Riding for fun and adventure...

[alanmcorcoran]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

You WILL need to do a refresher on the basics......in an empty parking lot.......heavy braking, low speed manuvers and some time in tight road turns when traffic is light. While the Liner will be more stable in tight turns, I'm pretty sure you will have to make a more consious effort to make it turn (understeer).

:plus1:

Easy,

As always, you are right on the mark. It's not like I'm completely starting over, but it's a hell of a lot more challenging than riding the GZ. Quick question: What is the recommended stop/start sequence on one of these beasts when pulling, UPHILL, up to a stop sign, on a pretty decent grade? (meaning, your ass will roll down the hill backwards if you are not firmly on the brakes.)

Followup question: Same scenario, but now you are heading back DOWN the hill.

All comments, taunts and snide remarks are welcome!

[music man]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

4) My dick grew three sizes on the way home. Gonna have to get some touring pants with a little extra room "down there

That is a good thing, cause your wife said it had some shortcomings.. :lol: :poked: :whistle: :tongue: :neener: :crackup

[patrick_777]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

I'm going to take that as sincere, and give you a hearty, "Thanks!"

It was meant to be "sincere".

:whistle:

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by patrick_777

Let me be the first to say "Congratulations".

Too late. I got in about 6 posts back. :poked:
Well, a little guess work was involved but it was a pretty obvious call. :biggrin:

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

Truth be told, the Strat IS too much bike for me.
But I bought it anyway.

Naw, I think you will get along just fine. Really.

I do await, however, the report of what happens when you try to BACK it up that driveway in the other direction. :poked:

[alanmcorcoran]

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

The guy you rented the Strat from has "very strict guidelines"? It says, under "Terms" on his website, that to rent the Strat you need a motorcycle license and minimum of 2 years riding experience.
That brand new shiny big bike that won't last long at what seems like a bargain price is very tempting, but he's had it a while (it's an '07) so why hasn't he sold it yet? Waiting for you to come along? If he was a reputable dealer who was in the least bit concerned with you, he would probably advise you on getting something smaller rather than trying to make some money and get rid of a bike 2 year old bike he can't sell.

I'm just as cynical as the next guy, maybe more, but if you had met Jack, you would know he's actually a very decent fellow. I had given him my history in an e-mail and I think he realized that given my age, (and obvious intelligence!) and, perhaps the 3000 miles logged in 6 months, and the number of lengthy canyon twisty rides I'd already done, that I was a little ahead of the typical newb curve. More importantly, he took my call today and we chatted for a while (at no charge!) about what he thought about me buying a Strat (and not from him, plus, if i buy, no rental for him either) and he was very generous with his time and observations.

As far as the dealer goes, it was me that spotted the Strat in the back (in the "bargain bin.") It turns out that there are a lot of these 07's out there. Apparently the Strat did not sell as well as expected in '07 and Yamaha auctioned off a bunch of them to the dealers at below cost. The original dealer had it marked at 13K out the door. They dropped it to 12K out the door after I made a half-joking counter offer of 10K. Today, they back pedaled, and said they had looked up the wrong VIN and went back to 13K and refused to budge. I walked. Jack told me about another dealer that had one. They wanted 15K OTD! But, eventually, I negotiated them down to 12K - roughly equivalent to a $9,500 starting price. I don't know if it's a good deal or not, but I have seen '07 Strats on the Internet advertised for 12, 15, 16 and as much as 17K. If you want an '09 (basically the same bike) you are probably looking at 19-20K OTD.

I think prices depend a lot on where you are in the country. They sell a lot of bikes out here in So Cal, real estate for the dealerships is pricey, people working at the dealerships get paid a lot more money, sales taxes and license are higher and blah, blah, blah. I know I could make a better deal in Iowa in mid winter, but, well, I ain't in Iowa. In any case, nobody shoe horned me into this bike.

Having ridden it before and after, there's no question it's more bike than I need or should be riding, but I am hopeful I can grow into it without death or dismemberment and save myself the cost of one more upgrade.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

I think I might get an M50 too! WW, who has the crated 07's?

Nope. I change my recommendation.......for someone in your area. The last week or so, there have been several M riders come out of the woodwork complaining about the handling in windy conditions.

Now we're gonna have to change your nickname from douchebag to codpiece !!! :crackup :haha2:

[patrick_777]

No...he's still "douchebag".

[alanmcorcoran]

Originally Posted by music man

That is a good thing, cause your wife said it had some shortcomings..

Yeah, well, my wife said yours had some shortcomings too! Waitaminute..... that didn't come out right...

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

What is the recommended stop/start sequence on one of these beasts when pulling, UPHILL, up to a stop sign, on a pretty decent grade?

This is a hard question for someone who has been riding 40 years because you just do some things without thinking.

I don't think up/down hill really makes any difference.
If you were in the habit of holding the GZ stopped with your feet, you need to UNLEARN that little trick quickly. :skull:

Here's what I do:
Most importantly, down shift as you slow down and click it into first just before you stop......this is so that you don't have to dick with the shifter when stopped which makes the process MUCH more confusing and dangerous.

Secondly, use both brakes until the very end, just incase and to develop that good habit, then at the very end stop with the front only so you can get both feet down (you can do that, can't you?). You should NOT lean the bike until after you have determined that you have firm footing on BOTH sides. One foot in a pothole (do you have those in Cali.?) or one foot on oil can be a disaster if you are leaned toward that side.

Now you are stopped, in 1st gear, clutch pulled in, both feet on the ground, front brake engaged.
That is the time to lean a tiny bit left, firmly clamp on the rear brake and release the front in prep. for twisting the throttle to GO. If the grade is steep, you can use both brakes until the last second.......and you can keep the rear applied until the clutch starts to grab. That will be a NEW skill you need to practice since you probably could hold the GZ on a hill with NO brakes.

That's about it. If it's a long stop, you need to putz around with your feet to find neutral but you've probably done that on the GZ. Best to stay in 1st. even on long stops until you get used to balancing the beast from one side to the other.