My first drop - learning experience.

[Motu]

It's no coincidence that the British bikes were all left foot braked,they drive on the left same as us and it's the natural way to do it.It also splits the braking function right/left with foot and hand brake - this is more natural and it's easier to modulate the two with this split.The down for up shift pattern is also better,which is why the racers use that pattern.But Triumph were always down for down,and the most popular bike at the time.

When the Japanese entered the motorcycle market they had to export,and the US was where they were aimed for....so they used the right foot brake.I don't know why the Yanks made the law change that all motorcycles had to have the same control functions - but the early '70's was a bad time for motorcycle deaths with the new ''superbikes'' on the floor ready for kids to jump on and ride.They couldn't make their citizens wear helmets,under go training and limit the bikes they rode like the rest of the world did,so mabe they saw control confusion as being a contributing factor in motorcycle deaths and their only option was to legislate at the manufacturing level.

Some bikes of the change period had options for either side - my Guzzi Stornello has the gearshaft on both sides.

[KLOWN]

My bike (GT250R) seems to will you to lean forward.
Im guessing since the traction is all at the rear you should keep centered or even a bit back from center when riding to use your body to balance the bike.

The reason your bike is 'willing' you to lean foward is because that is what you should do when cornering, your weight should be on the front wheel.

[Version_II]

Ahhhhh o.k. so keep forward not back.
Was cruising around some sweeping turns the other day and noticed that if I was head down leaning over the tank, i would understeer and end up taking the turn wide.
Had to flare up and lean back to get the bike to turn harder.
Doing about 80kms so not taking the corners too fast.
But perhaps with sitting up the bike naturally slowed with the air resistance, therefore was easier to turn.
I guess not all corners are speed signposted either so better safe than sorry.
Been out for another quick spin around town.
My clutch control is getting better every ride.
Just easing it out and finding that point where it engages.
Still getting used to the throttle.
Not so much over revving as letting it roll back gently instead of dropping it when changing gear.

[KLOWN]

do you know about counter steering? If not here is a brief run down. Turn your front wheel to the left and the bike leans to the right, so you go right. Turn your wheel to the right and the bike leans left so, so you go left. I know it sounds stupid but thats how it works, you'll find it easier to turn if you don't fight it alos leaning FORWARD and left/right will help you turn easier. Took me quite a while to get used to this but when you have it you can just turn the handle bars and you don't have to put so much effort in leaning. Just take it slowly and practice and you'll get the hang of it.

[Kwaka14]

Ahhhhh o.k. so keep forward not back.
Was cruising around some sweeping turns the other day and noticed that if I was head down leaning over the tank, i would understeer and end up taking the turn wide.
Had to flare up and lean back to get the bike to turn harder.
Doing about 80kms so not taking the corners too fast.
But perhaps with sitting up the bike naturally slowed with the air resistance, therefore was easier to turn.
I guess not all corners are speed signposted either so better safe than sorry.
Been out for another quick spin around town.
My clutch control is getting better every ride.
Just easing it out and finding that point where it engages.
Still getting used to the throttle.
Not so much over revving as letting it roll back gently instead of dropping it when changing gear.

Sitting up actually loaded up the rear suspension and unloaded the front suspension which made the bice turn easier, try (a gentle) application of throttle as this achieves the same thing without changing the attitude of the bike drasticly, but be smooth with the throttle as sudden hard accelleration through a corner can have some other issues...

[Virago]

Hi Version II, just caught up with this thread.

If you're looking for a quiet spot for low speed start-stop practice, try the Invermay campus out on the Taieri. Very little traffic around at the weekends, with lots of little access roads and carpark areas.

A good excuse for a fang over Three Mile Hill too..........

Good luck.

[86GSXR]

do you know about counter steering? If not here is a brief run down. Turn your front wheel to the left and the bike leans to the right, so you go right. Turn your wheel to the right and the bike leans left so, so you go left. I know it sounds stupid but thats how it works, you'll find it easier to turn if you don't fight it alos leaning FORWARD and left/right will help you turn easier. Took me quite a while to get used to this but when you have it you can just turn the handle bars and you don't have to put so much effort in leaning. Just take it slowly and practice and you'll get the hang of it.

True, counter steering will be one of the most important things to master if you want to get your cornering right. Get out there and try it, just remember that the handlebar movements need to be quite small and subtle not large. Also, if you decrease power during the turn the bike will lean further into the turn and if you increase power the bike will tend upright. Look into the turn too, and the bike will follow. Try not to focus immediately ahead, although watch out for gravel, white lines etc. Take it slowly until you're comfortable.

[Animal]

Any pointers welcomed?

Um... okay, here's a pointer: Be patient. Your experience will grow a little more each time you ride. Oddball cambers, slippery manhole covers, wet paint, diesel spills... they're all a potential trap, and I think most of us have had some unhappy memories of those. But don't lose sleep over it, you'll soon be subconsciously highly aware of these traps, and react accordingly to avoid falling into them.

By the way, welcome to KiwiBiker. Good to have you aboard.

[Swoop]

All the carparks are jammed full of crazy xmas-rage infested cage drivers right up until midnight Bah humbug!

Huh? Where's the problem here?
2 wheels = ride right up to the door and park. Simple.
I also love the look on the faces of the cagers when you pull off that "something special" that they have no comprehension of doing... through the bollards, park in an obscure place nobody would think about parking , then stroll casually into the shopping mayhem.

[Toaster]

After a bit of practice in a carpark I'd really recommend conquering the very same intersection. Go through it heaps and make sure you get ya confidence back quick.

[MotoGirl]

With so many bastard intersections around, I've learnt to look what's coming, and slow down to approach the intersection in time so any traffic has passed! If I do have to stop, I shuffle over on the seat so I get a good footing on the road and I never position my front wheel in the same direction as the camber of the road.

I'm reluctant to put my right foot down - I was taught that you'd fall into the line of oncoming traffic if you slipped and fell over, hence the reason for putting down your left foot.

[gamgee]

with that offramp thing from stuart st I usually swing round it so I come up to the give way over to the right as it seems less steep on that side, but yeah it is a bitch of an intersection to need to stop at, but seeing as I live up there, i've got that whole little maze and the lines to take through it pretty sussed, it's actually pretty fun to go for a little thrash through there at around 9pm when it's dead quite on a weeknight

[Guitana]

Practice, Practice, Practice!!!! Avoid white lines and Diesel monsters at all times always scan the road ahead for potential hazards!

[Guitana]

Practice, Practice, Practice!!!! Avoid white lines and Diesel monsters at all times always scan the road ahead for potential hazards!

Enjoy the Freefall while it lasts the next bits gonna hurt!