Lost confidence

[MadDuck]

Not sure that anyone can help me except me. I have lived in my place for over six years and dont want to move.

The issue? My driveway. Its steep. Its not the steep that has me with a head "f*&k" its the tight left hander when I get to the top. I never had an issue with the VTR or the SV but the Harley just doesnt seem to like it. I have even painted lines as a point of reference where I need to turn.

I am picking I am still trying to ride like I am on a Sportsbike and have dropped it twice. No damage but I have had to ask the neighbour to help me on the two occassions this has happened.

Now I find every excuse I can. Its dark...its wet...I wont ride today. But hell I love my bike. I just miss riding the amount of times I used to.

Can anyone offer any advice?

[Blackshear]

Can you butcher the fence or surrounding driveway, to widen to apex (word?)?

[jafar]

Not sure that anyone can help me except me. I have lived in my place for over six years and dont want to move.

The issue? My driveway. Its steep. Its not the steep that has me with a head "f*&k" its the tight left hander when I get to the top. I never had an issue with the VTR or the SV but the Harley just doesnt seem to like it. I have even painted lines as a point of reference where I need to turn.

I am picking I am still trying to ride like I am on a Sportsbike and have dropped it twice. No damage but I have had to ask the neighbour to help me on the two occassions this has happened.

Now I find every excuse I can. Its dark...its wet...I wont ride today. But hell I love my bike. I just miss riding the amount of times I used to.

Can anyone offer any advice?

3 options.

1st option / move

2nd option/ sell the bike & get one that you can manhandle yourself.

3rd option/ get someone to take pic's of your misfortune so we can all get a laugh :devil2:

[James Deuce]

Move house. Bikes are more important.

[MadDuck]

3rd option/ get someone to take pic's of your misfortune so we can all get a laugh :devil2:

Hahaha... I say jafar for KB Mentor :eek:

[Ocean1]

So. It's between the bike and the house eh?

Ah well, it's just a roof.

Give us a pic of the offending drive eh? so's we'll know if it really belongs at a trials event or if it's, just, y'know, you.

[Maha]

So. It's between the bike and the house eh?

Ah well, it's just a roof.

Give us a pic of the offending drive eh? so's we'll know if it really belongs at a trials event or if it's, just, y'know, you.

Oh its a fucken beauty....I leave my bike at the bottom and walk up, she has sherpas there for those that cant manage.
Seriously...the house/the view....wow!
Some sort of pully system or a Hi-Ab???

[MsKABC]

No option to get a digger in and do some...er..."remodelling" Ducky?

[MadDuck]

Give us a pic of the offending drive eh? so's we'll know if it really belongs at a trials event or if it's, just, y'know, you.

The picture on google maps shows it quite well. But I am not willing to post my address on KB just at this point in time.

[scumdog]

A Sporty and it's giving you grief?

Practise the same manoeuvre on a hill/drive that's not so steep.

[jafar]

Oh its a fucken beauty....I leave my bike at the bottom and walk up, she has sherpas there for those that cant manage.
Seriously...the house/the view....wow!
Some sort of pully system or a Hi-Ab???

smaller bike?
Yamaha tricker comes to mind :doh:

[MadDuck]

she has sherpas there for those that cant manage.

Yes I keep them in my garage they are soooo cute


No option to get a digger in and do some...er..."remodelling" Ducky?

Had a quote to use next door but not sure I have the $$$$

[Gubb]

The picture on google maps shows it quite well. But I am not willing to post my address on KB just at this point in time.

Print Screen, paste it into MS Pant, and edit out the details.

Or just take your own Photo.

[MadDuck]

A Sporty and it's giving you grief?

Practise the same manoeuvre on a hill/drive that's not so steep.

Yeah like I say Scumdog I think its just that I have dropped it. I have a friend has no problems on his Dyna.

[6ft5]

Ok sell the harley and sell the roof and start again.... perhaps good idea to pass a new license ....:eek:

[jafar]

Yeah like I say Scumdog I think its just that I have dropped it. I have a friend has no problems on his Dyna.

Feed it more curry going up the hill.:spanking:

[YellowDog]

Not sure that anyone can help me except me. I have lived in my place for over six years and dont want to move.

The issue? My driveway. Its steep. Its not the steep that has me with a head "f*&k" its the tight left hander when I get to the top. I never had an issue with the VTR or the SV but the Harley just doesnt seem to like it. I have even painted lines as a point of reference where I need to turn.

I am picking I am still trying to ride like I am on a Sportsbike and have dropped it twice. No damage but I have had to ask the neighbour to help me on the two occassions this has happened.

Now I find every excuse I can. Its dark...its wet...I wont ride today. But hell I love my bike. I just miss riding the amount of times I used to.

Can anyone offer any advice?
Hey you can get over this. You just need a bit of coaching. Get a fellow cruiser rider to give you an alternative approach.

The white line marker sounds good. Have you trimmed the greenery to give you a clear view? You probably just need a bit more speed.

Good luck.

[jafar]

Ok sell the harley and sell the roof and start again.... perhaps good idea to pass a new license ....:eek:

Ohh thats harsh, it took her ages to get her current licence from Rarotonga :killingme

[MadDuck]

Ohh thats harsh, it took her ages to get her current licence from Rarotonga :killingme

Bliimin Heck get it right....was a weeties packet :third:

[jafar]

In what?.....

your garage:doh:

[Maha]

Feed it more curry going up the hill.:spanking:

When you stand at the bottom of the driveway and look up, yes up, the dizzyness and neck ache sets in rather quickly. I give MadDuck a ton of credit for getting up there on a bike, its not impossible obviously but, like what they do in Wellington, build a shed buy the road.

[rosie631]

You probably just need a bit more speed.



What he said.

[dasser]

I agree with YellowDog "Get a fellow cruiser rider to give you an alternative approach."

You said you friend makes it up the drive way.

My guess is you are entering at too sharp of an angle and too fast ???

Good luck

[Blackshear]

Advice?.. Well..

Sell your piece of shit "I'm fat, 40 and need an excuse to wear leather" Harley and get a decent bike.

Inb4 shitstorm and red rep.

[jafar]

When you stand at the bottom of the driveway and look up, yes up, the dizzyness and neck ache sets in rather quickly. I give MadDuck a ton of credit for getting up there on a bike, its not impossible obviously but, like what they do in Wellington, build a shed buy the road.

buy the road ? :eek:

[Maha]

buy the road ? :eek:

Well yes....its a rather pretty road and anyone would be doing well to buy/own it...:Oops:

[6ft5]

the trick is to look where yo want to go, not where the corner is. Every time you look at the obstacle you will not make it because the brain seduces you to to what you look at :msn-wink:

[MadDuck]

You probably just need a bit more speed.



What he said.


My guess is you are entering at too sharp of an angle and too fast ???


Thanks for some reasonable responses. I think I am heading up too fast. Get to the top to swing to the left. The old story of the bike going where you look.

I turn my head suddenly to take the tight turn and...oops.

[jafar]

That coloured cube thing???

Nah thats rubic's cube ...... looks remarkably like a vtr twofiddy

[Gubb]

My extreme Detective skills tell me it looks something like this:
<img src="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=129425&d=1242455539"></img>

[Blackshear]

My extreme Detective skills tell me it looks something like this:


Almost fell over in your driveway once.
Fucking thing was damp and I rode over something green.
With throttle.

[MadDuck]

My extreme Detective skills tell me it looks something like this

What skills you have!

[Gubb]

Actually, i've had a succession of bad driveways.

In Glenfield, it was a steep uphill, with a sharp off-camber turn to the left. Really badly warped (can it warp? It was different levels anyway) concrete. That Drive claimed 3 bikes to drops in 6 months.

The current driveway is a long downhill drive, with a sharp off-camber to the left. VERY slippery in the wet, tough to get in and out of. This one has claimed 4 bikes in 5 months. (One of which was one of the guys that had an oopsie on the previous one).

I suspect my Streety weighs a mere-morsel of the Harley, and dare I say it, possibly handles a little better as well, but the only advice I can give, is to try not give in to the fear. It's like target fixation. As soon as you start concentrating on not dropping your pride and jpy, that's exactly what you'll do. Try not to think about it, and the consequences too much.

[Mom]

No option to get a digger in and do some...er..."remodelling" Ducky?

Might have to pop down on Sunday Ducky and take a pic or five. Actually a surveyor who can measure up the gradient would probably be a better bet.

This driveway is a killer. Walking down it sober is risking life and limb. Riding up it is not something I would like to attempt, unless I was on a little, light, bike, just on the start of the pipe :yes:

[MadDuck]

I suspect my Streety weighs a mere-morsel of the Harley, and dare I say it, possibly handles a little better as well.

Ah? Well Ok you got me. I guess I am not a silly person (oh I hear the rumblings on KB)

My biggest problem is not dropping the bike. Hell it happens to everyone. I guess my biggest problem is dropping it and I can lift it myself but its at such a wicked angle I cant get on it and right it by myself. To have to ask the neighbour to help me is pretty sucky.

[MadDuck]

Walking down it sober is risking life and limb.

Then theres walking down it after a few wines in heels. Just ask Mrs Archer :Police:

[Mom]

Then theres walking down it after a few wines in heels. Just ask Mrs Archer :Police:

At least she would remember it, not so sure about Mr Archer though :nono:

[FJRider]

Ah, the valued advice of a member with less than 250 posts and three 'friends', well done, please post more!

At least "that valued member" can now see who red repped him ...

[tide]

Then theres walking down it after a few wines in heels. Just ask Mrs Archer :Police:


At least she would remember it, not so sure about Mr Archer though :nono:

Ah yes :eek: lol was a good night... your drive way is wicked... perseverance... :) you'll get there... just hope you don't do too much damage to the bike... have you tried taking the far right hand side of the drive way where the curve is not as steep...

D

[Mom]

At least "that valued member" can now see who red repped him ...

Um naughty boy, red rep hurts :crybaby:

[FJRider]

Um naughty boy, red rep hurts :crybaby:

I have only ever given two red's ... and none to him ... yet !!!

[MadDuck]

just hope you don't do too much damage to the bike... have you tried taking the far right hand side of the drive way where the curve is not as steep...

D
Yes D thats where I painted the lines. Hmmm house paint which i am sure will wash away with all the rain.

Bike is fine. Pride is somewhat deflated.

[madbikeboy]

Okay, some thoughts.

What bars do you have - they're not anything silly right? Can you turn the bike without stretching too far?

Next, do you do low speed work in car parks? If not, practice doing figure of eights, and slow races.

Next, as you turn, are you coming off the power, or letting the clutch slip?

Harleys carry their weight low, and steer slowly - and while this is really great 99% of the time for cruising, it means that you have to muscle the bike in certain situations. If you're coming off the power, and the bike is on angle (think in terms of contact patch, and the part of the tire you're on), and a bend, then you can certainly come a cropper...

It only takes a small fall to lose a lot of confidence...

[Mom]

Ah yes :eek: lol was a good night... your drive way is wicked... perseverance... :) you'll get there... just hope you don't do too much damage to the bike... have you tried taking the far right hand side of the drive way where the curve is not as steep...

D

The OP has actually painted the optimum line on the curve of the driveway in question. We walked the line to see if we were brave enough to ride it...LOL. You should have a look in broad daylight mate, seriously weird camber designed to chuck you into the trees on the curve at the top. Too fast and you end up either in the side of the house....Hang on I have the fix here!

Ducky, demolish the flat downstairs! Smash a hole in the front of your house and make the entry to your gargre via the downstairs flat :yes:

[MadDuck]

You should have a look in broad daylight mate, seriously weird camber designed to chuck you into the trees on the curve at the top. !

Being a greenie I like to hug the cabbage trees.

[Mom]

Seriously though. How about a KB brains trust gathering at the house of the Duck to really get this sorted?

Or a BBQ gathering with prizes for the best off at the top :blip:

I will bring my First Aid Kit :yes:

[tide]

Ducky, demolish the flat downstairs! Smash a hole in the front of your house and make the entry to your gargre via the downstairs flat :yes:

now there is a plan... lol... :) the harley gets its own lounge and kitchen could tuck it into bed too... :P

I've seen the drive in the daylight... was bad enough trying to get my car down it... :)

[madbikeboy]

Mom, that answered my question. The main difference between the bikes listed is that the Harley carries its weight low, it has a very relaxed rake/steering head angle. It's going to be very senstive to off camber corners.

I'd bet that the sensation when you drop it is something like the bike kicks or flops, and you overbalance?

[MadDuck]

I'd bet that the sensation when you drop it is something like the bike kicks or flops, and you overbalance?

Its like I get to the top and its all in slow motion. Here we go...we fall over ...we fell like a dork.

[Mom]

Mom, that answered my question. The main difference between the bikes listed is that the Harley carries its weight low, it has a very relaxed rake/steering head angle. It's going to be very senstive to off camber corners.

I'd bet that the sensation when you drop it is something like the bike kicks or flops, and you overbalance?

Mike, you need to lay eyes on this driveway. Seriously, this is not just a bad camber, or a steep hill, or a tight turn, or a poorly ergonomically designed bike, or a low centre of gravity issue, this is something out of the ordinary.

I think arranging a R.O.W. up the neighbours drive and a bit of a ramp up to the level of the driveway will actually be the only sensible option here. Expensive but.

[Gubb]

KB Hillclimb event?

I must see this Drive in the uh. Flesh.

[MadDuck]

I think arranging a R.O.W. up the neighbours drive and a bit of a ramp up to the level of the driveway will actually be the only sensible option here. Expensive but.

I cant afford it. Bottom line.

[Mom]

KB Hillclimb event?

I must see this Drive in the uh. Flesh.

Right, here is a plan. Come up here on Sunday, collect fruity treats :blip: Then we can pootle down to Duckys place, and you can perve her curves :sunny:

[madbikeboy]

Yeah, tricky driveway, I think my point is that the line that should be correct, may not be correct for this bike - Mom MD made the comment that she was okay on two other bikes, but not the HD.

So, I think that the line she might need to take, well, takes into account the differences of the bikes... I reckon it'd be cheaper than a new driveway...

My driveway is a cast iron MF too, I've only met two women who could reverse up it first time, one is a courier (and she's an ex race car driver), the other is a Yummy Mummy who is gifted.

Most guys turn at the bottom, then drive up forwards...

[Gubb]

My driveway is a cast iron MF too, I've only met two women who could reverse up it first time, one is a courier (and she's an ex race car driver), the other is a Yummy Mummy who is gifted.

Most guys turn at the bottom, then drive up forwards...
Real men reverse down it with the Trailer attached.

[MadDuck]

Real men reverse down it with the Trailer attached.

Blindfolded.....

[MadDuck]

I don't, bike skills is a term broadly used here, not meant undermine you or your ability, everyone else seems to be putting there 10 cents worth....yeesh

Thats because they know me and I respect their opinions

[Gubb]

Blindfolded.....
At 3 in the morning with a live bees-nest in your lap.

[madbikeboy]

Real men reverse down it with the Trailer attached.

Well, you're a biker, so driving a car is easy...

Doing it in the dark with a nice table on the trailer makes it an even better bragging rights...

[madbikeboy]

back to the point - imagine looking at the tire from behind, and where the contact patch is - if the corner is seriously off camber, then the bike (with rake and low CoG) is going to be more affected as the contact patch moves across the carcass of the tire.

So, the point is, a different line, and maybe some counter intuitive steering might help...

To the newb, when someone asks for help with humility, its best to respond with good grace. After 20 odd years, I still find situations where I need to rethink stuff, and there are often people here who can give good advice, rather than a blanket statement like bike skills. Even Rossi falls off occasionally...

[BMWST?]

Is the Harley new(ish) to you?If so i agree with the person who suggested some low speed manouvering practise.Start on the flat,then try the same things on a slope.I think you are getting the feeling the bike is about to fall over.There is only two responses to that feeling,turn the bars tighter,and or feed in some power/clutch to pick it up again.It may FEEL different to the other bikes but it will respond to the same inputs

[MadDuck]

To the newb, when someone asks for help with humility, its best to respond with good grace. After 20 odd years, I still find situations where I need to rethink stuff, and there are often people here who can give good advice, rather than a blanket statement like bike skills. Even Rossi falls off occasionally...

Yes Rossi does fall off.. Dont get me wrong I love the bike I have chosen and I will master my damn silly fear

[Maha]

Oh really? Damn best I go slit my wrists then

No need...just put your trainer wheels back on for the next few rides, you confidence will be back in no time.

[TLDV8]

Its hard to picture exactly but can't you stay on the right coming up the drive so you get a bigger radius to swing around at the top.
It might sound odd,but maybe a little more speed will be good for momentum,maybe even slipping the clutch a little at the turn.

If you had no probs on the other bikes then something must have changed somewhere. :confused:

[The Pastor]

when in doubt gas it out!

[Mystic13]

Okay, it's about time you invited the KB crew up who apparently have all the skills in the world. I suggest you go for 20. Put on the beers, get the video camera out and charge $ to let them have a go.

Or you could;

1/ Rent a garage down the road. Ride your Harley back from a ride and into the garage where your sport bike is stored. Jump off the Harley and onto the sport bike then up your drive.... or

2/ Install a turntable on the bend. Ride up and park on the turntable. Press the remote while the bike turns. When she stops ride off and into the garage.

3/ Mount the Harley on a trailer, back teh trailer, blindfolded down the drive. At the bottom take the bike off and ride off. When you return park on the trailer again.

4/ Buy one of those transformer bikes. Get to the bottom of the drive and press the button to change from Harley to Sport. Then ride up the drive.

....


On a more serious note the cops do some serious learning on their big bikes. Get one to come up and see if he can get the bike up easily. If he can then get him to show you how.

I bought rain-off gloves last winter and the drive to the house where they're sold from is a killer. And though everyone is told, Steep hill, moss on tar, sharp right half way up then left at the top. Many people still drop their bikes. I almost dropped mine. I cam to a stop at the bend after failing to take it. With the front brake on the bike was sliding backwards down the hill with me doing a fast reverse duck walk. I had to get the rear brake on to stop. Then try again for a steep hill start and tight right. I did it.

So what I'm saying is I think I'd be able to drop the bike like you do so I really have no useful advice.

But it sounds like it would make a great event. Charge entry and watch rider after rider fail.

Cheers.

[FJRider]

Yes D thats where I painted the lines. Hmmm house paint which i am sure will wash away with all the rain.

Bike is fine. Pride is somewhat deflated.

I hope that house paint does not make the driveway slippery ??? :eek:

[mister.koz]

Yes Rossi does fall off.. Dont get me wrong I love the bike I have chosen and I will master my damn silly fear

Good on you :) I reckon the moment you loose confidence you will keep following the same (almost anxious) pattern at the same point.

A guy who mentioned that the harley has a lower centre of gravity and rake etc etc so the steering dynamic is totally different - its a really good point... my zx6rr turned completely differently to my 10r.. and they are the same brand/type(ish) of bike.

Visual range looks like its a factor too, I would look to clearing that.

Good luck, you'll be sweet :)

[ajturbo]

Oh really? Damn best I go slit my wrists then
no Photo's...

never happened!



hey matey.. once the blood stops, i would make sure that the moss/mould is cleaned away...( i am SURE that your work may have a damaged bottle or two...)

cut back some of the left hand bush ( making sure that the local iwi has been informed and paid)

then as soon as you can ( while riding up the cliff) look where your going to finish up... you know that corner like you know where you keep your spare batteries for your special friend, you do not have to look AT IT any more,

and before you know it, you'll be doing it on you back wheel... like "carver" would

[Crisis management]

Ok, I haven't read the whole thread, I'm lazy so if it's been said before, sorry.

Get someone who can ride to teach you how to negotiate the corner. I don't mean that in a derogatory manner but somewhere your skill set doesn't know how to deal with the situation, get some coaching. It sounds like a bastard bit of driveway and probably you need to use some "off road" style of riding to get around it, ie, stand on the pegs and use your body position to get the bike to manouver more tightly.

More than happy to turn up and make an arse of myself, so if you want any assistance (or just entertainment) send me a PM.

[MsKABC]

My driveway is a cast iron MF too, I've only met two women who could reverse up it first time, one is a courier (and she's an ex race car driver), the other is a Yummy Mummy who is gifted.


:hug: It's not that difficult. I've seen worse. ;)

[MsKABC]

Am I right in assuming that since you've owned this bike for several months and you've only had a whoopsie twice, that your strike rate for getting it into the garage without mishap is pretty good? (Like, say 99%?) This means that you do have the skills to get the job done, and that it's only a confidence problem as you say. So you just need to practise lots and every time you get it right you will be a bit more confident. Every time you go up that driveway, you just focus on the last time you did it right and verbalise what you need to do to get it right again. It's like refining any skill - break it down into the steps required and repeat them in your head.

[Maha]

Am I right in assuming that since you've owned this bike for several months and you've only had a whoopsie twice, that your strike rate for getting it into the garage without mishap is pretty good? (Like, say 99%?) This means that you do have the skills to get the job done, and that it's only a confidence problem as you say. So you just need to practise lots and every time you get it right you will be a bit more confident. Every time you go up that driveway, you just focus on the last time you did it right and verbalise what you need to do to get it right again. It's like refining any skill - break it down into the steps required and repeat them in your head.

Its like making scones really aint it?
One day, you just dont need the book.....:2thumbsup

Edit: damn, I gotta spread bla bla before giving it to Anarkist again.....:devil2:

[<G>]

What MsKABC said - your success rate is excellent. I know how debilitating a lack of confidence can be, but I'm sure that you will be able to overcome it.
Good luck!

[MsKABC]

Its like making scones really aint it?
One day, you just dont need the book.....:2thumbsup


Perhaps not quite the analogy I would have chosen. :lol: I was thinking more along the lines of learning to water-ski (arms straight, knees together, look up) or emergency braking (throttle off, front brake, clutch in, back brake, change down).

[Maha]

Perhaps not quite the analogy I would have chosen. :lol: I was thinking more along the lines of learning to water-ski (arms straight, knees together, look up) or emergency braking (throttle off, front brake, clutch in, back brake, change down).

Or just jump off and let gravity have its way with you.....:thud:

Similar situation up here, theres a corner at the top of a steep road where we have to turn right, its a stop sign. I had a wee moment there a few weeks back (two up) not nornally a problem, but I got to far over to the left and had to stop for a car, took all I had to keep the bike upright (the camber sucks to the left) so now I go a different way.

[AD345]

Right - I cant resist.

I normally avoid the advice threads cos theres ususally good stuff said before I get to them and I end up learning instead of imparting.

In this instance however I might be abe to offer something.

Hillclimbs, be they on 2 wheels or 4, are interesting beasts and psychology plays a big part. I have spent literally years going up (and down) some very extreme hills in all types of terrain and weather conditions while 4wding and a lot (not all) of what I learned still applies.

I know this because recently a few of us on our Victorys encountered a very similar driveway-from-hell situation like yours. The difference was the corner went to the right and the driveway was the 2-strips of concrete with grass up the middle, big ditch on the right and drop-off on the left. Steep, tight turn with poor camber and zero margin for error becuase you couldn't change a line. 3 went up, 1 in the ditch and 2 to the top.

So - here is what I can offer:

1. Throttle control is key. Too fast will fuck ya over just as quickly, if not more, than too slow. You need to be going at a good jogging pace - about 15 - 20 kmh. The big trick is consistency of pace. Rolling on and off the throttle will fuck up your momentum and momentum is what gets ya to the top. The ideal pace will see you with just enough impetus around the corner that a slight increase in throttle is available to ya. So - yer rolling up there and enter the curve with a steady pace on, once the vanishing point opens up you can open that throttle a small amount to get both momentum to finish the climb (cos it looks like it tightens AND steepens at the curve) and have more ability to steer. You steer up hills - ya don't lean up them.

2. Weight control. Ths is where crusiers are such a fuck for hill climbing. You need to get weight up and forward towards the steering head. That positions your body better to be able to steer preventatively rather than reactively. The arse of the bike feels like its the problem but its really not. Its getting the front going to the right places thats key = the arse will just follow. With the mid-to-forward controls (im guessing) on your sporty you are going to find this the toughest bit. Especially if you are a bit vertically challenged. Sitting down at the bottom will mean that gravity and momentum are going to make it bloody hard to get your weight forward once you reach the bend. You can make that transition on a sportsbike but its hard to yank yourself up by the bars on a cruiser while still trying to go round a motherfuck uphill corner.
Get yourself forward and up (a little) from the start and that'll get ya round.

I'm happy to come out with the cruiser for a demo if ya like.

[sinfull]

Gonna offer my 10 c worth Ducky !
Still havn't quite got the picture of the drive in my head but i'm thinkin that it swings to the left and when turning in your left leg won't touch the ground ?
Or is it tilted to the right ?

Irrelivant really cause your stuck with it ! conqueoring it is the thing,

1/Picking the XL is much like the old sporties in that they are of a higher seat than a big block and You being a duck have an arse closer to the ground than most ?

2/1st gear has quite long legs on take off ??

1a/ build yourself a higher kerb (on the cheap) on the off camber side that you could traverse, so when/if you hesitate (cause thats whats happening aye) you can get that foot on something solid ! A wooden one would be a go so if shit happens and ya miss ya footing the bike aint landing on something too harsh !

2a/ regear your bike ie; sprockets ! So that 1st is much higher and stalling is moved to a lower rev (ya won't miss it at top end unless your thrashing it)

Put the front brake on and practise riding ya clutch too (do a standing burnout up the drive, i dare ya)
Your welcome

[Ixion]

The problem is lack of confidence, and a fear of a dropped bike.

The reason for the fear is that the left turn at the top means the bike is leaning over to the left. Any misjudgement of clutch and throttle means that it is going to want to topple to the left.

But, the steepness means that the ground on the left is a long way down. Always a concern for us short legged types. If it starts to topple it's going to be very hard to get a foot down to hold it up. Especially on a crusier where forward controls mean that you can't just dab a foot straight down.

Counter intuitive solution that works (if the driveway allows it).Start on the left of the driveway at the bottom, and ride up on an angle to a point on the far right of the drive at the top or, if possible, a little past the turn (don't know if the driveway continues past the turn or not)

Apply brakes and come to a stop. Lean the bike to the left , which is now the UPHILL side. Easy, because now the slope of the driveway works with you- even short legs can reach the ground easily. Turn the bars , let the brake off just a little and roll the bike backwards into the turn. The turn now means the bike is leaning to the uphill side, no problem at all to put a foot down .

Angling across the drive as you go up reduces the steepness so that the brakes will hold, but without actually having to do a right hand turn at the top (which would mean the inside of the turn being on the downhill again).

This does assume that the driveway doesn't continue too far beyond the turn . If there's another 100 metres uphill past the turn it's no go.

Sounds complex, in reality it's dead easy.

[Beemer]

I can only sympathise - we bought a place with a steep gravel driveway a few months after I bought my BMW F650CS. It was a lot heavier than my old RG and the seat was wider so the fact it had the same seat height didn't mean much as I still could only just touch the ground with tip-toes. I did 1200kms the first week I had the bike, but that was when we lived on the flat. I got the bike to the new place and despite the fact the driveway was concreted two days after we moved in, I loathed riding out it.

The steepness wasn't so much the problem - it was turning onto a 100kph road with no visibility until you got to the very edge of the driveway, due to the neighbour's property having a bank along the edge of the road. I have never been that great at low speed riding and I hated stopping at the bottom as I always worried I would drop it at low speed when turning right out of the driveway. If I could have turned left it would have been better, but it's a dead-end road with a narrow turning circle at the end. Our road has no markings and it's not very wide so there was no room to make a wide exit and I got to the point where I would not stop when exiting the driveway and that is not recommended when something doing 100kms (like the milk tanker...) could be heading for you. I lost confidence and ended up selling the bike, which was a shame as I loved riding it and was okay riding it around Wellington and stopping on hills.

I'll post some photos of the before and after shots of the driveway to show what I mean.

But at least I have no trouble driving up and down it - one friend who owns a 4WD parks at the bottom and toots when she is picking me up!

[Skyryder]

Practice tight turns on the flat. Just remember when on the left turn ( I presume you are still going up hill) ya gota compensate with a little throttle.


My inlaws before they died had a shit driveway with some difficult steep turns. I got my self in a carpark and did some tight circle turns untill I could go as tight as I could without having to place my feet on the ground.

Might be the way to go. Start wide and slowly decrease.


Skyryder

[MadDuck]

I know its late and long overdue. A huge thanks for the advice and I now think I have it sussed.

I can take it in two bites (thanks to a few drunken KBers analysing it to death) or build a garage at the bottom.

[saul]

Just get on with it :rockon:

[ajturbo]

build it fucking strong, ( the new garage) and fire proof, add a shower and WC,
a mezanine floor, auto door, alarms .

a fridge, and a gas hob,
mac and i will become your security army, we will only take food as payment... oh and a few $$ for gas for the bike.....

[Pixie]

Almost fell over in your driveway once.
Fucking thing was damp and I rode over something green.
With throttle.

Genetic Fitsimons?

"It's not easy being green" -Kermit T Frog

[Mom]

I can take it in two bites (thanks to a few drunken KBers analysing it to death) or build a garage at the bottom.

Hah! Pot/kettle what I am hearing :love:

[ajturbo]

Hah! Pot/kettle what I am hearing :love:
i just expected that was the case.... hahahahaha

[Mom]

i just expected that was the case.... hahahahaha

Lucky she loves us eh?

[ajturbo]

Lucky she loves us eh?
... love / hate relationship ... lol

[MadDuck]

build it fucking strong, ( the new garage) and fire proof, add a shower and WC,
a mezanine floor, auto door, alarms .

a fridge, and a gas hob,
mac and i will become your security army, we will only take food as payment... oh and a few $$ for gas for the bike.....

Jeezus if I do that you will want to move in! Hmmm case closed.

[ajturbo]

Jeezus if I do that you will want to move in! Hmmm case closed.
closed in my favour?????

[cowpatz]

As the problem seems to be the corner and the awkward camber (hhmm must have been designed by a kiwi roading engineer) could you not just rip up that corner and re-lay concrete at the correct camber? Maybe a KB working bee ripping up the corner...a good chance to beat the crap out of something with a sledge hammer!