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Old 09-07-2008   #21 (permalink)
soc_monki
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffs99vulcan View Post
All true, and there may be differences between one course, one country, one instructor and the next but as with any opinion, there are opposites... if you're covering the clutch and brake, you have less grip and therefore less control should you encounter a very sudden and unexpected need to steer hard, or have thd handlebars jolted from a bump... and that's not my opinion, that's what we were taught. You might need that same two seconds to recover control of the bike...



Again, as above, you may need to control your steer and have a firm grip in these situations as well... last thing you want is a sudden loss of grip in a panic situation. It's my belief that it's a carry-over from driver's ed... covering the brake with your foot. Since there were some of us were doing it in the course, there has to be a reason for it, human instinct to cover your controls, BUT they made a very conscious effort to ensure we broke the habit. I still do it as I feel is necessary (intersections is a big one), but there is no doubt that they didn't want us to...



What I meant by pulling the brake accidentally, is a new rider with a brain-fart... just pulling on the wrong side. Not necessarily pulling "by accident" as in grip too tight, just pulling one lever and not the other...

As far as covering the levers, I'm not an instructor... I won't give my own advice on it, other than to do what works best to keep you safe, and KEEP READING! Theories and opinions change all the time!
i agree that you need to have full control of your bike...but have you ever ridden motocross? the bike is constantly dancing around underneath you, and youre jumping into the air and sometimes landing not exactly how you want to! LOL as i said before i always rode with one finger over the brake, and 1 or 2 on the clutch (which is pretty necessary on a 125cc MX bike) and never had a problem with control.

firm grip on the bars yes...but you should also be squeezing with your knees, which will give you more control than only your hands on the bars. also takes stress off your wrists/forearms and allows them to be at the ready in case you need to go into evasive action.

and when did they teach covering the brake in a car? i never learned that... i dont think that would be a wise decision and is less detrimental than not covering your brakes on a bike. youre safer in a cage, if you hit something its not as bad usually. on a bike its a lot worse, so IMO covering the brake is necessary for that split second that could save your life.

i guess a new rider could have a brain fart and pull the wrong lever...thats why getting comfortable with your bike and practicing should be done before even touching the road. too much at stake to have a brain fart like that at the wrong time!

and im not an instructor either...this is all my opinion, which i came to after reading and doing what makes me feel more comfortable and IMO safer. to each his own i suppose right? i guess its kinda like deciding to ride with or without gear...its up to the person who is doing the riding to choose!
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Old 09-07-2008   #22 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by QKENUF4U View Post
are you SERIOUS ??????????? man i was told from day one in my MSF course back in 1987 to ALWAYS COVER THE BRAKE/CLUTCH ! and i always do. hmmm MSF needs to get standard teaching in their classes or this guy took it upon himself to teach it HIS way and not the MSF way.
My MSF instructor said that they want the brake covered in class, but NOT once we were out on the street on our own.
Reason given... EXACTLY what MR reports. For one thing, you don't have as fine control over the throttle without the full hand on the grip, but also you could end up in an unintended skid or stoppie if you hit a pothole or some other obstruction that causes your fingers to move the lever.


As far as MR's report.....
+1 on wearing a helmet. It's only a matter of time.
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Old 09-07-2008   #23 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by jed2009 View Post
sure it wasnt the engine brake?
I think his powerband is slipping
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Old 09-07-2008   #24 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by QKENUF4U View Post
are you SERIOUS ??????????? man i was told from day one in my MSF course back in 1987 to ALWAYS COVER THE BRAKE/CLUTCH !
Hmmm.. MIGHT be slight differences over 21 years?!

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Originally Posted by Ericthejet View Post
"I think it was nothing - It was so random. i think i gotta take it to a mechanic.

The 3rd statement does not belong with the other two statements."
Noticed that too, didja?!

No, I've never motocrossed... and I can fully understand the difference in strategic riding... but we didn't discuss motocross in my MSF course either! I can't see a couple of fingers covering a brake being a problem under normal, controlled circumstances...

And as far as covering the brake in a car? Ya, as you approach a potential threat, or an intersection where the "dont' walk" light starts flashing, they'd get you to hover over the brake until you were past the threat... same thing you probably do now...

But hey, there are a million techniques, and will always be changing!
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Old 09-07-2008   #25 (permalink)
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Here is the thing - brakes are one of the simplest parts on a bike. They have to be because brakes absolutely, positively must not under any circumstances fail. A motorcycle, especially a sport bike with screwed up brakes is a sure fire recipe for a trip to the ER or a nice dirt nap.

The brakes on sport bikes today (and god willing forever in to the future) consist of a resevior, master cyliner that generates pressure, hose (hopefully stainless steel braided), calipers, brake pads and rotors. The only moving parts are in the MC and calipers. There is no antilock mechanism, nothing to mess things up. You squeeze the lever which drives the MC cylinder down causing pressure to increase in the hose which pushes the cylinders in the caliper out causing the brake pads to squeeze the rotors...etc. etc. etc.

you were covering your brake level. The brakes on a ZX6 freaking rock. you even think slow down and you'll do a stoppie. They have to be great b/c maniacs like me like to drive ZX6's in to tight corners too fast and then slow down when the road starts to run out.

Nevermind that my ZX6 is missing two cylinders and looks suspeciously like a Ducati.

I've not been hanging out here as much as I used to so I'm not sure how long you've had your illness. But based on earlier comments - you might want to spend some time in a parking lot just getting really comfortable with your bike and riding it. There really isn't much margin for error on a motorcycle and given the capabilities of a ZX-6 (which are way up in the stratosphere) you have even less margin. You're on a bike that will humiliate all cars that cost less than $250K and short of a full on F1 car driven by a professional driver is still nearly untouchable.

On the street you really can't afford any mistake like what you describedabove. Any uncertainty can cost you your life in less time than you realize. Left uncorrected, your confidence will grow faster than your abilities. Before long you'll find yourself lanesplitting through traffic and doing things above your abilities and the next thing you know - god will reach down and flick you off your bike like a teenager flicking a booger against a wall.

Go practice in a safe environment. Maybe take the MSF again. Do a track school. Read some books. Do anything but become another storey that gets posted on these forums six months down the road. Break your elbow on the race track and live to brag about it. Just up your skills.

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Very well said. I respect your post

And no, My confidence hasn't take over me - and it won't -As i've heard enough bs.

I am a paranoid rider - I care about my safety - Any little thing gets my attention. Since my pothole fall with antifreeze and oil mixing to this little problem - i always get it checked and really inspected - and i even go to forums for help too

Safety is number 1 with me.

All i am saying is - I NEVER had such problem -EVER

first time it occured - and i even rode a lot after it.

I could not replicate the problem. to the life of me. But i did experience something a lot like it

well let me explain

I was in first gear, and when i was in first and the throttle applied and i let go - I got the feeling or being front braked or stopping - Which felt like this front break thingy.

Or letting go of the clutch - Which happened too

Only these 2 things i can think of.

But i still haven't been able to make this happen again

I am taking it to a mechanic for inspection - If all turns out well

It was most likely me.

I am even reading the service manual trying to find such problems or symptoms related to sudden breakings or stops or etc.

Can't find crap

Everyday i do 100mph - For a few seconds and then i go back to normal speeds. I've been up to 120 mph and back down to normal - No problems at all.

Darn being in the dark like this is bad.

But it was most likely my fault - But still better be safe than sorry

Last edited by ManhattanRider : 09-07-2008 at 10:56 PM.
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Old 09-07-2008   #26 (permalink)
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Still in 1st? Depending on how high the revs were, completely letting off the throttle COULD very well feel like the brake was applied.
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Old 09-07-2008   #27 (permalink)
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Still in 1st? Depending on how high the revs were, completely letting off the throttle COULD very well feel like the brake was applied.
Yes this occured in 1st gear.
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Old 09-07-2008   #28 (permalink)
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How fast were you going?
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Old 09-07-2008   #29 (permalink)
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How fast were you going?
Just filled the bike with gas.

Was leaving the gas station - Came off the side walk and onto the street- Was going about 10-15 mph in my lane - Felt a little front break - Something stopped and then continued like normal.

Heh felt like the front break a little - But i can't remember. or i must've left go of the throttle.

Heh nothing more than that -

It was minor - But i felt and detect it - And won't let it slide.
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Old 09-08-2008   #30 (permalink)
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if you let go of the throttle in first engine braking will feel like applying the brakes. try going 10-15 mph again and let the throttle go to zero and see what it feels like.

a lot of times when im slowing down ill keep the throttle just barely on to avoid too much engine braking. just using the engine i can slow down really quick at low speeds.
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Old 09-08-2008   #31 (permalink)
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Manhattan, you are answering your own questions trying to find the cause of this incident you realize.

Based on how you express your issues I'm going to presume you are reading way too deeply into this one event.

Well, enough is enough. Enjoy the bike and don't spend too much on the mechanical inspection if you get my drift.

In any case, don't worry about it too much and it already sounds like it's a distant memory if you feel comfortable tapping 100mph once in a while.

"Won't let it slide"? It was your input that caused the effect IMO, let it slide as your going to have many of these in the coming years.
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Old 09-09-2008   #32 (permalink)
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Manhattan, you are answering your own questions trying to find the cause of this incident you realize.

Based on how you express your issues I'm going to presume you are reading way too deeply into this one event.

Well, enough is enough. Enjoy the bike and don't spend too much on the mechanical inspection if you get my drift.

In any case, don't worry about it too much and it already sounds like it's a distant memory if you feel comfortable tapping 100mph once in a while.

"Won't let it slide"? It was your input that caused the effect IMO, let it slide as your going to have many of these in the coming years.
Yea it was probably me. it aint a that big of a problem but i just want to be sure.

Anyway, i tired to replicate/dupe the problem and it seems like i let go of the throttle or clutch...something i did wrong that made it feel like a sudden breaking or etc.
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Old 09-12-2008   #33 (permalink)
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bennice - I suggest you start. Because i'll take this bike in to the mechanic and have him check the front break or whatever and explain my problem


Hurr
guess it doesnt matter now. sorry about your luck, man.
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