Am I too tall for my bike, or do I just need to learn how to ride?

**zeocen** · 18th August 2008, 19:38

So I've been having talks with people about riding positions and whatnot, I'm not saying I'm a terrible rider but I am an 'eclectic' rider, I don't have much discipline. I just wanna be safe, you know? I don't want to take corners at unreasonable speeds, I just want to take corners like I'm on rails and right now I feel I've lost my mojo.

So I've been given advise, I was always told to have a few inches of seat between me and the tank, gripping my legs on the tank when cornering.. I wasn't doing so well with that on my ER6F. When said person advised me to get far, far further up the tank when cornering, force myself to have the front balls of my feet on the pegs and just generally dip into corners, this indeed made the weight change and I turned in sharper but on doing so it made me feel like I was TOWERING over my bike, like literally that I was a giant on a clown bike. I was crunched up and my legs were cramping (I'm all leg) on the new position. This makes me sad because I love my ER6 to bits

I've had litre bikes, bikes that can hit 280kmph but I love this damn parallel twin so much, we 'click', but in corners either the ergonomics or my inability to adjust to a short wheelbase bike has stunted my growth as a rider.

I'm just wondering, even though I think I already know the answer... is it the bike, or is it me? Am I still doing something wrong to make me feel so uneasy in the corners when I was relatively competent on other bikes (even bikes that weren't mine which in turn would make me far more conservative) or is a short wheel base, smaller frame with skinny seat bike just not for my body stature?

I'm 6'1 and just shy of around 92kg, that's not large, and I know the ER6 is usually coined as a girls bike because it's small but I can't stop loving the little bastard. I'm not ready to move up to a litre bike again, but if it meant getting mah mojo back in the corners my only option would be a Z1000, it's the only other bike that tickles me in the right spots, not as much as the ER6F though.

Said person has offered to take me out in person and give me pointers, etc.. as I say, I'm not a bad rider, I just feel I could do certain things smoother/safer.. I'm not after going fast around corners, I'm after getting correct form in them. I'm more of a 'smell the roses' type guy, speed is irrelevant.

Yeah, this thread is kinda all over the place, sorry about that.. didn't really know where to start and finish in asking my weary questions. I hope there actually was a question in there somewhere, because I'm going to click Post without proof reading! Take THAT!

Thanks in advance guys, please be kind

**Big Dave** · 18th August 2008, 19:48

have you checked your tyre pressures?

**gijoe1313** · 18th August 2008, 19:49

I think you just need to come out pootling with me, get more kays under the tyres and fill your boots. Get bugs splattered over the bike and you, feel the sun warm your back as it recedes into night, feel the twinge of cold as it bites and the flow of the road beneath your lights ...

Ride, ride more, and ride often (okay, it works for me!)

**Evo1132** · 18th August 2008, 19:49

Wow, lol, stop over thinking everything man, lol, just enjoy ya ride, get in the zone, be one with your bike, young sky walker, lol

**zeocen** · 18th August 2008, 19:51

Originally Posted by Big Dave

have you checked your tyre pressures?

Religiously :P

**zeocen** · 18th August 2008, 19:52

I know it seems like I'm over analysing things, and I know where I am I can ride a million miles and be fine, I just want to get that smooth flowing feeling back.

**McJim** · 18th August 2008, 19:56

Get a Ducati instead. Monster will be too small for you since you are about my size but a supersport should be just right.

...no wait...I remember the pipe debacle - the Ducati will be too loud for you

**zeocen** · 18th August 2008, 20:00

If I wanted to feel what it was like to sit in a ducati I could just go around the back alley and get beaten up by some thugs :D

**cowboyz** · 18th August 2008, 20:06

Ive ridden a er6f and found it really roomy as far as bikes go. Sounds like you are far too concerned about what other riders around you are thinking of your riding to concentrate on what you are doing to get some smooth riding going on.

**zeocen** · 18th August 2008, 20:16

I ride alone

/Edit actually I find I ride quite smooth with other people around, especially if I'm behind a skilled rider, I guess I just tend to mimic them. I've pretty much just answered the question myself, It ain't the bike. Sorry for making a weird random thread such as this guys.

**justsomeguy** · 18th August 2008, 20:18

Go ride your bike over long distances, in different conditions. Try at least one Coro Loop, ride to Wellsford, ride down SH22, etc. Ride alone in good conditions or with 2-3 people who you know and trust.

Actually take up gijoe1313 on his offer and go for a ride with him, he's a good rider with an excellent attitude. Just remind the idiot to stop once you get to Hamilton or he'll keep riding till you get to the Cook Strait ferry crossing (and proceed all the way to Stewart Island) --- he does that sometimes.....

If that doesn't clear your mind, go to either Mt Eden Motorcycles, Botany Honda, Colemans, Red Baron (get the south african fella), Cycletreads, Motohaus (or any other reputable bike shop) and get them to make sure your suspension is all set up for you.

Oh yeah and please leave the ZZR1200 in the gargre until you're happy with the ER6N.

**Firefight** · 18th August 2008, 20:18

Originally Posted by zeocen

If I wanted to feel what it was like to sit in a ducati I could just go around the back alley and get beaten up by some thugs

mahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

sorry , but thats fucken funny,

my good mate that i ride with has got a ducsplati

I will have to try and remeber that one ,, nice one Matt

have some rep

F/F

**Southmotian** · 18th August 2008, 20:20

Whenever I've felt things weren't flowing I've just gone back to basics, slowed down a bit, relaxed the arms and made a point of looking through the corners. It's amazing what a few well done corners will do for your confidence.

Maybe you've just developed some bad habits. Often if it isn't feeling right you'll grip the bars tighter and tense up which just makes things feel worse and so it goes on.

Just my 2c. Take it or leave it...

**justsomeguy** · 18th August 2008, 20:23

Originally Posted by zeocen

I know it seems like I'm over analysing things, and I know where I am I can ride a million miles and be fine, I just want to get that smooth flowing feeling back.

Naa mate, it's good that you're thinking and doing something about it.

We all have our bad days, at some point in time most of us go through a slump.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=21933

**zeocen** · 18th August 2008, 20:28

Originally Posted by justsomeguy

Go ride your bike over long distances, in different conditions. Try at least one Coro Loop, ride to Wellsford, ride down SH22, etc. Ride alone in good conditions or with 2-3 people who you know and trust.

Actually take up gijoe1313 on his offer and go for a ride with him, he's a good rider with an excellent attitude. Just remind the idiot to stop once you get to Hamilton or he'll keep riding till you get to the Cook Strait ferry crossing (and proceed all the way to Stewart Island) --- he does that sometimes.....

If that doesn't clear your mind, go to either Mt Eden Motorcycles, Botany Honda, Colemans, Red Baron (get the south african fella), Cycletreads, Motohaus (or any other reputable bike shop) and get them to make sure your suspension is all set up for you.

Oh yeah and please leave the ZZR1200 in the gargre until you're happy with the ER6N.

The 1200 isn't mine, it's my fathers.. I have it there as a personal joke hehe.

The person I ride with most is gijoe1313 and whenever I get the chance I ride behind him because he is a great, sensible rider. He recently said he likes riding with me because he knows we'll come back in one piece.

Thanks for the advice mate, I really appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Southmotian

Whenever I've felt things weren't flowing I've just gone back to basics, slowed down a bit, relaxed the arms and made a point of looking through the corners. It's amazing what a few well done corners will do for your confidence.

Maybe you've just developed some bad habits. Often if it isn't feeling right you'll grip the bars tighter and tense up which just makes things feel worse and so it goes on.

Just my 2c. Take it or leave it...

Oh I'll take it. You may infact be right, this all stemmed from a ride tonight, just a quick hours ride after work, I went around fairly ratty round about (from Alfriston -> Whitford roundabout that leads up to West Road for anyone familiar) and my rear slipped out from some metal on the road.. I think it may have affected me.. It might have just been a bad day at the office, who knows.

I guess it's time to round up some like minded folk and go for a good solid ride, there's a certain family beach house in Whangamata that probably needs airing out.