Why You Can Ride a Large Engine Displacement Motorcycle

There comes a time in a motorcycle rider's career when he/she begins to consider moving up to a larger displacement motorcycle. In this case, this would involve transitioning from entry level bikes (250cc to 500cc) to intermediate or advanced bikes (600cc and up). Often times, I would hear the following statement from a fellow rider.

"That bike is too big for me." or "I can't handle a motorcycle like that."

If you're a new rider or one that hasn't had much exposure to other motorcycles out there, the thought of changing to another bike can sound daunting or even scary. However, if you've spent lots of time on the road with your current machine and felt confident in controlling it, trying a new motorcycle is actually a confidence booster. Simply put, handling a larger machine confidently is a demonstration of the skills you have learned and mastered on your smaller bike.

Why move to a larger displacement bike? Here are some popular reasons for doing so.

1. Personal Goals: What are your goals as a motorcyclist? Are you planning to use your bike to commute more often? Are all-day trips commonplace for you? Is a cross-country or statewide trip somewhere in your future? Will you/are you taking passengers on your bike?

2. Challenge: Does your motorcycle meet your needs in terms of utility, features, power, and speed? Are you satisfied with the motorcycle's performance in many of your riding situations? Do you feel that you've "mastered" your motorcycle and taken it to its limits?

3. Long-term Comfort: A larger engine works a lot less to maintain highway speeds. Additionally, it is smoother at lower gears and doesn't need to be revved as high to zip around. A heavier bike is more stable on the highway and through curves. Thinking about carrying cargo with you? Larger bikes have more seat room and some come with hard luggage. Some bikes even have the ability to tow trailers!

My reason to upgrade to my 2007 Yamaha FJR1300A came from a combination of those three factors. My last bike, a 2005 Suzuki SV650N, was my primary mode of transportation during college. During that time, I found myself going on weekend trips that easily topped 400 miles in a single day, sometimes taking rides from Los Angeles to San Francisco on a whim. I enjoyed the nimbleness of my v-twin standard bike (it taught me the fine art of taming the twisties) but the vibration of the engine at prolonged highway speeds was doing a number on my wrists and hands, not to mention that the lightweight nature of the bike made it easy for passing big rigs to toss me around. Lastly, my future goals as a motorcyclist involved traveling coast to coast and visiting every state in the United States. As this would be very possible on this bike, it wouldn't be the most comfortable ride to accomplish this task. After much research in finding a bike that was more powerful yet still fulfilled my needs for agility and speed, I went for the FJR1300, a touring motorcycle with the spirit of a sport bike and the ample luggage space to carry everything I needed to go anywhere I wanted. So far, I’m well on my way to accomplishing those state-crossing, mileage-racking goals.

Me and my 2005 SV650N in early 2007

Going for the bigger motorcycle is an ambitious task and does take a bit of courage to step up and try something new. Before I took the jump, I went out to several test ride events hosted by dealers and motorcycle programs and popped around on as many different bikes as I could. This way I learned the peculiarities of various models and also tuned in on what I needed and wanted as a rider. In the last seven years I have tested over two dozen motorcycles and, although I have been very happy with my current ride, still look for opportunities to stay abreast with the latest trends and technology. (I also find it funny to tell the burly male bikers that I've ridden motorcycles with engines larger than theirs.)

Still a little worried? You are not "re-learning" to ride when you jump on a new bike. Here are several fears that I've heard from riders, and many of them are unwarranted. Don't doubt your skills as a motorcyclist; you didn't come this far to stop now.

1. "I'm going to pop the clutch, ram the throttle too hard, etc...it's going to wheelie/flip/throw me off/go out of control." There is nothing different about the way a large motorcycle operates mechanically from a smaller bike. When trying a new bike, feather the clutch to find that particular bike's "friction zone" (when the bike starts to move forward). It varies from bike to bike and can respond immediately or have some play to it. Take it easy on the throttle. Once you've found the right combination of throttle and clutch, you can make any bike controllable regardless of size and power.

2. "The bike is too heavy." Yes, there may be a little bit more mass to push up straight from the kickstand, but once it's upright you're ready to take off. As you've learned in basic motorcycle training, the bike becomes more upright as you decelerate. A motorcycle that is straight and upright feels more weightless, and the role of your feet is to keep it that way as it slows to a complete stop. Focus more on smooth stops and understanding the weight balancing of the bike and you’ll do just fine.

3. “The brakes will be too sensitive on a new/different/unfamiliar bike.” In some cases, this is true. However, you wouldn’t grab a ‘handful’ of brake on your small bike, so why would you do it to a larger one? Braking systems have become more responsive and all it takes is one or two fingers to fully activate a front brake. This is mostly the case on the larger bikes, so take it easy on the test ride by increasing your stopping distance until you’ve accustomed yourself to the brakes.

4. "The bike is too tall." Although having both feet flat on the ground helps new riders gain confidence, you do not have to have both feet on the ground to control a bike when stopped. The belief that this is necessary has limited many riders from trying potentially awesome bikes. Not too sure of what you can handle? Go to a dealership and sit on several taller motorcycles. You will find that keeping the bike upright is easier than you think. One popular method is scooting your butt over on the seat so that the left foot is perfectly flat on the ground. It's the same way shorter people ride dirtbikes. In this position, your right foot is always near the rear brake to control the bike's movement or to stop the bike completely. Some riders have even gone to modifying their riding boots (i.e. elevator soles) to get on the motorcycle of their dreams or lowering the bike itself. Depending on the motorcycle, physically lowering it can adversely affect its handling physics and performance so this option is often used as a last resort.

All props go to the small, mistake-forgiving displacement bikes to get you to where you are today. They're stepping stones to your improvement as a rider. So what are you waiting for? Go to a test ride at your local dealership or motorcycle event. Even if it's a brand that you're not even considering it's worth the experience. The bikes you'll have the chance to ride are only limited by your ambition. Ride safe!

Ride Reviews: Triumph Thunderbird 1600, Tiger 1050, Rocket III Roadster

I had the chance to test ride a few Triumph motorcycles last Saturday at MOTOHIO European Motorbikes in Columbus. This was the first time I had the chance to officially test ride motorcycles since going to the last Femmoto event in Las Vegas in October 2008 and it was a nice change of pace instead of working a full day at my store. Oh dear, such a punishment for me! Okay, fine...it was in the mid 90s and sweltering hot. That was something six bottles of water and a few hot dogs fixed quite easily.

So first up to the plate was the Thunderbird 1600. It's a parallel twin powerhouse on two wheels (and I haven't even made it to the Rocket III yet). For its size it was well-balanced and felt like a much lighter bike. It had quick acceleration and every gear was smooth, making shifting effortless. I was cranking this machine through the turns and it responded to my every command. For cruiser-style bikes, it's difficult to find one that doesn't make twisties feel like a laborious task and this one definitely proved itself to be an agile winner. Additionally, its seat height is quite neutral; I'm 5'5" and was flatfooted on it. However, because of the location of its forward controls, I found myself either overstretching slightly or reaching for the levers, suggesting that the ergonomics are more for someone who is several inches taller. Aside from that, if you're looking for a power cruiser that's fun, agile, and has the potential to keep up with the sporties, this is definitely a bike for you.

The Tiger 1050 SE has now earned a place in my top three list of future, full-time utility motorcyles that could take my FJR1300's place whenever it decides to retire. It's upright, enduro-style posture was comfortable and made me feel taller. It's agile and smooth at any speed at any gear, and has power to boot. I had a great time running that triple-cylinder engine through the gears and its constant spunk reminded me that it had torque to spare. I was also surprised by the firmness and comfort of the stock seat, too. My major criticisms of it are that it doesn't have the same luxury options as the FJR such as an electric, extendable windshield and large plastic fairing for those jaunts in the late fall/winter months. Additionally, it's chain-driven so there's a little bit more maintenance issues involved, especially on long-distance runs. Also, the stock sidecases aren't large enough; one sidecase's cargo room is compromised due to the bike's exhaust pipe, and the larger sidecase can't fit a single full-face helmet...it definitely needs a top case or aftermarket sidecases. The 32.5" seat height will take a little getting used to as well. Otherwise, it's a contender to the low-seat, low-frame BMW R1200GS.

The last ride of the day was a reunion of sorts with the Rocket III Roadster. I had my first encounter with the world's largest production bike in 2007 when I rode it to kill time while getting the 8000 mile service on my FJR in Lakeville, Minnesota. This 2010 version, however, is the souped up roadster version. Triumph has gone ahead and made a leaner and meaner edition of its excellently designed high engine displacement machine.

Its powerband can be summarized in one word: torque. This thing gets you moving on sheer power. The 2294cc engine was barely trying to get me moving; I was never above 3rd gear at any given time (the thing has five gears). I slammed this bike into a curve and it leaned effortlessly through it. I hope to try the fully dressed touring model someday; that is one that screams for a towing hitch and an accompanying trailer. I applaud Triumph for creating and improving a bike that, not only has an engine larger and with more torque than most economy cars, but also thinks it's a bicycle and eats curves as if it were one. My only criticism is ergos; the location of the pegs on the Roadster had my knees up higher than I would like for long distances. Then again, this thing is intended to be a short-distance hooligan...for longer trips it's the touring edition.

In general, every Triumph excels in agility, smoothness, and braking power. All you need to do as a rider is find the one that fits your personality. For me it's the upright styled Tiger 1050. Of course, with the constant evolution of motorcycle technology that could change in the next several years. Oh well, Eleanor isn't going anywhere for a long time, and I wouldn't want her to, anyway. :)

My rant of a random Ohio driver (and others of that kind).

I had one of the strangest moments on a motorcycle involving a truck on the road yesterday (Thursday) evening. I'm coming home from my WOW meeting at the Tuttle Mall and traveling south on I-270. I'm the left lane doing about 75MPH (the speed limit is 65MPH). I then see this older, brown mid-sized pickup truck behind me change lanes, accelerate quickly, and blast past me doing over 80 and speeding away. I'm thinking it's another typical person in a hurry; I get passed on 270 regardless of how fast I'm going and what lane I'm in. It's very common around here in Ohio; they know you have a motorcycle and want to one-up you just to raise their self-esteem by two notches. I'd just let them go. I have never exercised my right to twist my throttle 1/4 a turn for triple digit acceleration out of anger.

I then get home and jump on the computer, logging onto my e-mail and one of the motorcycle message boards I read. There's a private message waiting for me, and I click it. It turns out that the driver of the truck that passed me recognized my bike and was also part of the same message board. Here's the message this person left (names and slogans have been covered up to protect the one I scratch my head at).

Now I normally don't get irked by these kind of things, but I'm actually more confused than anything else. It was a calm Thursday and I had nobody in my lane tailgating me so I figured my spacing was sufficient. Additionally, if I compare this to California traffic (for all my friends back home), what I was in was the equivalent of the 405 freeway at about 11PM so pretty much a very low volume of cars but enough for the freeway to look used. If I what I was doing (10 over posted speed limit) was too slow then sure, I should've been in the next lane over. If this person was so much in a hurry, the truck should have continued at 85 MPH all the way instead of wasting it on just passing me, the "obstruction." However, when I looked at the description of the bike that this person rides, it doesn't surprise me that I was passed like it was the final lap of MotoGP. Additionally, I don't know how a motorcycle "hogs" a lane. I usually ride in the center to make sure nobody shares it with me...I never thought Eleanor's 38 inch wingspan would be so selfish.

There are quite a few drivers like that on the I-270 loop that goes around Columbus, and I often hear that these moves are very common of Midwest drivers (the East Coast drivers deserve a whole other rant). I've invented a couple names for these moves; I call it as I see them.

"Show Me the Milk Bottle!" (It's an Indy 500 poke): It's the car or motorcycle that flies past you at an ungodly speed just to get to the other side of Columbus faster than everyone else. Look man, there's no chilled milk at the end, just a lot of chunky cranberry juice on the ground if you eat it or hit something else in your path.

"The Guilty Pass": This is where a car passes you at a noticeably higher speed, gets in front of you, then hits the brakes, forcing you to do the same. It actually looks like they're setting up a basketball-style pick for someone else to move past you. Ohio Highway Patrol (OHP) has several posts along the loop where cops in cars or motorcycles camp out with radar guns. What I think is that drivers get overly paranoid about stacking the extra speed to get around cars that they want to make it look as subtle as possible.

"The Lane Sweeper": Drivers from all parts of the US are guilty of this one. It's where you find a "line of travel" and slide your vehicle across multiple lanes without signaling. The last time I checked moving laterally while going forward increases the distance of travel on the road. Not only is it stupid and dangerous, you look like a total ass. I was sideswiped by a Jaguar on the 105 West toward LAX that was attempting that exact move. It doesn't take much to, (1) signal, (2) look, (3) change lane, (4) cancel signal, (5) repeat steps 1-4 until you reach desired lane. Goodness.

Look people, it doesn't matter what you do; in Ohio the OHP can cite you on visual (not just radar gun) confirmation of speeding and/or reckless driving. There's no point in speeding just to pass one car. If you're going to pass, holy crap, just go for the gold and pass ten cars. Flaunt that impatience, save those precious seconds, and set a date with the traffic court! It's not like you'd win the fight anyway. >.<

To the random Ohio driver that passed me yesterday, my 75 MPH in a 65 MPH zone was probably too slow for you and your truck. So be it.

Being here in Ohio is a change of pace and is calm enough to where riders and drivers have to make things exciting and dangerous on the road to get an adrenaline rush. I wish more vehicle operators would appreciate the fact that Columbus has a real "rush hour" that only lasts for, literally, one hour.

This is the way I see it: I don't mind riding at a spirited, yet reasonable speed. Unless you've actually lived in CA, one wouldn't be able to comprehend the high level of skill and courage that it takes to travel, lane split, swerve, and handle a two-wheeled machine through a state that contains most of the worst freeways in the nation. In the seven years and over 130,000 miles I've ridden, I have been hit by several cars, taken out by oil slicks, and had more close calls than I can count. There's no point in hurrying home; it'll always be there...I just want to make sure I get there.

Riding the motorcycle in the rain?! You'll live, seriously.

I've come across many motorcyclists who only consider themselves "fair weather riders." Loosely translated, that means they're riding only when it's sunny and warm enough that jackets and other protective gear are, for some, cumbersome options. It also means avoiding weather that isn't ideal. If you live in Central Ohio or any part of the Midwest, being a "fair weather rider" can take away nearly half of the riding season thanks to the constant movement of clouds and precipitation in this part of the United States. A bad forecast for later that day can alter a route or cancel a trip with friends. With some practice and preparation this can be changed.

Unless you live in California or any part of the Sun Belt where impending rain can be predicted days in advance, preparing to ride in the rain is vital. The ability to ride well through a downpour is another skill a rider can add to his/her toolbox of motorcycling. Not only will you become more confident on your bike, you'll develop a deeper understanding of your two-wheeled machine.

Here's a few tips to help you out.

1. Gear: Take advantage of the many innovative accessories and gear that allow you to ride in every condition and, in turn, lengthen your riding season. Rain suits, gloves, boots, etc. are available for every need and for every style of riding. Do a little research online or go to your local motorcycle store to see what the powersports industry has to offer.

2. Time: If it's the first time it's rained in your area in more than a few weeks, give the road an hour or so to wash away all the oil and other road grime that's built up during the dry time.

3. Increase your following and stopping distances. Visibility (of you) and visibility (your view of the road) are reduced in the rain. Flash the brake light several times before stopping. Look around and at your mirrors for other cars and objects in your path.

4. Eliminate sudden movements. Take more time to think about where you want the bike to go. Deliberately make line changes visible and obvious to other motorists. Gradually roll that throttle and shift cleanly. Press both front and rear brakes smoothly and gradually until you come to that stop.

5. Take it easy on the turns. This isn't the time to slam into a corner or practice maximum entry speed. Your tires have good grip on the road. When you get more comfortable with your bike in wet conditions, try increasing your lean as you take turns.

6. Always have a way out. Drivers act differently during a rainstorm so be prepared for anything. I usually try to position myself to have at least one (or if I can help it, two) ways to leave my lane in case of a sudden stop, a flying object, or debris on the road. In some cases that may be an adjacent lane, a freeway shoulder, or (in an extreme case because this is illegal everywhere but CA) splitting between traffic.

7. Watch out for painted lines and tar snakes. Those things are slippery when wet, so it's a great idea to avoid putting your foot down on top of one when you come to a stop. When rolling over them, use caution as well.

8. The only way to improve on rain riding is to actually go out and ride in the rain. Travel on familiar roads. Ride to and from work. Take the highway. Practice makes perfect! With time, rain riding is just another moist day on the bike.