How to avoid taking of lurch? Moving to a bigger bike?

Question

Tomorrow im going to ride my gpa's Honda VTX 1300t for the first time. the only thing im worrying about is taking off, idk how slowly to let out the clutch and roll on the throttle, and vice versa. i remember during the msf course i would let out the clutch and the bike would lurch or jult and shut off, i handled that because it was a 500 but i dont want to make that mistake with the 1300. any tips?

Answer 1

no i have no tips! just that i tink guys on bikes are hot!! you into moto gp? im gona do my test when im 18 next year. is it wrong for girls to like bikes 2?

Answer 2

It's called the friction point. bring the rpms to about 3K and let off the clutch slowly until you feel where it's going to grip. Don't go but just play with the friction point a few times until you can program it into your muscle memory. remember to keep the throttle steady, the only thing moving is the clutch lever. If the rpms dive just pull the clutch back in and try again with a little more rpms. The point is not to take off but to get familiar with where the clutch will engage.

Once you have it you can take off with no problems.

Answer 3

Clutches aren't meant to work like a light switch, i.e. either on or off and nothing in between.  Instead think if it as a dimmer switch, one you have to crank up to get the full effect.

With the engine as a slightly fast idle, let out on the clutch until you feel it try to take hold and the engine starts to pull down very slightly.  That's the que to EASILY roll back on the throttle while SLOWLY letting out the clutch some more.  

Try practicing at reving the engine to say 2,000 rpm and then let the clutch out and give it more throttle so that the engine speed never varies much from the 2k.  As you get better, try at 3000 rpm.  At that speed, you'll be able to let the clutch out faster but also give the engine more throttle faster.

Dumping the clutch with that 1300 could end up in an unexpected wheelie or worse.  So practice, practice, practice.  Also practice moving very slowly and controlling the bikes speed by letting the clutch in and out while tweaking the throttle at the same time.  I'm talking about a very slow walking speed.  If I can handle a 960 pound touring bike, you can surely learn how to handle a smaller bike.

Answer 4

your cycle class u rode a 250 and yes it died and chugged and lurched etc. Trust me a 1300 VTX won't lurch at all, won't lug won't sputter. It is a well thought out power plant with plenty of low end. Before you ride away try sitting on the bike, Eng. running in low with clutch pulled and held. Dig your heels in slightly  straight leg in front of you. Slowly release the cloth until the bike moves forward a few inches. Then let off throttle and pull in the clutch. Practice this maneuver a few times and you ll be ready.

Believe me, you will have no trouble. Have fun.

Answer 5

try holding a steady roll on the throttle thats not too high in revs and then just slowly let out the clutch from there. also dont open the clutch once u feel it moving, that will cause u to either stall or jump forward. once u get going and can let out the clutch from there, then go to riding!! hope i helped

Answer 6

First things first, you cant be afraid of the machine you ride. Secondly,look for a parking lot to practice in, theres no room for experimentation on the road, the second or two you take extra to sort things out is all it takes for the cager coming up behind you to run right over you.

    When letting the clutch out think of it as a give and take situation,give a little gas, take out a little clutch at the same time, if you hear the motor revving but youre not moving then you need to let out the clutch just enough to feel it grab hold, hence you will begin to move forward,while this is happening, DO NOT continue to give more throttle, keep your throttle hand in the same position, the clutch will catch up to the rpm's, if it bogs down a bit gently pull in clutch a wee bit, and i mean a wee bit, not the whole way in, not even half, just a hair will do.

   Best way to learn is simple, throttle on, and keep it the same the entire time youre letting out the clutch, this isnt the ideal way to operate a motorcycle but it works for learning purposes. if you concentrate on matching throttle to clutch release youre going to be in for a long day. its a learned skilled that takes repetition. good luck!