Sportbike Transition Questions

 After many questions to this newsgroup, I'm now the owner of a 2006 Suzuki
Katana 600.  Part of the reason for this choice is that I don't trust
bargain-basement fuel injection, and the other part is that I managed to
find a new one for $4K.

Just a question or two ...

Is there anything I should watch out for when I first ride it?

I've noticed on YouTube that there are lots of people doing stoppies.

Is the bike capable of an "accidental" stoppie?  Do I need to be careful of
the brakes in situations where I want to stop quickly?

I don't think my Honda Shadow 600 will do stoppies.  I've played with the
brakes awful hard and I don't think the rear wheel has ever left the ground.

Anything I should watch out for?  Any practice I should do before I take it
on the freeway (and the entrance ramp probably ain't very far from the
dealer)?

I welcome all suggestions, especially safety-related ones ...

Thanks.
--
David T. Ashley              (dta@e3ft.com)
http://www.e3ft.com           (Consulting Home Page)
http://www.dtashley.com       (Personal Home Page)
http://gpl.e3ft.com           (GPL Publications and Projects)

 
I don't have much to offer except congrats on your new bike and be
careful; sportbikes are built for handling and speed, so don't be
tempted to ride beyond what you are able.

Greg


 (Personal Home Page)http://gpl.e3ft.com          (GPL Publicatio=
ns and Projects)

 
If this is your first time on a sportbike, be mindful of your riding
position and don't shift all your weight onto your wrists the whole
time. The Katana's ergonomics aren't very drastic, but you should
still remember to relax and distribute your weight evenly.

Also be mindful of the fact that you now have a bike with close to
twice the horsepower of your last one. It is geared differently, makes
power differently, and most assuredly brakes differently. You're more
likely to tuck the front end than to stoppie the bike should you over-
brake, so pay attention to what the motorcycle is telling you. Let the
weight shift smoothly forward as you brake, and learn where the
maximum threshold of braking is located.

Most of all, just get out on the bike, take it easy, and have fun. On
hot days you might notice a little power-fade since the bike is air-
cooled and carbed, but likely not unless you're reaming on the thing.

Congrats, and welcome to a whole new world of motorcycling.

Cheers,

Tim Kreitz
2004 ZRX1200R
2003 ZX7R
DoD #2184
http://www.timkreitz.com

 
I don't know all the relevant terminology.  What is "tucking the front end"?


I think the Shadow was great for learning.  I'll inspect it carefully, take
care of the small amount of corrosion I'm aware of, and get it in the hands
of a first-time rider.

I'm really glad the bike doesn't have a lot of horsepower ... it allowed me
to learn my lessons about energy management without dying.  (Lesson #1:
entering a curve carrying too much energy can get you into more trouble with
a bike more easily than it can with a car.)

I really need to praise Honda for making the bike resistant to serious
learner damage.  I wiped it out on the left side twice.  In once case, I
botched a U-turn in the rain and ended up sprawled out on the road in the
middle of the night.  My #1 thought was:  is somebody going to hit me now?
But fortunately, no other traffic (good because I would have been
embarrassed, too).  Anyway, I had sheared the peg hardware off, and I rode
back home 12 miles on the freeway with my left foot kind of tucked on the
peg bracket and/or in the frame (fortunately, the gearshift was still
attached and working).  It amazed me that the damage did not propagate to
the attachment points on the frame.  New turn signal, new peg hardware, and
good as new.

 
Tucking the front end basically means having the front tire wash-out
under heavy turning and/or braking. If you lock the front tire on a
motorcycle, it almost immediately falls to the pavement like a stone.
This is a major concern with sportbikes because the front brakes are
so highly effective. You'll get the hang of it -- just be sure to
avoid so-called "panic braking" and you'll be fine.

Always remember: The difference between and slow stop and a fast stop
isn't how *quickly* you squeeze the lever, it's how *far* you squeeze
the lever.

Cheers,

Tim Kreitz
2004 ZRX1200R
2003 ZX7R
DoD #2184
http://www.timkreitz.com