[ryandlf]

Let me start off by introducing myself. My name is Ryan, live in SC, however i'm originally from Canada. I purchased my first Honda CBR 600 RR about a week ago, and I have to say learning to ride is coming to me a lot easier than I thought, I do however have a few simple questions, that I would really appreciate some feedback on. In my opinion its better to find yourself in a situation and at least know what you should do, rather than try and learn it all the hard way.

Ok, for my first one...I bought my bike with about 5500 miles on it, but i'm noticing when I drop down from 2nd to 1st i'll hear a clunk when it gets back into 1st. Its not grinding or anything, and really it sounds normal, but I just wanted to make sure. Is this normal?

And second, an ever so popular turning question. If any of you live in SC, you know that the roads here can be quite strange, lots of merge lanes, crossing over and yield signs. I've got a turn right outside my neighborhood that I can see myself getting into quite a sticky situation if I don't know how to treat it properly. Lets say, you have to turn, but the turn doesn't let out into a straighaway before there is a stop sign, so essentially you will have to stop in the midst of the turn. Would you accomplish this, merely by just taking it at a much slower speed than normal and simply coming to a stop? Everything i've read warns you over and over again never to use the brakes in the middle of turn, so I guess thats just whats confusing me a bit.

Anyways, its good to meet all of you. I've been browsing this forum quite a bit, and it seems to be one of the most informative sites on the net pertaining to sportbikes. I look forward to future conversations.

 

[Smitty]

Most m/cs tend to have clunky gearboxes & Honda is well knowen for it so do not fret. What you have to do in the State roads I do not know for again I am another Cdn.

 

[Lost Nomad]

Have you taken the MSF course? One of their drills is emergency braking in a turn and you can apply that principle. When I first started I've read everywhere that it is a bad idea to brake in the middle of a turn... for the most part, that is true, but it is possible to do as long as you're smooth about it. If there is a stop at the end of a turn, I'd suggest you slow down a bit before the turn (I'm personally paranoid about doing this as cars behind me don't slow down till they are in the turn and I feel like I'm risking getting rear ended), make sure you look through the turn, and stay on the inside, so that as you exit the turn, you can brake while straightening up the bike and end up on the outside of the turn. hope that explanation made sense, if not I'm sure someone else will chime in.

Oh, and welcome! :twofinger (Standard Greeting)

 

[ryandlf]

I'm actually in the process of signing up for the MSF course...i've been told I can learn it on my own, but lets face the facts, its there for a reason and safety should be our biggest concern. Same with any vehicle...there are a lot of people on the road who should have to go through the defensive driving course more than once. I've been through it and its wonderful.

Unfortunately there is a decent waiting period to take the course and I couldn't stand just having this beautiful machine in my garage without getting on it and learning a little for myself. So i've been going through the neighborhood working on basic stuff.

Thanks for the welcome!

 

[hoopster]

Welcome! As far as the clunk to first goes, this is normal. Your braking mid turn question is more complicated but Nomad explained pretty well. Just take it slow since you're coming to a stop anyways. You can brake mid turn just be smooth and if coming to a stop, gradually stand the bike up straight as you slow. Or stand it up first, then brake hard.

I highly recommend Nick Ienatsch's book Sport Riding as it explains the limitations of cornering, braking and tire grip, as well as many other finer points on proper riding.
Good luck and always know your own limits as a rider.

 

[Warputer]

Rock Hill huh ? I work in Chester and live just north of Columbia .

Welcome to the site ..........and a lotta bikes have a "Clunky" 1st gear .

 

[ryandlf]

Ya, i'm about 20 minutes south of Chester...you ever up this way?

 

[Warputer]

Ya, i'm about 20 minutes south of Chester...you ever up this way?

Work in Chester about 4 days a week . Ride up Highway 176 to 215 a few times a week , from Lake Murray to Chester . Hit a few good roads along the way . Halseville Rd. is a good one , if U can dodge the deer and rabbits . Lots of curves !

 

[Jay22]

Yep, clunk is normal. Its like a "Chunk!" followed by a slight rattle. My bike started doing that after about 200 miles, once everything started breaking in a little. I have a 2005 Gixxer 600 myself. On the road, I've heard about every bike do it. Ninjas, CBR's, Gixxers, ect.

As for turning, yeah. Listen to these guys.


And welcome!
:twofinger

 

[gamaner23]

I'm Gamanr and love to run bike over gravels.