[Marv]

I live in very flat Southern Florida. I use the engine braking on the 650 for stopping. I don't think I will ever wear out my brake pads. But wonder how it would work going down a really steep hill. I recall in my youth going down a hill in Southern California that was frightening in a car. I think it was in Glendale. My brakes were just starting to fade at the bottom of the hill. If you go down this kind of hill in 1st gear would the engine over rev? What effect would you have if you used the Power button. I can't imagine what it would feel like if you had a hair pin turn at the bottom.

 

[Jim]

Going down a long steep hill, the power button would simply act like a lower gear. The same as being in 5th in manual mode, then dropping it to 4th.

 

[NormanB]

This transmission really comes into its own in steep terrain, the power button coming in handy for the more demanding sections. :thumbup:

 

[ErikDK]

And since braking with the rear wheel eats rear tires we know why they last so short on a Burgman 650.

 

[Dave_J]

Big hill in Florida, WHAT overpass bridge? :lol:

I too use the power button for tight twistys down hill.

 

[Fatjock]

Big hill in Florida, WHAT overpass bridge? :lol:

I too use the power button for tight twistys down hill.

Big is a relative concept. So in Florida a big hill normally means an elevation change of about 50 feet.

 

[ScooterJohn]

The POWER button is great for helping you slow... especially in the mountains. I'm sure the same concept would work on a steep FL hill. :cheers:

 

[cactuspwr]

Blocking the first gear when going down from the top of the Mt. Washington In NH is helpful.


For a short drop whit a curve like the one going back from work, I use the front brake too avoid loading the rear wheel who is busy whit the the engine break

 

[bearcat]

I always use the power button on steep twisty hills, both up and down, also use it on flat twisties, going into the curve and accelerating out of the curve and when coming to a stop sign, saves on brake pads.

 

[Marv]

Big hill in Florida, WHAT overpass bridge? :lol:

I too use the power button for tight twistys down hill.

Please read the post again. I was talking about in California.

 

[knucklehead]

Big hill in Florida, WHAT overpass bridge? :lol:

I too use the power button for tight twistys down hill.

Big is a relative concept. So in Florida a big hill normally means an elevation change of about 50 feet.

IIRC (and I've researched this before) the highest spot in Florida is 90' above sea level.

 

[Daboo]

Brakes on cars and motorcycles are better now than they were in our youth. I can remember my Dad at the point where he was going to tell us to jump out of the car going through the Smokey mountains because the brakes had faded totally.

My 400 doesn't have the engine braking you get on a 650. Still, I've come down off steep mountain roads where I had to hold the bike back continually with my brakes. There was no fade. You shouldn't have a problem on a 650 at all.

Chris

 

[v8eyedoc]

I live in very flat Southern Florida. I use the engine braking on the 650 for stopping. I don't think I will ever wear out my brake pads. But wonder how it would work going down a really steep hill. I recall in my youth going down a hill in Southern California that was frightening in a car. I think it was in Glendale. My brakes were just starting to fade at the bottom of the hill. If you go down this kind of hill in 1st gear would the engine over rev? What effect would you have if you used the Power button. I can't imagine what it would feel like if you had a hair pin turn at the bottom.

Unless you are planning on returning to Kalifornia - what are you worried about.?????????? OR is this just a mental exercise for us.????

My solution when heading into a very steep hill with a grade of more than 8% - is to stop - turn around - and go down the hill - BACKWARDS!!!!! That way - it looks like I am actually going uphill...... :thumbup:

 

[Fatjock]

Big is a relative concept. So in Florida a big hill normally means an elevation change of about 50 feet.

IIRC (and I've researched this before) the highest spot in Florida is 90' above sea level.

I found it at 345' with about 30 secs of research (Britton Hill, Walton County). But did find one hill listed with a peak of 92' ASL (Bess Nook, Washington County). That the one you were thinking of?

 

[NormanB]

The power button comes in handy on very steep descents especially on sharp bends when there is lots of loose stuff around.

I do prefer using the brakes but there are some occasions when it instinctly feels nuts to use the front anchore especially, power button just gives a bit more control and stops that 'runaway' feeling.

A steep road/track = Linky

 

[Dave_J]

Norman, What is the % of grade on that vid?

I ride on a 12% grade twice a day. While its a short one I do have some bigger roads with the same type of grade and twists, I just do not ride them daily.

[attachment=1:1vgucuum]Lk Holms.jpg[/attachment:1vgucuum]
[attachment=0:1vgucuum]12% grade.jpg[/attachment:1vgucuum]

 

[NormanB]

Well Hardknotts is around 30% and Kirkstone is 20%.

 

[Dave_J]

Well Hardknotts is around 30% and Kirkstone is 20%.

And crap flows at 2% in a pipe. :twisted:

30% is a drop of 30 elevation every 100 feet distance. Some of the road I posted above has a drop of 16 to 19 feet per 100 foot distance but the steepest part is 25 in 100. Not sure where they get the 12% for this one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Grades_degrees.svg

 

[v8eyedoc]

Well Hardknotts is around 30% and Kirkstone is 20%.

And crap flows at 2% in a pipe. :twisted:

30% is a drop of 30 elevation every 100 feet distance. Some of the road I posted above has a drop of 16 to 19 feet per 100 foot distance but the steepest part is 25 in 100. Not sure where they get the 12% for this one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Grades_degrees.svg

Love the comment about CRAP......flowing so nicely.............. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Dave_J]

And crap flows at 2% in a pipe. :twisted:

Love the comment about CRAP......flowing so nicely.............. :lol: :lol: :lol:

I must explain my remark above. It was not disrespect aimed at anyone. It is a term used in plumbing that the pipe must have a slope for crap to flow, 2 foot drop in 100 foot run.

In my post I had injected other typing and charts, that comment above was to be at the bottom of my post but I did not edit it before I hit submit. I am sorry if it was viewed as I was calling "Bull Crap" on another member. It was to be posted like this below:

30% is a drop of 30 elevation every 100 feet distance. Some of the road I posted above has a drop of 16 to 19 feet per 100 foot distance but the steepest part is 25 in 100. Not sure where they get the 12% for this one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Grades_degrees.svg

And crap flows at 2% in a pipe. :twisted: