[Discussion] General Queries From Newbies

[Shunpo]

hais. yet another noob riding experience today. (with pillion)

 

U turn flunk again lols. Still not used to the turning angle and weight of phantom ta200.

feel that the weight at the rear + weight of pillion drag the bike downwards.

 

Is it normal to have a weak power at biting point ? have been getting myself clumsy in carparks. Humps here and there and I'm getting wobbly in carparks.

 

And not forgetting those steep MSCP T_T yesterday stalled once on the slope itself. Luckily got people just around the corner to help me lift the bike up.

 

Hais, getting more and more not confident liao

[VidaK]

hais. yet another noob riding experience today. (with pillion)

 

U turn flunk again lols. Still not used to the turning angle and weight of phantom ta200.

feel that the weight at the rear + weight of pillion drag the bike downwards.

 

Is it normal to have a weak power at biting point ? have been getting myself clumsy in carparks. Humps here and there and I'm getting wobbly in carparks.

 

And not forgetting those steep MSCP T_T yesterday stalled once on the slope itself. Luckily got people just around the corner to help me lift the bike up.

 

Hais, getting more and more not confident liao

 

don't worry... it is normal... it would take time to get used to a bike...

 

of course, since the phantom is a cruiser and school bikes are street bikes, the feel would be quite different... over time you would be better with throttle control and clutch control... so it won't be long before you are comfortable with the phantom

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Phantom's max torque cuts in early. You "lose power" if you launch the bike or release the clutch at higher revs.

 

How to launch from the stoplights and turn heads with a surprising turn of speed:

 

1. Dump the clutch as early as possible, without stalling the bike.

2. Decisively open the throttle and imagine you're on a baby Harley (chop chop chop sounds nice)

3. Change gear when you feel the torque tapering off. Note that you get max acceleration when you engage gear ASAP and let the engine accelerate from low revs.

4. Cruise along comfortably at top gear pretend nothing happened.

 

5. No power at biting point? This bike has quite significant inertia. You need to get used to adding power BEFORE a desired maneuver. Like piloting a watercraft. Ie, boat.

 

Best example to give is when inching past a tight space beside EPS carpark barriers meant for bikes to squeeze in and out. Leave the throttle at say, 2500rpm and don't touch it, control your speed with rear brake and feathering the clutch. This keeps your engine momentum up and you always have power on demand. Ride the Phantom a few weeks and you don't need this tactic anymore. You've lots of torque. Find it.

 

U turn tips.

 

1. If you try to turn this beast like a Honda Cub, you will probably find the handlebar snapping into the turn and you dumped on the ground. This is due to the weight distribution.

 

2. Try wider turns at first, to get used to leaning the bike over and adding some power to push you around the turn. Use the lean against posture and stick your leg out against the turn to widen your 'base' (in terms of centre of gravity) and execute the turn smoothly.

 

3. Repeat U turn practise until you don't need your legs. There are a few ways to do a brisk snap U turn on the Phantom - if it threatens to tip over just balance with your legs or countersteer as the head snaps. Before long you can actually keep up with the ah peks on their Racing Phantoms slicing through traffic jams with the daily cub prix (* NOT recommended!)

 

4. If you ride with a laid back riding posture, expect to have a tendency to understeer. Ie, a ***** to get this cruiser to dive into corners and hit the apex with your cruiser type suspension geometry. You can counter this "understeering" by leaning forward ie putting your weight on the handlebars and onto the front wheel, making the machine more responsive for chicane like roads.

 

Not sure how it works but more weight on front = more traction on the wheel that's steering = more responsive. Same can be accomplished by braking before turn (slow in fast out). Brake to setup turn, choose desired driving line, add power to shift weight back to the rear for stability and slice through the turn.

 

Once you get the 'pattern' of weight transfer right, the Phantom is just as nice a bike as any other.

 

Some people may not like me posting videos but there are some corners here you can watch. I was chase bike for a CBR150 rider having a ball visiting Changi Airport the other day. Unfortunately I edited out most of the parts with U turns.

 

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sJTm_mGtUo[/yt]

[BlackDawn]

Lots of very technical descriptions from Mr Kalyan, which is probably true but too much to digest for newbies. Imagine trying to remember that wall of text while you are riding.

 

I say, just get more road experience and feel the bike and take it from there. Focus on staying on your wheels and ride safely. All the tricks to maximize torque and traction is (honestly) not something newbies need to worry about now.

 

Once you have sufficient on-the-road experience, you will be able to feel your ride.

 

Phantom = Baby Harley? not even close, my friend.

Edited May 2, 2010 by BlackDawn

[Zhi Ming]

Hi guys , just got myself a can of Voltronic universal cleaner , was planning to use it for cleaning brake system only but i went to their website and saw it can be used to clean high-speed motorbike chain too..anyone used it for cleaning chains?

 

http://www.voltronic-germany.com/Universal-Cleaner-M60.htm

[VidaK]

Hi guys , just got myself a can of Voltronic universal cleaner , was planning to use it for cleaning brake system only but i went to their website and saw it can be used to clean high-speed motorbike chain too..anyone used it for cleaning chains?

 

http://www.voltronic-germany.com/Universal-Cleaner-M60.htm

 

that is exotic stuff... I have a friend who uses that... but I'm not sure if she cleans her chain with it...

 

well since the website says that it is safe to the rings in the chain... why not give it a try...? its nice to have shiny chain and sprockets... but please remember to lube the chain after cleaning it... you won't want to kill the chain by riding when it is dry...

[aguillon]

Hi guys

 

Anyone have an alarm system with Remote Start function with it?

 

Any idea how much and suggestions on where to install?

Also, any particular brands to look out for / avoid?

 

Keen on getting this function, to remote start, warm up my bike downstairs before i reach downstairs so when i reach my bike, i can just ride off to work. hee!

 

Ah Koon has these. Pretty stylo, and fun to remotely scare cats and children if they come too close to your bike.

If I recall correctly, Koon told me something like 90 or 95 sgd.

Was thinking of installing one too. Will probably do that at the same time as a new headlamp when he has the stock.

[aguillon]

hais. yet another noob riding experience today. (with pillion)

 

U turn flunk again lols. Still not used to the turning angle and weight of phantom ta200.

feel that the weight at the rear + weight of pillion drag the bike downwards.

 

Is it normal to have a weak power at biting point ? have been getting myself clumsy in carparks. Humps here and there and I'm getting wobbly in carparks.

 

And not forgetting those steep MSCP T_T yesterday stalled once on the slope itself. Luckily got people just around the corner to help me lift the bike up.

 

Hais, getting more and more not confident liao

 

Yah agree with you, steep MSCPs can be tough. Personally I stay in second gear on some of these and everything is fine.

U-Turns are indeed tricky on the Phantom cos it's much longer (and lower) than the school bikes and the weight distribution is very different as well, plus the different riding posture doesn't help. as you mentioned, the bike is quite a handful with a pillion on (most bikes are anyway). If you are carrying a pillion often, I'd suggest tightening the rear suspension to a 4 or 5 setting (factory setting is a medium 3) - it does help a bit.

I find it's a bike that's difficult to maintain at extremely slow speed, so give it slightly more juice on u-turns and go wider. You do get used to it quite fast. I find it to be a very enjoyable bike after the 1-2 weeks getting used to it.

[Vashie]

I went to have a short ride on my bike just now.

The right rear signal light which is not working amazingly works after traveling for awhile!

So it shouldn't be the bulb problem.

 

When I just start my bike, I itchy want try go up slope at mscp. Ended up halfway up slope I fell on my right! My box opened upon impact and everything flew out.

Gotten some scrape at my right ankle area...and my bike leaking petrol while on it's side.

After looking around a bit on the bike and see no problem on the outside, I rode around a bit...realise the sound like not right. I think really need go find ah chong already.

[VidaK]

I went to have a short ride on my bike just now.

The right rear signal light which is not working amazingly works after traveling for awhile!

So it shouldn't be the bulb problem.

 

When I just start my bike, I itchy want try go up slope at mscp. Ended up halfway up slope I fell on my right! My box opened upon impact and everything flew out.

Gotten some scrape at my right ankle area...and my bike leaking petrol while on it's side.

After looking around a bit on the bike and see no problem on the outside, I rode around a bit...realise the sound like not right. I think really need go find ah chong already.

 

ouch... be careful... and get well soon...

[VidaK]

especially that carpark surfaces are very very slippery... controlling the throttle is a bit of a balancing act... don't open the throttle suddenly if you feel that the engine is stalling!

[Vashie]

Go upslope halfway the bike knock hard will get scared and open more throttle!

The signal light don't know when will have and when will don't have...haha. I think get more used to it before riding to school. Singapore poly got the slope damn high...scared.

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

I'm considering on installing a crash bar...where is Ah K**N located at?

Is it legal?

Edited May 2, 2010 by Vashie

[jtzx]

I went to have a short ride on my bike just now.

The right rear signal light which is not working amazingly works after traveling for awhile!

So it shouldn't be the bulb problem.

 

When I just start my bike, I itchy want try go up slope at mscp. Ended up halfway up slope I fell on my right! My box opened upon impact and everything flew out.

Gotten some scrape at my right ankle area...and my bike leaking petrol while on it's side.

After looking around a bit on the bike and see no problem on the outside, I rode around a bit...realise the sound like not right. I think really need go find ah chong already.

 

Go upslope halfway the bike knock hard will get scared and open more throttle!

The signal light don't know when will have and when will don't have...haha. I think get more used to it before riding to school. Singapore poly got the slope damn high...scared.

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

I'm considering on installing a crash bar...where is Ah K**N located at?

Is it legal?

 

ride save dude.. slowly get use to your bike k. clock more millege is the key!!

[Metalfyre]

I went to have a short ride on my bike just now.

The right rear signal light which is not working amazingly works after traveling for awhile!

So it shouldn't be the bulb problem.

 

When I just start my bike, I itchy want try go up slope at mscp. Ended up halfway up slope I fell on my right! My box opened upon impact and everything flew out.

Gotten some scrape at my right ankle area...and my bike leaking petrol while on it's side.

After looking around a bit on the bike and see no problem on the outside, I rode around a bit...realise the sound like not right. I think really need go find ah chong already.

 

If your front corresponding signal light is working while your rear is not, it's pretty obvious the issue does not lie with your bulb. Since you already have a better idea regarding this, I shall not comment.

 

Sounds like you took a low speed spill and laid down your bike. If your box can open with that kind of low impact, you might want to consider getting a new box; anyone who jerks at your box cover with some force will be able to force it open. Your 'leaking petrol' is probably due to your carbs flooding on one side since you laid your bike down. Shouldn't be a problem.

 

Still, going to a motor diam is a good idea; even a low speed spill can twist your front wheel alignments. Get that sorted out, before trying again. Good luck!

[byon]

Hi bros

 

I bought two brakepads from thailand, any brothers know how to change them?

 

Thanks for your help in advance!

[pureice68]

Go upslope halfway the bike knock hard will get scared and open more throttle!

The signal light don't know when will have and when will don't have...haha. I think get more used to it before riding to school. Singapore poly got the slope damn high...scared.

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

I'm considering on installing a crash bar...where is Ah K**N located at?

Is it legal?

 

Bro, you mentioned 'upslope halfway the bike knock hard', can you remember which gear were you in? If you're going slow, shud either be in 1st or 2nd gear to eliminate knocking.

 

Ah Koon is at 61 Lengkok Bahru. Cheers!

[Vashie]

Thanks for the address!

Anyway...how long do you all usually warm up your bike in the morning before moving off?

[VidaK]

Thanks for the address!

Anyway...how long do you all usually warm up your bike in the morning before moving off?

 

for my phantom: 15 seconds

 

the other bikes: at least one minute

 

[Vashie]

Erm...the other bikes = my phantom?

[VidaK]

Erm...the other bikes = my phantom?

 

no no no... I meant my other bikes that have higher compression ratios, or bikes that I ride but I do not own... et cetera...

[Vashie]

Hmm...so for phantom wise...under one minute of warming up is enough?

[VidaK]

Hmm...so for phantom wise...under one minute of warming up is enough?

 

yes. warming up is mainly about two things: one is about letting the oil pump to pump engine oil into the cylinder head to lubricate the piston, camshaft, et cetera properly, the other thing is to let the bike idle...

 

as for me, I would adjust my idling to a level so that the engine shouldn't die off once I start it... so I just wait for the engine parts to be lubricated before I move off...

[Vashie]

On ignition, start the engine, leave it there to idle for like 20 seconds and it's ready to go?

Thanks for the clarification. Been wondering these few days if I warmed up the engine enough...scared idle too long will waste battery.

[VidaK]

On ignition, start the engine, leave it there to idle for like 20 seconds and it's ready to go?

Thanks for the clarification. Been wondering these few days if I warmed up the engine enough...scared idle too long will waste battery.

 

lol... once the engine has started, the battery isn't really involved... the running engine would generate electricity to fire the spark plug and charge the battery

[pureice68]

Yo seniors, just got my IU replaced this morning as it was faulty. Do I need to update the new IU unit number in any government system, e.g. One Motoring, etc...?