Back to standard

[Kayla]

Weeelllll... I decided to put my bike back to standard-ish yesterday after having a huge (f*cking massive, actually) 'moment' on a really twisty, gravel-strewn back road up near Derwent Reservoir. The wide bars were giving me a false sense of ability And I kind of missed tooling around at 100mph plus So, last night, off came the risers and on went the clip-ons and fairing (and clocks and indicators ) At least now I know how fast I'm going and what the engine's doing, instead of keeping pace with the traffic and revving it 'til it wouldn't

[phuk72]

I've always said it - street fighters are shite

[steve speed]

it was the high bars that in my opinion saved you !! if you had the lower bars on in the situation you described it may not have ended so well !,, because of the fairing and the low bars it is my view you probably go a bit faster because of the better aerodynamics,, you certainly have MORE control with wide bars,, you only have to look at super motards so see that,,, so please dont take this the wrong way but you must ride only as fast as the the road will allow and if theres a chance there maybe some loose stuff you must adjust your speed ,,,STAY SAFE you are free to say this is all bollox but i have been in hospital for 5 weeks (2005) because i didnt read the road and went to fast

[phuk72]

agreed ^^^

[Tarwetijger]

I agree too. I've had two bikes fitted with wide bars (FZR600, YZF750) and I'm really convinced it gives more control. For some reason, with wide bars I'm also less scared for sand or gravel on the road.

[slow codger]

Kayla, you have to read the road and conditions. I have had street fighters, super motards and of course race styled bikes. The guys above are of course right, however 30 mph can be too fast in the wrong conditions even on a super motard. Oh and I had a virago too, they do 105 mph with sit up and beg bars ( so I'm informed officer, obviously I would never exceed the limit), Its not the bike but the rider who can make a machine go TFF, experence and hindsight are wonderful things.

Dave E

[Kayla]

I completely agree with what you've all said and thanks for the advice. My lesson is learned, and I'm pretty sure I'll be having flashbacks for a while yet. What scared me most was my boyfriend was following me and saw it all. I know how I'd feel if I had to see him do what I did- not good.

I've had my full license for 7 or so years and, fortunately, I've never had a 'serious' accident. I've had some stupid offs and drops, but never a full-on, oh-crap-this-hurts accident. I was sat at the roadside with Chris and looked at the bike and thought to myself, 'that's going to hurt me'. Sensible head back on

[steve speed]

well done kayla iam glad you didn't take it the wrong way ,,i have lost too many mates to motorcycling,,, stay safe and within your ability ,,but whats even more amazing is that someone owning up to having a VIRAGO

[slow codger]

Not having a serious accident hopefully means that normally you ride within your limits. Ive had my licence for 34 years, and have made stupid mistakes, including one very big off, although being young and immortal (read stupid), didnt realise it was going to hurt until I landed some couple of seconds after going vertically airborne. We live and learn.
Oh and by the way Steve, do you know I could make the back end slide on the Virago!! They are crap for racing though.

Dave E

[steve speed]

didn't they do too Viagras which one did you have the big one or the little one???,,,slide the back end !!perhaps it was leaking oil they did that

[slow codger]

I had the 535, wasnt too bad, didnt leak oil but the regulator packed up ( is underneath and colects all the crap) and the electronic reserve didnt work (again normal, interesting when you run out of fuel on normal). Unfortunately It wasnt fast enough and the suspension was sloppy. This about 15 years ago.


Dave E

[Jak]

Glad you're ok, Kayla ... it does sometimes take a "moment" to remind you that you're not invincible! Being sensible doesn't mean not having fun