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X1Glider
0
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2004
- Messages
- 3,882
- Reaction score
- 1,848
- Location
- Tomball, TX
- First Name
- Bob
- Last Name
- Krzeszkiewicz
Tim, your pic of teh 748 is exactly what I'm getting at.
The footpegs may be directly below the butt, but since the torso is canted so far forward, imagine the weight distribution when the rider tries to stand up a little, say, to negotiate a pothole, railroad tracks, etc. Because the torso is farther forward, the rider's weight will shift forward too, onto the bars rather than straight up and down. A torso, straight up and down (almost) is more desirable for street riding. Racing is different, riders are laying on the tank and sliding their butt sideways. We're talking about a beginner rider here.
Now, with the extra weight on the bars, what if she puts more weight on one side than the other? Some less experienced riders also tend to ride stiff armed on such a bike. I've found that front end wobble and tankslappers happen not only because of poor suspension set up but due to excess weight on the bars. Excess weight meaning excessive steering input. The bar's main purpose is for steering, not supporting rider weight.
An upright, nuetral riding position is ideal for a novice. They can concentrate on riding as opposed to moving their body around and possibly feeling unbalanced.
Yes, I'll agree, the 748 steers quite easily....to the right rider...especially when body position, peg weighting and bike lean is appropriate to the manuever. I'm actually quite fond of the handling of the 748, especially compared to that sexier 916 I used to have.
BTW, why the comment on racing a cruiser? Pretty obvious. However, I did race Sportster class along with heavyweight sportsman once upon a time. Even the 600cc blood bath participants liked to watch that.
The footpegs may be directly below the butt, but since the torso is canted so far forward, imagine the weight distribution when the rider tries to stand up a little, say, to negotiate a pothole, railroad tracks, etc. Because the torso is farther forward, the rider's weight will shift forward too, onto the bars rather than straight up and down. A torso, straight up and down (almost) is more desirable for street riding. Racing is different, riders are laying on the tank and sliding their butt sideways. We're talking about a beginner rider here.
Now, with the extra weight on the bars, what if she puts more weight on one side than the other? Some less experienced riders also tend to ride stiff armed on such a bike. I've found that front end wobble and tankslappers happen not only because of poor suspension set up but due to excess weight on the bars. Excess weight meaning excessive steering input. The bar's main purpose is for steering, not supporting rider weight.
An upright, nuetral riding position is ideal for a novice. They can concentrate on riding as opposed to moving their body around and possibly feeling unbalanced.
Yes, I'll agree, the 748 steers quite easily....to the right rider...especially when body position, peg weighting and bike lean is appropriate to the manuever. I'm actually quite fond of the handling of the 748, especially compared to that sexier 916 I used to have.
BTW, why the comment on racing a cruiser? Pretty obvious. However, I did race Sportster class along with heavyweight sportsman once upon a time. Even the 600cc blood bath participants liked to watch that.
