New 5th Gen owner (1 month) and slower than a small truck?

There is no "norm", each bike and each rider are different, for the most part anyway.

If your "pencing" in every corner, then you are either too worried about just leaning it over and trusting your bike/tires or your roads are truely F'd up. The only time you should be "pencing", is if you NEED to make small corrections due to objects in the road or something coming the other way! Maybe if you have a double apex curve, but in this instance it's really like taking two separate curves. When riding you should always be looking well ahead of your front wheel, and the faster you go the more you need to look further ahead. Pan and scan the road for obstacles, surface conditions and turn points, although you are looking ahead, doesn't mean you are not watching what's around you. It takes skill and practice but you should be able to see what's ahead and set your course in advance but still be cognizant of the road surface and where your currently tracking.

Although Red99's comments sound harsh, they are spot on, especially this last one "but please don't rush out and try and up the ante on account of us. You'll most likely end up as a roadside treat for some screamin devil"

Funny that Mello Dude mentioned the Nick Ienatsch book 'Sport Riding Techniques' as I asked my wife to get me that book for Christmas as you never stop learning and I like reading different material about sport riding. I would also recommend looking at some other books as well.

'Total Control' by Lee Parks
'Twist of the Wrist' and/or 'Twist of the Wrist 2' by Keith Code
and one of my favorites, 'Proficient Motorcycling' by David Hough

Cheers!

 

LOL! but please don't bring up what's his face...last thing we need is for him to return, especially on this post. He'll have Growler convinced that it's because there's too much gas in the tank and that's why he can't turn!

 

Mark a line of chalk across tires to see how much you've been using them lately. Probably most newish riders start off afraid of too much lean; while experienced riders tend to enjoy it with almost Greenspanian irrational exuberance ! :tongue-new:

Must be able to lean with confidence and use brakes (front especially) very hard within first 2 or 3 months practice imo. Must learn countersteer concept too: where, when, how much, at what speed ?? Heavy VFR handles way, way different from smaller bikes. Great but different and needs a few hundreds of miles ridden to get acclimated. You're dancin with a big lady. Guaranteed, the bike will feel about 15% smaller than now after 4-5 thousand kms. Above posters were recommending Keith Code's dictum: "one corner, one lean angle".

And that truck ?? Beware, some tuner- car fast guys will try to suck you into trouble, riding over your head, just for kicks and cuz they're idiots and have alot more rubber on the road. Your bike is probably faster, but you don't need to prove it, a sign of the mature adult wisdom to which we all endeavor to aspire.

 

Could be that that pickup had an engine transplant too. There are some Chevvy/Holdens down under that are fast.

I'm glad they have chicken strips in OZ. Jo-jo's could be next. Jo-jo's are gluten free in case someone asks..

 

Unlike most of your derisive posts, Mr. Snideness Extraordinary !!

 

My edumication continues...

Thanks for the constructive commentary, as for the rest of it....
can't be f'd typing a reply mates!

While I wait for the new tyres might tube some good cornering vids.
Any recommendations?

Also, is a Power Commander the solution to snatchy fueling at low rpm?

 

you can cure much of the snatchy throttle by removing the PAIR valves.

 

No experience in OZ other than the vicarious. In the states it seems that each state (DOT) decides at what speed corners should be taken. In some places the overall speed limit is prima facia.

The signage is posted as IMO more a suggestion than a rule. Not being one of the fast guys, there are posted corners in Oregon that suggest one speed but can safely taken at higher rates depending on other conditions, not including fog, 6" of black ice and a herd of 700 elk in rut crossing the road.

 

He may come back when he sees that thong you wear on the outside of those white leathers.

 

Hey there, Growler. Many of us here have been riding for quite some time. Pay attention to the themes brought up and learn as you go. Time spent on two wheels doesn't automatically translate into good skills/habits, but it is the right start. You say you don't feel like a "bad rider" and it is awesome you have taken classes, but really understand that several of us have said that you are asking questions a new rider would ask.

In other words ... it sounds like you have done the right things and learned some good basics, but you have a way to go in terms of understanding "sport" riding. I highly recommend you read lots of Keith Code articles and his "Twist of the Wrist" books. He also has videos out that clearly illustrate the important principles of sport riding. You can even find excerpts of his videos on youtube. Others have already recommended (and I agree) that a dedicated sport riding course would be really helpful.

My opinion is that if you scrub to your full edges on the street then you are riding too hard. That is probably why your instructors told you not to worry about it. Experience and increased skill reduce the size the of the strips, but that should not be your goal. Your goal should be learning the right things from the right people, practicing good habits and understanding that YOUR pace is determined by what makes YOU confident when you are out on your rides. DO NOT worry about matching anyone's pace unless you are on a track. On the street, ride at a pace that you find enjoyable.

I'm with everyone on the whole "crazies in cages" thing. If someone is driving like an idiot, I would rather they be in front of me. I also recommend pulling over and letting them go the fuck away. Take time to get back in a good head space and resume your ride when you are ready to keep enjoying yourself. Cheers mate.

Jose

 

In general Tassie roads aren't wide and lots of twisties, beautiful motorcycle riding country, not a lot of traffic,millions of blind corners, generally road surfaces are good. A lot of it depends on where you are and passing a car that is swinging all over the road just isn't an option, even flicking past him on a straight section isn't a good idea because these are the sort of clowns that will hit you from behind and in amongst all that the prick could also be iced up. Ride your own ride and don't worry about what others are doing, just stay out of their way and treat them as the enemy

 

On the street, ride at a pace that you find enjoyable..
Jose hit on the head.......
got nothin to prove, especially on the streets with way to much to concentrate on just stayin alive.
Its one thing to read it and another to do it, I was very lucky to have very good friends and racers to learn from.Never even crossed my mind to try to stick with them untill it was time, and then everything just clicked.

 

It always amazes me how some of theses posts get a life of their own and take off sideways.
Never ride past your comfort level.
Don't try to keep up or pass an idiot, stop have a stretch and get back on when you have the road to yourself.
Like they say, only a motorcyclist understands why a dog sticks his head out of a car window.
Enjoy your ride and spend some time on the saddle to get used to it.
I also use to think that the throttle was snatchy, you get used to it and eventually as you get to know your bike, it goes away.
I changed my front sprocket to a 16 tooth to get better drive in slow corners and help two up riding, I love it, some don't.
Make sure your chain is adjusted correctly and is not stretched, this will make throttle response better.
Adjust your starter valves correctly, this will also help.
I removed the pair valves and it helped a bit, plus got rid of some weight.
Sloppy front suspension (a VFR800 specialty) and a shitty rear shock will not help.
When you have spare cash, get it sorted, it will transform the bike.
No amount of books will make as much difference as time on the bike.
However, I found twist of the wrist 2, very valuable.
Enjoy the wonderful 5th gen, it's a ripper.

 

After the dude from Kentucky got oot of jail he may be in Tasmania..

 

Blue growler, ride at your own pace. Aim for smoothness and control first, and speed will come on its own in time. It is always better to exit a turn knowing you could have gone a little faster than to find out you're too hot halfway through.


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State department sponsored Bogan transition program?

 

No way they stopped using Tasmania as a Penal Colony, must be over a 100 years ago by now :tongue-new:

 

"Bogans" What a great word!

 

You can't get much out of Keith Code's books without reading them 3 or 4 times, then practicing and rereading again. They're Zen-like that way !

 

Good advise in above threads, ride at your own pace, don't worry about the guy in front even in a small truck he probably knows that bit of road like the back of his hand.

Get that new rear shock and freshen the forks with new oil, set preload to your weight, drop the forks to about 7-8 mms through the triple clamps. As for tyres you could go for some sporty street tyres like Pirelli Rossi 2s, Metzeler m7s or Michelin Pilot power 3s for a quicker more linear turn in.

Find some guys/ friends to ride with that are good riders, smooth and sensible, you'd be surprised how fast they are P to P without being dangerous so you get the idea and if you lose them don't worry just button off and enjoy the ride at your own pace, its better they wait a few minutes at a pre arranged meeting point then slowly trace back to hole punched through that magnificent Tasmanian scenery with all the drama that comes with it.