U-turn Diameter on a 1700

[shemogolee]

Hi All,

Anyone have an idea what the smallest diameter U-turn is on a 1700? Full lock, full lean ...

Thanks,

Shemogolee

[Boscoe]

It can be pretty small if you are drifting through the turn.

[HwyRider]

The width of a single lane street.

[Monkeyman]

About 18 feet or the width of 2 standard parking spaces. 14 feet if you're really good. All without drifting and maintaining control. If I can do it on a 950# bike, you can do it on a 600# bike.

[glwilson]

Are we talking about dragging the boards, because that determines the ultimate limit of the turn.

[Monkeyman]

18 feet on ANY stock bike. I think (at least theoretically) I can lean farther than you can but either of us could make a U turn in 18 feet.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

18 feet on ANY stock bike. I think (at least theoretically) I can lean farther than you can but either of us could make a U turn in 18 feet.

With all due respect Chris, but I believe some tourers can turn within a shorter distance than 18 feet.

I will double-check to make sure, and apologize if I am wrong...

EDIT: Okay... double-checked and 18 ft is the max for touring bikes. There are few, like a Concours, that can do 17 ft.

You win Chris. Drinks on YOU!

[Monkeyman]

Originally Posted by glwilson

With all due respect Chris, but I believe some tourers can turn within a shorter distance than 18 feet.

I will double-check to make sure, and apologize if I am wrong...

EDIT: Okay... double-checked and 18 ft is the max for touring bikes. There are few, like a Concours, that can do 17 ft.

You win Chris. Drinks on YOU!

Does that mean I'm buying or you're going to spill your drink on me??

According to RLaP and MSF, 18 feet is supposed to be the max it should take for just about ANY stock bike to make a U turn. I have no doubt there are some that can make it in well under that. I think that RLaP guy said he can do it (on a Harley) in something like 12 feet (I know I can't). I think I have a little more clearance (boards/bags/etc) than you do but I could be wrong. I looked at the factory specs for lean angle last year when I bought my Vision but can't remember them ATM. All I know is I've leaned farther than I'm comfortable with and still had plenty to go.

[dshelly]

If you pull the front brake and spin the rear tire you can turn on a dime.

[dshelly]

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

About 18 feet or the width of 2 standard parking spaces. 14 feet if you're really good. All without drifting and maintaining control. If I can do it on a 950# bike, you can do it on a 600# bike.

Wow Chris, your bike weighs 950 lbs.? Or is that with you on it ?

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by dshelly

Wow Chris, your bike weighs 950 lbs.? Or is that with you on it ?

Why does that suprise you, a Nomad weigha 800+.

[Monkeyman]

Originally Posted by dshelly

Wow Chris, your bike weighs 950 lbs.? Or is that with you on it ?

869, dry. Add 6 gallons of gas and 4 1/2 quarts of oil and you're pushing 900#. I was off by 50#.

Well, that came out a bit larger than I expected. Anyway, the current Vision is a heavy bike but still lighter than the older versions as there's more plastic and less chrome/metal on the newer ones. I'll bet the '08-'11s were every bit 950#, wet.

[dshelly]

Originally Posted by Top Cat

Why does that suprise you, a Nomad weigha 800+.

Yea, but if you divide 800 by 4 that's 200 lbs. So the Vision would be a Nomad and a quarter. OK

[dshelly]

Here is an interesting Fact. If a Nomad weighs 800 and you divide that by 95 (cu. in.) you get 8.42 lbs./cu.in. Now if a Vision weighs 900 and you divide that by 106 (cu.in.) you get 8.49 lbs./cu.in.

[Monkeyman]

Originally Posted by dshelly

Here is an interesting Fact. If a Nomad weighs 800 and you divide that by 95 (cu. in.) you get 8.42 lbs./cu.in. Now if a Vision weighs 900 and you divide that by 106 (cu.in.) you get 8.49 lbs./cu.in.

The 1700s are 103 cu in, not 95. Lbs per cu in doesn't really matter. Look at most of the sports bikes. A lot of them have smaller motors and will whup the crap out of any Nomad, Harley or Nomad. Torque, gearing and the torque curve are where it's at. Remember the old adage, "Horsepower gives you speed but torque gets you there fast.". (Or something like that.)