[The Duke]

After my 1st day @ MSF (having a blast), I thought I'd take a little spin after class on my C50 (the BlingMaster 3000).

During the class, we used some retro-looking Honda 125s, where the clutch broke into gear so close to when you completely release it as to be useless. Not much to clutch control at low speeds there...

I found out (repeatedly) that a bigger engine is a whole 'nother story. Stalled or wobbled repeatedly until I began finessing the clutch during low speed maneuvers.

We won't even go into having to do the Olympic "Clean and Jerk" w/my baby when my right foot didn't get down in time at a stop. Caught it @ the halfway point between upright and reclining! Nothing hurt but my pride, when a cager asked "Ya need some help with that?"
:0

 

[Madura]

The MSF bikes we used had one cylinder.

ONE!

 

[Louis]

The MSF bikes we used had one cylinder.

ONE!

In my class, we had a few Savage's. 650cc on one cylinder.

 

[Nexus242]

The MSF bikes we used had one cylinder.

ONE!

the Buell Blast other wise know as the "Thumper".

 

[opticsguy]

I've found low speed maneuvering on a C50 much easier than the dual sport I had in MSF

 

[themeatmanlandry]

I've found low speed maneuvering on a C50 much easier than the dual sport I had in MSF

Lower center of gravity?

 

[opticsguy]

I think that helps. I found the limit yesterday doing some slow figure 8's. When the floorboards scrape, you can't lean any more.

 

[Clint]

I think it's a misnomer that a low CG makes a bike feel more stable. A low CG allows it to tip faster, just like a shorter pendulum oscillates at a higher rate.

It's the greater mass of the bike that makes it feel more stable, among other things.

 

[themeatmanlandry]

Makes sense to me!

 

[inspiron]

It's the greater mass of the bike that makes it feel more stable, among other things.

So THAT's why I feel so comfortable on my GSX1400 with it's 550lbs of metal between my legs

 

[LayinLo]

So THAT's why I feel so comfortable on my 550 lb girl friend.








Ooops. Didn't mean to post that.

 

[inspiron]

So THAT's why I feel so comfortable on my 550 lb girl friend.

You mean HER?

Edit by UB

Photo not appropriate for this site, probably not appropriate for most sites as a matter of fact.

EDIT by inspiron:

Sorry UB, someone sent me that picture this morning as part of another joke ... you're right, it was somewhat tasteless. I bow my head in shame and beg your forgiveness ...

 

[LayinLo]

She's a moped...........................




I don't want my friends to see me with her, but she sure is fun to ride!

 

[tlwisner]

I think it's a misnomer that a low CG makes a bike feel more stable. A low CG allows it to tip faster, just like a shorter pendulum oscillates at a higher rate.

It's the greater mass of the bike that makes it feel more stable, among other things.

Greater mass adds to straight line stability feelings. When you are doing the low speed parking lot type stuff, the lower CG makes the bike feel a lot more stable. That's my experience riding my low CG Boulevard C50 at 550 pounds and my much taller with 7.5 gal. high up gas tank 600+ pound Concours ZG1000.

 

[Clint]

I ride a Bandit. It's not know for being a light bike, and the mass is fairly high. When I got on my friend's VTX, it felt like it wanted to hit the ground.

A shorter arm accelerates more quickly. Try to balance a broom on your hand, on end. Now try a table fork. See what I mean?

 

[tlwisner]

A shorter arm accelerates more quickly.

The shorter arm is also easier to stop. When a top heavy bike leans over 20° to the side versus a low CG bike leaning over 20° at the same speed, the taller CG bike has more energy due to more of the weight moving at a higher velocity. A 20° arc with a radius of 24 inches is shorter than a 20° arc with a radious of 30 inches. Did I get a good grade on this one? 8)