded, what do I need to adjust? Preload, compression, rebound. Front and rear. Preload in the rear if you are feeling a little lazy. | ||
| Ourdee |
Char, Try scooting up as close to the tank as you can. Moving your weight as far forward as possible. I use my rear brake during low speed turns.  | ||
| Delta_one |
no shame at all in fact mad props for actually seeking help I found some youtube videos by motorman857 that helped me a lot in getting comfortable with my bike at low speed tipped over | ||
| Delta_one |
these are the exercises that helped me the most | ||
| Sifo |
What is the name of the Lee Parks book, I will look for it on Amazon. Total Control by Lee Parks. Very good book. Tensing up is very bad. One tip I really liked from Total Control was to totally relax the outside arm and only steer with the inside arm. This keeps the two arms from fighting each other. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Second video at .37, note that he missed his line. Practice, practice, practice: in real life there are few second chances. | ||
| Christopher12 |
Eh Delta_one, good videos, where did you get them? Are there more? Christopher | ||
| Greg_e |
Here's the guy's channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/motorman857 | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Read the Lee Parks book, several times over the winter. Then as early as you can next spring, seek out a Lee Parks Total Control class. The book is good, but the class is fantastic, best motorcycle related money I've ever spent. | ||
| Gaza |
@ Charlotte : No shame, I feel the same way. My first bike was the 09 xb12s and I feel as it just falls into a corner and im fighting to keep it up. Not to pleasant but I know it`s me and not the bike. I too am looking for some instruction on cornering skills. Just got back from the Dragons Tail and I have to say that was extremely challenging but I noticed I had made some advancements by the end of my trip. I plan on practicing in a empty lot even though I have ridden the bike 20000km so far.  | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Parking lot practice: that's one thing that really ticks me off about the new Ontario law. The police power now extends to private parking areas like malls, etc. Now, if they deem you to be stunt riding, i.e., practicing for real life risks, they can charge you. I really miss the ability to go to an empty, off-hours, lot and practice these kinds of things. I know I have benefited in the past from these kinds of sessions. Take advantage of the sessions. | ||
| Whatever |
I have a cul de sac in the country oh, about 50 yards down my driveway now... went riding with a friend and his antique HD bagger (that thing doesn't lean)... had to get in front of him... but I will do the practice excersizes above... I have also seen that RideLikeaPro stuff on facebook... I just got annoyed by the solicitation... but I can watch the videos without having to sign up for anything... I will also order the Lee Parks book and look up his class... | ||
| Mbxb12scg |
I get the same feeling. Slow speed turn in, bike leans over and the bars get real heavy and feel like they just want to turn all the way and it takes much more pressure, in the counter steer direction, to hold the bars from jamming over. Maybe I should jut let them go where they want and control the turn with throttle/clutch? | ||
| Gunut75 |
Maybe I should jut let them go where they want and control the turn with throttle/clutch? Don't do that. You will be looking at your bike from the ground. The heavy bars on slow speed turn in is most likely to be tire profile. I had Dunlop D208 last time around, and will never use them again. They exhibited very heavy bars at all times. If I let go of the bars at any speed, the front would almost go into a tank slapper. I have Conti Road Attacks and can let go of the bars at any speed with no worries. Very light slow speed handling from them also. Also a rear tire that has a flat middle from straight line riding will effect low speed handling in funny ways. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Another excellent book is Smooth Riding by Reg Pridmore. Covers all aspects of riding. http://www.amazon.com/Smooth-Riding-Pridmore-Way-R eg/dp/1884313469 | ||
| Iamarchangel |
I'd give up. If I had already eight years riding experience and I couldn't get used to another bike after several months, I'd give up. It's just not the bike for me. There's no shame in that and it's dangerous to continue. It's not a religion and you don't have to win. I had a Yamaha 650 and rode it on the highway once, got off that highway on the next exit and within a few weeks, got rid off the bike. No shame in that. | ||
| Gaza |
Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Ive got 20k of experience but 19k has been on straight roads. My 80 year old grandma can drive straight on a bike. The skill comes in cornering where you need the practice and where I live there is not a lot of options for corners. I have to drive hundreds of miles just to get to some nice roads. Practicing in a controlled environment is a great option where you wont kill yourself or anyone else. If you like the bike keep it and learn to ride it. I will never get rid of my XB.. | ||
| Glitch |
I'd give up. Good for you! Char, nothing can get you further than what you're doing. Read, watch videos, get advise from people you trust. What you've get is a lot different than you're used to. I had some of the same issues. I think it's mostly coming from a longer wheel based bike to an extremely short one. The rake (geometry) of the front end is pretty radical too. Both of which make for a quick handling bike. The things that helped me the most were seat time, and looking as far through the turn as possible. Also making sure I had done everything I needed to do before the turn, such as braking and body position. And whatever you do, don't look down (that's were you'll go) always look where you want the bike to go. Looking forward to meeting you next month. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Another great book is Nick Ienatsch's Sport Riding Techniques. There is quite a lot involved in becoming a competent rider, and Ienatsch covers it all. Riding a bike is no easier than playing a musical instrument, and very few learn how to do that quickly or without instruction. The difference is you don't usually get hurt if you can't play your horn well. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1893618072?tag=webbikewco m-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&crea tiveASIN=1893618072&adid=1CMMFV1Q6WAYH8XQ0SD8&#rea der_1893618072  |
