How do you ride a big single?

[Loudnorthernbloke]

Is there a technique to riding a big single, I have had my dommie a couple of weeks now and its the first big single I have ever ridden or owned.
When I am slowing down, like when coming up to a junction or something it sometimes stalls on me around 1st/2nd gear.

The way I ride I tend to use a combination or brakes and engine braking to slow down.

Any hint or tips would be appreciated.

Thanks
Simon

[Warthog]

I sometimes had this problem with my Dommie and my XBR 500 before that, especially if I had ben riding at speed on the motorway, and then came off at a junction. The bike would sometimes stall on the over-run. However, I recall that both bikes needed a bit of tuning. I would suggest getting the filter checked and valves checked also to see they are all in range.

When down changing, I also blip the throttle so that when you release the clutch in a lower gear, the engine braking does not lock up the rear wheel.

If you have white/grey smoke when you change down that could suggest worn oil rings and if you change down that might suck oil into the cylinder and help stall the engine...

Good luck

[Loudnorthernbloke]

I've not noticed any smoke? Engine is smoother than some of the inline fours I have owned. I'm giving it a bit of a service this weekend, filters, oil, cables etc. So will see if that makes any difference.

Think maybe I should try not to use the engine to brake with at all?

[Warthog]

I've not noticed any smoke? Engine is smoother than some of the inline fours I have owned. I'm giving it a bit of a service this weekend, filters, oil, cables etc. So will see if that makes any difference.

Think maybe I should try not to use the engine to brake with at all?


As I explained, I have had 3 singles. My existing 400, a dommie 650 before that and an XBR 500 back in about 2002. So both the 650 and the 500 had a problem like you described, but them both did need a bit of work, so it clouds my judgement somewhat. The XBR had a dodgy camchain, and the Dommie knackered a CDI and a Reg-rec together...:rolleyes:

In short, I have no defnitie suggestions, and other on here might. My friend is a mechanic and he once said that, due to the size of the piston and the are over which the detonation takes place, engines over 450 are not as efficient because the flame front has to travel so far, laterally, from the spark. This means that by the time the flame reaches the cylinder bore, the piston is further down the barrle than it would be on a 350, say.

At this point aI was just nodding sagely with lots ot "yeah" and "right" and "Hm-hmm", but it makes some sense to my mechanically defunct mind!!

As for engine breaking, I think it is inevitable to use some of it as slowing down with the brakes only and clutch pulled in would really increase wheel lock risks.

I felt it was almost like the engine was slowing down so fast that it shot past the idling speed and stalled before it realised the bike had stopped... Crappy description, but the only way I can explain it...

Perhaps there may be a flywheel effect playing a part??

-Balance your carbs (only kidding!!), and check you idle speed is up to spec, and try the engine blip as you retro-grade through the 'box...

Good luck coz I know it used to make me look like a tit, when I had to start the bike again....

[Jacqueslemac]

Dominators are renowned for stalling when approaching lights and junctions. There are several possible solutions and several discussion threads about it on the forum.

In fact, it was the reason I found this forum in the first place!

[davsato]

ive got a 600cc supermoto and you ride it like this;
WHAAAARP! WHAAARP! WHAAARP!wHOOOoooo Crobbacrobbacrobba(waiting at the lights, heads up here we go again) WHAAARP! WHAAARP! WHARRRP!
it doesnt like constant throttle, and doesnt like getting too hot so lots of right wrist action (fnaarfnaar!) and blipping when sat idling.
basically ride it like a nipper on a speedfight at 1am, helmet perched on top of head, optional

[raymo]

have to agree with warthog.. blip the throttle as you change down.. I do this with all my bikes.. particularly the singles 250 bsa and the DR 600 these are kick start.. so I prefer to keep them running !!!
:joker:

[Sharribee]

ive got a 600cc supermoto and you ride it like this;
WHAAAARP! WHAAARP! WHAAARP!wHOOOoooo Crobbacrobbacrobba(waiting at the lights, heads up here we go again) WHAAARP! WHAAARP! WHARRRP!
it doesnt like constant throttle, and doesnt like getting too hot so lots of right wrist action (fnaarfnaar!) and blipping when sat idling.
basically ride it like a nipper on a speedfight at 1am, helmet perched on top of head, optional

you really are a nut, that made me chuckle I even said it out loud cause it's so funny