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Archive through November 02, 2007Pgsus30 11-02-07  08:19 am
         

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Echo15
Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 05:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

A corollary to the 2 second rule is not just stopping room and escape routes, but also the avoidance time to react to the step ladder that the car just strattled
Ask me how I know.
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Fltwistygirl
Posted on Monday, December 17, 2007 - 10:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Once you pass the BRC and get your endorsement, spend some time practicing your fundamentals before you get out in traffic. Find neighborhood streets with minimal traffic and apply the techniques you hopefully learned in class. As dorky as it sounds, remind yourself to slow, look, press and roll as you're taking a corner. Find a parking lot if you need to practice your quickstops and your swerves. These things really can save your butt!

Bottom line: Make sure you have full control of the bike before you get on a busy highway. In traffic, there's little room for error.

Also, read "How to Ride a Motorcycle" by Pat Hahn. Good read, wish I would have known about it as I was morphing from Dirt-bike chick to twisty girl.

Be safe out there!!!!
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Gotj
Posted on Monday, December 17, 2007 - 10:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"You unconsciously steer in the direction that you look. You see that cow in the pasture on the right? You may not have noticed yourself drifting right as well."

That's true unless you practice steering straight while looking to the side or over your shoulder. One (empty) parking lot drill is to drive down one of the long parking space lines and look over your shoulder. At first you will drift in the direction of your look. With practice, you will develop the ability to go straighter until you no longer drift.
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Ahowudoon
Posted on Sunday, February 03, 2008 - 03:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

One thing I have done, as far as stuff I carry around - every time I travel to a different state or far off locale, I stop at a gas station or truck stop and pick up a map and talk to the locals. Great way to find out about good roads and areas to stay away from if you're not familiar with the area.

Also, getting as much seat time as possible is the best way to learn to ride, but be aware of your body and what it's telling you. If you notice yourself getting tired or having trouble concentrating on the road, stop and rest or get something to eat/drink. While on two wheels you have to be at the top of your game.
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Its_a_buell
Posted on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 06:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

as a "new" rider, you should ride often to hone your skills. look where you're going, not where you're at. be smooth on the throttle in the curves. if you're chopping the throttle (on and off the gas) in curves, these Buells or Harleys in general, tend to "wobble" due to the large rotating mass of the primary drive so be smooth. when in town or heavy traffic keep your head on a swivel, especially at intersections. danger can come from anywhere...trust me, ive been rear-ended. try not to get too complacent on the bike, being out of your comfort zone heightens your senses and makes you ride more aggressive. and loud pipes save lives. hopes some of this helps someone.
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Kimberley
Posted on Thursday, June 11, 2009 - 01:04 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Always leave yourself an out and ride like you are invisible. Served me well for over 30 years of riding m/c and driving commercial rigs!
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Jimonabuell
Posted on Monday, May 29, 2017 - 01:18 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

In Built up Traffic Always ride with two fingers on you Brake Lever...ready. Not depressed just ready.
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Captainkirk
Posted on Thursday, May 21, 2020 - 12:58 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Neutral? NOT!
One of the surprising things I learned in both BRC and ERC courses (I took BRC with my son years ago, who had never ridden before just to share time with him) was NOT to pop the bike in neutral at stoplights. Why? Because if someone is barreling up your rear end and not paying attention, the seconds it takes to shift into gear and get out of the way may cost you your life. Who knew?
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Tpehak
Posted on Thursday, May 21, 2020 - 01:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I have no idea how you can judge and do split second decision if somebody behind you are not going to stop. But there is a risk that you accidentally or purposely release the clutch or clutch cable will be broken and you will roll on the intersection under red light and will be rammed by car from crossed road or you can run over pedestrian on the crosswalk.

It also weaken clutch spring if you always hold it compressed at red light.

Buells also have weak clutch spring support lip can crack after extensive holding under compression which can cause same situation like broken clutch cable.
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Captainkirk
Posted on Thursday, May 21, 2020 - 01:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

You pays yer money and you takes yer chances, I guess...I plan my ride routes so I spend as little time at red lights as possible. Also, if it tends to wax really long (like over 30 seconds) I will generally do the neutral thing after checking my rear-views. I also don't use the clutch thing at RR crossings when gates are down...I've waited for trains over 5 minutes before. WRT the cable breakage, generally speaking, I think a broken cable would have the same effect as holding the front brake lever and popping it into first...a lurch and a stall. So any way you look at it, it's a compromise. Just passing on information here that the BRC was teaching...
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Tpehak
Posted on Thursday, May 21, 2020 - 02:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I think it is more dangerous to keep the gears engaged and be prepared immediately to roll on the stop because of you have just split second to make decision and have not time to look and estimate situation in front of you (and this situation is constantly changing) and if you just got scared by somebody behind you (he might not even going to run you over and would stop behind you) you can roll in the road zone where you can be rammed by another car with more chances.

Another risk is you are limited in your possibilities if you have to hold your clutch lever squeezed.

You also can accidentally release the clutch lever and twist the throttle at the same time which can cause unexpected uncontrollable situation.


(Message edited by TPEHAK on May 21, 2020)
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Captainkirk
Posted on Thursday, May 21, 2020 - 02:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

As a cyclist, it's your personal decision on personal safety...same with ATGATT*...(which I follow). I think the BRC recommendations came about after this widely-publicized incident in my own home state:

https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=7508040&page=1

Painting her nails...sheesh!
Regardless, it's up to the individual to make whatever decisions they will about their own personal safety. Just throwing it out there for new riders to consider.

(*All the gear, all the time)
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Tpehak
Posted on Thursday, May 21, 2020 - 03:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Does BRC recommend loud pipes?
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Captainkirk
Posted on Thursday, May 21, 2020 - 03:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Does BRC recommend loud pipes?


Actually, there was a lot of debate about that amongst the instructors and students in the ERC class (experienced rider course). More than one of the instructors rode Harleys and was in favor of loud pipes, believe it or not.
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Blake
Posted on Saturday, May 23, 2020 - 10:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Best thing I did to enhance safety was to go racing on a track, and do track days.

Prior to that I had no idea of the limits of the bike. Most motorcycle accidents are caused because the rider didn't know how hard he could apply the front brake, or how much he could lean the bike over. It happened to me, twice. Once when I was in high school with minimal consequences, just some grass wedged/crammed/stuck in the undercarriage of the CB450. The other a careflight and a week in hospital with punctured lung, broken ribs (nine of them), and shattered clavicle.

If I'd had track experience, I'd have avoided both crashes.

The other crash was poor safety and a horrible cage driver. I was also in high school, out on a misty/rainy day, car pulled out in front of me turning left from grocery store parking lot on other side of road. I should have been more cautious going through town. Slick street offered no chance to stop in time. The PA State Patrolman immediately behind me saw the whole thing, wrote the car driver a ticker, and helped me push the bike into a parking lot. Bruised right knee was my only injury.

So be aware, be cautious, assume other vehicles are piloted by drunk half-blind morons, wear safety gear, and learn the limits of the bike. And set the suspension properly, set the ergonomics of all levers optmally, and maintain the bike well.

(Message edited by blake on May 23, 2020)
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Court
Posted on Saturday, May 23, 2020 - 12:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My best advice .....

Read Blake’s post again.
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Mog
Posted on Monday, October 10, 2022 - 12:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Welcome to a Buell, the best cornering bike for the bucks anytime, anywhere.

DO NOT TRAILBRAKE the XB9R,XB12R, XB9S XB12S and I suggest similar for the 1125R although it is a bit more kindly.....period.

In effect... do not break while turning in for a sharp curve.

The Buells are for bikers that are serious about carving corners and track days.

They were built for breaking BEFORE the corner, then applying throttle at or just before apex/exit.

If you break INTO the turn, the bike WILL stand up, you will go straight and kiss a wall, tree or glide off a cliff.

These are superb bikes meant for those pilots that take the time to learn the XB series bikes. These bikes have the capability to repeatably turn inside of nearly any other bike IF you practice and take track days (a Buell teacher is best).

Otherwise buy another manufacturer and stay out of the way.
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