Spring time

[Kawboy]

I'm post whoring again.

I used to write the sport bike articles for a rag mag in Georgia called Full Throttle.

This is an article I posted in the spring about 2 years ago.. but thought some of ya's might find it useful...
Well, spring is upon us and it’s time to get the bike back on the road… so let’s dust it off get out there, right? Not so fast, biker bros!!!
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Before you get out there and start screamin’ through the twisties, raisin’ the front or hikin’ up the back, we need to do the not so fun part of ownin’ a motorcycle… yes, I’m talking about the maintenance.
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Much as we all hate to do it, it’s a necessary thing, and besides, it’s not fair to the people you run into if you go down because it was too much trouble to do the basics!
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The first thing to do are the basic checks, particularly if you stored the bike for the winter… Is it sitting in a puddle of oil? Any obvious leaks around the forks, or under the engine? If not, you’re ready to do the next steps.
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Check your tires for wear, flat spots, or any sign of dryrot. With the pressures that they undergo, you can’t be too careful with the tires. If there’s any doubt at all about them, it’s probably time to get new ones. One of the disadvantages of sport bikes is the fact that the tires we need don’t last very long. If you go through one set a year, you’re doing pretty well! Again, if you’re not sure, go ahead and replace them.
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Next, let’s check the chain. We’re looking for rust, frozen links or any debris in the links. Make sure that each link moves freely and check the play. Your manual should give exact specs, follow them! If you don’t have an ‘endless’ chain, make sure that the master link clip is free of rust and dirt and that it shows no sign of wear.
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Make sure that all the fluids are good. Oil, brakes, and anti-freeze should all be topped off. Your oil should be brown not black! Clean, fresh oil regularly will do more than any other single thing for making sure your bike lasts. If you haven’t changed the filters in a while, this is a good time to do that too, both fuel, air and oil.
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Check the brake pads for wear as well. The disks should be clean and free from rust. If you do have some brown spots, a little steel wool will clean them off, but if there’s any pitting in the metal, you should have your dealer or an authorized factory mechanic check them for you.
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Check the gasoline, if it’s been stored. Gasoline will break down over time and can leave some nasty stuff in the tank. Your engine will not appreciate getting that kind of gunk sucked into it the first time you hit the throttle hard. If there’s any doubt at all, drain the tank and put fresh fuel in it.
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Make sure all the cables move freely and easily. Any kind of binding or ‘hitching’ can indicate an imminent failure, never a good thing on our high performance crotch rockets.
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Check the lights and the gauges, making sure they all work like they’re supposed to, and that none of the bulbs are burned out.
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The next thing to look at is your gear. Helmet, gloves, leathers, boots. Are they all in good shape, and ready to ride?
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Last, but never least, are YOU ready to ride? Sport riding is a demanding task, particularly if you push it at all, and we all know it’s hard not to on these machines. Are you in shape, physically and mentally to be out there doing it? There’s nothing to be ashamed of about being careful, and the hospitals have frequent guests who aren’t! If you haven’t ridden in awhile, get back into it gradually. Don’t force yourself into doing something you’re not quite ready for yet. Taking a day or two now, to acclimate yourself again, is more fun than spending a few weeks in a cast. Your favorite roads are gonna be different this year, you’ll be different this year, and the bike is going to be different this year. So take a little time now, make sure that you’re both ready for it, and as always, be safe and have fun!
See ya on the road!!!
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Kawboy

[FUKENEH]

Nice article.

[agjse94]

:thumbup:

[kittswife]

Most Excellent Writing My Dear!!! :thumbup:

[Kawboy]

Most Excellent Writing My Dear!!! :thumbup:

Thank you, sweetie!!! {{{hugs}}}

I've got a 'how to' on wheelies/stoppies too, if anyone's interested..

[ncdixie]

That's a very informative article, nicely written as well.

I would love to read the article on stoppies and wheelies.

[Kawboy]

That's a very informative article, nicely written as well.

I would love to read the article on stoppies and wheelies.


I'll post it when I get home tonight...

[Pippi]

Great Article!

[Kawboy]

Great Article!

Thanks!!

I wrote for them for about a year.. then had to move back to Ky. hehe.. hard to write for a Georgia magazine in Kentucky...

[ncdixie]

I'll post it when I get home tonight...
That would be great. Not that I plan on doin' a wheelie or a stoppie on purpose, (ok maybe) lol, seriously I'd really like to know the dynamics, especially the wheelie....I wonder how I might react to a hp wheelie. The more I ride the yzf1000 it's inevitable. I want to be somewhat prepared.
I hope this article will enlighten me a little.

[Kawboy]

That would be great. Not that I plan on doin' a wheelie or a stoppie on purpose, (ok maybe) lol, seriously I'd really like to know the dynamics, especially the wheelie....I wonder how I might react to a hp wheelie. The more I ride the yzf1000 it's inevitable. I want to be somewhat prepared.
I hope this article will enlighten me a little.
Well.. as I said in another thread... I don't endorse or support stunting, but I feel that everyone should be at least familiar with the techniques/sensations... so that when it happens.. or you NEED to do it.. it won't be a complete surprise..

[ncdixie]

Well.. as I said in another thread... I don't endorse or support stunting, but I feel that everyone should be at least familiar with the techniques/sensations... so that when it happens.. or you NEED to do it.. it won't be a complete surprise..
Right on. Look forward to reading it.

[Kawboy]

This post is a reprint of an article originally published in Full Throttle Magazine. The disclaimers in this article apply to SportbikeGurls.com, it's affiliates, it's sponsors and it's members. These techniques are presented for INFORMATIONAL purposes only! If you attempt these techniques, you do so at your OWN risk.

Well, I had a bunch of surprising emails over my accident avoidance article, most of it asking ‘How to’. So, this month I’m going to cover the basics of stunting a motorcycle. First, the disclaimer;
The following techniques are for informational purposes only. Neither I, nor Full Throttle magazine suggest, recommend, endorse or otherwise encourage the implementation of these techniques. Stunting a motorcycle is dangerous, and in most cases illegal. It can cause personal injury, property damage and even death. If you, as an individual, choose to attempt these techniques, you do so at your own risk. Neither I, nor Full Throttle magazine accepts any responsibility, obligation or liability, whether fiscal or moral, actual or implied. Again, if you choose to attempt these techniques, you do so at your own risk.
Now, with that out of the way, let’s get started. First, we’ll cover wheelies, and then move on to stoppies and burnouts.
Those of you with liter bikes are going to find this easy, as most of them will pull the wheel simply by giving it some gas in the lower gears. For the mid range bikes, and the liter bikes in the upper gears, I’ve found this is the simplest way to raise it up. First, make sure you’re wearing your safety gear, especially your helmet! Next, put your right foot on the peg, with your toes on the rear brake, covering it. If you do need it, you’ll need it quickly. Remember, you can (relatively) safely take a sport bike past vertical, but you’ll need that back brake to bring it back. Like I said, if you do need it, you’ll need it quickly, so keep it covered! Make sure you’re all the way back on the seat, and sitting up straight. This will move your weight behind the center of gravity. Next take the engine about 2-3 thousand RPM’s into the power band. That’s the point that the bike is feeling ‘jumpy’ if you’re not familiar with it. Usually, this will be just past half way on your tachometer. Now quickly, but smoothly, roll off the throttle, then roll it back on hard, just as the bike ‘dips’ forward. The speed on this is just about the same as if you were clutching and changing gears. The harder you roll it back on, the further it will come up. Again, keep that back brake covered! Tapping it will bring the bike back down again, quickly. Generally this is a bad idea, as you can bust the front shocks, but it’s a lot better than letting it roll over backwards! To avoid that whole front shock problem, nail the gas again after the bike starts downward. You’ll be moving to fast for the wheel to come back up again, but the acceleration will allow the front wheel to land gently, and prevent that damage to the shocks. An alternative method is clutching it up, but I personally don’t care much for this, due to the load on the clutch and drive train, but I’ll explain it anyway, because with a smaller bike, it’s about the only way to get it in the air. It’s also good for ‘slow speed’ wheelies, but again, wear and tear on the clutch WILL occur. To minimize the wear and tear, get the bike moving about 5 MPH. simultaneously give the bike enough gas to take it 2-3 thousand RPM’s into the power band, and ‘slip’ the clutch. Don’t pull it all the way in, just enough to allow the engine to rev without accelerating the bike. When it gets into the RPM range, release the clutch smoothly. About the same speed as a gear change should do it. The front end should come up. If not, try it with a little more gas, but again, keep that back brake covered!
Stoppies are more straight forward, but a lot less forgiving. If you go past the balance point on a stoppie, you’re road kill, so start gradually with these! (if you as an individual, decide to attempt this). Get the bike up to at least 35 MPH, lean forward and apply the front brake hard. Slower speeds will get the back end to ‘hop’ but if you want to get the butt in the air, you’ll need at least 35. That’s really all there is to the stoppie, and practice is the only way to get it right. Again, start small and work your way up.
Burnouts are something I never do, but then, I can’t afford tires just for the riding I do, much less to waste them by smoking them. To get a good burnout, stand up on the ground, hold the front brake hard, press down on the handlebars and rev it up well into the power band. When you dump the clutch, the rear will start spinning and the longer you hold it, the smokier it will get, right up to the blow out point. Good luck with this one, let me know how it turns out By email, no phone calls, no visits! As always, you can reach me at kawboy_zx6r@yahoo.com

[ncdixie]

Nice article. These same techniques would be applicable to dirt bikes too would they not?

[Kawboy]

Nice article. These same techniques would be applicable to dirt bikes too would they not?

yes... ATV's too...

[cedesgirl]

awesome advice! i'm gonna have my husband read it since i don't have a bike yet and he's just started riding his R1 for the year. thanks!

[ncdixie]

Kawboy what else do you have in your "stash" of articles? Would you be so kind as to Hook us up w/another one? You pick. :clapping:

[QUEEN OF MEAN]

:nothingtogive:

[Ninja_Girl]

Thanks!!

I wrote for them for about a year.. then had to move back to Ky. hehe.. hard to write for a Georgia magazine in Kentucky...

You still writing for somebody, Kawboy? You're good at it.

[Kawboy]

You still writing for somebody, Kawboy? You're good at it.

Thank you!

Not currently, no... workin' 2.5 jobs now, and don't really have time for it.. *sigh*

[kittswife]

Thank you!

Not currently, no... workin' 2.5 jobs now, and don't really have time for it.. *sigh*

Get back into it when you're life slows down a bit, you're very good at it and the world needs your valuable information! Thanks for sharing with us.