But It Won't Idle Either...

[DDT (12)]

But It Won’t Idle Either…

 

I'd heard it coming a block before I saw it… That distinctive racket could only have been produced by a ‘real bike’ for sure, but I had no idea where it might be headed. Turned out to soon be the parking space right next to our girl… I heard the ‘cool’ sound coming nearer, then I spotted the source as it turned into our motel and pulled up to the office. Now isn’t that special…? In time, I heard the ‘real bike’ being parked right outside my door, but I didn’t bother to even look.

 

Later I did wander outside and there it was. I’m thinking that it is an S&S engine, but then it might actually be the real deal for all I know… Doesn’t matter, though, as the S&S ones are freely accepted among the ‘real rider’ group of those truly in the know about the esoteric essence of motorcycle riding. The custom exhaust was also fairly typical of ‘real American iron’… and appropriately loud, for safety reasons of course.

 



 

I have no feelings one way or the other regarding how one may choose to display devotion to our sport. Expensive show bikes, nearly used up rat bikes, or anything in between, it makes no difference to this rider who is in it for his own reasons, not for any oohs and aahs from others. In fact, I personally see no need or value in making any statement at all…. Obviously that opinion is not universally held…

 

Nothing looks or sounds like a ‘real bike’. Most of them are quite pretty, many are very classy and some even classic, and some of them actually do sound rather cool. Funny thing is, however, I’ve yet to see one that can idle when the bike is stopped but not turned off. Could that be a design flaw?

 

Ever notice how whenever they pull up to a traffic light or stop sign, the engine has to be continually revved, I suppose to prevent stalling…? This particular bike suffered the same condition, as I’d heard that, too, before I’d seen the bike, and while it was being maneuvered for parking. It must be a small sacrifice to make, though, in order to own the best, the only 'real' motorcycle ever made…

 

DDT

[Valker]

Well said, as always, Bruce. And just think: ALL of these type bikes added up together from all over the USA still have fewer miles than Ali alone.

[Valkorado]

The seat looks comfy for the long haul.

[Jess from VA]

Straight pipes (with no or minimal baffles) suck.

And except for drag strip WOT performance, they all lose power.

They are not for safety, they are for look-at-me attention (just like the revving at stops, and over the shoulder apes).

The question of the day is:  If they sound so cool, how come you wear earplugs? 

And did you bring enough earplugs for EVERYONE?   

[Patrick]

You mean that he didn't make full bore downshifts ! ?   

[..]

Why is it that some Japanese engined riders blip the throttle just before shifting into 1st?

[scooperhsd]

Because they don't know any better ?

[The emperor has no clothes]

That looks very uncomfortable to ride. (maybe I`m just getting old) I wonder why he would get a hotel ? Too sore to ride the 12 blocks back home ? (that sound would be killing me also)

[Sorcerer]

To look bad a$$. Is why the blip the throttle on rice grinders. Monkey see monkey do. 

[..]

Sitting listening to a couple of "biker" tourists talking about how "wild" the roads are around Maggie Valley. I assume they were flatlanders.

Mentioned a friend whose cam was so hot his bike might cough and stall in some of the bends having no throttle open.

[Bigwolf]

Bruce,
What a fun story!  You do have a way with words!

I have seen the type often!  Some of their “real” bikes are very pretty………but I have no desire to ride any distance on them.

I have, in the past, dealt with engines that did not want to idle.  What a pita to have to keep playing with the throttle to keep them alive!  Maybe that is why I often blip the throttle just before letting the clutch take hold. …….. I really don’t know why, but maybe…..   And it has never been necessary on any of my Honda vehicles.  Just some throwback habit I guess.

When I had the Coba 6 into 6 with baffles on my bike, I did have a deliberate habit of giving the throttle two quick idle, wot, idle blips when I was approaching a vehicle with an operator seeming to be looking through me and set to pull into my path.  It never failed to immediately snap their attention directly back to me.  That was exactly what I wanted!  The exhaust on my bike now is much quieter and does not have that affect.

Bigwolf

[Jess from VA]

Sitting listening to a couple of "biker" tourists talking about how "wild" the roads are around Maggie Valley.  I assume they were flatlanders.

Mentioned a friend whose cam was so hot his bike might cough and stall in some of the bends having no throttle open.

I believe this is a common issue/problem with all motorcycle riders.  Most folks, even long experienced riders, tend to do most of their riding in their own region.  Even 100-300 mile loops tend to have pretty similar geography (with some exceptions).

When flatlanders or even rolling hill landers get into the mountains, they have problems adapting to the new challenges.  I think this is the principle reason that a few Inzaners have gitoffs almost every year (that and maybe trying to exceed their experience level keeping up with others).  As many Inzanes are held in mountain country riding (a good thing).  

The first 2/5s of my 50 years riding was in flatlands (or rolling hills), and when I got to the mountains (CA and VA), I had some learning to do.  No shame in it.  

[Avanti]

I had a tee shirt made about twenty years ago that I would wear when I went to the mountains out west or down south, on the back it read “If you can’t wreck it at home bring it here”. I think it might be time for a new one.

[Wizzard]

I been telling my wife for years that Harley's have a terrible problem idling. She said why? I told her to just pay attention to all of them at a stop light. They just wont idle. Now she notices it all the time.

[Serk]

It is funny though, I will admit when I'm riding my Standard (with 20+year old slightly worn out Mark T's) and I'm going under a  bridge or other echo chamber it's very difficult to NOT pull the clutch and give it a rip or two...

...my Interstate with a stock exhaust for some reason doesn't have that same issue.

[Rams]

The seat looks comfy for the long haul.

I'm think'n you're being very generous in your evaluation but, that's just me.   On another note,  I wouldn't ride within a quarter mile of that bike's exhaust.  I've lost enough of my hearing, want to keep what little I have left.

Rams

[Valkorado]

The seat looks comfy for the long haul.

I'm think'n you're being very generous in your evaluation but, that's just me.   On another note,  I wouldn't ride within a quarter mile of that bike's exhaust.  I've lost enough of my hearing, want to keep what little I have left.

Rams

I was informed that using the sarcasm font makes one look less than brilliant, so I used plain text.   

[Rams]

The seat looks comfy for the long haul.

I'm think'n you're being very generous in your evaluation but, that's just me.   On another note,  I wouldn't ride within a quarter mile of that bike's exhaust.  I've lost enough of my hearing, want to keep what little I have left.

Rams

I was informed that using the sarcasm font makes one look less than brilliant, so I used plain text.   

[CajunRider]

Funny thing is, however, I’ve yet to see one that can idle when the bike is stopped but not turned off. Could that be a design flaw?

Even when they idle well, the whole "wasted spark on a single pin crank, 40 degree v-twin" thing makes that odd pop-pop-puff sound (else-wise known as potato-potato)...

That has always sounded weird to me when idling... but it does sound really good at cruise. 

[Avanti]

Valkyrie: 6 cylinders, 3 coils = wasted spark.

[Patrick]

The same nitwit just went by an hour ago [ 6 AM] making full bore downshifts.

[CajunRider]

Valkyrie: 6 cylinders, 3 coils = wasted spark.

Yes, but vastly different timing between a 180 degree boxer and a single pin crank, 45 degree v-twin.

Edit: 

Now that I think about it... maybe it's the intake during the pause (between pops) that makes the puff sound???
Either way, it always made me think the engine was wheezing and about to die at any moment... especially when the idle was slow. 

[3fan4life]

That Dang thing wouldn't be comfortable riding to the corner store and back. 

[Patrick]

Well, he did it again about 10 minutes ago. I'm about to lose my temper with him.