New Owner... and power restrictors?

esoteric · 08-30-2005, 11:00 AM

I've got my new CRB600RR being delivered on Friday after I get my learners permit. I'll be recieving my helmet on Tuesday and have planned about a month of weekend "parking lot" games to figure this thing out before it goes anywhere. Have an MSF course scheduled for late October (the earliest available).

Never piloted a motorcycle, but I drive a stick and I'm a high category bicycle racer, about 15 years experience with that including banked track. I've got every intention of learning to deal with this machine cautiously and methodically (I've specced the best safety gear I can find). I'm in this for the mileage and the carpool lane, not to act like a fool. I've got lots of respect saved up for the machine for when I actually get to play with it.

That said, I'd like to solicit any recommendations people might have for dealing with a machine like this as a first timer. Additionally, I was reading about power restrictors on a UK site and wanted to query what they were and also poll opinions on implementing one on my machine for the time being. Where would one find one in the US/SoCal market?
Thanks
-Scott

ND4SPD · 08-30-2005, 11:06 AM

The baby RR is a very nice bike. Not something I would recommend for a beginner, but it's manageable. You will find it very easy to ride and probably get comfortable on it very quick.

Good to hear that you are enrolled in an MSF course. Something I would suggest on top of that is an advanced street rider's course at a nearby race track. Even if you don't ever plan on riding on the track, you will learn heaps and become a far better rider.

As far as power restrictors...the best power restrictor is your right hand. Learn to control it and you'll be fine

luvtolean · 08-30-2005, 11:06 AM

Don't bother with power restrictors, more trouble than it's worth.

If you've never ridden any bike before, you'd have been better off on a different bike, but that's a moot point now I guess, at least you didn't buy a literbike!

Get full gear, I mean all of it. Good leather gloves, boots pants and jacket (that preferably zip together). A spine protector is also a good idea.

If I was you, I would have the dealer install frame sliders before it leaves the shop. I prefer sliders made of delrin or nylon to the metal or faux carbon stuff.

Try to find a dirtbike to putt around on to get the feel of a clutch and twist throttle, they are nowhere near the same as a stick in a car.

ND4SPD · 08-30-2005, 11:15 AM

Also...be careful for the first ~100 miles on your new tires(present and future). They tend to be slick to start out with.

phobiaphobe · 08-30-2005, 11:36 AM

As LTL said, get some frame sliders installed straight away. I recommend having someone who knows what they're doing help you set up your suspension. You may also want to air down your tires, they usually come filled to max pressure which is way too high.

esoteric · 08-30-2005, 12:14 PM

Wow, you guys are fast even without your bikes ;-)

I had actually queried a lot of people over the past month (some that know my disposition and behavior and some that don't) of going with a 250 vs this 600 and not one person encouraged the 250, so here I am. The word was caution which is my theme. The literbike did sound pretty foolish considering this bike (and any 600) has more power than my car :-)

Is there a particular brand of sliders that anyone feels is superior? Just doing some searches now, it looks like fairing modification is implicit for this bike.

Got the gloves, helmet, jacket, spine protector, and boots all together. I talked to a CHP friend about pants, but he didn't really have an opinon on it since they're not permitted anything out of the normal uniform. I might stop down at Dainese over lunch and check them out.

I've got a friend with a couple dirtbikes I might be able to hop on.

I'll definitely check out a track course after the training wheels come off.

ND4SPD · 08-30-2005, 12:17 PM

I have Sato frame sliders. Many people have Intuitives and many have crash tested them with good results.

sheepofblue · 08-30-2005, 12:20 PM

on getting the gear now ALWAYS were it

Good luck and be careful, it sounds like you have a mindset that will help you.

Also in case you have not been told, Ride Like Everyone Is Out To Kill You. See that car coming into the intersection, he's not stopping. See the fool looking to lane change onto you, he is. While this may seem paranoid if you are ready to react you can so Ride Like Everyone Is Out To Kill You and odds are much better they will fail.

ReaperAZ · 08-30-2005, 12:20 PM

You seem to have a head on your shoulders

. I would just forget about any restrictors as you'll learn how to ride it that way and when you go to switch it back will have to relearn again. It's good to hear that some people actually think before buying a bike and don't go get a liter as their first. Unfortunatly you'll have to cut holes for sliders on the 600RR, but it's well worth it if it goes down. I'm not sure what brand are on my 600RR, I'll check with the previous owner. They are very solid.

{edit}Almost forgot...

to the .org!

luvtolean · 08-30-2005, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esoteric

I've got a friend with a couple dirtbikes I might be able to hop on.

I'd offer you mine, but I've ridden dirtbikes most of my life, and I think my CR 250 is far more likely to hurt me (or you) than any streetbike!

It sounds like you have friends to help you out, but if not the OC isn't too far from here.

RedRocker · 08-30-2005, 1:44 PM

get lots of practice outside of the heavy traffic to learn how to ride. Riding in lots of traffic sucks anyway

rocker

Turboedsupe · 08-30-2005, 3:17 PM

Im not trying to be a dick but he obviously knows what hes getting into and he came on here to ask about power restrictions. Im sure 20 guys telling him about saftey equipment is going to help any

luvtolean · 08-30-2005, 3:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turboedsupe

Im not trying to be a dick but he obviously knows what hes getting into and he came on here to ask about power restrictions. Im sure 20 guys telling him about saftey equipment is going to help any

Did you read his whole first post?

sheepofblue · 08-30-2005, 3:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turboedsupe

Im not trying to be a dick but he obviously knows what hes getting into and he came on here to ask about power restrictions. Im sure 20 guys telling him about saftey equipment is going to help any

I think he was hoping for constructive ideas

esoteric · 08-30-2005, 5:28 PM

Worst case is someone repeats something... best case is someone tells me something I haven't heard before or makes me reconsider something. I just picked up some Dainese 103 perf pants on the cheap, so outside of someone telling me to wear a condom when I ride, I'm all out of safety gear to acquire ;-)

BDA116 · 08-30-2005, 5:53 PM

You should wear a condom when you ride, just in case.

sheepofblue · 08-31-2005, 8:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esoteric

Worst case is someone repeats something... best case is someone tells me something I haven't heard before or makes me reconsider something. I just picked up some Dainese 103 perf pants on the cheap, so outside of someone telling me to wear a condom when I ride, I'm all out of safety gear to acquire ;-)

I am sure folks will recommend leather over mesh also... But what you have is a great start and if you upgrade riding speed (and location) you can improve with time.

Carl_T · 10-10-2005, 5:05 PM

The following is written as what to do, but is in reality only offered as suggestions about and of things I think may by helpful to you. It is only my opinion and First and foremost, use your own common sense and judgment in following any of it.

WEAR ALL YOUR GEAR EVEN IN THE PARKING LOT.

Go Barnes and Nobles store, or on the net to Amazon.com or some such and buy David Hough's book "Proficient Motorcycling". Get that read cover to cover like yesterday. Keep referring back to the book constantly for the next year until you know it all by heart.

In the parking lot, always have a friend with you who can drive a car and has one there to do so.

If you've never done a MC clutch before "learn how to operate the friction zone (neither fully engaged or disengaged), sit on it level ground (with nothing to crash into anywhere nearby ahead of you). Put the bike in first gear with the clutch pulled back, give it a little bit of rpm and let the clutch out only just, just, enough for the bike to creep forward a little bit (with your feet still planted) then pull the clutch back in to stop the movement (you want to avoid letting it all the way out, ONLY let it out enough for the bike to very slowly creep forward and no more).

Next with the clutch still pulled and held back in, push the bike backwards a bit farther than the starting point, with your feet still on the ground.

Then slip the clutch a tiny bit again so the bike moves forward a foot or so with your feet still planted. pull the clutch back in and push it back while sitting on the bike feet down. Keep rocking it back and forth until you are confident you can control the friction zone of the clutch. If you accidentally pop the clutch and lurch the bike far forward get your feet ready to catch the bike and pull the clutch back in it will roll to a stop.

The area of the clutch lever from all the way pulled back, to let out just enough for the bike to creep forward minutely does nothing and moving the clutch lever VERY slowly in that range does nothing. When the bike just begins to creep forward THAT is when you want VERY slow outward movement, pulling it back in as soon as it’s creep is far enough forward. If you’ve driven a standard car the same principle applies only it’s a lever.

When you are sure you have enough clutch control and are ready for the following, start the bike forward with a small bit of throttle applied slipping the friction zone until you can get the clutch all the way out and the bike underway (going as straight as you are able) get your feet up on the pegs and then pull in the clutch while gently braking to a stop. When you can start and stop well, try some riding in a flat WIDE OPEN space free of obstacles to avoid, that will allow large radius turning.

The MC is not a bicycle in that it responds less to body weight shifts and more to “counter steering” than a bicycle will once up to speed (of course both respond to those inputs but in different degrees as a bicycle is a featherweight and is often going very slowly). Learn what counter steering is so you can consciously apply it and get used to it.

You will (after you are used to the controls) want to learn proper braking in a straight line first, then turns, S turns, slalom, and open circles. When you have them you will want to learn tight U turns and turning from a dead stop. Always practice both right and left directions in all types of turns not just one or the other.

Hough’s book will explain well how to do all that and how to think and see in traffic as well. Read the appropriate parts of Hough’s book after your practice session while it is still fresh in your mind.

Absolutely take the MSF course and do it “their way” during the course.

The former are just possible suggestions of a very generalized approach to getting familiar with the bike before the course.