Heavy bike technique question

**pete376403** · 13th December 2008, 20:53

That could be the guy who passed me on the hakataramea last Brass Monkey weekend. I was wobbling along in thick gravel, the BM went by like I was tied to a post. Rider was standing, going faaast and still waved as he went by. I was so jealous I almost fell on the next corner.

**CrazyFrog** · 14th December 2008, 07:17

Originally Posted by Tony W

One of the coolest riders of " big " bikes I have seen, is JAVAHEAD on the 1150 GS Adv.
He is poetry in motion on that BMW of his. He stands up virtually full time when the going gets fast or tough.
If you could get a comment out of him I'm sure it would be interesting.

The foresaid man in action, photo taken over my shoulder as he chased me thru the Taranaki in Sept....and I did some chasing of him shortly afterwards

: Andrew from Hamilton, very competent rider on the big Beemer.. He can be my wingman anyday!

**javahead** · 14th December 2008, 08:59

I just stand because its fun to get the bike sliding around and its easier to save when the front tucks. On gravel its usually faster (and much more civilised) to stay seated.
Marks it might be that the klr in the gnarly stuff requires you to move your body around much further, because the heavier bike is slower to react. That, the extra gear we wear on adv rides, and a lower seat means your knees could be doing more work over a greater range of movement.
There's nothing wrong with doing whatever is required when the terrain gets tricky. Paddling is ugly but picking up 200kg or more is uglier. Big bikes are best enjoyed when upright but agree with those who advocate jumping clear when physics takes over.

**twotyred** · 14th December 2008, 10:01

The engineers at Suzuki believe that large dual-purpose bikes are meant to be ridden standing,so to reinforce that thinking they created the DR650 seat...

**NordieBoy** · 14th December 2008, 19:26

Originally Posted by twotyred

The engineers at Suzuki believe that large dual-purpose bikes are meant to be ridden standing,so to reinforce that thinking they created the DR650 seat...

But put the footpegs too far forward...

**JATZ** · 14th December 2008, 19:44

Originally Posted by twotyred

The engineers at Suzuki believe that large dual-purpose bikes are meant to be ridden standing,so to reinforce that thinking they created the DR650 seat...

Mrs jatz just did about 300k's on the Big today, she now knows about DR seats

**Woodman** · 14th December 2008, 21:09

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

But put the footpegs too far forward...

Yes, why are footpegs too far forward? Was actually looking at klr today and designing in my head a wee bracket to bring pegs back to swingarm pivot. Levers would be ok as i wear size 14 boots anyway. Should have been riding not looking at it.

**warewolf** · 15th December 2008, 08:24

Originally Posted by twotyred

The engineers at Suzuki believe that large dual-purpose bikes are meant to be ridden standing,so to reinforce that thinking they created the DR650 seat...

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

But put the footpegs too far forward...

Just goes to show jap bikes are designed by committee, with each person having a different idea in mind.

**NordieBoy** · 15th December 2008, 08:37

Originally Posted by twotyred

The engineers at Suzuki believe that large dual-purpose bikes are meant to be ridden standing,so to reinforce that thinking they created the DR650 seat...

Actually...
When I got my latest WoF the tester comes back and goes "Man that's a nice seat"

**Oscar** · 15th December 2008, 08:48

I was having trouble with my 950 until I fitted some 25mm bar risers.

This makes it so much more comfortable to stand up without having to hunched over (jeez, the average Austrian is a shortarse), and standing turns the KTM from a large unwieldy awkward mass to a proper dirt bike. Some wider footpegs might help (taking the rubber inserts out was a good start).

At the risk of repeating myself, I think that some of the more inexperienced would benefit from time on little dirt bikes. Some of those guys you're watching punt big trailies around with consummate ease have several decades experience behind them. Get yerself a cheap trail bike (KDX220/200, XR250/400 or DRZ) and go bush...

**ducatijim** · 15th December 2008, 12:06

Originally Posted by Oscar

At the risk of repeating myself, I think that some of the more inexperienced would benefit from time on little dirt bikes. Some of those guys you're watching punt big trailies around with consummate ease have several decades experience behind them. Get yerself a cheap trail bike (KDX220/200, XR250/400 or DRZ) and go bush...

+1

We really must stop agreeing like this Oscar, I enjoyed our snipeing so much more

**Oscar** · 15th December 2008, 12:24

Originally Posted by ducatijim

+1

We really must stop agreeing like this Oscar, I enjoyed our snipeing so much more

Snipeing??!!

Notwithstanding the obvious spelling error, that is a very limp wristed and gurly thing to accuse a bloke of.

I would prefer to be known as being "aggressively cynical", or alternatively the description I earned at ADVRider as "comically unpleasant".

Sheesh....

**ducatijim** · 15th December 2008, 17:30

Originally Posted by Oscar

I would prefer to be known as being "aggressively cynical", or alternatively the description I earned at ADVRider as "comically unpleasant".

Sheesh....

....how about....heres one.........'unpleasantly cynical'?

( the cows don't give much for good gramma!!!!)

Its good to see we are no longer agreeing, status quo returned.

**Padmei** · 15th December 2008, 17:40

Originally Posted by Oscar

I was having trouble with my 950 until I fitted some 25mm bar risers.

This makes it so much more comfortable to stand up without having to hunched over .

+1 on the bar risers - what a difference in control & comfort