Triumphrat

iov9 · 03-18-2010, 02:20 AM

Like everyone else I noticed how the Striple's turning radius is less than optimum. When the bike is stationary, there's not much you can do about it. You can do the kickstand spin or the 8-point turn to get it around in your garage. When you're moving, it's a different story.

Terizius recently inquired about shaving the bar stops to increase the turning radius and I know it's been brought up before. Instead of trying to modify the bike, it might be more worth while to modify your riding and increase your skill. That's what I'm trying to do. I've seen the impressive motor cop rodeo and Japanese motorcycle gymkhana videos. But the types of bikes the motor cops use actually have really good turning radiuses and the gymkhana bikes appear to be somewhat modified for the sport. Although both do utilize counterbalancing for the maneuvers.

I've found a couple excellent examples of how to negotiate tight U-turns. The first is from David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling, the second from MSF's Motorcycling Excellence and the third from Lee Park's Total Control. If you don't already own these books I would highly recommend checking them out. I won't go into detail about all of the mechanics of making the tight turns, as the corresponding text in each book goes into quite a bit of detail, but I think the photos help to illustrate how it can be done.

You can also check out Capt Crash Idaho on YouTube. He has a good video on counterbalancing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czm2E...om=PL&index=24

I've been practicing making the tight U-turns and I must say, it does take a lot of faith in physics, the mechanics of the bike and trust that the bike will go where you want it to go. Commit to the turn, look where you want to go and practice, practice, practice.

terizius · 03-18-2010, 09:32 AM

Its funny that you bring those up... as I mentioned in my previous post, I have the knowledge and ability to perform U-turns shown, which I well should since I'm an instructor for both MSF and for Lee Parks (taught with him this past weekend actually). The point of the modification is so that I dont need the drastic body positions in order to perform the u-turn exercise for the basic students in the BRC. That being said, I highly encourage everyone to learn how to perform tight turns on whatever bike they have. And, as iov9 said.. those are both great books.

iov9 · 03-18-2010, 01:57 PM

Interesting. I took Lee's class last Fall and he demonstrated the tight U-turns on my bike as well as on a BMW 1200GS. It was cool to watch him manuever both bikes with such ease. I heard he owns a Street Triple R now. I'm curious to know what his take on the modification would be.

terizius · 03-18-2010, 09:47 PM

Haha, now things are getting very interesting. I notice you are in California.. did you take the Irvine class or the one in San Mateo? If it was last fall, I may have actually been there assuming it was in Irvine.

You're right in that he has an St3 R now.. actually, I'm the one who broke it in for him and the reason I went and bought my own :P He agrees that it has a horrible turning radius and is quite interested in the modification, but he wants me to try it on mine first :P We just live about 25 mins from eachother, so we're both testing out things to find out what we want on our respective bikes. I just bought and installed the GSG sliders, he's gonna get some now. He just got his suspension modified so I'm looking at that, and I've got a set of shortened Two Brothers exhaust on the way, so he'll check those out when I get them.

If you dont mind me asking, what did you think about the class? Do you feel that it was worth it, if so, in what way? Any of the techniques still sticking with you? Very interested in feedback. Its not often I get to talk to a student well past the fact.

Diego · 03-18-2010, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terizius

He agrees that it has a horrible turning radius and is quite interested in the modification, but he wants me to try it on mine first.

Logical, and a bit telling.

Here's one factor you need to consider seriously, though: a modification like that could be grounds to void your warranty in the event of any subsequent wiring harness, control cable, front suspension, or steering related difficulty.

terizius · 03-18-2010, 10:37 PM

While quite true, I've always been one to try it anyway, and typically have pleasing results

In regards to the warranty.. there's should be no effect any of the listed issues except possibly steering related, though that'd be hard to imagine as well. its only the two nubs on the lower triple clamp I'm modifying. Also, I'm a rather fastidious person and I'll be doing my best to ensure that it doesnt look to obvious... I've made the decision.. now I've just got to get the time and decide if I'm gonna leave the forks on or remove the triple trees to do it...

Diego · 03-18-2010, 11:18 PM

Not trying to argue with you since you've already made your mind up, but don't deceive yourself about the possible warranty issues.

If there's later a wiring harness problem near the steering head, for instance, and the factory rep happens to see the modification, he can easily make the case that the extra flexing allowed by the additional turning could be a contributing factor in premature wear. He doesn't have to prove there's an immediate cause-and-effect connection, only the reasonable possibility that it contributed to the wear; especially where a safety-related aspect of the design has been compromised by the consumer.

terizius · 03-19-2010, 12:32 AM

viewing it as a safety related aspect.. does anyone know what the deciding factors on in determining handlebar stops? Of course, there is a point where too much handlebar turn could be too much.. but the St R doesnt seem anywhere near that, though I'm neither the designer of the bike nor an engineer.. Ideas?

biker chick · 03-21-2010, 06:16 AM

U-Turns!!!!! I hate them. Good thing is I fell off that many times in training it stopped hurting after a while. 18 months after passing my DAS still avoid them like the plague, now would rather ride miles out of my way if possible than embarrass myself yet again. But think thats just a girl thing :-)

tacomaguy · 03-21-2010, 10:54 AM

While it is true the the streetie does seem to need more freedom of movement in the front end, it might be easier to compensate with more lean if the throttle on-off transition wasn't so abrupt. The method I was taught was using the rear brake and slight throttle while leaning as much as needed, but if the slight throttle goes to no throttle, the bike will end up on the ground.

I guess more rear brake and slightly more throttle might work, but I find myself avoiding tight U turns I easily took with my much larger and heavier Tiger. (At least if I drop this bike I can pick it up unassisted....)

Paul