Non Mechanically Minded Female Rider Question

1431 Views 61 Replies 26 Participants Last post by -Nate, 8 d ago

Lillystar

Discussion Starter · 28 d ago

Sorry, this is probably a dumb question… Please don’t flame me
I’ve been riding a while but not mechanically minded at all. I just brought a new KTM 890 which is great. I’m still running it in so trying to do everything right.

Today, for some reason, I totally forgot I was in 1st gear (brain fart) at a traffic light and just let my hand off the clutch. The bike lurched a bit and then stalled out. I actually have a bad left shoulder so it yanked on my shoulder a bit which probably made it feel worse.

The bike was at operating temperature and at idle. My question - Is there any risk of damage to the clutch or transmission in the scenario? I know it was basically a stall, but usually, in a stall, you wouldn’t just release the clutch all at once.

TIA - Lilly.

Reactions: 2

1 - 20 of 62 Posts

pdcomm

· #2 · 28 d ago

Likely nothing was hurt other than your pride .

Reactions: 5

Eagle Six

· #3 · 28 d ago

1) Not enough throttle and too quick off the clutch release and stall out from a stop. 2) Release the clutch neglecting to check if it is in neutral, stall the bike. 3) In neutral, bike is warmed up, tap the shift lever inadvertently without pressing the clutch lever, stall the bike. Each one the bike jerks forward a bit, and everyone within 10 miles of line of sight is watching me, especially other riders and my wife on the back chuckling. I don't know how many time I have done all three over the almost 60 years of riding, but more than I'm willing to admit.

So there is a club for this, member classifications are: 'those that will', 'those that have', and 'those that will again' I'm a senior member of the last listed classification. So, @Lillystar no harm, just keep riding you are doing fine. Great bike by the way, I like them. I think I am jealous. Not sure if it is jealous that I don't have an 890, or jealous of you only stalling your bike once.....maybe I'm jealous of both

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Reactions: 2

Lillystar

Discussion Starter · #4 · 28 d ago

Eagle Six said:
1) Not enough throttle and too quick off the clutch release and stall out from a stop. 2) Release the clutch neglecting to check if it is in neutral, stall the bike. 3) In neutral, bike is warmed up, tap the shift lever inadvertently without pressing the clutch lever, stall the bike. Each one the bike jerks forward a bit, and everyone within 10 miles of line of sight is watching me, especially other riders and my wife on the back chuckling. I don't know how many time I have done all three over the almost 60 years of riding, but more than I'm willing to admit.

So there is a club for this, member classifications are: 'those that will', 'those that have', and 'those that will again' I'm a senior member of the last listed classification. So, @Lillystar no harm, just keep riding you are doing fine. Great bike by the way, I like them. I think I am jealous. Not sure if it is jealous that I don't have an 890, or jealous of you only stalling your bike once.....maybe I'm jealous of both

Thank you for your reply. I have traditionally stalled before, but not from forgetting it in 1st where I completely let go of the clutch quickly. So was worried about essentially dumping the clutch in that scenario and the load going straight to the transmission.

Reactions: 4

SemiFast

· #5 · 28 d ago

Lillystar said:
My question - Is there any risk of damage to the clutch or transmission in the scenario? I know it was basically a stall, but usually, in a stall, you wouldn’t just release the clutch all at once.

No. No damage... You're good to go.

For the screwed up left shoulder, make sure to keep the clutch lever pivot and cable well lubed.

S F

Reactions: 2

gunsmoker

· #6 · 28 d ago

I'm pretty sure putting the stopped, idling bike in 1st gear without using the clutch is hard on the clutch plates and probably puts as much wear on them in two seconds as three months worth of normal riding.... but if that means that your transmission will go bad in September 2030 instead of December 2030,
is that really such a big deal now in May of 2023??

ChiefGunner

· #7 · 28 d ago

Been there done that before! You’re not alone. I’m sure no damage.

Reactions: 3

ChiefGunner

· #8 · 28 d ago

Lillystar said:
Thank you for your reply. I have traditionally stalled before, but not from forgetting it in 1st where I completely let go of the clutch quickly. So was worried about essentially dumping the clutch in that scenario and the load going straight to the transmission.

How else to you think people pull wheelies? They don’t normally “pop it” but they do let it out quick. Also, many do what is know as “speed shifting”.
They don’t even use the clutch. The just come off the throttle for a second while forcing the next gear. Hard on the transmission but works well in a drag race.

Reactions: 1

RacingJake

· #9 · 27 d ago (Edited)

I did the same thing on my B King just the other day, stuff happens. My best one was back in the day when I kicked started my 750 and I didn't realize the kick lever went inside my pants leg and the bike fell over cause I couldn't put my foot down.

Reactions: 3

Carbide

· #10 · 27 d ago

I did this on bikes before. Proceeded to rack up tens of thousands of miles afterwards with zero issues.

Reactions: 1

Unkle Krusty

· #11 · 27 d ago

I can do that. Have done, will do it again. Now days bikes have a neutral light, but that does not stop me from letting the clutch out while in gear. Probably a bigger problem, is starting the bike in gear. Needs to be an older bike. But new enough for an electric start motor.

Reactions: 1

hogcowboy

· #12 · 27 d ago

Lillystar said:
Sorry, this is probably a dumb question… Please don’t flame me
I’ve been riding a while but not mechanically minded at all. I just brought a new KTM 890 which is great. I’m still running it in so trying to do everything right.

Today, for some reason, I totally forgot I was in 1st gear (brain fart) at a traffic light and just let my hand off the clutch. The bike lurched a bit and then stalled out. I actually have a bad left shoulder so it yanked on my shoulder a bit which probably made it feel worse.

The bike was at operating temperature and at idle. My question - Is there any risk of damage to the clutch or transmission in the scenario? I know it was basically a stall, but usually, in a stall, you wouldn’t just release the clutch all at once.

TIA - Lilly.

There are no dumb questions when it comes to two wheeled vehicles. You did no damage at all and I'd also suggest most if not all of us has done this or even does it it still from time to time. The only thing you might get from such a thing is a red face. Brush it off and move on.

Reactions: 2

DannoXYZ

· #13 · 27 d ago

Wear and tear is related to load & power being transmitted.

Since engine was just idling, it generated very little power. So when you let go of clutch, it had to transmit very little power across. So little power in fact, that weight of bike stalled engine.

Now if you had throttle at 100% and released clutch lever like that... yeah that would put some wear on clutch and some shock to transmission gears.

Reactions: 2

Steadfastly

· #14 · 26 d ago (Edited)

Don't worry about it. Most of us have done the same thing at one time or another. It's just part of learning. It may never happen to you again and you did no damage but likely learned something in the process.

Reactions: 1

Tinsnips

· #15 · 26 d ago

Not a dumb question. No, you wouldn't have damaged anything. Literally everyone stalls their bike. Everyone. I'm not familiar with your bike but there is usually a neutral light on the dash. It is your best friend.

Reactions: 1

wwb

· #16 · 26 d ago

Tinsnips said:
........ Literally everyone stalls their bike. Everyone........

I've never stalled my bike. I've also never missed the 1-2 shift and revved the engine in neutral. Anybody wanna buy a bridge in Brooklyn?

Reactions: 5

Offcenter

· #17 · 26 d ago

wwb said:
I've never stalled my bike. I've also never missed the 1-2 shift and revved the engine in neutral. Anybody wanna buy a bridge in Brooklyn?

LOL!!!!

Reactions: 1

Tinsnips

· #18 · 26 d ago

wwb said:
I've never stalled my bike. I've also never missed the 1-2 shift and revved the engine in neutral. Anybody wanna buy a bridge in Brooklyn?

It is infinitely worse if someone is watching.

Reactions: 2

wwb

· #19 · 26 d ago

Tinsnips said:
It is infinitely worse if someone is watching.

The sad fact is that it never happens when you're alone.... it ONLY happens when there's an audience.

Reactions: 3

pdcomm

· #20 · 26 d ago

wwb said:
The sad fact is that it never happens when you're alone.... it ONLY happens when there's an audience.

Of course , you're not being distracted when you're alone on the road . LOL

Reactions: 1

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