Dropped her, but found the culprit

[bobhamlin]

Last week, arriving at work, I dropped her in the parking garage. To get to my parking spot, I enter the garage, ride past my spot, do a U-turn, and pull in next to a wall parallel to the driving lane-- it's one of those spots that is too narrow for a car, perfect for a bike and I'm already pointed out of the garage when it's time to leave.

I've made that U-turn hundreds of time--left and right. I consciously practice Motorman Palladino's technique but have rarely scraped the floorboard.

This time, on a right hand U-turn, it started to fall. By the time, I got my foot down, it was too late. Ego-wise, I was early enough in the morning to be the only witness--even gave myself an inadvertant blast of the Stebel horn!

Later that day, when I turned right into my home driveway, I almost felt the need to put my foot down. Then I remembered that another right U-turn earlier in the week had been shakey. WTF?

Sunday (the day the Ravens beat the Steelers in case you missed it), I took the Nomad to a school parking lot to practice U-turns. I almost dropped her twice--again on right turns. Left turns felt as smooth as before. Finally, I figured out what was happening.

Last weekend, as part of my new front tire, fork oil change, and BLING! rotor install, I also swapped out the Baron Big Johnson handlebar that I have had on the bike since restoring it for stock bars. The stock bars make a BIG difference.

When turning right, the throttle grip is now much closer to my body. My right wrist has a lot more angle to it than on the Big Johnsons. I wasn't twisting the throttle as smoothly.

It might be muscle memory, but for now, I'm having to consciously force myself to twist the throttle more at very slow speed. It started improving, but I'm going to need more practice. What's that saying about an old dog and new tricks?

Who'd a thunk?

[ringadingh]

Its one of those things that will take a bit of getting used to. After another few days youll forget that they are different bars over the old ones.
Make sure the cables are not pulling tight on the bars while turning. thats a sure way to get in trouble.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

When you get used to something and then have a change it makes a big difference in how we react. Just be careful until the different handlebar feels natural to you.

[skeeter]

Moral of the story is.....

Never downsize when you got a big Johnson.

As to the throttle grip............

[bobzinger]

Go Ravens!

[bobhamlin]

Originally Posted by skeeter

Moral of the story is.....

Never downsize when you got a big Johnson.

As to the throttle grip............

Skeeter, ladies and gentlemen, Skeeter! He'll be here all week. Let's have a hand.

Just not on your Johnson!! (sfx rimshot) Hello? Hello? Is this on? Is this working?