Trouble keeping up

[neodoc]

I went on the Toys for Tots toy run in Miami today and had a rude awakening on the way there. My friends were on BMWs as well, but an R1200RT and an 07 K1200GT, respectively. We left our meeting place and I held up the rear, as usual. Once we were on the expressway (freeway for Californians) the R seemed to leap ahead and the GT with 2 up, one of whom weighs 100 pounds more than I do (and I'm not thin), leaped even further. It was all I could do to crank the throttle wide open just to catch up. Now, I know the GT has much more hp than the LT, and both the R and GT are lighter, but come on. I kept up and maintained the pace, but it took effort. I was waiting for afterburner and I'm still waiting. I'm at a little over 12000 miles and due for that service. I hoping things will improve after a new set of spark plugs and clean air filter. They just have to. Sigh... I'm well aware that if I want to race around like I was on a K1200S, I should GET one, but today was a bit disappointing and as a result, I think my testosterone level is a couple of notches lower. :(

[zippy_gg]

Joe, you need to keep her in the 4500-7000 rpm range to make her (and you) happy! Less than that and you are just cruising, and your handling will be less than stellar.
She is a big bike and you need to ride her "hard" to get the most out of it. She is no GT, so don't expect that kind of performance, but she is no slouch either. I can keep up with my buddies and their Sport Touring bikes with no difficulty.
By the same token... be sure to ride your ride. Don't take chances just to keep up with other riders. If you are a riding group, your buddies should wait for you at regular intervals. Ideally there should be a lead and a sweeper, preferably both with bike to bike radios. if this is still too fast for you, pick another riding group whose speed you will be comfortable with.
Riding should be fun and not stressful.
So... have fun and ride safe!!!;)

[meese]

I know what you mean. The LT has enough power for its intended purpose, but most bikes have too much power. I can still play pretty hard, but I feel like I'm really wringing the bike out to do so. It's one of the main reasons I want to upgrade to a GT.

And +1 to what Gilles said. Ride your own ride, at your own pace. You can always regroup later.

[messenger13]

"The LT has enough power for its intended purpose, but most bikes have too much power." :rotf: :histerica


Ken...thanks for the chuckle. :)

[grifscoots]

Sigh... I'm well aware that if I want to race around like I was on a K1200S, I should GET one, but today was a bit disappointing and as a result, I think my testosterone level is a couple of notches lower. :(

I feel your pain. I was thoroughly spanked by the HDDC boy's on 2 GS' and a K1200R in the twisties when I went to visiting. It won't happen again!:D

[meese]

"The LT has enough power for its intended purpose, but most bikes have too much power." :rotf: :histerica

Ken...thanks for the chuckle. :)I didn't say it was a bad thing, but who really needs 150+ HP in a two-wheeled street vehicle? Sure I'm gonna enjoy it just like you do, but you gotta admit that it isn't strictly necessary.

[RS6654]

I gave up on group rides as I wasn't having any fun. It wasn't that I couldn't keep up as I was riding with a primarily Harley group. My complaints were, noise, riding too close, and their giving me heat because I couldn't just jump on or off the bike and go. They would swing a leg over, fire it up and then make stupid impatient hand gestures while I was getting my jacket, helmet and gloves on. Or jump off and go into whatever eatery we were going to that Wednesday while I was removing and securing my gear. I'm a very happy solo rider now.

[hawg]

I went on the Toys for Tots toy run in Miami today and had a rude awakening on the way there. My friends were on BMWs as well, but an R1200RT and an 07 K1200GT, respectively. We left our meeting place and I held up the rear, as usual. Once we were on the expressway (freeway for Californians) the R seemed to leap ahead and the GT with 2 up, one of whom weighs 100 pounds more than I do (and I'm not thin), leaped even further. It was all I could do to crank the throttle wide open just to catch up. Now, I know the GT has much more hp than the LT, and both the R and GT are lighter, but come on. I kept up and maintained the pace, but it took effort. I was waiting for afterburner and I'm still waiting. I'm at a little over 12000 miles and due for that service. I hoping things will improve after a new set of spark plugs and clean air filter. They just have to. Sigh... I'm well aware that if I want to race around like I was on a K1200S, I should GET one, but today was a bit disappointing and as a result, I think my testosterone level is a couple of notches lower. :(


Joe,
So what is that you think you have something to prove by going faster?

Think about it... :thumb:

[CajunBass]

Joe, you need to keep her in the 4500-7000 rpm range to make her (and you) happy!

Wow. I must be a real fuddy duddy. I've never seen 4,000 rpm on mine. :eek:

[BMWphreak]

Wow. I must be a real fuddy duddy. I've never seen 4,000 rpm on mine. :eek:

Well, then you are missing out on the best part of the bike! At about 6000 rpm the damn thing sounds like a formula 1 car. Things don't start to come alive until at least 5000 rpm on the LT motor. Don't be afraid, you won't hurt anything by running the motor that hard.

[messenger13]

Joe,
So what is that you think you have something to prove by going faster?

Think about it... :thumb:Maybe Joe's still younger than you are at heart? Or...just different. Does that make him "wrong"? You sold your LT for a car that probably can't do 0-60 in less than 12 seconds. I wouldn't expect you and Joe to be on the same page at all. Think about it...


Wow. I must be a real fuddy duddy. I've never seen 4,000 rpm on mine. :eek:Not only are you missing out, but I have to believe that your LT's motor weeps itself to sleep every night. 6K to redline, the LT is pure magic.


Well, then you are missing out on the best part of the bike! At about 6000 rpm the damn thing sounds like a formula 1 car. Things don't start to come alive until at least 5000 rpm on the LT motor. Don't be afraid, you won't hurt anything by running the motor that hard.And I agree completely, as per my reply above. But just remember this. Just because an LT sounds like it's going fast, doesn't mean that it IS fast. After all, "fast" is a relative term. And at the end of the day, an LT is just simply not capable of keeping up with a GS or GT . . . all riders being of comparable skill level. If you think the LT sounds like an F1 car at 6K, you should hear and feel a GT between 6 and 10K RPMs! :eek: I call it my "hornet's nest on crack"! :)

[tarheel_rider]

That's why I'm looking at a 2nd bike to complement the LT. The LT does what it is supposed to do very well and IMHO does better than one should expect out of a large touring bike in the twisties. But, it isn't exactly flickable in the quick turns and on those roads with short straight sections between quick turns, I get absolutely blown away because I can't generate the acceleration out of the turn even running in the 6500-7000 range. Still, I love the LT, and my wife would be very unhappy if I even thought about replacing it, so I'm thinking about the best 2nd bike to go with an LT. If money were no object, it would probably be the Sprint ST or K12S, but since it is, I'm looking at older VFRs or a wide variety of nakeds. Whatever, I enjoy the LT every day I ride it, so I'm content.

[Lynn_Keen]

I gave up on group rides as I wasn't having any fun. It wasn't that I couldn't keep up as I was riding with a primarily Harley group. My complaints were, noise, riding too close, and their giving me heat because I couldn't just jump on or off the bike and go. They would swing a leg over, fire it up and then make stupid impatient hand gestures while I was getting my jacket, helmet and gloves on. Or jump off and go into whatever eatery we were going to that Wednesday while I was removing and securing my gear. I'm a very happy solo rider now.
Hey Ralph, you don't necessairly need to give up on group riding, you just need to pick the right people to do it with!

[TimVipond]

Joel, consider trading your in your 2002 for a 2005 or newer. The extra 18 horsepower, torque and better handling might be the little extra you are looking for. It did for me. Also if you are not already, try some good synthetic lubricants. Most synthetic oil company's claim and independent testing (such as http://royalpurple.com/video/video.html ) show an extra 1-2% or more increase in power.

[donsobeck]

Joe: If you want to beat them there ride in front. Let them figure out what you are going to do. When you ride in back and they decide to play you are already 2 or 3 seconds behind in reaction time. So ride in front and go for it they will catch you but they have to work at it.

DON

[ibbones]

That's why I stopped ridding in the Tots for Tots parade. I am surrounded by bikers I do not know and it is a leave the starting point, full throttle, BRAKE and ride the clutch, full throttle for 1/2 mile, BRAKE and stop, inch forward stop, full throttle...
The whole time there is a new ridder next to me in the same lane sipping on a bud lite and trying to wave at all the folks who came out to see us.

Just do what you do and forget about trying to keep up with someone else.

[amarider]

I feel your pain. I was thoroughly spanked by the HDDC boy's on 2 GS' and a K1200R in the twisties when I went to visiting. It won't happen again!:D

Hi Grif!, Don't count on it - Raffy and I now have S's :p :D

[messenger13]

Hi Grif!, Don't count on it - Raffy and I now have S's :p :DA GT can't keep up with an 'S'? Really? Hhmmn... Thanks for the tip. :rolleyes:

[amarider]

Now that's not what I said Skid Mark. ;)

But I'm sure you could blow away an S with the BMW Tricycle, I bow to the Best Speeder I know.......
If you slow down enough on your visit to Nor Cal in the spring I'll buy you a Guinness in Cambria. http://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider/beer.gif

[messenger13]

And I'll drink it too. :)

[RS6654]

Hey Ralph, you don't necessairly need to give up on group riding, you just need to pick the right people to do it with!

Thanks Lynn, I really haven't given up totally. My LT was my first motorcycle and my group riding "initiation" was with my neighbors which were either Harley riders or the Harley type with bare heads and patch clad vests. A nice enough bunch of guys but I just didn't fit in.

I blundred into Jinks and Tom (TMGS) at our local Denny's a bit after I got the bike. Riding with them to Daytona was a blast. As a result of that chance encounter we ended up going to the Matanzas RTE with Jinks and where I met Dave Dragon and the rest of that crowd and had a blast. I really have no problem doing stuff like that again.

We've moved twice since we got the bike in early '04. This month my wife is helping open her 3rd new Target store in as many years so we haven't had a lot of time to ride. This one will be her last. When things get settled down in late spring we're going to try to start riding more and maybe hook up with the LT crowd again.

[neodoc]

Thanks to all who commented. I won't quote everyone's reponses, but I will try to comment on several that struck nerves.

I must say in all fairness that my friends weren't trying to lose me. In fact, we all look out for each other and we stay together when riding. It was just the acceleration when merging into traffic that left me behind. We maintained 80-90 mph the whole way and there was no problem for me. I am very comfortable at those speeds, and I'm smart enough to know when to slow it down for safety, not to mention LEO's. No weaving in between cars a la crotch rocket riders, or as I like to call them "rocket scientists."

As far as having too much power, I disagree that our LT could ever have too much power. If one has more power, that engine doesn't have to struggle and rev to the stratosphere to get the job done. IOW, less drama. I personally like hp and try to use it judiciously. Having driven AMG Mercedes on the Homestead Speedway many times, I can appreciate the difference more hp can make on the same type of vehicle. For instance, a regular SL500 is a wonderful toy; an SL 65 AMG with twin turbo V-12 is a blast! One doesn't have to use all 600 hp, but it's great to know it's there. I have a CL 63 (500-plus hp) on order to satisfy that desire.

Finally, I truly don't have anything to prove to myself or anyone else. Going fast or reaching a certain level of g-force on acceleration is a pleasant experience for me, as is the challenge of reigning in that power and controlling it, so that it is artful, graceful and exciting without the drama. That's what I try to do on the track and that's what I like to experience on the bike on a personal level. Thanks again for all your comments.

And, by the way, met a pretty new nurse at work today, who rides! Testosterone level back to normal. ;)

[ldrider]

I didn't say it was a bad thing, but who really needs 150+ HP in a two-wheeled street vehicle? Sure I'm gonna enjoy it just like you do, but you gotta admit that it isn't strictly necessary.


You probably agree with these guys (http://www.motorcyclesafely.com/)

:rotf:

[zippy_gg]

Hey Joe, I think your statement should read as below... I just inverted your last 2 paragraphs and removed a couple of words here and there, that's all...!:rolleyes: :rotf:
And, by the way, met a pretty new nurse at work today, who rides! Testosterone level back to normal. I truly don't have anything to prove to myself or anyone else. Going fast or reaching a certain level of g-force on acceleration is a pleasant experience for me, as is the challenge of reigning in that power and controlling it, so that it is artful, graceful and exciting without the drama. That's what I try to do and that's what I like to experience on a personal level.
;)

[meese]

We've seen the car, but I'm still waiting for a pic of the nurse. :D

[meese]

Yep, that's me, safety-nazi to the core. Ask anyone who has ridden with me. I never go over the posted speed limit, and always obey all traffic signs, warnings, and regulations to the letter. After all, the bureaucrats know what's best for me, and I'm sure they have put all this in place to protect me from myself.

Why, I think all bikes should have governors limiting max speed to 65 mph. And bikes over 600 lbs should all have three wheels to stop this D.A. problem I keep hearing about. And I think the rear ends would last much longer if we all kept to the speed limits, plus we'd save fuel and so wouldn't need to go to war for oil.

"What's that? Time for more medication already? OK, be right there."

[grifscoots]

Hi Grif!, Don't count on it - Raffy and I now have S's :p :D

In my best Mr. Bill voice, "OH NOOOOOOOO"

[meese]

In my best Mr. Bill voice, "OH NOOOOOOOO""Hey Mr. Bill, wanna learn to ride a motorcycle? Just follow these guys. It'll be swell." :histerica

[bruce2000ltc]

You probably agree with these guys (http://www.motorcyclesafely.com/)

:rotf:
Is this site for real? What a bunch of idiots.

Bruce Hodges

[amarider]

"Hey Mr. Bill, wanna learn to ride a motorcycle? Just follow these guys. It'll be swell." :histerica

Now thats funny right there!
http://www.comicon.com/pulse/images_05a/MrBill.jpg

[dive200_2]

any time you ride/drive in the back of a group, if you don't stay after it and lag up a little bit , you will play catch up for a long while.

[DavidTaylor]

Wow. I must be a real fuddy duddy. I've never seen 4,000 rpm on mine. :eek:

It's like owning a second bike after 5000 rpms. Take it out, whack the throttle open and run it up to 7500 rpms, then play between 5500 and 750 for a while. You'll see what I mean.

[Smith]

Hi Joe,

Don’t despair, it might simply be a question of technique. The LT has more then enough juice to keep up with the bikes you mentioned. First, the advice to “ride your own ride” can’t be overstated. Many riders who get into trouble are riding over their heads with other riders who might be riding over their heads also. Second, like the others have said, keep the bike in the 4K and above rev range. Last summer a group of my friends, all of whom can ride better than I can, spent several days at Deals Gap (The Dragon). At first, I had the same problem, I couldn’t keep up. Then I got some advice- go in slow ( in control) and come out fast. Keep the bike in second gear, an LT can do 80 plus in second before you have to shift it. After some practice and learning when to power out of the turns, keeping up was not a problem. On the straight roads, just keep the revs up. But most important, ride your own ride. If you friends get impatient, ride with someone else. A faster bike is not the answer.

Smith
’05 Dark Graphite
Greensboro, NC

[messenger13]

Don’t despair, it might simply be a question of technique. The LT has more then enough juice to keep up with the bikes you mentioned.Really? So the added 200 pounds and 35 less HP isn't a factor? What about the decreased lean-angle the LT suffers over most smaller bikes? Not a factor either?

I sure would love to ride the Dragon with you. Or better yet, the Cherohala Skyway. A GS, VStrom, LT, and an FJR couldn't keep up with my GT. Good luck on an LT.

[meese]

You probably agree with these guys (http://www.motorcyclesafely.com/)I poked around their site for a while. Scary stuff indeed. But they have a feedback page, so I sent them the following note:

"I just wanted to say thanks for the "Arrest these people" links page. There are some great sites there." :rotf:

[jgburns]

Wow. I must be a real fuddy duddy. I've never seen 4,000 rpm on mine. :eek:Wow, maybe you are ;)
I rarely see less than 5K when I'm riding the twisties.

Regarding the LT not keeping up. You can push it, but if you can afford a second bike, why bother trying?:D

[CajunBass]

You probably agree with these guys (http://www.motorcyclesafely.com/)

:rotf:

Uhhhh Are these people for real? Limiting riding to daylight hours? National 55 mph speed limit for all two wheeled vehicles? No riding in rain or on wet roads? A manditory HP to weight ratio? Governors with a top speed of 75? Manditory anti-lock brakes?

Our demands (http://www.motorcyclesafely.com/html/press_0.html)

[ldrider]

Uhhhh Are these people for real? Limiting riding to daylight hours? National 55 mph speed limit for all two wheeled vehicles? No riding in rain or on wet roads? A manditory HP to weight ratio? Governors with a top speed of 75? Manditory anti-lock brakes?

Our demands (http://www.motorcyclesafely.com/html/press_0.html)


No, that was a 2002 April 1st site put up by the LDRider Admin crew.
(That's why I included :rotf: in the post)

Joe

[CajunBass]

Ok. I didn't think it was serious, but these days, you never know. Big Nannie is worse than big brother.

[Steve_R]

I blundred into Jinks and Tom (TMGS) at our local Denny's a bit after I got the bike. I'm sorry. ;) :p

[sheldan2]

go look at the new ducati 1098 as a second rocket

[messenger13]

go look at the new ducati 1098 as a second rocketThanks! I was wondering what I should do with the extra $15K I had just lying around. :D