Clutch slipping

[Badgerboy]

Warning, rambling newbie post......

Hi guys, despite some crazy old fella driving into my car headon last week, I managed to get my CBT completed and out of the way. I learnt alot from it, and most of my questions afterwards were answered by biker mates. (Indicators and correct gear being a pain for me). I didn't really get clarification on one aspect though, and thats slipping the clutch on U-turns and slow tight bends. I can understand the principle, but I just can't get on with it in practise. I'm trying to get round the bend smoothly, checking ahead, using the gears and brakes, and having to mess with the clutch is one more thing to do. I'd rather just use more precise throttle control. I mentioned this to my father who has ridden all of his life, and he admitted he only used the clutch for changing gear, and getting away from a stop. I'd be buggered if I would do this in a car, I want the the engine to be connected to the wheels, so why do we do it on a bike? Can I not treat it as I do the clutch in my car?

The corners in question were approx 50 to 70 degree bends at low speed. As I was messing with the clutch, I managed to bring it out to much, gave it too much power, and ended up straightening up out of the corner on the central white line. Not good. After that, I only used the throttle and covered the clutch. Was I right to do this? My instrcutor was reminding us to slip the clutch over the radio.

Regardless, the rest of it went well, and I enjoyed it. I have been advised I'd need 3 days for the DA, so I'll only get it booked up once my car has been repaired, and my neck stops aching so much. Then to get a bike!

Edited by Badgerboy on Saturday 26th April 15:27

[Brite spark]

U turns
So far you'll of only been on a 125 for your cbt, the bike for your das will have more power and perform differently(turning circle and idle speed may be different), therefore you may find it harder to control the bike just under throttle control as you attempt a u turn. By using the clutch and rear brake(gently) whilst doing manouvers on the test I found it was easier to do, much smoother at a very low speed.

corners
If cornering at anything other than walking pace i've learnt to keep away from the clutch, manholes in the wet and the front brake lever.
I'd be looking at powering out of the corner, not slipping the clutch(coasting), using the rear brake slightly if I found that I was going a little too fast round the corner. Braking and the gear change should be done before you get to the corner, then gentle application of power round the bend, only accelerating hard once you've straightened up.

(Once you start coasting on a bend you will run wide)

eta, not sure that you understood the instructor saying slip the clutch,
were you releasing the clutch too quickly when changing gears before the bend, they may of noticed a lack of smoothness- if they were telling you to pull the clutch in mid corner I'd be surprised. If in doubt ask them, don't assume, they'll be more than happy to explain further if you ask

(assuming there was more than one of you on the cbt, was he talking to you?)

Edited by Brite spark on Saturday 26th April 18:21

[m3psm]

Slipping the clutch gives much more control of the bike. The throttle alone can be too harsh for either really tight or really slow manouvres. With the clutch you can hold constant revs and deliver the power to the wheels in a much smoother way.

I ride the clutch on the bike a lot when filtering through tight gaps, turning tight circles or when I was to accellerate quickly. It simply adds some refinement to the power delivery.

I even do it the car to avoid snatch changing down in hard braking zones (until I master heel and toe).

Once you get you head around it, it will make your riding smoother in tight situations like the U-turn.

[Badgerboy]

The problem was more noticable when we went out on the 500's. (DA Introduction) Obviously down to the extra power. I was happy to control the bike with the throttle at that speed. (About 15-20mph), so I might just stick to doing that. I quite clearly remember the instructor talking in my ear when went round the corner to remember to slip the clutch.

Happy doing it on the U-Turn, as that is pretty slow. I don't really think about it in the car, so I suppose I'll get used to it.

[FunkyNige]

I think it's more necessary on V-twins compared to IL4 engines, going round mini-roundabouts on a V-twin I find much smoother to slip the clutch as the initial power delivery is quite harsh.

[outlaw biker]

Its probably easier if you think of the clutch as a low speed accelerator. Get a steady throttle then slip the clutch as though it were an accelerator.

[Badgerboy]

I just need a bit of practise I expect, couple of hours on the road doesn't quite cut it.

Thanks