Topic: Looking for left hand bends and curves

[Biker Biker]

Quote (eezyrida @ Sep. 03 2007,18:16)

Bikerbiker, I think I need to take this advice on board. I have had my bandit for 3 weeks now and dropped it 4 times!! One smashed indicator, one broken brake lever, a scraped exhaust and mirror and - horrors - slightly damaged fairing '> Funnily enough it always seems to fall to the right, the side the * very heavy * exhaust is. Maybe I need an aftermarket exhaust...

Aww I feel ya pain..... I've been there, if my 600 is heavy yours must be super weight.

I can only tell you that all the advice that I go was true... practice, practice, practice.

The slow speed riding skills sessions that the USR's did with OMD were brill, totally ace for confidence boosting.  We practiced keeping the revs up, dabbing the back brake while negotiating a route through cones and counter leaning.  I also did a day rider training with OMD where we covered a load of good stuff.  

Also practicing walking round the bike off the stand to get used to balancing it with your hands... there was a really good exercise in one of the bike magazines, so I’ll see if I can find it for you.  The idea is that you should be able to manoeuvre around the bike with one hand.

The best learning was the trip to Spain.... I racked up a load.

Plus doing a track day really showed me that the bike was far more capable than me, it was really good just going at my own speed on a nice bit of tarmac and feeling how far you can go.

Oh and stock up on spare levers from Ebay £16 a set and keep em under the seat.... it made me worry less about breaking one and being stranded.

I got my Bandit in July last year but didn't really start riding it lots until september...... then just kept riding, through all the bad weather and did the balance thing in the garage.

I've learned that damage is repairable, getting pinned under the bike gives you super human strength, if its gonna fall try to let it down gently but Bandits are bullet proof so it will be fine.

If it was easy, it would be no fun and you wouldn't have any silly stories to make people laugh with  '>

[Biker Biker]

Oh and if you are looking for a blue flame zorst.... I have just the telephone number you might need '>

[eezyrida]

Many thanks for your advice, Bikerbiker; very much appreciated.  '>  I will heed it all carefully.

I am planning to do the advanced IAM course either in Sutton or Bromley, as soon as I get time.

I will indeed get spare levers - I assume they are straightforward to replace, but I will ask about that when I get it fixed tomorrow (I will also check that 1200 levers are compatible with the 1250).

I might also see whether I can fit a spare indicator light under the saddle. It's best to be prepared for these things and I am not confident I will not be dropping it again!

The 2nd and 3rd drops were quite funny - it was at traffic lights in Brixton. After I picked it up I tried getting on it again and I promptly lost my balance and down it went again. This time I couldn't really lower it gently, and that's when the brake lever broke and the indicator light got properly smashed (as opposed to the small crack - repaired with superglue and an elastic band - I had given it after No 1 drop).

Do Suzuki make stabilisers?  '>

On the exhaust front I will keep with the original chimney for the time being - I like the idea of having a bike with a catalytic converter, gives me something to boast about to car drivers who accuse me of not being as env friendly as them - but once I've smashed it beyond repair (in around 4 years time?) I will get something nicer, and lighter...  

[ifizzy]

2 good lefthand bends

exit a2 on to Wainscott bypass heading towards the Isle Of Grain.
As you exit the a2 it is an immediate left hand bend which is quite dramatic though there is chevrons as an escape route.
Follow the dual all the way to the end onto a nice big right hander to the roundabout.
Take the last exit and head back towards the a2.
This is a long sweeping left hander.
3 miles along the road you have a really sharp left hander on to the m2 dover bound.
Take the first exit off the m2 take 2nd exit off roundabout leading to 2nd roundabout.
Take 2nd exit on to m2 London bound.
Join the m2.
Take 1st exit towards Isle of Grain.
This is an extreme hairpin bend which tightens half way round so there may be an opportunity to knee the tarmac.
Follow the road all the way up the dual to the roundabout again.
Come back as previously mentioned head towards home on the a2 have a cup of tea. '>

[**SPIDER**]

Cadwell the 20th '>

[naughty lee]

what you need to do is to learn how to ride sitting the wrong way round on the saddle (facing behind the bike) this way when you turn right you actually lean to the left! sounds a bit dangerous but I've worked it out on my abacus and its quite safe really.
if you want you can practise on the back of my bike. no. hang on, you'd have to get on the front. that would mean I was on the back... no, that can't be right.
you get on the front and I sit on the tank...hang on.. Ive fucking confused myself here..

[Biker Biker]

LMFAO '>