How can i protect my wife' cbr250r's brake lever?

[sfalexi]

My wife got her first bike about three weeks ago.  We don't get to ride too often, and she's too nervous to ride on her own so we try to go out at least twice a week for an hour or so to get her some practice.

She is having some troubles, particularly stopping and parking lot speeds (pulling into parking spacesm stuff like that).  Part of it is just her indecision on committing to a turn, and part of it is not being able to feel the balance of the bike as it's slowing down.  She keeps wanting to leave her right foot on the back brake as she stops, which has led to a series of the bike being dropped on the right side cause as she realizes it's going down, can't put her foot out in enough time to stop it.  Couple that with stalling while slowing down due to being in 2nd or 3rd gear, well.....we need more practice.

Problem is, I can only bend the brake lever back into position so many times.  I'm looking for a way to protect that brake lever from being bent.  We have sliders on the bike, and i'm considering purchasing bar end sliders.  Will this stick out enough to keep the brake lever from hitting the ground and bending?  Also considering seeing if there are shorter brake/clutch levers that aren't so long.  Maybe adjustable for her short fingers that might help a little.  

Any help on ways to prevent the bent brake lever will be appreciated.  Thanks.

Alexi

[Hotbrakes]

CRG or ASV make good levers that are very adjustable and I know CRG's come in shorty style.  

You might also try loosening the brake perch clamp so the whole thing can rotate vs break.  Or pre bend/cut the stock lever.

Sounds like she needs a little dirtbike to ride around on in someone's backyard to instill some confidence.

Good luck!  A year ago my gf was going through similar struggles.  Now she is waxing the boys at the track on her little 650 and I have to work hard to catch up, using the hp advantage to do it.

[sfalexi]

CRG or ASV make good levers that are very adjustable and I know CRG's come in shorty style.  

You might also try loosening the brake perch clamp so the whole thing can rotate vs break.  Or pre bend/cut the stock lever.

Sounds like she needs a little dirtbike to ride around on in someone's backyard to instill some confidence.

Good luck!  A year ago my gf was going through similar struggles.  Now she is waxing the boys at the track on her little 650 and I have to work hard to catch up, using the hp advantage to do it.

Good idea with loosening the clamp a touch so instead of bending, the force will make it rotate.  Just gotta be careful it doesnt rotate while shes trying to stop.

Gotta give it to her though, ahe dropped the bike twice yesterday and stalled once, and got back on right away each time.  Just tried to evaluate what she did wrong and how she can be more careful next time.  At one point she told me afterward that she was even a little upset that someone came over to help her stand the bike up cause she wanted "the practice of doing it by myself" in case i wasnt around.  She's a fairly tough cookie.

I just need to make sure she doesnt bang up my future track bike TOO much  

Alexi

[Blunder]

www.barkbusters.net

Check 'em out. Adjustable levers are easy to find, too. Even my Bandit has 'em.

[Gary B.]

I've put a strip of Teflon pipe tape under the perch as well.

[JReazor]

I would just buy a couple OEM levers and keep them as spares. You can probably get them for @ $10 per.

Edit to add: http://www.2wheelpros.com/oem-parts/2011-honda-cbr250r-handle-lever-switch-cable-assembly.html

[Carbonero]

If you install shorty levers, they won't touch down.

I also like jreazor's idea, too. Cheap insurance.

[Yankee Dog]

www.barkbusters.net

Check 'em out. Adjustable levers are easy to find, too. Even my Bandit has 'em.

this.  

[lionlady]

Are you heading out on the street or staying in a parking lot? Sounds like she needs more "bike bonding" time, just her and the bike on a parking lot.

Couple things come to mind: Sounds like she was coached to leave her right foot on the brake when stopping (good). BUT this means she's got to tip the bike to the left when she comes to a stop... a slight hitch of the bars to the right will do it.

She perhaps forgot the process of coming to a stop/slowing down... "all in, all down" ie squeeze brake and clutch levers, and tap the shifter (downshift) while pressing brake pedal.

She really should work up the courage to ride on her own, just a little. Mostly because she needs to figure out for herself how to operate a motorcycle. She's got to make it happen from inside her head and depending you may be preventing that.

Good on you for supporting her! Encourage her to try to puzzle out what is going on that she capsizes the bike.

P

[MrMoto]

Folding levers fold, don't break.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Folding-Foldable-Levers-for-Honda-CBR250RR-All-Years-/280727948510?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item415cb08cde&vxp=mtr

[sfalexi]

I think I'll go with the hong kong folding levers.  I'm sure they're not "race quality", but we're talking about levers that'll last longer.  As for the OEM replacements, great idea, but from what I've seen on other forums, getting spare parts is hard as they're not shipping as much.  Hell, I've been waiting about five weeks for the rack for a topbox.  It's been in the catalogue for a long time, but everything's backordered.

AWESOME tip about slightly turning the tire to the right.  I forgot that that's how I learned myself!!!  I let her know and will remind her next time we go out.  

I'm all for parking lot time, but we still need to get to a parking lot.  We do make sure not to travel on heavy roads.  Around small neighborhoods is what we do, and if we do hit a more major road, we avoid any hint of rush-hour or traffic like the plague right now.

Thanks for the tips.  I'll be giving those ebay levers a shot while she learns, and trying to convince her to ride on her own every now and then (I've brought it up in the past two or three weeks, but she needs a little more "nudging" it seems before she'll try it).  

Alexi

[cbsnbiker]

I'll let others answer the specific question about levers.

Here are some thoughts about helping your wife keep from tipping over, and thus saving on replacement lever costs.

I suspect that your wife is looking down, possibly at her right foot, as she comes to a stop. I also suspect that she is not squaring the bars all the way.

As the Student Handbook says: "It is best at the end of a stop to have the motorcycle straight up. This is the reason
to “square” the handlebars near the end of the stop." (page 37)

Her eyes should also be up, looking ahead, as she comes to a stop. Ideally she should come to a stop so well balanced that she can just put her left foot down to maintain her balance, then put her right foot down as well once she's fully stopped.

Has she done much practicing on her own in a parking lot? Maybe she should do some more practicing there. If she'd like you to be there, you could bring a lawn chair and a book, and hang out while she does her practicing.

[Robus]

Don't know about the bars, but the wife needs a lot more time in the parking lot.  Is the bike too tall/heavy for her?  Did she take the BRC?

[sfalexi]

Don't know about the bars, but the wife needs a lot more time in the parking lot.  Is the bike too tall/heavy for her?  Did she take the BRC?

Yes she took the BRC, but she was one of the ones that needed a little more attention.  I keep suggesting parking lot and she keeps shooting it down saying she'd rather ride around on "real roads", albeit much less traveled, neghborhood roads.  Bike seems to be good height and weight.  MAYBE a little on the tall side, but I couldn't convince her to get a low seat bike.  She wanted a sporty looking bike so it was this or the Ninja.

I think what I'm going to do is let her get some more practice (haha... "let" her....like I have a choice as to whether she rides on the road or parking lot), and then strongly suggest she take the BRC again with her own 250.  I think it'd be allowed as it's a 249cc bike.  If not BRC, then ERC/ARC or whatever it is now.

Just tough when you're trying to teach a spouse.  You can suggest things all day, but when it's a spouse, you have to go back home with them after riding, so you kinda have to gently "suggest" everything.  would've been MUCH easier if I had a friend I could trust to teach her so she could be mad at HIM constantly telling her to turn off her signal light!!!

Alexi

[spd2918]

I agree with the posts about the brake level not being the problem.  Most falls while stopping are due to riders not looking forward.  This leads to the bars not being square or stopping with the bike leaned over.  She may be too nervous to ride properly (i.e. her cup is full).

You should honestly ask her if she wants to ride.  Some spouses will say they do to placate their loved one's wishes.  Be very careful.  Not everyone should ride a motorcycle.

[bungie4]

 Not everyone should ride a motorcycle.

This. This is spot on.

[cbsnbiker]

Yes she took the BRC, but she was one of the ones that needed a little more attention.  I keep suggesting parking lot and she keeps shooting it down saying she'd rather ride around on "real roads", albeit much less traveled, neghborhood roads.  Bike seems to be good height and weight.  MAYBE a little on the tall side, but I couldn't convince her to get a low seat bike.  She wanted a sporty looking bike so it was this or the Ninja.

Stubborn, I see.  

I think what I'm going to do is let her get some more practice (haha... "let" her....like I have a choice as to whether she rides on the road or parking lot), and then strongly suggest she take the BRC again with her own 250.  I think it'd be allowed as it's a 249cc bike.  If not BRC, then ERC/ARC or whatever it is now.

From the MSF's point of view, it is permissible to take the BRC on one's own bike. Her bike would work very well in it. However, state or local policies may differ. See what the site says about using one's own bike in the BRC.

The BRCII (formerly known as ERC) is also a possibility.

(The ARC is not appropriate for her at this time.)

Just tough when you're trying to teach a spouse.  You can suggest things all day, but when it's a spouse, you have to go back home with them after riding, so you kinda have to gently "suggest" everything.  would've been MUCH easier if I had a friend I could trust to teach her so she could be mad at HIM constantly telling her to turn off her signal light!!!

Alexi

That's one of the strengths of the BRC -- I can say things to a student that the spouse can't.    

[sfalexi]

You should honestly ask her if she wants to ride.  Some spouses will say they do to placate their loved one's wishes.  Be very careful.  Not everyone should ride a motorcycle.

We've discussed it.  Right now, as she sees it, she wants to try riding mostly for commuting purposes to save gas on nice days.  She would rather ride on the back of my bike when out for a long ride cause she can just look around and enjoy the ride/scenery.  I've planned for her maybe not wanting to continue.  But she's giving it a shot, and only time will tell as to whether she becomes more comfortable, or maybe one day says, "I've had enough" and then I inherit the 250.

Alexi

[nater]

Just think, with what you paid for the bike, you and your wife could have taken a trip to Jamaica  .

Back to the original question.  You could get a set of barkbusters and modify them to fit.  ASV levers are rather costly.  And the barkbusters would protect everything better and would probably keep the bars from bending.  

[expatbrit]

How about: http://houstonsuperbikes.com/i-8593747-rizoma-proguard-lever-shield.html

Have they been suggested already?