Street Triple tight turning radius problem...Sovled!

[iov9]

A motor officer technique for slow speed riding is to use a combination of the throttle, rear brake and clutch (using the friction zone). Jerry "Motorman" Palladino uses the "slow race" as an exercise to improve your slow riding. The "slow race" is basically riding as slow as possible in a straight line with your feet on the pegs. Stay relaxed and keep your head and eyes up. From his Ride Like a Pro site http://www.ridelikeapro.com/home/practice-guide:

"The friction zone is the area of the clutch between completely open and completely closed. Let's begin. Now, pull the clutch in and put the motorcycle in 1st gear. Put your right foot on the brake, begin by letting the clutch out and begin feeding a little throttle and stay in the friction zone.

You should be feathering the rear brake so that it holds the motorcycle back slightly. You now have 3 ways to control your motorcycle, the clutch, the throttle and the rear brake. You must keep power to the rear wheel and stay in the friction zone and feed a little throttle."

At regular speeds, it's not recommended that you use the clutch while turning but for slow speeds it can help to control the bike. I find it very useful with the Street's sensitive throttle.

[KirkaFordis Rex]

Originally Posted by iov9

At regular speeds, it's not recommended that you use the clutch while turning but for slow speeds it can help to control the bike. I find it very useful with the Street's sensitive throttle.

This is the only way I can get in my driveway past the wife's car. I usually keep it at about 2k RPM with the throttle, and just use the clutch to feather the power on and off.

[Tealdo]

Hi All, I know this thread is a bit dated but, I just found it and thought that I would chime in.
I am a MSF Instructor and a Total Control Instructor. Yes, Lee Parks does have a Street Triple R, I have 2 of them and several other Total Control instructors have them as well. (What can I say, they’re just plain fun to ride!) We all acknowledge that the Street Triple has less than optimal turning radius. As Instructors, we all are adept at turning bikes around in very tight spaces but, the Street Triple handlebars just don’t turn far enough. Using every trick I know, my Street Triples still turn wider than the rest of my bikes.
Something else that may surprise you is that we all have a complaint about the lack of trail in the Street Triple. Yes, the Street Triple has too little trail. Lee has already added 7mm of trail to his bike and is looking for more. There are several ways to do this.
What does lack of trail have to do with the lack of turning radius? The solution to one poses the opportunity to solve the other.
I have been working with Attack Performance for the last year to develop a triple clamp for our bikes that has adjustable offset and will accept our handlebars. I currently have two sets at the anodizer, one for me and one for Lee. When Attack made them they designed them for adjustable offset (trail) as well as adjustable steering stops.
Depending on the amount of offset that is used on the new triples, the steering radius will have the ability to be increased. (To increase trail the forks need to be moved back toward the steering axis which in turn brings the fork tubes closer to the frame rails which is the limiting factor for the steering radius.) If you left the offset at the stock position (or close to it), the steering radius could be increased.
I should have my set mounted in the next week or so and I’ll try to update the forum as to the results.

[Wayne's Striple]

Er, what is the big deal? The rare time I need to make a tight slow turn (walking speed) on my Street Triple, simply stick your legs out like a balance beam while making the tight turn; works beautifully. Ok it looks a bit dorky but not as dorky as trying to pick up your 400 lb bike off the ground. - Wayne

[NORTY FLATZ]

Originally Posted by Wayne's Striple

Er, what is the big deal? The rare time I need to make a tight slow turn (walking speed) on my Street Triple, simply stick your legs out like a balance beam while making the tight turn; works beautifully. Ok it looks a bit dorky but not as dorky as trying to pick up your 400 lb bike off the ground. - Wayne

Gotta video of this "technique?"

and here I was going to suggest using 2nd gear to reduce throttle abruptness....

[williamr]

I've always practised with a new bike until I can do feet up full lock to full lock turns and figure 8s. I ride a lot in congested traffic - or at least I used to. Nothing difficult in them. Keep the throttle steady, control speed with clutch and a little rear brake and turn the bars. You soon get the balance. Most people struggle because they can't get the speed slow enough and can't balance at very slow speed. No need for any agressive leaning and similar stuff - the bike and rider both stay nearly upright.

And if you practise those turns, then an ordinary U turn is a piece of piss - as long you've got enough steering lock. I don't think I'd like to try the UK test on the Streety because there are streets where I can't walk it round because of the lack of steering lock. That makes the figure 8 exercise easier though lol.

The real only problem I've had is backing it into my garage. After the 4th or 5th time I got it sorted.

Rob

[williamr]

Originally Posted by Wayne's Striple

Er, what is the big deal? The rare time I need to make a tight slow turn (walking speed) on my Street Triple, simply stick your legs out like a balance beam while making the tight turn; works beautifully. Ok it looks a bit dorky but not as dorky as trying to pick up your 400 lb bike off the ground. - Wayne

You'd fail a UK driving test. And it looks bloody unprofessional

Rob

[bira]

Originally Posted by williamr

I don't think I'd like to try the UK test on the Streety because there are streets where I can't walk it round because of the lack of steering lock. That makes the figure 8 exercise easier though lol.
Rob

Out of curiosity, what is the requirement for a u-turn test in the UK, the "diameter", that is? When I took my test on the striple here in the US, you only needed to demonstrate that you can turn inside a 24' area on bikes 600cc and up. That, of course, was a piece of cake, or "piss" as you stated.