Played in traffic yesterday!

Published by: GrrrlX on 17th Oct 2009 | View all blogs by GrrrlX

Hi all -
I have had my Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom for about a month now (passed the MSF course 2 months ago), and have started riding it on come of the busy suburban streets in my neighborhood. I took a ride yesterday for 19 miles round-trip into a more urban area for a business meeting/lunch and did pretty well! I only stalled out twice (once from dead stop, once from not downshifting enough at a slow-down) and that was pretty good for me! The friction zone in the yamaha is miniscule, so it's been a learning curve. :)

I want to ride it every day!

Comments

7 Comments

by 2Wheeltips 2 years ago

Glad you were able to get out and get some practice in.
Make sure you join the new riders group and watch the videos and check out the blogs.
by Carol 2 years ago

Congratulations on putting some miles on your Yamaha V-Star 650 custom! Keep putting those miles on and, before you know it, you'll feel like a natural on a bike!
by Jonna 2 years ago

Doing great! Every ride will get easier!
by Dino Dogan 2 years ago

I've been meaning to write something up regarding clutch adjustments. Most new riders don't know that they can adjust their clutch and just how easy it is....adjusting the clutch means that you control not only WHERE the friction zone kicks in but also the smoothness and the range of the zone....

Is this something you would like to see?
by PrayasIride 2 years ago

Yes, would like more information on clutch adjustment, when I had the Softtail Duece, the clutch and being able to do good friction control was excellent, I could slow speed turn on a dime in making u-turns and firgure 8s; but once I got the Ultra Classic, moving in and out of the friction zone is not as clear. Pros and Cons with the Ultra Classic it is easy to squeeze the clutch and hands do not get tired and with the Deuce it took some pressure to squeeze the clutch and hands got tired.
by GrrrlX 2 years ago

Yeah, I've investigated a few options for altering the clutch/friction zone, one is a spring-looking thingy that you install on the clutch line down nearer the engine; another is an alteration/replacement of the clutch lever itself called the "Clevver".
So, couple of options, but I"m doing better and better with the clutch (Except on those darn hills...)
by GrrrlX 2 years ago

Hubby and I added the spring-and-tube clutch adjustment to my bike a few weeks ago, and it has made a WORLD of difference!
The clutch friction zone is much closer now to the handlebar, and although this may be an illusion, it also seems much wider and kinder to operate on hills :)
I had to stop on a short steep part of road feeding into a much busier main street, and I was so nervous!! But I pulled it off!! I love this mod, and it has made me a much less frustrated rider.