MV's and Duke's for R class testing..

[woody_5755]

So, I just thought I'd throw out a question to see what people thought..

I was just wondering if people thought that you would be able to pass your R class test on either something like a 1198 or an MV 312r. I'm asking because the accident I was in left me with footdrop and I can't change gears on normal bikes any more and I'm gonna need to get an air shifter or the like fitted to the bike I end up with, so that rules out instructors bikes to take the test on, or even use in lessons. The reason I'm asking is because I know there can be a really restrictive turning circle on them and that they can have choppy power delivery and all that. I know that I can ride, I can ride really really well (bragging is totally fun too) I mean I'm not above putting more than 20,000k's on a bike in 6 months. So the only restrictions on whether it would be able to pass or not are going to be something like whether they are too restrictive and all that. Feel free to bring me down a peg or two about the riding comments and all that, I just really wanted the thoughts of people who've been riding the bikes forever and a day and had some real insight on them and suggestions.

Thanks in advance,

Regards,

Woody

[Sventek]

MVs definitely have the turning circle of the QE2, but you'll also need to be able to do a mean monkey grip at the same time. The throttle response on my old MV would also have made it difficult to maintain good low speed control.

[ReCon]

Dunno much about the physics of footdrop Woody, but can you use a heel change system instead mate??

[SVInfinity]

Tried figure of eights on the 1198 when wife was practicing for her 250cc test. Found it pretty much impossible but I'm probably not as good rider as you :-)

[woody_5755]

Found it pretty much impossible but I'm probably not as good rider as you :-)

well played sir, well played

[Jimmy Go Slow]

I've just recently discovered if you try and go full lock on the 1198 your hand hits the plastic, I don't think they build it to go slow and do figure eights.

[filbert]

i'll have a look at my drz tard and see if something simple can be rigged up for a rocker shift or heel shift the bike has been sitting for 12 months so a good opportunity to give it a birthday, that thing will turn in its own length and e stop in the same distance as long as you're testing before lams comes in any old mid size bike will do the job

[Hades]

I've just recently discovered if you try and go full lock on the 1198 your hand hits the plastic, I don't think they build it to go slow and do figure eights.

I solved it by adjusting both hands to be near the end of the grips and bit more effort in throttle, clutch control and rear braking.

[SIKPUPY]

I see a couple of options.

1 - Buy one of those Italian Scooters like an aprilia They come in 400 CC's and learn to live with it for the rest of your life.
2 - The top speed of an 1198 in second will be more than what is required in your riding test. Get it into second and leave it there. Make sure its quiet


Or alternatively and probably a little more realistic and I apologise for saying it how it is.

Accept the fact that your foot is stuffed and it will be for life and you will never be able to ride a sports bike properly again, buy a cruiser or similar and do the below modification. Consider yourself lucky that you are still able to ride at all after destroying your foot and if it is that bad with little movement and you do ride a sports bike and slip/loose your footing and try and stop the bike from falling over, how much more damage are you going to do to it again? Are you going to end up back in hospital getting it patched up again.

I have seen and ridden a modified setup in regards to the gear shifter for cruisers. Basically they have running boards put on them and the shift lever is modified so that it has a lever that works like a rocker. Pivots in the middle and you tap whatever end for your up or down change. I have seen them on both the hyo cruisers and the new kymco cruisers.

Here is a link to the install manual that suits the bonneville. http://www.triumphinstructions.com/P...9738048-EN.pdf


If you dont want to buy a cruiser etc, I would work out a design that you think will work and then go and see your local engineering firm with a CNC etc and see if they can work some magic for your. Might mean you will end up with some pretty custom rearsets and lever setup but I am sure it could be done to suit whatever bike you are going to be riding.


Now regarding your riding test.

You should probably discuss this with the DPI regarding whether or not you will be able to sit your R class test due to your injuries and they may request a medical or clearance from a doctor. Would seem a waste of time and money if you get lessons and find out you cant do it.

You can do the assessment on nearly any bike that is manual, over 250CC and is roadworthy, however a GS500, CB400, SV650 etc etc are much more preferable option if you have it. My mate did it on one of those 1500cc honda loungechair things without a problem.

Learn how to ride the bike and go and do your test. If the examiner requests that you do your O turns in an area that you know is physically impossible for the bike, you can discuss this with him and request that you go somewhere that the bike will be able to do the required task in. If he doesnt believe you(which is unlikely), get off the bike put it at full lock and walk it around to proove that the bike can not turn in said street. Once you have done this, request to go somewher which is in the capabilities of the bike.

[smeghead]

.. back in the day I rode a mates Vespa scooter that had a twist grip on the left bar that did the gear change, maybe jury rig something similar.

When I did the advanced course at AHG on my 916 they had to move the cones out for me as full lock u turns were 2-3M wider than almost every other bike there, that said they were quite doable with practice. Only real downside on the Duc was the heavy clutch with the narrow bars made adjustments require quite a degree of finesse.

By the end of the advanced course I was doing full lock u turn, figure eights & o turns ... my clutch hand was completely knackered tho.

[jules_1972]

When I did the advanced course at AHG on my 916 they had to move the cones out for me as full lock u turns were 2-3M wider than almost every other bike there, that said they were quite doable with practice. Only real downside on the Duc was the heavy clutch with the narrow bars made adjustments require quite a degree of finesse.

By the end of the advanced course I was doing full lock u turn, figure eights & o turns ... my clutch hand was completely knackered tho.

What year was this???

ROFL!!!

[Uncle Flash]

Dunno much about the physics of footdrop Woody, but can you use a heel change system instead mate??

My 350D had a heel/toe gear lever. It wouldn't be hard to make one for any bike.

[woody_5755]

My 350D had a heel/toe gear lever. It wouldn't be hard to make one for any bike.

this is a very practical option i thinks

[SilentBob]

Maybe think about the VFR1200 with the DCT. Comfy and still plenty quick.
It's not a sportsbike to be sure but you can still drag a knee.

[emrys74]

If you feel your to young go a cruiser you could go a roadster not much good for the test but you might be able to have some fun on one


Oh you can get heel toe lever for them

YouTube - ‪TRIUMPH ROCKET III - 21ST CENTURY MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURE‬‏

[woody_5755]

The main reason I was angling toward the 1198's and F4/F3's was because I've had my heart set on it since I was like 5. It's something that I really don't think I could bring myself to go another way from really..

[emrys74]

The main reason I was angling toward the 1198's and F4/F3's was because I've had my heart set on it since I was like 5. It's something that I really don't think I could bring myself to go another way from really..

Fair enough guess you'll need to get hold of some one with a CNC or something to fab up something for your test I like motards because there light and easy to flick about not sure how you'd go with the shifter though.

[Commander Keen]

Aprilia Mana 850 is a six speed full auto and 675cc triumphs can be fitted with a factory powershifter?

[woody_5755]

I suppose I could just circumvent the test, i have a brother who lives in adelaide and i could redirect mail and all that snazz to get it approved under the lams system they got there. Either that or do they have to do a test in melb after the year of their lams is up? Because i'm more than likely moving there at the end of my degree in a couple of years. I know it's not the "right" way to do it, I wouldn't even consider it though, if it wasnt for the foot drop

[woody_5755]

Aprilia Mana 850 is a six speed full auto and 675cc triumphs can be fitted with a factory powershifter?

Gotta say, the mana didn't look too bad, looks like it could be flicked around a fair bit.