05-29-2014, 11:18 AM
(05-29-2014, 10:13 AM)redbirds_imp Wrote: Personally, I think the low speed handling of the CB excellent. The low seat height of a cruiser is confidence inspiring for a novice rider but their low speed handling in parking and other tight situations is not as good generally as that of a good standard like the CB. Once you become accustomed to the CB you'll be surprised at how easy it is to handle at low speeds and how much more responsive steering inputs are.
I agree with you, but I was talking about lllooww speeds, too slow to balance on two wheels. Situations where I need to move the bike under power so it doesn't make sense to get off and push it. Like in a tight turn, maybe the ground is sloped or has sand, gravel or oil such as you might find in a parking lot.
In a parking situation I like to have the front of the bike pointed out of the parking space so if possible I will find several adjacent empty spaces, pull in and make a tight turn back toward the lane. When the bars are cranked one way or the other, the stability of the bike changes; it acts much different than when the bars are straight. When this is combined with motion and walking my feet along the ground, the whole thing feels very precarious.
I've found myself in this situation even when not parking. I can't remember exactly why but it seems to happen every so often.
That is what I mean by low speed handling. I've been meaning to do a bit of research and write a post on very low speed tight turns, minimum turning radius of the CB1100 etc. and take some time to practice the moves myself.
There's a small parking lot at the top of my street which I frequently use for staying sharp at low speeds. Like starting up and immediately stopping again. Quick stops, turn/stop combos, stuff like that where I feel insecure.