ST handling thoughts

moto.monk

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Todays riding was a short 60 miles around Angeles crest highways with today riding feeling good. Might be my imagination but today I feel more in control and the bike mostly smooth in every way. So my question is what changed today? I had the same mods the last fews weeks. My new road attack 3 has 800 miles+ and my rear has 2800+ and new front EBC HH pads. But yet today felt different and actually that my helibar risers are doing but making the handling worse because I am further away from the forks and with the increased leverage it make the bars vibrate more. I am 5'5 so I dont need them but they do push the bars closer to me. Other changes ive been trying to focus on is maintaining a bend in my lower back, squeezing the tank only when I need to, relaxing my leg when in a curve, and maintaining a loose grip on the bars. As far as other changes ive been trying to us my core to maintain my body more upright and shift my weight. Using earplugs more often, taking more water breaks, keeping a constant speed, using the cruise control as much as possible. Another side effect is my mpgs have gone up to 49 in with anthonys reflash which before had dropped my mpg from 47 to 44. My back/ neck pain has gone down alot in the last few months as well.

Any thoughts from you guys would be great or/ and how the mind effects the ride quality.
Edit* I have been longest touring in the last 1.5 years ownership with 4k+ miles on some months and kicking the crap out of myself at 500 to 1k mile per day in the past. With extreme heat of 118 texan/NV and lows of 25s at times. When I was in pain I just kept going and ignored it. 20200715_162508.jpg
 
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ballisticexchris

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You lucky dog!! You stole my riding area!! I don't know what to say except maybe swap back to no risers and see if it makes a difference?
 

moto.monk

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You lucky dog!! You stole my riding area!! I don't know what to say except maybe swap back to no risers and see if it makes a difference?
I am going to do it tomorrow and ride ach or malibu. Im also going to remove the aggressive foot peg teeth when I find the right tool which is very small male anti tamper screws
 
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ballisticexchris

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I am going to do it tomorrow and ride ach or malibu. Im also going to remove the aggressive foot peg teeth when I find the right tool which is very small male anti tamper screws
Might be just a matter of getting your ergo's dialed in. What I do is sit in my normal riding position, close my eyes and let my hands drop to where I think the bars should be.
 

moto.monk

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Might be just a matter of getting your ergo's dialed in. What I do is sit in my normal riding position, close my eyes and let my hands drop to where I think the bars should be.
funny you say that since I read a similar on the forums today. I actually though it about it on todays ride. However I didnt close my eyes, I just payed attention to hand my wrist sat when cruising and noticed that they sat a good 2in+ from the grips when relaxed. I noticed that my fingers where more stressed unless I corrected it.
 

SHUMBA

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Every day is a different day...too many variables here.
As for myself, I did a brilliant county ride this morning and dropped my S Ten off at the shop and had them install some new skins. The first tyres, OEMs lasted 19,000 km...the second set, a pair of Pirelli GT Angels shy of 17,000 km.
So, I had them install a new set of OEM Bridgestone Battle Wing tyres. Now I will have a lot more confidence on my gravel runs...In addition, new rear brake pads, oil and filter change along with the pumpkin fluid.
Whew she's a startin to cost me lotsa $$.
2018 ES, 37,500 km in 16 months.
Rear rotor might be next.
SHUMBA

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WJBertrand

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I’ve had those experiences. I think it’s more me than the bike. Some days I’m just smoother and better focused than other days. It can be a black and white difference one day to the next.


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moto.monk

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Every day is a different day...too many variables here.
As for myself, I did a brilliant county ride this morning and dropped my S Ten off at the shop and had them install some new skins. The first tyres, OEMs lasted 19,000 km...the second set, a pair of Pirelli GT Angels shy of 17,000 km.
So, I had them install a new set of OEM Bridgestone Battle Wing tyres. Now I will have a lot more confidence on my gravel runs...In addition, new rear brake pads, oil and filter change along with the pumpkin fluid.
Whew she's a startin to cost me lotsa $$.
2018 ES, 37,500 km in 16 months.
Rear rotor might be next.
SHUMBA

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Agreed, I have noticed that consumables make a big difference because of our connection to ground is reduced by 2 wheels among other factors.
 

moto.monk

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I’ve had those experiences. I think it’s more me than the bike. Some days I’m just smoother and better focused than other days. It can be a black and white difference one day to the next.


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ya ive had the same thing happen but have been focusing on it more and more. Ive been trying to focus on what makes a difference like mods, parts wear and rider skills and what is just mostly useless like riding aggressively all the time, crash bars when you dont offroad, side/top cases when you dont long distance tour and other upgrades which sound good in theory but dont actually do much of anything but empty your bank account.
 

SHUMBA

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For sure, there are numerous variables that dictate how many km or miles your tyres will last.
A few to mention.. .the tyre, the bike, tyre temperatures, roads, weight, one up two up, luggage, heavy handed on the right hand, ah, there's many many more variables.. tyre pressures
Just make sure you monitor your tyre pressures and keep an eye on the tread.
SHUMBA

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moto.monk

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For sure, there are numerous variables that dictate how many km or miles your tyres will last.
A few to mention.. .the tyre, the bike, tyre temperatures, roads, weight, one up two up, luggage, heavy handed on the right hand, ah, there's many many more variables.. tyre pressures
Just make sure you monitor your tyre pressures and keep an eye on the tread.
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk
ive been watching my tire pressure like a hawk. Years before I would say who cares and ride down to 28 psi when I should have been riding 36. Now Ive played with 35 instead of 33 and rear with 38 instead of 42. The bikes feel changes with temperature and goes from 38 to 44 with temps of 95 and makes the ride a bit more harsh but on days when the temps are 85 the tire means more compliant and less harsh.
 

Sierra1

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. . . . Any thoughts from you guys would be great or/ and how the mind effects the ride quality.
You hit the nail on the head. Even my little pea brain makes a difference. Along with the mind, you have "muscle memory" thrown into the mix. The more your body learns the bike, the less the mind has to pay attention to what's going on. You'll make minor movements/corrections without even thinking about it. Which lets your mind enjoy the ride.

I’ve had those experiences. I think it’s more me than the bike. Some days I’m just smoother and better focused than other days. It can be a black and white difference one day to the next.
Absolutely. How much sleep the night before, what you had for dinner, and especially. . . . how hydrated you are.
 

WJBertrand

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I’ve noticed joining a Sunday morning ride to breakfast that I ride much better after breakfast than before.


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moto.monk

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You hit the nail on the head. Even my little pea brain makes a difference. Along with the mind, you have "muscle memory" thrown into the mix. The more your body learns the bike, the less the mind has to pay attention to what's going on. You'll make minor movements/corrections without even thinking about it. Which lets your mind enjoy the ride.



Absolutely. How much sleep the night before, what you had for dinner, and especially. . . . how hydrated you are.
ive been taken hydration way more seriously in the last few months. Even with my experince in the army. I still didnt take it as serious on a motorcycle. I had my worst day in baker, CA at 118 degrees and couldnt ride more then 1 hour after almost having a heat stoke no joke. Now I carry 1L ice water and one more 16 once water bottle on 6 hour + rides and make sure to drink at lease every 1- 1.5 hours on 85 degree days.
 

Sierra1

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I used to use a 2L CamelBak. I switched to a Giegerrig bladder, because I like their bite valve, and filler opening better. I still use the CamelBak carrier portion because of it's lower profile. I fill up the bladder with ice, add water, and Propel w/electrolytes. I'd go through two, 2L, per day, and never got fatigued. It stayed cold, and I didn't have to stop to get a drink. My kid uses a Wal-Mart brand, and it works just as well.
 

jeckyll

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Unless something obvious is wrong with the bike, I find that it's typically the 'Nut connecting the handlebars to the seat' that the issue. :)
 

Cycledude

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A little confusing, first you say you focus on keeping a bend in your lower back then you say you keep your body more upright ?
Seems like you chose the same handlebar risers I would but so far I haven’t bought any because I have discovered if I don’t allow myself to lean to much on the bars I don’t experience the wrist problems, seems once I realized that it was easy to adapt to it. Both my wrists are messed up from broadsiding a deer at 70 mph.
As far as gripping the tank with legs that’s very rare for me.
its Surprising to hear about your foot peg issues , I don’t have that problem but your definitely not the first to complain about it, what kind of boots do you wear ?
 

moto.monk

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Some moto boots that are really just work boots. The pegs have destroyed the bottom of boots. By bend in my lower it's just that and the top of back is straight up. I can understand why its confusing so in reality I'm not straight up it does keep most of the weight off my wrists. By gripping the tank I mean using my outside leg as anchor point when leaned over or squeaking the tank when braking to keep the weight off my wrist.
 
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