Posted by INTRUDN on March 31, 2000 at 09:49:14:
In Reply to: Graduation to Intermediate Riding posted by Linnette on March 30, 2000 at 19:57:13:
One thing that the intructor where I went told me was not to hold the clutch in while in first gear at stop lights/signs. He said to put the bike in neutral because of the following:
(1) If you lose clutch pressure (with a hydraulic clutch system) you may dart into the intersection and get run over, or run into the back of the vehicle in front of you.
(2) If your clutch cable (as on the Savage) breaks, the result could be the same.
I can tell you from experience, he's right. The hydraulic clutch line on my old Honda popped a pin hole in it on the way to work one day. I check the hoses quite often, so this was a suprise to me. The dealer said it looked like a rock hit it, which is probably what happend (I had followed a gravel truck in traffic for about a mile with stuff falling off of it bouncing off the bike and scratching my windshield). At one intersection the clutch just all of a sudden lost pressure (when the line popped) and even though I was holding the front brake, the bike still lurched forward and I almost hit the back of a car. It stalled out, and I had to push it to the curb and call me wife to bring the truck.
I took the safety course about 2mos. after that, so I didn't know it at the time. As soon as the instructor mentioned this I raised my hand and told them about what had happened to me. He said "See, first hand experience folks".
Just thought I'd pass that along to Y'all.
KIBTD's
INTRUDN