Triumphrat

wenzel850

I've been reading all the posts lately about how easy it is to lock up the rear brake. It is easy, but since I put a new Metzler lazertec on the rear and changed the brakes to EBC's , I haven't had the problem. I use my rear brake all the time, since it is suppling at least 20-25% of my braking power. Plus I engine brake.

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Quentin

"01-20-2009 I can't wait"

mecscc

I really think that the cross wind issue will resolve itself with more riding time on a much lighter bike than you had been riding. You have to lean into the wind a bit more and you have to expect it to move a bit with gusts, and compensate by where you ride in the lane. I have no trouble with it having ridden lighter bikes for many years, but when you first get into a wind on a lighter bike it is a bit disturbing.

NOTHING, however, is as disturbing as riding a "TupperWare Sail," aka: Gold Wing, in a strong and gusting cross wind. If you think the Bonnie is hard, try a bike that is fully enclosed, allowing no wind to pass through it, and enjoy the thrill of moving over a foot or more in strong gusts! Now THAT is a real treat!

More time in the saddle and you will be far less squeamish about the winds. I promise.

Monte :-D

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Monte

"The Old Ohio Preacher Man"

tccox

Hmmm, and when I first rode my new T100 one of the things that impressed me the most was how stable it was in cross winds. Course thats after several years riding a ST1300. Monte's sure right about a tupperware sail in strong crosswinds or even when a 18 wheeler passes you on the Interstate.

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TCCox
Charlotte, NC
2007 Bonneville T100

MattTriumphs

I locked up the rear last week when traffic abruptly stopped. It always scares me when that that happens. I'm like this

UraniumC

Hey Monty...

I suspect you and Woody are correct and I'll settle into to it.

As you observe, it is a big change from what I'm used to, for sure.

Never had the pleasure (?) of a "TupperWare Sail" but being pushed over a foot or so would certainly grab my attention. LOL

What I've been experiencing on the Bonnie are more a series of little pushes. Took me awhile to figure out what it was as the wind wasn't all that strong.

Overall, it is an absolute hoot to ride. Just need to keep from getting blown over and learn how to stop it! :-D

JC

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JC
2006 Goodwood
Progressive Front Springs, TORS, Tach, Dart Fly Screen, Extended Seat Bolts and, of course, Union Jack License Plate Bolts.
Formerly: VTX 1800C
"God must love stupid people; He made a lot of them."

tcb

Once, when I lived in Montana, I rode in a cross wind so strong that I was touching pegs down going 25 mph in a staight line. Since then, crosswinds are no longer a problem for me! :-D

markbvt

Wow, that would suck if the wind suddenly stopped.

UraniumC: the new fork springs will help a great deal. Consider upgrading your rear suspension too, and you'll find the bike's handling much improved.

--mark

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Bennington Triumph Bash
Bennington, VT May 29-31, 2009

Do you keep one bullet left for yourself, for when it's all over and done?

badrufus

I think you will just need to get used to easy going on the rear brake. When you install the progressive fork springs, the front end dive should go away, BUT, I think a consequence of that will be slightly less weight transfer from back to front upon braking. I may have my physics all wrong here, but I think that may mean that the rear brake will be doing more work, so you will need to learn how to use it with the new fork springs. On the other hand, if the front is not diving, it may be that the rear is less likely to unload and lock up--you just have to see. Don't stop using the rear brake, just realize that it's stronger than most of us expect. While the front brake is the one that most riders upgrade, myself included, I've left the rear brake stock, not wanting to give it any more power than it already has relative to the front. Quentin's (wenzel) comment that the change to a rear Lasertec and EBC pads on the rear helped is interesting. I have a set of rear EBC HH pads, but have been hesitant to put them on for fear of increasing the rear brake. I've switched to an EBC ProLite rotor on the front, EBC HH pads, Pazzo Racing levers, and a Spiegler brake line, all to try to beef up the front. Quentin--were the EBC pads you put on the rear HH pads?

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2005 T100

UraniumC

Yep. I believe in using all my brakes! :razz:

Mark, along with improving the brake diving, are you suggesting the Progressives will also improve the cross-wind handling? If so, I'd like to hear more. That's my hope but I don;t see how it would work....

"I rode in a cross wind so strong that I was touching pegs down going 25 mph in a straight line."

Hope it was a steady wind! :-D

JC

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JC
2006 Goodwood
Progressive Front Springs, TORS, Tach, Dart Fly Screen, Extended Seat Bolts and, of course, Union Jack License Plate Bolts.
Formerly: VTX 1800C
"God must love stupid people; He made a lot of them."

markbvt

No, sorry, didn't mean to be unclear. The new front springs will help front end dive and handling a lot, but obviously won't have anything to do with crosswinds.

--mark

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Bennington Triumph Bash
Bennington, VT May 29-31, 2009

Do you keep one bullet left for yourself, for when it's all over and done?