Neighborhood Riding

[sikatri]

During the past year I didn’t venture out much in any capacity. I’ve been riding around my neighborhood, it’s a large neighborhood with many small streets and plenty of stop signs. Most streets are either posted at around 20 mph and a few at 30 mph. In my first year with the Thruxton I put it into 2nd even in the 20 mph streets. I read some and listened and realized I may have lugged the engine on occasion. Now in most instances if I don’t go on streets with a 30 mph allowable limit I find myself not getting out of first gear. That’s not all bad, the engine sounds happy enough. I’m getting a lot of practice stopping and starting off from stop signs and making slow turns. I’m inside Houston and since I’m relatively inexperienced I have not ventured into streets with 45mph plus limits. They are usually more congested and with faster inattentive drivers. Anyway my observation, perhaps not a surprise, is that compared to the MSF course motorcycle I learned on the Thruxton wants the rpms to stay up. I remember the MSF course motorcycle managed 3rd gear in the parking lot with no issue. The shift points are definitely higher on the Thruxton. Anyone else do neighborhood riding? There have been days I never got out of first gear. LoL. Not sure that’s good or bad, at least I wasn’t lugging the engine.

 

[Rocky]

Riding a motorcycle is all about ability and confidence built up by practice.
Riding within your limits is a sensible thing to do, but only in first gear can't be that satisfying on a bike like that. It wants to be let loose and really go.
But OTOH, you're getting lots of stop and go practice at low speeds. This is where a lot of new riders get into trouble so there is no fault in that.
At some point you're going to have to get out into traffic and turn it up remembering all the things you learned in MSF.
That said, if you're not ready, don't do it until you have confidence in your ability.
If it's possible, and if there is such a thing in your area, pick low traffic times to venture out to get some higher speed experience. Don't put your life at risk, but you need to get used to higher speeds even if it's only for a few miles at a time. Bit by bit you will gain experience and confidence.

 

[sikatri]

I’m looking at streets for future travels and ways to get out of my neighborhood. I’ve lived there for over 25 years and over 35 in the general area. There’s a few areas where I can pickup the speed a bit. My immediate goal is to practice the slow stop and go, slow turns which actually the MSF stressed. I’m actually having a lot of fun even in just first and second. I’m in no hurry. I have long term goals and slowly building up is fine with me. There’s a zoo nearby and it has a few stretches of road with nice twisties for later practice. It’s not a city bike, but the city is where I live. LoL
There’s bayous near me that have relatively safe road on each side that allow for higher speeds and outside the loop which is relatively easy to get to. I’m getting there.

 

[sikatri]

I’ve been going out regularly for this week. My neighbors are probably wondering who this “young” hooligan is on the loud yellow Triumph!

 

[Rocky]

Good for you
The more you ride/practice the better and more confident you will become.
Every one of us had to learn to ride too.

 

[sikatri]

Venturing a bit further and actually got on a road where I was able to shift a few gears and ride at 40 mph. I know that’s not much, but I doubt I’ll try for anything more than highway speeds anytime soon. Made a few stops, just to take a few calming moments and think which roads I wanted to return home by.

 

[sikatri]

I have very little reference to compare with, but the more I ride this motorcycle, the more I like how it handles. It feels very smooth and comfortable. It’s not bothered by small road bumps or road joints. I drive these same roads on my MINI and I’m aware of them in the car. Didn’t really feel them on the Thruxton at all.

 

[Rocky]

You're making progress. Good for you

 

[motocephalic]

I used to take beginner friends out on back roads and parking lots. We used to practice this tandem drill, and it included fast stopping, where the lead rider could not pass the other. In my opinion, controlled STOPPING very quickly with heavy front brake use (at speed) is one of the most important skills you can learn. $ .02
Clem

 

[sikatri]

I used to take beginner friends out on back roads and parking lots. We used to practice this tandem drill, and it included fast stopping, where the lead rider could not pass the other. In my opinion, controlled STOPPING very quickly with heavy front brake use (at speed) is one of the most important skills you can learn. $ .02
Clem

Fast braking was taught at the MSF course I took years ago. I was planning on retaking the course, but Covid came along. I’ll be finding places to repeat those drills. Empty parking lots are a bit rare in my neighborhood, but I’m working out toward where there are some. I’m still going to go retake the MSF course, hopefully this fall. Thanks for the tip and advice. Advice and tips are appreciated.

 

[Rocky]

Taking the MSF course again as a refresher is a good idea, but by fall, at the rate you're going, you should be quite skilled and may not need it.
Good luck and be safe.

 

[sikatri]

Taking the MSF course again as a refresher is a good idea, but by fall, at the rate you're going, you should be quite skilled and may not need it.
Good luck and be safe.

I’ll have re-evaluate my progress before going to the MSF again. They do offer an advanced course for riders with a solid six months of riding behind them. The advanced course is on your own bike and the basic course on theirs. I’ll see which I’m more comfortable with.

 

[sikatri]

Getting more practice in! I have noticed that for the first few minutes or so there’s some stutter at 2000 to 3000 rpms. It seems to go away, so I’m guessing it’s still warming up.

 

[sikatri]

Today I was trying to pay attention to smooth shifts. Need some work, but I think I was getting better by the end of the session. I was also looking for the streets I know that I could get above 35 mph for a bit longer stretches.

 

[Rocky]

Practice makes perfect

 

[sikatri]

Took a spin around a nearby park, Hermann Park and the Houston Zoo. I kept the choke pulled out a bit longer and it doesn’t hesitate. I guess I was pushing the choke in too early.

 

[Rocky]

My T100 has carbs and needs to have the choke out for a while or it acts cranky when cold. I think you have found when it's time to push in the choke.
The more you ride, the more you learn.

 

[sikatri]

My T100 has carbs and needs to have the choke out for a while or it acts cranky when cold. I think you have found when it's time to push in the choke.
The more you ride, the more you learn.

It needs to be out longer than I thought. Can’t just base it on how it’s running on the driveway. LoL. Others have mentioned it takes a few miles of riding. It seems so.

 

[Qship]

Great that you're getting out further and further and honing your skills.
The sluggishness may be due to not stretching the Thruxton's engine much. All the low speed riding may be carboning up the engine and plugs and causing the sluggishness.
Just a thought that may be a contributing factor.

 

[sikatri]

Morning ride to a local park. Clutch adjustment was a success and runs great.