(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/pistole/GTR/3006201211771.jpg)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/pistole/GTR/3006201211781.jpg)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/pistole/GTR/3006201211801.jpg)
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- coming from my Heritage Softail , the forward cant of the C14 was a new thing for me. This caused me pain in my throttle hand (not wrist as other riders have experienced).
- basically the pain was centered in the area between the Thumb and Forefinger. This is made worse by the fact that I always cover the front brake lever with two fingers which causes an unnatural stretch in that area.
- needless to say , it hurt alot and it requires regular shaking out to clear it. Also noticed that if i don't cover the brake lever with the 2 fingers , the pain basically goes away.
- experimented today with the above , and with the larger + softer area = no more pain in the hand. Doesn't look great , but heck ..
- something for you guys to try perhaps , ie , just to check whether it can help you to ease the discomfort.
- cheers.
I use one of these http://www.equinoxmc.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=42 on long haul rides, it takes the emphasis on 'gripping' the throttle and allows a much more relaxed feel.
Grip puppies are excellent
http://www.sportouring.com/gallery.php?sectionHeaderActive=1000&rangeChoosen=615
Just remembered I have/had some grip puppies somehwere...... found 'em.......they're now fitted :clap: [/b]
Why 'cover' the front brake with two fingers?
If you can't react quick enough then maybe you shouldn't be riding!
Seriously, why? You don't have a full grip of the bar/throttle, resting fingers on brake may cause some drag on brakes too.
Get out of the bad habit and remove the pain.
I found that hitting my head against the wall really caused pain and discomfort. When I stopped however, the pai, for some reason went away.............. :whistling:
Quote from: Winston Smith on June 30, 2012, 03:25:00 PM
Why 'cover' the front brake with two fingers?
If you can't react quick enough then maybe you shouldn't be riding!
Seriously, why? You don't have a full grip of the bar/throttle, resting fingers on brake may cause some drag on brakes too.
Get out of the bad habit and remove the pain.
I found that hitting my head against the wall really caused pain and discomfort. When I stopped however, the pai, for some reason went away.............. :whistling:
- its a pretty established way for people to ride motorcycles safely.
- google is your friend.
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cant say ive ever covered my brakes with two fingers , i think id be more likely to grab a handful of front brake in an over reaction to an incident, but thats just me
I cover the brakes with two fingers when filtering or in heavy traffic, otherwise not at all
Quote from: pistole on June 30, 2012, 03:37:43 PM
- its a pretty established way for people to ride motorcycles safely.
- google is your friend.
.
RoadCraft, a Class One and three class one requalifications, Diploma in Motorcycle Training and DSA Motorcycle authorised - My Friend!
Quote from: Winston Smith on June 30, 2012, 06:10:06 PM
RoadCraft, a Class One and three class one requalifications, Diploma in Motorcycle Training and DSA Motorcycle authorised - My Friend!
I have a degree, in incompetence which stands me in good stead, on normal riding I don't cover the brake, but when filtering in Oxford where we have some numptys driving cars I do tend to cover the brake.
Alan
:smartass: :agree: (Maybe not in Oxford but in any built up area where numpties lurk!)
:popcorn:
I never cover the front brake unless Im aware I may have to stop unexpectedly where I'm going to need some major front brakes, ie passing across a junction where there is a twat waiting to pull out that may have not seen you.
You should be covering the back brake in the situations you are thinking of, ie filtering. Your back brake should always be going on before the front even if its a split second, to cover the front is going to cause you to loose the front end.
Get yourself on a bikesafe day or an join advanced motorcyclist training group as it will assist you to spot the hazards earlier so you can get rid of the speed
I love the idea of putting the inner tube around the bar grips. I suffer from pain across the palm of the hand both sides which I found changes with the quality of the heated grips I have on different bikes. My last honda grips were not to bad, before that I had oxford grips which were really good, on the GTR , it came with this nasty pair of daytona grips which look really cheap which I cant understand how someone spends all that money on a bike then puts crap on. Anyway I can notice the difference in the diameter of the grips which puts more pressure in a smaller area across the palm. So by making the diameter slightly bigger I would think that would make them more comfortable on my old hands.
When I had my blackbird, I had the same problem on my hands, (the GTR is nowhere as bad, I find it minimal) so I used to wear thin summer gloves with cycling glover inside as they have padding on the palm and are fingerless for brake feeling.
Quote from: trousersnake01 on June 30, 2012, 08:00:08 PM
I never cover the front brake unless Im aware I may have to stop unexpectedly where I'm going to need some major front brakes, ie passing across a junction where there is a twat waiting to pull out that may have not seen you.
You should be covering the back brake in the situations you are thinking of, ie filtering. Your back brake should always be going on before the front even if its a split second, to cover the front is going to cause you to loose the front end.
Get yourself on a bikesafe day or an join advanced motorcyclist training group as it will assist you to spot the hazards earlier so you can get rid of the speed
when i did my direct access bike test 10 years ago they definately told us to apply front brake slightly before the rear and on the emergency stop the examiner was looking to see if the front forks dived down . In physics terms applying the front brake first pushes the energy of the bike into the road and then the rear brake assists in scrubbing off speed. applying the rear brake first is dipping the rear of the bike and makes the front end lighter which losses you traction, IMO
no no.
think about it. everything rotates around the rear axle, so when you apply rear brake all weight is rotating forwards which compresses the front forks.
Just to bottom this braking caper out.
For slow speed balance and control you should use rear brake. No need to touch the front.
for normal braking you should ALWAYS use both brakes simultaneously because if you start to slide you can release that brake to control Tyre/tarmac grip trade off but still have braking on the other wheel cos its applied and you are sharing the braking forces between both wheels
:stupid:
Rear brake will pivot weight forward driving the tyre into tarmac creating more grip - simple physics.
Reason for front brake app for test is that if you apply slightly too much rear it will lock - as a learner/novice under pressure easy to do and the stop is a false situation you are expecting. Rear brake is a token only.
If you apply only front, the rear will come light as there is no drag being created at rear end (too much could induce a 'stoppie').
Slight application of rear creates that drag throws some weight forward forces front end into tarmac and assists the front brakes to work more effectively
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- now we all know that everyone who rides a motorcycle is instantly an expert in all things related thereto.
- thus said , we also know that there are more ways than one to achieve the same thing.
- nonetheless, we really should avail ourselves to the opinions of serious people who have actually researched the matter in-depth before either adopting or discarding it.
- therefore , please read the passage below and then guess where it was stated and when :
"The human factors approach [to preventing motorcycle accidents] begins with education of motorcyclists to the value of covering the critical front brake. Training and practice in the effective use of the front brake and covering the brake lever has the potential to increase the numbers of motorcyclists who successfully avoid a critical violation of their right of way."
- again, Google is your friend.
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- back to the inner tube adventure : took a long ride today (about 200 miles) and it helps but still isn't perfect. Will experiment more with the material used, etc.
- that and the C14 sure is buzzy at the 4,000 rpms range , ya ? Do the Murph's bar-end weights help to dial some of this out ? Or is it a case of living with it ?
- thanks !
.
Quote from: Bondu on June 30, 2012, 09:47:29 AM
Grip puppies are excellent
http://www.sportouring.com/gallery.php?sectionHeaderActive=1000&rangeChoosen=615 (http://www.sportouring.com/gallery.php?sectionHeaderActive=1000&rangeChoosen=615)
:agree: Definitely make a big difference especially if you have big hands.
I agree with pistole, i always ride with 2 fingers covering the front brake lever. it gives you that split second quicker to apply the brake in case of an emergency. :2guns:
Quote from: lord vader on July 01, 2012, 09:40:03 AM
I agree with pistole, i always ride with 2 fingers covering the front brake lever. it gives you that split second quicker to apply the brake in case of an emergency. :2guns:
If you look and think ahead you don't need to do this. :no:
An obstacle that may force you to brake quickly doesn't materialize out of thin air. :hammer:
And sometimes it is actually better to turn the throttle and accelerate to get out of a tight spot.
And that goes so much better with a full grip.
:listencarefully: I cover both brakes and slow down only if I expect that emergency braking may be required like approaching an intersection, heavy traffic, filtering etc.
I always keep in mind that everybody else is out there trying to kill me at every opportunity I give them.
So I avoid giving them that opportunity. :ninja:
That is just common sense and has worked so well for me that I hardly ever have to brake hard at all.
The best way to avoid numb and/or pained hands is to change your grip every now and then. :smartass:
if you hardly ever have to brake, it because you are not going fast enough :scooter:
Quote from: lord vader on July 01, 2012, 11:03:37 AM
if you hardly ever have to brake, it because you are not going fast enough :scooter:
:stupid: I said braking hard as in emergency braking not hardly braking at all. :smartass:
If you have to brake hard in 'emergencies' then you obviously are going too fast for your own abilities. :ohplease:
Some GTR,s are wasted on some folk. :sleep1:
Quote from: lord vader on July 01, 2012, 11:44:28 AM
Some GTR,s are wasted on some folk. :sleep1:
+1 :mfr_lol:
:wink:
Dont forget you have linked brakes, by applying the rear, you are also applying the front, (albeit a fraction of the amount). Im talking about normal riding braking.
For your das, your braking for the examiner would have been for emergency braking, where you would have needed the powerful brakes to kick in to stop you.
The GTR for the first time in a bike that I have owned has a rear brake that gives me confidence, all the hondas that I have owned have rubbish rear brakes.
Never ride covering the front brake, but have always covered the clutch, when riding i am fully focussed and pay paticular attention to the road quite a way ahead ready for Dick Head to do a crazy manouvre, i doesn't matter how you ride so long as its safe
I cover both brakes if I feel the need.
Almost always when I am filtering as I have seen to many impromptu lane changes and have had several doors opened in front of me, even on motorways.
Emergency stops, both brakes.
Regular braking, both brakes.
Wet braking, both brakes.
Linked brakes? :no: :no: :no:
I like to be able to choose the brake balance between front and rear.
I also cover the brakes if I see someone doing something "suspect",.... like the dithering moron outside Sudbury yesterday who indicated left on the approach to the A134 roundabout, then indicated right, then left again, and then stalled the car halfway around the roundabout, whilst turning right with the left indicator still on.
There are a great many "senior citizens" out there who REALLY should not be driving any more, and she is definately one of them.
I don't cover the front brake unless I sense danger ahead. The rear brake hardly gets used. I have always braked using the front brake which makes the front fully loaded.
I'm going to try and use the rear brake to see how it affects the braking. My rear brake is so weak even if the bike didn't have ABS I doubt the wheel would lock
Aprilia Tuono/RSV rear brakes..hahahahahahaha....oh dear...hahahahaha...
They work ....once a year... for the MOT... for the rest of the time they are on Holiday..... in Rimini..apparently it's very nice there.. :scooter:
soo nope I don't use the rear brakes very much at all, even when i had the GTR
That is what I put last week, I tested it successfully this " meet up week end" on boring motorways from Falkstone to Tweksbury and back, the best 20 bucks I ever spent.
Unfortunately, they only ship within the US...
http://www.2wheelride.com/throttle_order.html
Quote from: frenchbiker on July 02, 2012, 03:42:53 PM
That is what I put last week, I tested it successfully this " meet up week end" on boring motorways from Falkstone to Tweksbury and back, the best 20 bucks I ever spent.
Unfortunately, they only ship within the US...
http://www.2wheelride.com/throttle_order.html
- looking to make something similar.
- thanks !
.
Well, for those of you that do cover the brake, (like me :help:) then have you all rotated the front brake lever around the bar so that it's a little further down - particularly if you're quite tall?
I found that this just about doubled my distance between breaks! :yes:
Quote from: Rosbif on July 03, 2012, 09:06:25 AM
Well, for those of you that do cover the brake, (like me :help:) then have you all rotated the front brake lever around the bar so that it's a little further down - particularly if you're quite tall?
I found that this just about doubled my distance between breaks! :yes:
I'm hoping you mean rest breaks not braking distance :mfr_lol:
QuoteI'm hoping you mean rest breaks not braking distance
Usefully, yes :mfr_lol:
well for someone who started out on dirt bikes from a youn g age,stuck mainly to road bikes through an apprentiship (cuz i couldnt afford both at the time),trials riding green laning,and enduro bikes, trial bikes are rode mostly with two fingers covering both front brake and clutch!!!,still do it know on any road bike in towns,especially in traffic! :yes:
sorry but you should know me by now an my computer skills!,(i meen lack of um,lol),but thought you my be intrested,,,,an dont know how to post links like you clever buggers,,,,,bought a "cramp buster" from m&p`s on the w/end £7.00!,small devise that fits over the throttle grip that sits just under your palm,think some web sites were advertising them as a cruise devise????,
anyway,takes about 1min to fit,did a 120ml coast run on sunday with them,1/2 way round found them fab!!!!!,cuts out some of the vibration too!,
they are made by "scot oiler" and advertised as a cramp buster,-just thought id let you know how they were.
and for fooks sake,whens the summer due :ohplease: :ohplease: :ohplease:
Quote from: Mogster on June 30, 2012, 09:21:54 AM
I use one of these http://www.equinoxmc.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=42 on long haul rides, it takes the emphasis on 'gripping' the throttle and allows a much more relaxed feel.
I use one of theses when I remember to take it with me..! and mine was only this much :smiley:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MOTORCYCLE-MOTORBIKE-HANDLE-BAR-HANDLEBAR-GRIP-CRUISE-AID-CONTROL-THUMB-REST-/320855122844?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item4ab474a39c
Quote from: 2kwacks on July 03, 2012, 09:15:54 PM
I use one of theses when I remember to take it with me..! and mine was only this much :smiley:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MOTORCYCLE-MOTORBIKE-HANDLE-BAR-HANDLEBAR-GRIP-CRUISE-AID-CONTROL-THUMB-REST-/320855122844?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item4ab474a39c
I nicked mine from me mates shop... :mfr_lol:... that was the just the first page i found on google .. :mfr_lol:
Quote from: Mogster on July 04, 2012, 07:50:00 AM
I nicked mine from me mates shop... :mfr_lol:... that was the just the first page i found on google .. :mfr_lol:
- Mog , I just ordered that item.
- hope that it will help
cheers
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Quote from: 2kwacks on July 03, 2012, 09:15:54 PM
I use one of theses when I remember to take it with me..! and mine was only this much :smiley:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MOTORCYCLE-MOTORBIKE-HANDLE-BAR-HANDLEBAR-GRIP-CRUISE-AID-CONTROL-THUMB-REST-/320855122844?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item4ab474a39c
It does not work very well, I had it before and I replaced with what I posted above. It does help to rest your hand as you can open your palm but you will not be able to either release the handle bar or keep constant speed...
Quote from: frenchbiker on July 02, 2012, 03:42:53 PM
That is what I put last week, I tested it successfully this " meet up week end" on boring motorways from Falkstone to Tweksbury and back, the best 20 bucks I ever spent.
Unfortunately, they only ship within the US...
http://www.2wheelride.com/throttle_order.html (http://www.2wheelride.com/throttle_order.html)
I gues the "do not ship internationally" could be a problem! Steph, how does it work?
Has anyone mentioned this?
http://www.motorcyclecruise.co.uk/kawasaki%20gtr1400%20concours%20cruise%20control.html
For a Throttle lock I use the ThrottleMeister. http://throttlemeister.com/ (http://throttlemeister.com/)
It looks good, works good and can be swapped between my 1400 and 1000 GTRs.
Not cheap but I have the heavy version which helps damp out what few vibes make it to the 1400s bars.
On the 1000 it makes long rides possible.
As for the brake lever, yes, I have it rotated down as far as it will go.
Have done the same to the clutch.
I would like to be able to rotate them further down but it fouls the switchgear.
I've bought a throttle lock from here: http://www.throttlemate.co.uk
Will let everyone know how it goes
Quote from: Kwikasfuki on July 08, 2012, 02:12:56 AM
I've bought a throttle lock from here: http://www.throttlemate.co.uk
Will let everyone know how it goes
- looks very promising !
- pls do let us know how it goes. May consider one too.
.
Quote from: pistole on July 08, 2012, 02:25:58 AM
- looks very promising !
- pls do let us know how it goes. May consider one too.
.
I saw those but was a bit nervous about their operation, I mean how safe /easy is it to apply and un-apply ?
I have one of these, they defo work, but you will all resent paying £12-£15 quid for a piece of injected moulded plastic !!
Easy to use BUT you have to go 8-10mph over your desired cruising speed to set as it will settle back. It will also gradually slow down due to vibration/road surface/lack of tension. I considered a cable tie to increase the tension but a) I switch it between bikes b) I am worried it would be harder to roll off.
I would still recommend and if they were only a £5 I would fit one to each bike and I am sure they would sell hundreds more if the price was more realistic
Coman
Quote from: coman37 on July 08, 2012, 11:12:54 AM
I have one of these, they defo work, but you will all resent paying £12-£15 quid for a piece of injected moulded plastic !!
Easy to use BUT you have to go 8-10mph over your desired cruising speed to set as it will settle back. It will also gradually slow down due to vibration/road surface/lack of tension. I considered a cable tie to increase the tension but a) I switch it between bikes b) I am worried it would be harder to roll off.
I would still recommend and if they were only a £5 I would fit one to each bike and I am sure they would sell hundreds more if the price was more realistic
Coman
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- I just experimented with a large clothes peg/clip.
- works just fine.
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Quote from: Kwikasfuki on July 08, 2012, 02:12:56 AM
I've bought a throttle lock from here: http://www.throttlemate.co.uk (http://www.throttlemate.co.uk)
Will let everyone know how it goes
Anyone got any experience of using these with grip puppies ?
i got a pair of the grip puppie's that pull over your existing grip's to try on my gtr,they make my grip's a fair bit wider,ok if you've hand's like shovel's,i haven't.
The reason I want to try is to determine if my back pain is related to the grip/pressure. If it is, I'll be investing in a cruise control
Quote from: tapps on July 08, 2012, 09:19:58 PM
i got a pair of the grip puppie's that pull over your existing grip's to try on my gtr,they make my grip's a fair bit wider,ok if you've hand's like shovel's,i haven't.
Tapps, they will enlarge the diameter of your grips, at least they have on mine, I like 'em, but I do possess hands like shovels with fingers like sausages :mfr_lol:
Boomer put me onto the Grip Puppies and I love them.
Quote from: Lonewolf on July 08, 2012, 10:20:31 PM
Boomer put me onto the Grip Puppies and I love them.
:agree: but I was interested if it was possible to use the throttle lock with the grip puppies attached.
Quote from: Gonome on July 04, 2012, 02:59:14 PM
I gues the "do not ship internationally" could be a problem! Steph, how does it work?
Find below Youtube video link.
http://youtu.be/hHJAfBVkxZE
Quote from: Gonome on July 09, 2012, 08:33:32 AM
:agree: but I was interested if it was possible to use the throttle lock with the grip puppies attached.
Yes, it works, I have the throttle lock on top of grip puppies. Not as steady as a real cruise control, specially up and down hills, but good enough to release and stretch out your right hand.
Quote from: frenchbiker on July 09, 2012, 09:57:44 AM
Yes, it works, I have the throttle lock on top of grip puppies. Not as steady as a real cruise control, specially up and down hills, but good enough to release and stretch out your right hand.
Thanks Steph, I will give it a go.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmwkuzbsiOg&feature=youtube_gdata_player
have a look at this. so simple.
Spoilers Rusty! Giving the trade secrets away!
- yo.
- i did try to the O-Ring trick above. But the O-ring that I was able to get that was of the correct diameter wasn't thick enough for the gap between the bar-ends and the grip.
- where to get thick rings ?
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