Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Need advice on riding my Sportster

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #31  
Old 04-03-2011 | 07:47 AM
volks-man's Avatar
volks-man
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
Default

i vote we copy all of oscos above posts into a sticky for 'new riders'.
or for that matter a sticky for average riders to improve from.

good posts osco....
if this site had 'reputation' to give out... i'd give it!
 
  #32  
Old 04-03-2011 | 08:45 AM
HarleyScuba's Avatar
HarleyScuba
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 125
From: Manassas, VA
Default

It's already stickied in a book:
Sport Riding Techniques: How To Develop Real World Skills for Speed, Safety, and Confidence on the Street and Track
About $22 at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Sport-Riding-T...1211938748&sr=
 

Last edited by HarleyScuba; 04-03-2011 at 08:46 AM. Reason: nunya
  #33  
Old 04-03-2011 | 10:41 AM
GeekOnAmission's Avatar
GeekOnAmission
Thread Starter
|
Stage III
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clarita, CA
Default

Wow, thanks for all of the help guys. I just did my second clutch adjustment and trans oil change. All clear coming out, so I suppose it was just the break in that threw all the metal the last time.

I will have to pick that book up, if there is anything in it that Osco hasn't already told me. I think I am gonna head out today and see how I can apply all of this great advice.
 
  #34  
Old 04-03-2011 | 10:57 AM
Ron750's Avatar
Ron750
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,839
Likes: 16,549
From: Wisconsin, USA
Default Osco rocks!

Osco

Thanks for articulating a lot of what I learned intuitively, over years. The only advice I have for OP, is to find a riding buddy who is very experienced and follow his line. Very educational. But ride your own ride. If he wants to go fast, catch up with him later. And a simple way to remember what Osco said about radius, is "Entering early, can get squirrelly. Enter late, you'll have a better fate."
Ride Safe
 
  #35  
Old 04-03-2011 | 12:23 PM
IronBoy883's Avatar
IronBoy883
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 726
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Default

Originally Posted by GeekOnAmission
Great, thanks for the advice guys. My bike feels like it needs another gear to me when I am on the freeway. I thought I might be doing terrible damage at 75 mph, but without a tach, I was in the dark. I guess I am just used to the way cars sound.
Your bike should be more than alright at that speed, I have a 2010 iron and I hit 90 on the Parkway without any problems ... the bike prob wouldnt sell if people couldn't go that fast without any problems lol And yea bikes sound a lot different when you are on them compared to when you hear them ride by you !

Good luck with your bike and ride safe
 
  #36  
Old 04-04-2011 | 04:38 AM
Osco's Avatar
Osco
Account Deactivated
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
Default

My Posts were from a book called,
Sport Riding Techniques"
By Nick Ienatsch
Forward by Kenny Roberts
ISBN# 1-893618-07-2

HarleyScuba knows this book I see

There are Others,,
A twist of the wrist vol 1 n 2

So many new riders do It wrong, I see this often.
So many Don't ever get near the bikes true limits and when they get
In a nasty situation they ,,,, lay It down or die.

All because they don't know.
These Pro riders put the info out there,,,we would be fools
not to learn from it.
 

Last edited by Osco; 04-04-2011 at 04:47 AM.
  #37  
Old 04-04-2011 | 04:43 AM
Osco's Avatar
Osco
Account Deactivated
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
Default

This Forum Is about sharing knowledge,

Our first priority should be to help keep New riders
from getting killed.

The MSF class,, does NOT IMO prepare you for the road much less traffic.

Guys like Geek,,,no one to ride with,,
Someone with the time should help him find riders, groups in his local area.
Or maybe he needs to start His own ride club,
Call It, " No Road Rash Riders ",,,lol
 
  #38  
Old 04-04-2011 | 06:22 AM
turn8a's Avatar
turn8a
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
From: Nc
Default

Originally Posted by Osco

There are Others,,
A twist of the wrist vol 1 n 2
Keith Code has been around forever (California superbike school) I took his school way back in 1982 at Pocono raceway .They were running the Kawasaki gpz550s. Definitely helped with my street riding and got me into roadracing which also helped my street riding . I think he switched from Kawasaki to BMW's now.

http://www.superbikeschool.com/
 

Last edited by turn8a; 04-04-2011 at 06:29 AM.
  #39  
Old 04-04-2011 | 06:51 AM
Von_Zipper's Avatar
Von_Zipper
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 67
From: Saint Amant, Acadiana
Default

Oh dear. I've never thought there is so much theory about braking.
I started with a dirtbike when I was young. I rode around alot, I crashed daily, on all kind of surfaces.
Then I lived decades without a motorcycle ... until I moved to LA and bought my Sporty ... third day owner I locked my front on wet going 50 MPH ... my fingers reacted before I even could think about it and I didn't drop it.

The bottom line here is nothing can replace experience. I'd recommend every newcomer to get a cheap dirtbike and ride it hard with all protective gear on.
 
  #40  
Old 04-04-2011 | 06:13 PM
Wildon883R's Avatar
Wildon883R
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 81
Default

Osco just put a novel down with some good advice Another thing when riding is don't over think it or you will make bad choices. At some point all will be automatic. I instinctively brake when entering a turn. I prioritize the turn. They MSF instructors, say don't look down in a turn. I disagree. I need to see the road surface especially in tight turns or that gravel can send you to the ground. You need to scan the entire turn be it entry, middle and exit and beyond. You can't do this without QUICKLY scanning the ground.

The most important thing is to drive within your abilities. If you don't feel safe or in control the slow down until you do. DO NOT USE THE FRONT BRAKE WHILE TURNING if your new to riding. I've been riding for years and i dropped my bike last summer due to stupidity in the driveway by grabbing the front break at the end of a u-turn before i was straightened out . I will brake at entry but not through and out of a corner.

BIG rule.. trust NOBODY and assume then can't or don't see you. Be ready at all times to evade or stop. I don't trust anybody at intersections in front or behind me. Always check your rear. We can't rely on others when it comes to our riding safety. Personally speaking i evaluate myself every time i ride. I know when i don't execute a maneuver the way i intended. Always try to continuously improve your riding skills. Good luck.

REPEAT : Don't over think it.
 


Quick Reply: Need advice on riding my Sportster



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:44 PM.