V-Twin Riding Techiques - Help!

[shortlad]

So I got another bike but this 1 is different, it's a V-Twin Cagiva Raptor 1000.

The problem is that I've had rev happy 4's in the past and I'm having trouble adapting to the V-twin egine braking experience.

My main problem is slow mini roundabouts, the front wheel feels like it wants to tuck in and I find the throttle so snatchy that 1 little touch gets me in worse trouble.

So should I keep it in 1st and have high revs or should I go for second and trickle through. I've tried both and not having too much joy... currently getting round by pulling the clutch in.

Any help and guidance would be great.

[clarkey]

I've got a Ducati Multistrada 1000 and it takes a bit of getting used to. I've changed the ftont sprocket from 15 to 14 teeth and this has helped a lot. Usually you have to resort to dipping the clutch a bit though.

[shortlad]

clarkey said:

Usually you have to resort to dipping the clutch a bit though.

Glad you said that, I thought I might be the only one that has to do that.

So do you prefer V-twins or buzzy 4's?

[Steve_T]

It may just be you need a little time to adjust your technique to it and you'll wonder what you were worrying about before. How long have you had the bike?

Steve

[MrsMiggins]

I have the same engine in my TL. My preferred option is a light touch on the back brake, with the option to feather the clutch if that's still too fast.

[BliarOut]

Try taking virtually all the slack out of the throttle cable and cut your right foot off so you don't use the back brake, ever

It's the on/off transition that upsets it. You will get used to it. My old 888 was the same at first.

[MrsMiggins]

You really want to make sure you're not coasting on to the roundabout and then opening the throttle when the bike is already leaning over - that would not be good until you get more used to it. Slow down early and plan to be positively on the gas as you move onto the roundabout - the bike should be more responsive that way. If you are still too fast, back brake.

On very tight roundabouts think back to when you were learning slow control on CBT (assuming you did CBT). Positive gas, clutch not fully out, back brake lightly used to control the speed.

[shortlad]

Steve_T said:

It may just be you need a little time to adjust your technique to it and you'll wonder what you were worrying about before. How long have you had the bike? Steve

I've only done a few hundred miles on the bike so far but its so different from a 4. I knew that it would be different and had a good test ride but I live in a town know for its mini roundabouts.

Will just have to take it out and practice more

[shortlad]

BliarOut said:

Try taking virtually all the slack out of the throttle cable and cut your right foot off so you don't use the back brake, ever

Will try the slack in the throttle cable but thought it was meanst to have some?

Conflicting guidance on the back brake here!? I remember that I was taight to use it at low speed for control.

[shortlad]

MrsMiggins said:

You really want to make sure you're not coasting on to the roundabout and then opening the throttle when the bike is already leaning over - that would not be good until you get more used to it.

Didn't think too much about that but now you say it I could get majorly caught out if the round about was damp and fed the power in too quick.... Whoops was that a potential high-side!!

[MrsMiggins]

shortlad said:

I could get majorly caught out if the round about was damp and fed the power in too quick.... Whoops was that a potential high-side!!

Absolutely! I've found that you need to be really smooth with the throttle with the TL; I'd imagine that the Raptor will be the same. As said before, don't be afraid to feather the clutch too to regulate the power to the back wheel.

When you next go riding with mates using inline fours don't ride at the front - they often get caught out by the engine braking. My mate on a blackbird often jokes that, when I roll off the gas and sit up, he has to chuck out the anchors

[iguana]

shortlad said:

MrsMiggins said: You really want to make sure you're not coasting on to the roundabout and then opening the throttle when the bike is already leaning over - that would not be good until you get more used to it. Didn't think too much about that but now you say it I could get majorly caught out if the round about was damp and fed the power in too quick.... Whoops was that a potential high-side!!

Yip I know someone it happened to, was used to buzzy 600 4s & few days on a twin, & wet round about hardly any revs & whoop off she popped, one sore lass & one spanked bike.

Looking at the torque curves= about the same grunt at v low rpm as the 600 pumped out at 12k! certainly put her off twins anyway.

[rsvmilly]

I never bothered with the rear brake on my Aprilia. It's so ineffective it may as well be another footrest.

I always use first gear for mini roundabaouts and slip the clutch. Basically, I found clutch control was everything.

>>Edited for crud spelling

>> Edited by rsvmilly on Thursday 7th July 17:54

[BliarOut]

shortlad said:

BliarOut said: Try taking virtually all the slack out of the throttle cable and cut your right foot off so you don't use the back brake, ever Will try the slack in the throttle cable but thought it was meanst to have some? Conflicting guidance on the back brake here!? I remember that I was taight to use it at low speed for control.

As long as there's enough slack to stop the revs rising when you turn the bars then that's ok. It depends on how sensitive your throttle control is. I find removing any excessive slack makes things smoother, but some others may prefer a little play. Reducing the slack allows me to control the revs better as I can time when I open the throttle more accurately.

As for the back brake, a V twin has much more engine braking and you can find yourself overbraked if you're used to a four. Try it and see what works for you.

Probably best not cut your foot off in case you like to steady the bike with the rear.

[MrsMiggins]

BliarOut said:

Probably best not cut your foot off in case you like to steady the bike with the rear.

Cut to shortlad putting down the hacksaw

[shortlad]

MrsMiggins said:

BliarOut said: Probably best not cut your foot off in case you like to steady the bike with the rear. Cut to shortlad putting down the hacksaw

I'm short enough as it is!!!

[shortlad]

Thanks everyone for the advice and wise cracks

Will go out and have a ride again and see if I can get used to these V-twin bikes.

[Mikey G]

I bought a V-twin as my first bike and i love it
I have found the throttle very snatchy at slow speeds but i'm getting used to it slowly aparently its a trait that only effects the fuel injected version as the older carbed models were a lot smoother.
I want a new can now to release that noise

[JamieBeeston]

Ouch that engine braking..

there I am treating it like my 7r..

approach roundabout, snick snick down 2 gears, out with the clutch...

WOAAAAAAAAAHhhhhhhhhhhh

fishtail

rear wheel locks up for a second or so..

Grrrr! Damn Twins..

that is until I get past wobbling round the roundabout and hit the straight again and

WOAAAAAAAAAHhhhhhhhhhhh

up comes the front as I stomp along grinning like a mad b&$%^rd

J

[rsvmilly]

You should always blip the throttle to accelerate the engine speed up to the road speed. Or get a slipper clutch.

I prefer the blipping option as it is easier on the transmission and much smoother.