Riding jap bikes -advice please

[rosie631]

I ride a harley and have never ridden anything else. However, my partner rides a Yamaha XJR1300. He has lost his license for 2 years and his bike needs a run. What are the main differences I need to be aware of when riding his bike?

[Gubb]

It's faster.

:girlfight:

[nallac]

The brakes work,

[Trudes]

Lean into the corners *shrug*

[jtzzr]

Nothing really bikes in general have the same operating procedure , just don`t squeeze on the clutch to hard or you will crush the handlebars and if you pull on the front brakes too hard, your man will have plenty of time to fix the bike up.P/T

A bike is a bike , just take some time to get used to it.

Sorry no vibration though , so you both lose on that one.

[White trash]

It's just a motorbike, you'll be fine ferchristssake

[rosie631]

It's faster.

:girlfight:

Mine can keep up with most on the straight but I will admit it's big and heavy on the corners.

[JimO]

so if you have only ridden a harley how did you get your licence

[inorganic]

enjoy the smoothness... enjoy the brakes ... enjoy the corners... enjoy the quiet ... enjoy the reason uncle sam doesnt quite cut it anymore

[Slyer]

2 years?
Do I want to know what he did?

[rosie631]

2 years?
Do I want to know what he did?

DIC. Silly prick that he is..

[rosie631]

so if you have only ridden a harley how did you get your licence

I got my license back in the days when you just went round the block and could basically go out and ride anything. You are right I borrowed someones 125cc japper to sit my actual license. But after that my first bike was a sporty and that's what I pretty much learnt to ride on.

[MarkH]

He has lost his license for 2 years

Geez, what the hell did he do? Musta been something pretty bloody serious!

[Molly]

Just try not to fall asleep.

[Mooch]

I ride a harley and have never ridden anything else. However, my partner rides a Yamaha XJR1300. He has lost his license for 2 years and his bike needs a run. What are the main differences I need to be aware of when riding his bike?

Only that it's probably his pride and joy , and will have a higher seat height. Bikes are a very personal thing and often peoples alter-ego. So say nice things about the bike after the ride :yes:

Other than that , you'll be fine

[scumdog]

It's 'softer' - the clutch takes less effort, the gearshift 'snicks' instead of 'clunks' and any limp-wristed faggot can lock up the front brake on a Jappa.

Just take it easy on everything for the first few km..

[smoky]

Mine can keep up with most on the straight but I will admit it's big and heavy on the corners.

You'll find out - big difference in ability.
Be careful with the throttle for a while
I guess the biggest issue will be when you stop - I don't know how short or tall you are

[rosie631]

You'll find out - big difference in ability.
Be careful with the throttle for a while
I guess the biggest issue will be when you stop - I don't know how short or tall you are

I'm only 5'3". My bike is a custom which has been lowered in the rear end.

[rosie631]

It's 'softer' - the clutch takes less effort, the gearshift 'snicks' instead of 'clunks' and any limp-wristed faggot can lock up the front brake on a Jappa.

Just take it easy on everything for the first few km..

Thanks for that. Sounds like good advice.:yes:

[Shadows]

Just take it easy until you get the feel of it.

Crack the throttle wide open too early in a corner and you'll know all about it. Likewise if you suddenly decide to grab a big handful of front brake, and don't rev the engine and then dump the clutch. Commonsense stuff.

Other than that, if learnt to ride on a Harley, and you ride it well, you'll more than cope.

In fact you'll probably find the Yammy very clinical and boring.

Just like a great big overpowered sewing machine.

[McJim]

Taller, less torque, more horsepower and no soul.

That should be a good start.

[Shadows]

Taller, less torque, more horsepower and no soul.

Well summed up, that man.

[Insanity_rules]

It's 'softer' - the clutch takes less effort, the gearshift 'snicks' instead of 'clunks' and any limp-wristed faggot can lock up the front brake on a Jappa.

Just take it easy on everything for the first few km..

This man speaks the truth. Rev it higher, take it easy on the clutch (it'll feel way light). You'll be OK. Oh and fer gods sake don't rubbish it to him when your done. He probably feels the same way about it that you do about your harley.

Let us know how you get on.

[munterk6]

why the hell doesn't he get one of his mates to ride it? Does he have mates that ride jappers with him? Surely......he must have. :chase:

or....he could put on a girly type disguise and ride it himself with your licence in his pocket?

[EJK]

On a jap bike

You shall wave back

[The Pastor]

your talking about a jap cruiser right?

[Slyer]

They go fairly quick.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni1RAJ8M6j8

[Mrs Busa Pete]

So why don't you just sell it because he will have to start from scratch in 2 years time. So it will be another 2 years after that before he can ride it legally anyway. You can use the money from the bike for a kick ass 250.

[Headbanger]

Watch out for the brakes, If you just grab a big handful like you do on a Harley you will most probably crash. And don't wring its neck coming out of corners.

Brakes on HD's really do suck.

[mdnzz]

Brakes on HD's really do suck.

Yea so I found out over the weekend.

I'd go with the advice everyone has given you about the brakes and watchin ya throttle coming outta corners, after spending all my time on jappas and now owning my first Harley they are completely different in handling.
But in sayin that your either grabbing a handle full of brakes or ripping back on the throttle so it seems to work.:sweatdrop:

[Headbanger]

after spending all my time on jappas and now owning my first Harley they are completely different in handling.


During my time I have ridden plenty of both, Though it still catches me out.

Last jap bike I owned I ended up going through a compulsory stop on the front wheel, on the test ride.

Damn near shit my undies.

[vgcspares]

General Motors is several billion in the can and asking for more because they insist on making big cars that don't handle, suck gas and differ little from 30 years ago (save all the electrical gadgets), while everyone else is using 21st century technology

same with their bikes really

[MSTRS]

Leave. The. Tassels. At. Home.

[NZsarge]

Just pootle for a bit, you'll be fine. Infact I predict you may not want to give it back...

[Big Dave]

>>Brakes on HD's really do suck.<<

Last 5 years - disagree - generally found them adequate without being outstanding on cruisers. Brembos on VRSC.

They currently run Brembos on most.

[madbikeboy]

The differences are subtle between a Jap bike and a Harley:

1. You won't need to push the Jap bike on a regular basis.
2. Your ass won't itch any more from the smooth in line 4.
3. People won't think you're a dealer.
4. It will actually go around corners without getting off and pushing.
5. It will actually keep up with modern traffic.
6. You can get a knee down, instead of both knees while you figure out why it won't start this time...
7. You lean forward.
8. Your butt and back won't hurt from the lean back.
9. When you pull on the lever on the right handlebar, it will actually slow down.
10. When you roll the rotary propulsion modulator on the right handle bar, the bike will accelerate with urgency.
11. As above, when the RPM counter reads more than 4,000, suddenly you will be hit with a firm shove of power between your shoulder blades.
12. As above, when reading 7,000 RPM, the fun really starts.
13. As above, you will be breaking the speeding laws in every location (except for Montana) in first gear.
14. You won't need to step around the oil patch, this will be strangely missing on the Jap bike.
15. The little needle on the clock in front of you will actually pass 160.
16. As above, when that happens, change into third.
17. As above, but keep count, you have 6 gears (not 4).
18. People will wave. But this time, you'll need to wave back.

[Big Dave]

And you will have to put up with a lot of mis-information on KB.

[madbikeboy]

And you will have to put up with a lot of mis-information on KB.

19. You won't have to listen to BD whilst wearing his Hardley Rose tinted glasses...
Rosie tinted? Chuckle...

[slimjim]

watch its weight coming in hard on a corner..... but otherwise it's nothing different o apart from they love lifting its front wheel yeah..

[vgcspares]

if you write it off it'll be from the replacement cost of all the plastic

rather than from the wanky front end being incapable of holding back several hundred pounds of steel & iron

[Big Dave]

19. You won't have to listen to BD whilst wearing his Hardley Rose tinted glasses...
Rosie tinted? Chuckle...

Anti KB dribble tinted glasses.

Harley make a diverse range of good quality products that make them the 2nd best selling brand in NZ last year.

Hondas are not gay.

Cruisers suit some people.

etc etc.

Stand 'em up - i'll knock 'em over. :-)

[CookMySock]

The center of gravity will be in a completely different place, so notice how heavy it is lifting it off the sidestand and rolling it side-to-side etc. Lots of things are in different places so check you can work all the controls before you head off. Have a putter around some streets where there is no traffic getting used to the indicators and brakes, and then out on the open road and sit on a comfy speed and just settle in. Keep the engine revs below about 6,000rpm (not critical) until you get used to how the engine behaves.

Have fun! Riding a different bike is awesome!

Steve

[Maha]

I would have thought selling the bike would be the better option.

[madbikeboy]

Anti KB dribble tinted glasses.

Harley make a diverse range of good quality products that make them the 2nd best selling brand in NZ last year.

Hondas are not gay.

Cruisers suit some people.

etc etc.

Stand 'em up - i'll knock 'em over. :-)

Okay, if you can afford a Vrod, maybe. Have you taken a look at a sportie lately?

[Big Dave]

Okay, if you can afford a Vrod, maybe. Have you taken a look at a sportie lately?

Spent a week with a XR1200 - loved its guts.

[mdnzz]

Okay, if you can afford a Vrod, maybe. Have you taken a look at a sportie lately?

:eek: nothing wrong with sporties

[Two Smoker]

They go fairly quick.


Be even faster if he didnt use the clutch on up changes...

Just ride it! Like anything unfamiliar, treat it with respect and slowly ease into it to find its capabilities... Have fun :yes:

[Molly]

An XJR1300 was the first new bike I ever bought (albeit an ex-demonstrator). It was big, very comfortable, handled well, great brakes (same as R1), great two-up, lots and lots of midrange, and as good an all-round naked bike as you could ask for. However, the finish was terrible and, with the best will in the world, it looked as rough as f'k after one winter. It was also quite a boring bike in many ways.

As usual there's a lot of BS on KB about Harleys. I certainly wouldn't have an XJR over my new HD (or over any of the Harleys I've owned for that matter) but that's a personal choice based on experience (something many HD critcs are short of).

Enjoy the Yam. It's a bloody good bike (just 'transport' you understand, but good - not an 'event' like a Harley ride ;-)

[cindymay]

It's 'softer' - the clutch takes less effort, the gearshift 'snicks' instead of 'clunks' and any limp-wristed faggot can lock up the front brake on a Jappa.

Just take it easy on everything for the first few km..
Are not all bikes like this?


The center of gravity will be in a completely different place, so notice how heavy it is lifting it off the sidestand and rolling it side-to-side etc. Lots of things are in different places so check you can work all the controls before you head off. Have a putter around some streets where there is no traffic getting used to the indicators and brakes, and then out on the open road and sit on a comfy speed and just settle in. Keep the engine revs below about 6,000rpm (not critical) until you get used to how the engine behaves.

Have fun! Riding a different bike is awesome!

Steve
All the above and choose a clean flat area to stop as the bike will be taller than you are used to. Once they start to fall it is impossible to stop - for this girl anyway.