I am working through the selection process for becoming a PA ridercoach, and this Sunday I have the riding test, so lately I have been practicing the tight figure eights, etc.
I have done this occasionally all along, but a couple months ago I dropped my VFR while doing it, so I stopped until I got crash protectors installed.
Anyway, this morning I was working on it, and it seemed to be going a little better, but when I straightened out and rode away, I realized that I had been in second gear instead of first. And I tried it both ways again later, and seemed to notice the same thing. I don't know why but somehow it just seems smoother, and not as close to stalling as I would think.
I have heard some people say that with big bikes like Goldwings 2nd works better than 1st in parking lots, but I didn't think this was the case with sportbikes, and I have always thought the VFR seemed to be geared a little tall anyway.
So has anyone else noticed this with the VFR? And should I keep doing it in second?
Thanks.
P.S. -- And thanks again to all those who gave input about my weight shift question. I have been working on that stuff too and I think I am making progress. But I really do want to go to a track school sometime.
Try first gear, rear brake on, revs held around 3k and control your speed with rear brake rather than throttle. The extra rpms seem to act like a gyro and help balance the bike.
This works well for lanesplitting and hairpin turns.
I haven't tried 2nd gear for low speed manouevres though, that sounds interesting.
I've tried 1st & 2nd & have found the same results. For me 1st is just to touchy. It's not just the vfr I've realized it on either, my dads '11 C14 & '07 M109r & a gs125 that was used in my msf course. Some people like 1st, but I find 2nd is smoother for me.
1st gear + rear brake works well. Keeps it from being as snatchy.
I do rear brake + 1st gear as well.
Much like Gray, I have found 2nd gear to be very usable especially with the smaller MSF bikes. They are geared so short to compensate for the small displacement, that it was much easier to modulate acceleration.
I have not felt the need to do this on my VFR. I agree that she already seems to be geared a bit tall, so maybe it's that. Or maybe I'm just learning to control the bike better.
1st gear + rear brake and keep the revs up for me...works especially well on my ST1300. If you don't believe it, try it in a straight line...1st gear, revs up, dragging the rear brake. Notice how SLOW you can go with the bike not even wobbling...I practice this when coming up to stop lights and see how long I can keep the bike upright without a foot down.
1st gear, a little rear brake, and fan / slip the clutch as needed. :warranty:
I haven't tried second.
+1 ----- on 1st gear with rear brake. --- Part throttle with 1st gear and control speed by the rear brake.
-- I think it's an essential street skill.
I use both, in different conditions though.
I use 1st and drag the rear brake for riding in really tight quarters, like parking lots and splitting at intersections. I also use 1st and rear brake extensively when in town at low speeds with a passenger, really helps stabilize things.
I use 2nd in low traction situations like gravely driveway or slick wet concrete.
I find that 1st is more manoverable and quicker reacting when there is grip but lugging the bike just a little in 2nd keeps me hooked up and in control on crappy ground. 2nd is also nice for dirt roads, gravel parking lots or riding on grass (campsite)