Acceleration Can Be Your Friend

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I've been riding motorcycles my entire life. A lot of folks out there avoid riding motorcycles that are known to be very powerful and fast. I understand the reason behind such thinking. It takes a rider with experience to handle a powerful motorcycle, especially one that has a lot of torque and weight.

However, there is a very good reason for owning and riding a powerful bike versus riding a less powerful bike. This reason becomes evident when riding on an interstate highway during rush hour in a moderately sized city.

Yesterday, I took my 2014 VMAX out for a leisurely ride to go visit some former employees and pick up some mail they were holding for me. I live in N. High Point and took I-40 over to East Greensboro (Creek Ridge Rd.) to pay them a visit.

When I started to leave after my visit, it was around 5:00, rush hour. I decided to ride north up Elm-Eugene through downtown Greensboro and pick up Friendly Ave. over to Green Valley Dr. and then Benjamin Parkway (Bryan Blvd.)

When I got to Benjamin Parkway, I realized that traffic was fairly heavy. However, as I went through a few lights, the traffic started moving at a good pace and continued to do so as I transitioned onto Bryan Blvd. I can't recall exactly where I was on Bryan Blvd. when this took place, but soon after Benjamin Pkwy became Bryan Blvd., I was riding along in the middle lane and had a Guilford County Sheriff's Deputy car to my left, another car to my right, a car right on my butt behind me, and a car coming down the entrance ramp to my right that was matching the speed of the car to my immediate right. The closest vehicle directly in front of me in my lane was around 200 - 300 yards ahead of me.

I was in top gear (5th) and seeing the danger of being between two cars and having a third closely on my tail with another entering the freeway to my right on the other side of the vehicle directly to my right, I decided to twist the throttle. I didn't twist it all the way. It just required a quick twist about halfway for a second or two.

My bike instantly propelled me to a safer position leaving the Sheriff's Deputy car to my left, the other car to my right, the car trailing close behind me, and the car entering the freeway to my right, all very far behind. No downshifting or extreme throttle inputs were necessary. Just a mild twist of the throttle and some situational awareness, and all was good again.

The Guilford County Sheriff's car stayed in the left lane and eventually passed me after I rapidly slowed down once things were safe. With a blip of the throttle I hit 90mph from 55. I was prepared to explain the reason had I got pulled over. He kept on going like nothing happened.

Big powerful bikes can be safe if used properly with experience.
 
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Always heard your safer on a bigger bike because you will respect its power. Smaller one you get to comfortable on.
 
Exactly. Back when I have my Buell XB12Ss, I was on I40 and cars all around me but open in front. Twisted the throttle. That was when I discovered the advantage of torque too. It took only seconds to go from 60 to 105. I did not even realize until I looked down that I had gotten up so fast. Backed down when I was in the clear. Mind, you, at the time I was pushing 300 pounds. And that Buell had not problem getting up.
 
There is also a bit of satisfaction to be had when driving a vehicle with a powerful engine that looks like it wouldn’t have one. Get some idiot with his pip squeak car trying to play games like not let you pass or change lanes, get them to where they stomp on the gas to try to stop you from getting ahead of them and leave them in the dust without effort. Then enjoy watching them throw their fit of rage.
 
Can't agree more. I'm far more interested in the 65-110 top gear roll-on times than 0-60 times.
Also, with electronic rider aids (traction control) there's really no such thing as "too much" power these days, as long as you aren't an idiot and do something stupid like turn it off when riding on the street.
The obvious disadvantage is that more powerful engines come on heavier bikes... Rider aids won't help a new rider there.
It's something I have to consciously keep in mind when I'm riding my 1976 R75/6.
50 HP (rated, not rear wheel) just doesn't move you out of the way as fast without downshifting a couple of gears like a bike with a decent 115 or more HP will.
Now, I love the R75, and I've even done an Iron Butt ride on it, but I'm glad BMW has made significant improvements over the last 42 years!
 
Good power has saved my life just about as much as good brakes.
Power is just like brakes: when you need it, it's the only thing you need, and you almost can't have too much. And you can't be afraid to use it.

"F&%K YOU Power" is what is so awesome about most decent motorcycles. Even a 600cc totally rips if you know how to use it. But a liter bike, or like the OP's muscle bike like Vmax: say goodbye to everyone. You have to have a very special car to even think about keeping up! God I have always loved it.

The power to weight ratio of a bike is an advantage that needs to be utilized constantly and obnoxiously. So much brake use can be avoided by a little twist of the right side grip!

Wheelie for safety!
 
I had an 85 V max they are awesome, bet the 2014 is even better.

I had a 93, same bike from '85 to 2008, just minor cosmetic differences. My '93 was stout but not as stout as this Gen2. It pumps out right at 200 HP (176 at the wheel). It's a torque monster as well.

My '93 would scare the crap out of me when I'd hit 6000 rpm. I haven't revved this one that high. Not sure if I want to.:D

I forgot to add, Yamaha fixed the seat on the Gen2 VMAX. My '93 was torture to ride on any trip over 30 miles. This one is very comfortable. You can't go very long without stopping anyway with the abysmal gas mileage it gets.
 
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Lol, I think I need to go get laid. Feeling inadequate on my 30something hp KLR 650. Old school bikes with a carburetor have about half the horsepower of modern bikes I think.
Lol, I think I need to go get laid. Feeling inadequate on my 30something hp KLR 650. Old school bikes with a carburetor have about half the horsepower of modern bikes with fuel injection (all else being equal) I think.

Wow, getting laid twice in one day? Must be young... ;)
 
I had the Vmax(68,000 miles) and later a 88 GSXR 1100 that was punch out to a 1354. The GSXR taught me a lot of things,
1 - I wasn't prepared to go that fast
2 - My balls weren't as big as I thought. My dad warned me about this.
3 - I didn't like working on any motorcycle that much. It was very unreliable after the upgrade. But it was Very fast when it was running.
 
The scariest thing about the big hp bikes is the tank-slapper. You have not truly lived grasshopper until you've ridden through a violent tank slapper at triple digits.
Steering damper worth every damn penny. I loved it when they invented those. It wasn't so easy back in the day.
 
I love my Valkyrie. It doesn't rip off the line much, but if you are cruising at 60 and need to get out of someones way, a quick twist sends you from 60 to 100 in about 2 seconds.
 
The scariest thing about the big hp bikes is the tank-slapper. You have not truly lived grasshopper until you've ridden through a violent tank slapper at triple digits.
Steering damper worth every damn penny. I loved it when they invented those. It wasn't so easy back in the day.
Tank slapper? What is that?
I've only been in triple digits in a car, can't imagine that on a bike!!
 
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I had a 93, same bike from '85 to 2008, just minor cosmetic differences. My '93 was stout but not as stout as this Gen2. It pumps out right at 200 HP (176 at the wheel). It's a torque monster as well.

My '93 would scare the crap out of me when I'd hit 6000 rpm. I haven't revved this one that high. Not sure if I want to.:D

I forgot to add, Yamaha fixed the seat on the Gen2 VMAX. My '93 was torture to ride on any trip over 30 miles. This one is very comfortable. You can't go very long without stopping anyway with the abysmal gas mileage it gets.

I had a '89 V-Max, and you are 100% correct about the seat. Absolutely the worst seat I've ever experienced on a bike, like sitting on a basketball. Most dirt bike seats are more tolerable.

You're right about 6k rpm, too. When the V-Boost opens up, stuff gets blurry right quick. You need a lot of empty road in front of you when that happens.
 
Tank slapper? What is that?
I've only been in triple digits in a car, can't imagine that on a bike!!
The handlebars/grips suddenly, repeatedly, and violently slam lock to lock, (all the way side to side). You can't control it.
It happens as the front tire gets light..usually from a power wheelie of some sort which the big hp bikes do with ease, and by this time you are cooking.
When the front tire comes down and makes solid contact, if the tire is not perfectly aligned it'll catch wrong as you land and send the handlebars into a violent shake.
It happens instantly and the only way to stop it ... is to give the bike more gas and get the front tire back off the ground. And believe me, giving the bike more gas when it's trying to kill you at 135mph is not a natural reaction.

It might be the second scariest thing I've ever experienced and I'm still waiting for the first one to happen. :rolleyes:

A steering damper is a hydraulic device, kind of like a shock absorber, that attaches to the steering parts and prevents this from happening.
 
The handlebars/grips suddenly, repeatedly, and violently slam lock to lock, (all the way side to side). You can't control it.
It happens as the front tire gets light..usually from a power wheelie of some sort which the big hp bikes do with ease, and by this time you are cooking.
When the front tire comes down and makes solid contact, if the tire is not perfectly aligned it'll catch wrong as you land and send the handlebars into a violent shake.
It happens instantly and the only way to stop it ... is to give the bike more gas and get the front tire back off the ground. And believe me, giving the bike more gas when it's trying to kill you at 135mph is not a natural reaction.

It might be the second scariest thing I've ever experienced and I'm still waiting for the first one to happen. :rolleyes:

A steering damper is a hydraulic device, kind of like a shock absorber, that attaches to the steering parts and prevents this from happening.
Try getting one when leaned over about 35-40 degrees... My 2013 Zx6R-636 had traction control, always ran it on level 2 which prevents wheelies.. had gone on a very familiar to me twisty road and played around to see if turning it off entirely made any difference in handling (did not). Forgot to put it back on level 2... (Automatical switches back to level 1 when ever you start it, but level 1 fully allows the front wheel to get 6-8 inches off the ground for a while...) A few days later i was at a stop light right lane, needed to be 3 lanes to my left. Simple... Wait for light to change, hit full throttle, swing over 3 lanes, hard right to straighten up... Didn't have to worry about traffic as nothing on the road was going to get away faster than I was going to. As I'm getting ready to hard right to straighten up, the RPMs get up to the power band (12,000-ish) heading to the 16,500 RPM redline in first (which is about 80 mph).... While I'm leaned over at 35-40 degrees, which would have been a half second maneuver, front wheel comes off the ground... Chopped throttle, tank slapper at 70 or so mph... As you someone said, hitting the throttle wide open again at 60 while hardly being able to keep a hand on the bars is not a natural response... Luck and presence of mind were with me that day!
 
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Yesterday on a ride, thought of someone else acceleration is good for... It comes so natural to me that I never usually think about it. Making slight corrections in a corner without steering changes while maintaining a smooth turn.
Instead of a steering correction if your turn is just slightly tighter than the corner, you can apply more throttle to open up the corner just slightly without doing any steering changes.
I'm talking corners where you've got at least some moderate (20-40 degree) lean angle already happening and you're already accelerating through the corner at the optimum 0.1g or so. By applying more throttle and increasing the speed above your normal acceleration in that corner while keeping lean and steering where it is, you'll open up the corner a bit.
Doing an aggressive, late turn into a corner and using the throttle to tweak the line can give a very smooth and fluid cornering experience.
 
I'm talking corners
That's all we have. A straight and/or level road is about non-existent. (yeah it's fun as hell )
Suspension is everything here. Everything. 170 hp is a waste you'll never get to use it. I got rid of my mega bikes they were too much (power and weight) and now when feeling zippy I ride the DRZ 400 SM.
300 lbs and a whopping 40 hp. But being built for twisty roads to begin with, and with uber-dreamy Ohlins suspension, it handles like a cat on carpet. Tires are critical too, and it's all gotta work together. You just can't bolt it on and perform miracles. Dialing suspension is an art...it takes a thorough understanding of math and physics and lots of experience. All stuff that I'm way too stupid to do. Fortunately I have a master suspension tuner buddy and I just go to him and say fix it.

My clip-on days are over. If I get another stupid fast bike with all motor, it's gonna be a SuperDuke. Torque is another good thing in the mountains, plus it's got that same hooligan-punk heartbeat as the DRZ (oops another wheelie) with some big ol bronco-billy handlebars and a bad attitude just itchin' to cut heads all the while maintaining a look of innocence while the cops bag on the squids and the drunk harley guys instead. :D
 
That's all we have. A straight and/or level road is about non-existent. (yeah it's fun as hell )
Suspension is everything here. Everything. 170 hp is a waste you'll never get to use it. I got rid of my mega bikes they were too much (power and weight) and now when feeling zippy I ride the DRZ 400 SM.
300 lbs and a whopping 40 hp. But being built for twisty roads to begin with, and with uber-dreamy Ohlins suspension, it handles like a cat on carpet. Tires are critical too, and it's all gotta work together. You just can't bolt it on and perform miracles. Dialing suspension is an art...it takes a thorough understanding of math and physics and lots of experience. All stuff that I'm way too stupid to do. Fortunately I have a master suspension tuner buddy and I just go to him and say fix it.

My clip-on days are over. If I get another stupid fast bike with all motor, it's gonna be a SuperDuke. Torque is another good thing in the mountains, plus it's got that same hooligan-punk heartbeat as the DRZ (oops another wheelie) with some big ol bronco-billy handlebars and a bad attitude just itchin' to cut heads all the while maintaining a look of innocence while the cops bag on the squids and the drunk harley guys instead. :D

My son has a DRZ 400. His buddy is a tech for the Yamaha superbike team. It used to be Graves Yamaha, I don't know what team it is now. Anyway, he built my son's motor on the DRZ. 68 HP at the rear wheel!
 
My problem is that my inner child is a juvenile delinquent asshole. I loved my '05 ZRX1200R. Brutally fast. Whack the throttle in 1st or 2nd & it'd feed you the handlebars. Blew the back tire off more than once, while up under the paint in a 4th gear sweeper & grabbing 4th at 10K rpm was like making the leap to hyperspace. It was outrageously, stupidly fun, but the damned thing tried to spit me off a couple times a week & I finally got over scaring the crap outta myself & sold it.

My '02 Super Glide is a barge in comparison to any true sporty bike, but still a good bit quicker than most cars on the road. Tons of down low torque & more than enough power to haul ass around a truck while meandering the backroads, or just to whack the throttle & grin as I get snatched back in the seat.
 
FXDR114? Damn. I might be will to suffer tail bone pain for that. Actually, the forward pegs and slightly forward lean might work to reduce the pressure. :D
 
I've had "learn to drive a bike" on my bucket list for ages, but after seeing this video....maybe not, at my old age. Holy cow!
I don't think it just happens unless you are doing something over the top. Most of those were racing or wheelies at what looked like 90+ mph. Just don't do that. Or get a bike with a steering damper so it can't do that.
 
My son has a DRZ 400. His buddy is a tech for the Yamaha superbike team. It used to be Graves Yamaha, I don't know what team it is now. Anyway, he built my son's motor on the DRZ. 68 HP at the rear wheel!
That's TONS of power out of a DRZ!
I did my airbox mod, full pipe, and stage 2 jet kit. Just opened up the breathing, but the rest of the motor is stock. That's one thing I like about the DRZ, it's truly turn-key. Turn key on, ride. Come home, turn key off.
My KTM would eat DRZ's as a light snack but..total thoroughbred. Oil changes every 15 hours, check valves, tinker this adjust that...constant pampering. The DRZ...you just ride it. Wring the snot out of it and come home and park it.
 
That's all we have. A straight and/or level road is about non-existent. (yeah it's fun as hell )
Suspension is everything here. Everything. 170 hp is a waste you'll never get to use it. I got rid of my mega bikes they were too much (power and weight) and now when feeling zippy I ride the DRZ 400 SM.
300 lbs and a whopping 40 hp. But being built for twisty roads to begin with, and with uber-dreamy Ohlins suspension, it handles like a cat on carpet. Tires are critical too, and it's all gotta work together. You just can't bolt it on and perform miracles. Dialing suspension is an art...it takes a thorough understanding of math and physics and lots of experience. All stuff that I'm way too stupid to do. Fortunately I have a master suspension tuner buddy and I just go to him and say fix it.

My clip-on days are over. If I get another stupid fast bike with all motor, it's gonna be a SuperDuke. Torque is another good thing in the mountains, plus it's got that same hooligan-punk heartbeat as the DRZ (oops another wheelie) with some big ol bronco-billy handlebars and a bad attitude just itchin' to cut heads all the while maintaining a look of innocence while the cops bag on the squids and the drunk harley guys instead. :D

Preach it! Supermotos are fun, and handle bars rule.
 
My problem is that my inner child is a juvenile delinquent asshole. I loved my '05 ZRX1200R. Brutally fast. Whack the throttle in 1st or 2nd & it'd feed you the handlebars. Blew the back tire off more than once, while up under the paint in a 4th gear sweeper & grabbing 4th at 10K rpm was like making the leap to hyperspace. It was outrageously, stupidly fun, but the damned thing tried to spit me off a couple times a week & I finally got over scaring the crap outta myself & sold it.

My '02 Super Glide is a barge in comparison to any true sporty bike, but still a good bit quicker than most cars on the road. Tons of down low torque & more than enough power to haul ass around a truck while meandering the backroads, or just to whack the throttle & grin as I get snatched back in the seat.
The ZRX 1200 is next on my bucket list for bikes. I think it will suit me very well due to its midrange torque and styling. Ive been riding street for more then 40 years and hade more then my share. To old for sport bikes, had some sport tours and a newish Wing. Think the ZRX would suit me just fine, its got enough squirt without being stupid and a big enough rear seat for the wife on short trips.
 
They are wicked fun & comfortable. Don't underestimate its power, tho. It's not ZX14 or Hayabusa quick, but they're not far off. Ricky Gadsden ran a stock ZRX into the nines, so they will definitely shit 'n git. Great low speed manners, thanks to all that torque & easy to ride, but if you whack the throttle, make sure yer pointed in a safe direction.
 
They are wicked fun & comfortable. Don't underestimate its power, tho. It's not ZX14 or Hayabusa quick, but they're not far off. Ricky Gadsden ran a stock ZRX into the nines, so they will definitely shit 'n git. Great low speed manners, thanks to all that torque & easy to ride, but if you whack the throttle, make sure yer pointed in a safe direction.
Thanks for the advise, speaking of power. Its funny, I bought a CBR 1000, never gave it full throttle in any gear to redline. Never had a need to, but the second gear power wheelies were fun. My 140 HP Honda ST 1300 full throttle runs, maybe twice in 45 K miles ? My wing, surprisingly was somewhat impressive in high gear roll on power. What I like is the ability to pass, lets say ,two cars on a secondary road with down shifting. Im more drawn to the ZRX for its looks and upright seating profile. Throttle control I can do, not concerned about that part.. Thanks for your advise..
 
My wife said she was on her way down I-77 tonight with both lanes filled to the brim. All of a sudden a motorcycle came from nowhere and zipped right up the dotted middle line. She said he passed at least a mile worth of cars in front of her before she got off the interstate.
 
140 HP ST? I wish mine had that much! I've only ever heard that the ST1300 has between 115-120. I'll be accelerating out of Charlotte on mine around 6am tomorrow. Meeting a friend for breakfast in Maggie Valley then we will ride about 200 miles and then I'll head back home. Probably do around 500 miles total for the day.
 
My wife said she was on her way down I-77 tonight with both lanes filled to the brim. All of a sudden a motorcycle came from nowhere and zipped right up the dotted middle line. She said he passed at least a mile worth of cars in front of her before she got off the interstate.

I wish they would make that legal nationwide.
 
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