Triker Wannabe UPDATE

[HeartSleeve]

Hi Friends<br />
<br />
I've been quiet because I didn't have any news -- but today I got the notice from the DMV -- I'm scheduled for the 3-day class that starts <b>next Thurs, April 30. </b> I'll have 2 hrs of class time Thurs night and then 2 full days on the range Sat (Kentucky Derby Day) and Sun. Wish there was a horse in the Kentucky Derby named Wannabe -- I'd bet the farm!<br />
<br />
Anyway, just wanted to give you an update. Wish me luck!<br />
<br />
Mary :yes:

[Nana]

:woohoo:<br />
Wishing you luck and fun and blessings and all the other good things I can come up with. We will all be pulling for you and eagerly awaiting your report!

[spiritdream]

Not wishing you luck cause you don't need it - you'll be fine!! So I'm just gonna say, enjoy and have fun!!!

[Ironhorsepilot]

Good luck at your class! Be sure and take plenty of water and protein snacks for your breaks. You WILL get dehydrated being outside in a parking lot all day. Have fun!

[John Luciano]

5 hints from me.
1) Don't look down always look where you want to go
2) Keep your feet on the pegs
3) Don't use the front brake unless you are going straight
4) And remember squeeze the throttle and bend your wrist ( you need very little gas for this course)
5) The clutch is your friend ,use it slowly just like a car when you hold it on a hill
Do that and you will be a Triker on Thurs April 30

[Juju]

That's great! I'll be thinking of you and sending good vibes your way.

My advice is to try to relax when you get on the bike. Whenever I made a little gaffe during the class, I noticed it was when I got all spun up about trying to do things perfectly. You want to listen to the instructors and do your best, but nobody expects perfection at this point.

John's advice about not looking down but looking where you want to go is right on the money. That's another thing I had to consciously keep reminding myself of.

And after the class...practice, practice, practice.

But most of all--have fun! And let us know how it goes!

[BlueTrinity]

"The clutch is your friend ,use it slowly just like a car when you hold it on a hill"???<br />
<br />
Don't know 'bout that one John, it's a heck of a job to replace a burned out clutch. Hope you meant to "hold" it with the brake and then use "your friend, the clutch" to gently pull out as you release the brake.

[John Luciano]

Trying to explain on take off ( u don't just pop it) you find the sweet spot and once it moves let it out. Also when going slow I use the clutch so it don't get jerky at low RPMs

[Juju]

As I recall, they teach that about using the clutch in the MSF class. They call it the "friction zone"--I think that's what you mean by the "sweet spot," John, right? They teach you to find the friction zone and then use it not only when taking off from a stop, but also for maintaining control during tight turns.

[John Luciano]

when ai get on a new bike/trike or even a stick shift car, the first thing I do is find that spot. Every clutch grabs different. If U watched my from the driver seat video you can see and hear it. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRTfTNQaSgk" target="_blank">YouTube - Motorcycle Trike from driver seat</a>

[HeartSleeve]

Yep, all good advice. Went and got me some boots yesterday at the Harley store -- on sale, of course!!! I'll borrow one of their helmets until I can find one that I like that fits. I kinda favor the open face ones I've tried on, but I figure I'll wait till I have had one on my head all day in the class to make a final decision... they are EXPENSIVE!!!

The first night (Apr 30) is all classroom. Then Sat and Sun we hit the track. I'm just praying for good weather on the track - other than a rain slicker, I don't have wet gear yet. Of course, I don't plan on riding in the rain once I get up and running, but gotta plan for the unexpected, I guess, once I have my own trike.

I'm assuming the trike I put my name on is still in the back room of the dealership, but they lately havent answered my calls.... but when the student is ready, the teacher (and the trike) will appear, of that I am certain!:yes:

Thanks again, folks. I'll keep ya posted.
Mary

[HeartSleeve]

when ai get on a new bike/trike or even a stick shift car, the first thing I do is find that spot. Every clutch grabs different. If U watched my from the driver seat video you can see and hear it. YouTube - Motorcycle Trike from driver seat

John -- that was a GREAT video!!! Is that you?? I'm gonna watch that one over and over -- it's the first visual I've seen that really gives a feel for the clutch.

QUESTION: In those moments in the video where you are sort of pumping the clutch, was that to moderate your speed?

Thanks for the clip!
Mary

[John Luciano]

Yes as I come to the light I pull in the clutch ease down on the rear brake and down shift then apply the front brake to stop. I sit with foot on brake clutch in ,trike in first, no front brake, hand on throttle. Light changes clutch comes out quickly about 1/2 way to sweet spot ( friction point) Until I feel the bike start to pull I release the foot brake add a little gas bike moves to about 2miles an hour and let out the clutch. Notice in traffic the hand stays on the clutch. In and out in and out.

[HeartSleeve]

Yes as I come to the light I pull in the clutch ease down on the rear brake and down shift then apply the front brake to stop. I sit with foot on brake clutch in ,trike in first, no front brake, hand on throttle. Light changes clutch comes out quickly about 1/2 way to sweet spot ( friction point) Until I feel the bike start to pull I release the foot brake add a little gas bike moves to about 2miles an hour and let out the clutch. Notice in traffic the hand stays on the clutch. In and out in and out.

How did you go "no hands" there at one point when you waved to someone? Would the bike abruptly stop with no hands on throttle or clutch??

Not that I am going to try it, but I need to know why the bike didnt quit when you took your hands off the controls.....

[John Luciano]

No just like a car . If you let go and you are rolling along at 25mph in 3rd and take your foot off the gas the car wont stop . If I kept them off for a few min i would slow down and stop. like the Boat. you could actually shut off the motor and it would keep going , just ask me how I learned that with my 19 Foot 3,000 lb all wood Garwood ( like a Chris Craft ) boat. as I was getting near the Dock.

[HeartSleeve]

John, I know from personal experience how you can shut off a boat motor and "keep going" at 20 MPH into the side of a pier... isn't it amazing how LOUD that smack sounds when wood hits wood at 20 mph!!??

[John Luciano]

I was really lucky a young boy was on the dock. I threw him a rope as I tried to re start my 135hp inboard. Pulling all his might I still dragged him down the dock and my boat ended up on shore. As you are taking your Motorcycle test I will be taking my 2nd interview with Lowes , a big day for the both of us. :beerchug:

[Juju]

As you are taking your Motorcycle test I will be taking my 2nd interview with Lowes , a big day for the both of us. :beerchug:

And best of luck, and we'll be pulling for both of you!

[HeartSleeve]

Good luck with the Lowes interview, John. I'll be thinking of ya!

[Nana]

OK HeartSleeve! Tomorrow is the big exciting day that you start your class. You are going to do great, believe me . You've got a lot of friends pulling for you here.