[KitNYC]

So I was on my way home tonight & I thought maybe I was feeling my clutch slip. Then I started thinking maybe I was feeling my tire slip on the pavement, which kinda makes more sense, as it was pissing down rain all day. Then I started thinking there's no way to really tell the difference.

So there's my question: can you tell the difference between slippy clutch & slippery pavement when hard on the throttle in a straight line?

Thanks,
-Kit

 

[Shovelstrokeed]

One easy way, although I can't recommend it, is to change lanes while you are on the gas. If the back tire passes you, it was wheelspin.

 

[steventhechef]

At a stop let the clutch out with the front brake on.. you'll soon know

smoke from the rear tyre - all is good
smoke from the motor - all is not so good

Gee you've had a bum run Kit

 

[PacNWRider]

So I was on my way home tonight & I thought maybe I was feeling my clutch slip. Then I started thinking maybe I was feeling my tire slip on the pavement, which kinda makes more sense, as it was pissing down rain all day. Then I started thinking there's no way to really tell the difference.

So there's my question: can you tell the difference between slippy clutch & slippery pavement when hard on the throttle in a straight line?

Thanks,
-Kit

The easiest would be to watch your gauges. Tach raises and speedo doesn't, it's a slipping clutch.

Tach raises, and speedo raises as well, you're spinning a tire.

That being said, this wouldn't work if you have a front wheel speed sensor. Is that the case on an '04??

I have burnt a few clutches in my day, and you can "finger" the clutch during acceleration, and should be able to raise the engine speed. If this doesn't occur, I would say the clutch is slipping.

There is also the good ol' stall test, hold the front brake while still, and start feeding gas, and releasing clutch. Sounds like a 3 handed operation, but it can be done. The clutch will slip if she's in bad shape.

 

[spiderpig]

Refer to next post - f you're running Bridgestones, they'll slip in any gear in the wet. It's not your clutch.

 

[KitNYC]

<...>If the back tire passes you, it was wheelspin.

Which reminds me.... I did feel something like this before, this past Fall, when the roads were almost entirely free of snow.... I thought I saw something trying to pass me on the left & realized it was my own rear end! More clutch & less throttle got me out of that one, but it was puckerific!

Steven- Story of my life! I prefer to think of it as being due some good luck!

PacNW- Pre-'05 Sprints run the speedo off the front.

Spiderpig- No Slipstones here; I replaced the Pilot Powers that came with the bike with a set of Conti Road Attacks. Huh. Now that I think about it, this used to happen all the time with the Michelins. I had totally forgotten that.

Ok, I am ready to do the test that sounds like the most fun to me. I am going to see how the bike behaves when I'm hard on the throttle in a straight line on a dry, sunny 60* day.

Cheers,
-Kit

 

[dolson]

I think we'll call you, "MKOD Kit".

 

[KitNYC]

I can get the same kind of slippage on a gorgeous day like today (15* C for you Strine folks ), but it takes more effort than it did last night. That sort of suggests to me that it's tire slipping on pavement.

I think it's just my inner hooligan twisting the throttle too hard; the Spring weather must be letting him out.

Cheers,
-Kit

 

[steventhechef]

I think it's just my inner hooligan twisting the throttle too hard;

There is nothing wrong with that!

 

[KitNYC]

Don- I don't get it.

Cheers,
-Kit

 

[dolson]

Don- I don't get it.

Cheers,
-Kit

MKOD = Motorcycle Kiss of Death

Kit, I can't recall anyone that has gone through what you have with your machine and now with you job situation you seem to keep your socks up. I applaud you.
I am glad to have you here.

Don

 

[frider]

Try lowering the tyre pressures a bit..I was using the stock 36F 42R at first with my Road Attacks..but then reduced it to more like 32/39...cold.....as I am SURE I read somewhere tyre pressures can rise +3 easily when hot............

 

[KitNYC]

Thanks, Don. I thought I had had pretty good luck with this bike; it still runs, unlike the first two!

As far as the job goes, it was pretty much the last thing keeping me in NYC. It's not a loss, it's an opportunity to get out of this soul-sucking town & move somewhere better. I leave for Austin in a month.

Cheers,
-Kit

 

[steventhechef]

What beholds in Austin Kit?

 

[Croak]

What beholds in Austin Kit?

A better life and great riding. You're going to love the Hill Country. And the first time a pretty Texan girl laughs with a longneck in her hand, you'll be in love.

Or so I hear.

 

[Shovelstrokeed]

Using that criteria, you are likely to fall in love about 30 times a night in any bar in Austin. The place is littered with pretty girls. Great local music scene as well.

 

[Dittos3]

You will have to change your name.


Ditto

 

[KitNYC]

The name stays. I'm definitely planning to play the "I'm from New York" card with the pretty Texan girls.

Cheers,
-Kit

 

[Shovelstrokeed]

The name stays. I'm definitely planning to play the "I'm from New York" card with the pretty Texan girls.

Cheers,
-Kit

Be sure to let us know how THAT turns out.

You might want to wear a cup the first few times.

 

[Croak]

Be sure to let us know how THAT turns out.

You might want to wear a cup the first few times.

I think you'll find Metropolis accents carry a lot of um, negative weight in the "flyover" states.