Triumphrat

UraniumC · 07-02-2007

Now that I've got a few miles on the Bonnie a couple of things...

Seems very sensitive to cross winds. Kind of a side ways stutter and not in especially strong winds. Now I'm tall and so present more to the wind and have a higher center of gravity than many, but still this is more than I'd expect.

When getting on the brakes firmly, I've noticed a marked front end dive. I've got Progressive springs on order that hopefully will cure this problem.

Also, noticed it is very, very easy to lock up the rear wheel on this bike.

Cheers,

JC

altlcrzy · 07-02-2007

If yo think this bike is sensitive to cross winds try riding something with soild rims.

As far as the rear brake. It will lockup so fast its scary. Just dont crank on it and you'll be fine.

Andy

BlueJ · 07-02-2007

Huh. It seems that complaining about 'rear brake locks up easy' goes on a lot here. Maybe mine needs adjusting, I just know that I only locked mine up once so far, and that was on purpose to see what it felt like. On the other hand, I rarely even USE the dang rear brake so I guess it's good that it doesn't lock up under those circumstances.

And, ditto that on tall riders in the wind - feels like being pushed sideways on the pavement. Not fun when in a lean and the wind comes at you from the high side! And, in the rain.. oh wait I already covered that.

ohiorider · 07-02-2007

I think the rear brake issues is .... it is a pretty powerful single rotor disk brake. I sold a BMW R1150R with a similar set up, and the rear brake on it makes the Bonnie seem weak by comparison. But I know what you mean. You have to be prepared to lessen the pressure on the rear when it approaches lock up ... hard to determine when that's going to happen. I try to use primarily front brake when hard braking since the weight shift to the front end has lightened the rear so much that the rear brake is not too effective.

My Kaw W650 that I sold recently had a drum rear brake (as does my old R100GS), and on both those bikes you'd have to stand on the rear brake pedal to lock up the back wheel .... not a bad thing in some circumstances. They were more useful for trail braking when going too fast into a turn, or for controlling the bike in slow traffic.

You'll get lots of answers other than mine on this issue, I'm sure.

Bob

decobike · 07-02-2007

There's another thread running current with this one where someone locked up his rear brake in a panic situation. I think its a solid rear brake. I only locked it once, in a parking lot, and it wasn't me going fast. Anyway it did its job. Now I do practice locking it occassionally and practice corner braking with it. And as mentioned on the other thread, the bike slides straight when the brake is locked. There's a number of good things about this 8 bill bike besides its classic good looks.

walc · 07-02-2007

On the other hand, the front brake provides 70% of braking power.
I use both at higher speeds and just the rear at lower speeds and coming to a complete stop.
Front brake at low speed is too abrupt for me and with the front wheel other than straight, it will put the bike on the ground.
Of course, in an extreme emergency, I use both those bad boys. :razz:

merlin · 07-02-2007

The front dive is the worse aspect of the stock bike. No troubles in your case, with the Progressives (or any decent replacement) you're in for a pleasant surprise.
I think alot of folk underestimate the danger of locking the rear. In mild cases of straight line its recoverable, but mishandled it is the essense of a high side.

vertwrks · 07-02-2007

The harder your braking the more weight is transftered to the front wheel, logical. So the harder your braking the less it takes to lock up the rear. Only time I use the rear brake is in gravel or sand, otherwise I only use the front. In "The Twist of the Wrist" by Keith Code he mentions that proper use of the rear brake is so complex that most racers do not use it as it requires too much of your attention, better off spending that attention elsewhere. Of course moderate riding is different but the benefit of using the rear is minimal, IMHO.

I am older, base my opinions on what was true back then and maybe technology has changed, seems modern bikes better brakes would make this even more true excluding anti lock brakes.

UraniumC · 07-03-2007

Thanks for the comments and insights, guys.

+1 Merlin. I have high expectations for the Progressives. Given that the front brake handles most of the stopping power and the back is easy to lock, it's a scary combo at the moment.

Last week I was tootling along at about 25 looking for a cross street. Came up faster than expected. Got on the brakes (both) a bit firmly and had the rear end coming around. Easy to correct, but woke me right up! :razz:

The tougher question is the cross winds. Not sure there is a solution here. You described it well, BlueJ.

Never had solid rims on a bike, Andy. Never will for that very reason. :wink:

Cheers,

JC

BigChiefWoody · 07-03-2007

I've had the same experiences in crosswinds...after I rode the bike for a month or two, I got used to it and it doesn't scare the hell out of me anymore.