cover the clutch!!

[DucatiHoney]

Except that I can't cover the clutch with just two fingers. My hands are a little small, so I need to take my entire hand off the grip--except for my thumb. I definitely feel that my steering ability is compromised by covering the controls all the time. Not sure if there are other levers or further adjustments that can be made to help this.

 

[SilverBird]

Except that I can't cover the clutch with just two fingers. My hands are a little small, so I need to take my entire hand off the grip--except for my thumb. I definitely feel that my steering ability is compromised by covering the controls all the time. Not sure if there are other levers or further adjustments that can be made to help this.

Go aftermarket for the levers, it's a std mod (at least with Jap bikes, 80-90$/lever). Money spent to make your bike 'fit', is money well spent.


Hugo

 

[t.tinyo]

Cover

Except that I can't cover the clutch with just two fingers. My hands are a little small, so I need to take my entire hand off the grip--except for my thumb. I definitely feel that my steering ability is compromised by covering the controls all the time. Not sure if there are other levers or further adjustments that can be made to help this.

OptionsCRG's.Brembo SBK,Magura."Hi MB"

 

[thendougsaid]

ride however you like, sister.

 

[Cheeky_Dragon]

It's useful to cover the clutch on a 2-stroke just in case the thing seizes but not really much use on a 4 stroke. Covering the brakes is a different matter since it enables a better reaction time to start braking (gently!) if something unexpected happens IMHO. My preference is also to start braking with the clutch engaged (lever out) and there's usually plenty of time to reach for the clutch and downshift etc. but there have been times when having the brake covered have made a difference between crashing and not crashing.

 

[DucatiHoney]

I think the genius of it all is the fact that you've got no clutch cover on your bike, DH

I have a clutch cover...kinda. Two wires don't comprise a clutch cover for you? :laughing

I'm trying to remember if you have the stock or aftermarket levers on my future motorcycle :toothless. CRG makes levers which have easily adjustable reach. <snip>

I have stock levers. I've felt CRG levers--very nice--but even at the most extreme setting they don't really solve my problem. It's a lot of money for a small improvement. I feel the same way about hi-mount rearsets, steering dampers and slipper clutches. I could dump a lot of cash into these things for a minimal return--considering my riding routine and skillset. They simply mask a bigger problem. I try to focus on improving my skills or maximizing what comes stock on the bike. I feel that it's technique, not blingy parts that I need to work on...as much as I like shiny, pretty things

 

[sivan]

The slipper clutch and levers are silly. You will need rearsets if you take it to the track or ride aggressively on the street. The clipons are actually not necessary. But every Monster needs a damper, there's no skill that makes it unnecessary. It would make sense to add it now after tuning your suspension.

 

[DucatiHoney]

I've heard just the opposite about the damper. I got my suspension tuned because I didn't want a damper, among other things. Not that I wouldn't mind having one, ya hear. :teeth

The clip-ons are necessary for me--for looks and I also found that the bike turns much better with them. Better position for me overall. I did like the way the Monster handles with the stock bars for city-riding, so I sacrificed a little for the cornering.

As for the rearsets--jury's still out on that one for me. I've seen my riding in photos---I have a long ways to go before I need my pegs up that high. :laughing Once again...technique before gadgets. If I ever learn to hang off decently I think I'll be pushing what my old bike can do.

 

[sivan]

That's huge opening for a flamewar that I'm going to avoid, re: dampers. Search on the DML and form your opinion. Different bikes have different needs.

 

[DucatiHoney]

I completely see where you're coming from, and know the history of the subject on a very cursory level--that's just the stance I take on it. Would love to hear what you have to say about it on the 7th. You'll just tell me to forget the damper and give up riding once you see me on a bike. :laughing

 

[ro-monster]

I recall my MSF instructors making it pretty clear that covering the clutch was something we would do during class for safety reasons because our reactions weren't trained yet, and it was not something we would continue to do once we started riding in the real world.

 

[GetaGripGreg]

I'm just trying to justify not covering the clutch anymore.

I always ride with one index finger on the brake lever and one on the clutch. Even exiting a corner hard on the gas. I don't know if it is a bad habit or not, but keeping one finger on the brake lever helps me modulate the throttle. It's like a damper that gives finer control over the rotation. I suppose the clutch finger is just for subconsious symmetry. :nerd

But I do like to cover the clutch to be able to react instantly if a downchange is required or panic stop. Perhaps you need to accellerate hard to avoid an incident, but you are in too high a gear... It might be quicker to gas it and slip the clutch than change down.

Also, having raced two strokes that have a habit of siezing and locking the rear end up, being able to dip the clutch in case of massive mechanical failure is an ingrained response.

The clutch can help out in a number of surprise scenarios.

-greg

 

[DucatiHoney]

This is the second time that someone has mentioned a catastrophic engine failure on a twin and grabbing the clutch. Are twins prone to this and I'm not aware? Why is it so much more dangerous to have a twin blow on you as opposed to a four? Torque?

It's good to hear that some people were paying attention in class during MSF. Guess I just missed that part where the instructor said that covering the clutch was to be done only during the course. Typical behavior when it comes to acadamia and me. :teeth It sucks being stupid, I tell ya.

 

[zefflyn]

This is the second time that someone has mentioned a catastrophic engine failure on a twin and grabbing the clutch. Are twins prone to this and I'm not aware? Why is it so much more dangerous to have a twin blow on you as opposed to a four? Torque?

Nah, a frozen engine is a frozen engine, no matter the number of cylinders. He was talking about two-strokes, though, which might do it more frequently than our mild-mannered fourstrokes.

I'm just trying to justify not covering the clutch anymore. I don't like doing it. It doesn't make sense to me. I'd rather have my hands fully on the bars to maneuver out of the way in panic situations... If I do grab the brakes hard I always go for the clutch too--just like in a car. I don't hover over the clutch when I'm driving.

Don't do it then, if it doesn't make sense. And if you've got good braking habits down, you're golden! :angel

In the MSF course I took, they had us cover both levers, for the "panic reaction" reason already stated - it's better to pull both levers in whenn panicked, than to pull in neither.

I still do it out of habit, and becuase I've discovered that I'm incapable of rolling off the throttle while squeezing the brake lever, and the TL won't stop very well if it's pushing against the brakes. So, I pull the clutch and brakes at the same time, and slow down emergency-fast.
But if it's not an emergency, I'll use the engine braking.

 

[DucatiHoney]

Don't do it then, if it doesn't make sense. And if you've got good braking habits down, you're golden!

I'm pretty sure none of my habits are good, and that goes for my riding too.

But seriously, I'm always open to new techniques. Nothing I do is immune from improvement. A slightly different riding position or throttle input makes a huge difference. I love finding new ways of feeling smooth and in control.

 

[zefflyn]

I love finding new ways of feeling smooth and in control.

Sounds like a shaving razor commercial...

Seriously, though, I went to the American Supercamp dirt-track school last month, and the hardest "easy" thing for me to get used to was not using the clutch or front brake at all while racing around in the dirt.
Slowing down was all about throttle, rear brake, and leaning into the corner, which made being smooth and in control all the more important.
We had tons of run-off room, though, so if I didn't get stopped, I just kept going until I could turn. Yep, I took advantage of that a few times. :laughing

 

[DucatiHoney]

I think it sounds more like an ad for this...

 

[zefflyn]

Hey, I have that same set of Magnetix!

I agree, though. Exlax doesn't leave me in control

 

[DucatiHoney]

That's not my bedroom.

 

[zefflyn]

I don't keep Magnetix in the bedroom, either