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Not confident/shit at riding my new, superior bike

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xX-Alex-Xx
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Joined: 12 Sep 2019
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PostPosted: 10:00 - 20 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
MarJay wrote:
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha wrote:
[

Would this be better than reverting settings back to standard using the bike's specific handbook and/or workshop manual (or a Haynes)?


By the way, that article is NOT "Set 2 clicks of preload and 2 turns of rebound..." It's how to set it up for you, not a good setting they previously found.


Exactly this. I had my K5 set up by a pro suspension shop - changed the way the bike felt totally. Like a numpty I thought I had it dialled in too...

The settings in the book are just the "least shit that will work for the largest fraction of riders". If the book settings worked for everyone all the time, there would be no need to have adjustable suspension.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha
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Joined: 22 Nov 2012
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PostPosted: 13:58 - 20 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
xX-Alex-Xx wrote:


Exactly this. I had my K5 set up by a pro suspension shop - changed the way the bike felt totally. Like a numpty I thought I had it dialled in too...

The settings in the book are just the "least shit that will work for the largest fraction of riders". If the book settings worked for everyone all the time, there would be no need to have adjustable suspension.


I've already recommended OP gets a set-up, so you and me are in total agreement on that point. The question is, whether by following steps in a Bike article the OP will necessarily result in a superior set-up than would've been obtained by putting the bike to the standard settings indicated in the owner's handbook, and/or Haynes.

I was wondering whether it's possible that the OP could be the optimal weight upon which the standard settings were based. In which case, would him setting sag etc. from the Bike article's settings actually result in a set-up that was markedly different?
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xX-Alex-Xx
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Joined: 12 Sep 2019
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PostPosted: 14:40 - 20 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
It's really 50/50 - Either it will or it won't. Might make it better, might make it worse, pretty much impossible to tell without trying it really, especially for a bunch of keyboard warriors on the interwebs.

Would give a good baseline at least to start tweaking.
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MarJay
But it's British!



Joined: 15 Sep 2003
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PostPosted: 09:00 - 21 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha wrote:


I've already recommended OP gets a set-up, so you and me are in total agreement on that point. The question is, whether by following steps in a Bike article the OP will necessarily result in a superior set-up than would've been obtained by putting the bike to the standard settings indicated in the owner's handbook, and/or Haynes.


It will unquestionably give a better ball park for 99% of riders than you'd get from a standard setting. That's because a standard setting is often set up erring on more neutral handling for a standard Japanese person and their ergonomic average, as well as a pillion. Setting the bike up for your weight, feel and riding style will work. And you know what? Maybe I'll whisper this bit in case the OP reads it, but putting in a set up you have confidence in will help his confidence as a rider, which will make the bike feel better too. It's a total win-win.

Standard settings can nearly always be improved upon unless you're Mr Average Japanese and riding with Mrs Average Japanese pillion.
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PotatoHead202...
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Joined: 10 Feb 2020
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PostPosted: 12:58 - 22 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
IAM is largely a total waste of time with regards to cornering ability etc. They focus more on road positioning which isn't that helpful if you need to relearn the basics. The only thing that may help with it is doing something like the Look, Lean Roll course with the totally anal TVAM.

Get the suspension fully serviced at an absolute minimum. It WILL be utterly shagged on such an old bike.
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Zen Dog
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Joined: 11 Aug 2004
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PostPosted: 21:54 - 26 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
SirFallalot wrote:
Interestingly my friend found the bike both comfortable and like a "surgical scalpel/precision tool" He is taller and heavier than me (alike PO), and maybe that's enough to make a big difference on position and suspension.


This makes me think there's nothing seriously wrong with the bike, though that doesn't mean it isn't worth getting it setup for your weight, getting it serviced etc.

SirFallalot wrote:
The first rides when following some of my slower friends, the bike did feel very easy and fun, I had to hold back not to "run them over"


Then unless something has drastically changed, the problem is you innit. I think maybe you're over pressuring yourself, you've got a "superior bike" (so you must now be very fast and ride it very fast). But once you tense up on a bike, no matter the original reason, it'll feel shit, and then it's self-reinforcing. I'd spend some time just pootling, on my own, consciously relaxing, riding smooth, just getting to know the bike and the way it feels better. And it's free so it's got to be worth a go, right?
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SirFallalot
Trackday Trickster



Joined: 25 Oct 2018
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PostPosted: 20:02 - 22 Nov 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
SirFallalot wrote:
The first rides when following some of my slower friends, the bike did feel very easy and fun, I had to hold back not to "run them over"


Then unless something has drastically changed, the problem is you innit. I think maybe you're over pressuring yourself, you've got a "superior bike" (so you must now be very fast and ride it very fast). But once you tense up on a bike, no matter the original reason, it'll feel shit, and then it's self-reinforcing. I'd spend some time just pootling, on my own, consciously relaxing, riding smooth, just getting to know the bike and the way it feels better. And it's free so it's got to be worth a go, right?[/quote]

Yeah I think that's a very valid point. I've been riding it more relaxed and I think it's been improving. It's a very different thing compared to weighted bikes and I think I was just trying to do too much with it rather than taking the time.

Additionally I got the footpeg relocation brackets (back and down), and it made a big positive difference. I can move much easier on the bike, and on long rides I don't get tired anymore. Still want to book that track day but unsure if it's worth doing it over winter of best wait till next year.

Thanks for the help y'all
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Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 2 years, 147 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
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