Showing my age

jmer1234 · Post by **jmer1234** » Sun May 06, 2012 4:12 pm

So, I have not purchased a scooter yet. Instead I am the periodic, creepy lurker at my local scooter shop. Every time I walk in, somebody calls out from the back, "Are you going to take that #$% Stella today?" Personal and timing issues have been delaying this.

My question, today, is about physiology. I felt like I am getting close enough to buying that I actually sat on the Stella I want for the first time. My concern set in when I pulled the clutch (I know better than to start twisting) and felt stiffness in my middle aged fingers. This clutch felt harder to pull than one of the used Stellas on the floor. Will the clutch loosen up, or do I need to worry about the stiff clutch continuing to degrade my joints?

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Sun May 06, 2012 4:40 pm

The clutch definitely loosens up and will actually require tightening before it gets too loose. That said my mechanic one time set it so tight I could barely pull it at the tender age of 25 but it soon got back to acceptable tightness

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Sun May 06, 2012 9:56 pm

They loosen up and are much "smoother" as the bike is running and in motion. Mention your hands to the shop when they set-up the scooter, and they can take extra time to make sure the clutch and shifter are well lubed. It makes a difference.

badbodhisattva · Post by **badbodhisattva** » Mon May 07, 2012 3:46 am

My Stella was incredibly hard to shift (so hard I thought I had to be doing something wrong or the bike was wrong). Pulling in the clutch was a little tough, but pulling that whole unit up and down was really difficult... but only for the first 500 miles, then around 600 miles, it was noticeably easier, and after a 1000, it is a pleasure to shift it.

I was so shocked by how hard it was that I went on youtube looking for clips of people shifting. All the ones I saw showed people easily pulling the clutch and effortlessly "clicking" up through the gears. It didn't seem to make sense with my new Stella, but now I understand. You and the bike just get better over a few hundred miles.

Get the Stella!

vwgrl1999 · Post by **vwgrl1999** » Mon May 07, 2012 5:34 am

It will loosen up. Mine was so tight that w/in the first week of owning it, my fingers slipped off of the clutch at a stop light and the bike went down. I was so pissed at myself, I'd waited so long for a Stella and then I went and scuffed it up right away! Now I'm approaching 400 miles (crappy cold/rainy weather here in PA) and the clutch is noticeably smoother and looser. Just be very aware of the exteme tightness for the first few hundred miles, lest you wind up w/scratches on your cowl like me!

Tack One. · Post by **Tack One.** » Mon May 07, 2012 2:05 pm

mine was only really tight for the first week or so.

it's way easier to pull and hold now. I'm starting to find it difficult to land in second, it keeps falling mid-gear so maybe it's gotten too lose already in the month I've had it.

the point though is that for sure it'll be manageable very quickly. I thought my hands were going to be in for it too, I have sore joints from working on a keyboard all day, and I have zero problem with its tightness now

jmer1234 · Post by **jmer1234** » Mon May 07, 2012 4:04 pm

Thanks, everybody. This is making me feel a little better.

Tam Tam · Post by **Tam Tam** » Mon May 07, 2012 10:26 pm

I tested a 4t at the Genuine demo thing at the Motorcycle shop - the clutch is harder to pull, because like their saying, it's brand new. But, it was also much smoother operation that my 2t overall...when that 4t gets broken in, it'll shift supersmooth I'll bet.

Post by **ericalm** » Tue May 08, 2012 12:29 am

The exercise is good.

Between the cable loosening up and my grip getting stronger, I rarely notice. When I do a long ride through the twisting hills and am shifting all day, sometimes my hand gets a bit tired or achy. Worth it!

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Tue May 08, 2012 2:18 am

jmer1234 wrote:Thanks, everybody. This is making me feel a little better.

You don't have to tell me about middle aged fingers.....I passed middle age 20 years ago.
I suspect that because this is a new action for your hand it will feel unnatural and uncomfortable.
I also believe, as ericalm stated, the exercise will make your hand and wrist stronger in short order.

I've been cluthing different machines with my left hand for years and this was no problem on my new Stella......comparativly speaking, the clutch pull is rather light.

For me though, the wrist action required to shift was a bit painful for the first few days.
I hadn't driven a wrist shifter in over.....uh...uh...48 years, so the movement was a bit difficult at the onset.
Add to this a stiff new gearbox and you could say my shifting was a bit like I was a newbe to two wheel transportation.

Now, 200 miles later, I believe the gearbox is freeing up a bit but I am confident my wrist/forearm strength has increased dramaticily. (sp?)
I'm certain, when you pull the trigger you will have a similar experience strengthwise.

I think it's time you fell off the fence my friend and bring that puppy home...spring is here and you have a whole summer season to get acclimated.

Welcome aboard!

Rob

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Tue May 08, 2012 2:49 am

There are a lot of things going on and a lot of things you can do.

First..yes it will take a bit for a new clutch to break in...in a few ways...the springs are new, the plates are new, the cable is new etc.

First the cable will stretch until it gets to it's "comfort" zone. The springs will relax a bit after being broken in, then depending on how much shifting you are doing the cork plates will begin to wear reducing the "throw" needed to disengage the clutch.

So what can you do? Different levers are available which may help. Softer springs will reduce the effort needed to pull the clutch...but depending on how you ride may lead to slippage under higher stress.

You could replace with a Cosa clutch. Much easier to pull, however I must say I was VERY disappointed with the Newfield reinforced Cosa I installed for CBR 2012. It blew up after about 1,200 miles...yes I was pushing it hard (5,500 to 6,000 rpm) but not THAT hard. I built a "new" clutch out of parts I had brought along

I think the main thing is building up strength and muscle memory along with the clutch breaking in. Before the CBR I had not ridden a mile in 7 months. The first few days were OK because it was mainly running flats and sweepers. Day 8 was a ton of clutch work. Super great ride but my left hand was barking! I still can't get my wedding ring off!

Clutch work is one of those things that is a big deal when learning to ride a shifty...but soon becomes second nature. Will your hand be sore after a day of long riding with lots of clutch work? Sure so will your butt, legs feet etc...but it is well worth it!

jmer1234 · Post by **jmer1234** » Sat May 12, 2012 2:08 pm

Robbie wrote:I think it's time you fell off the fence my friend and bring that puppy home...spring is here and you have a whole summer season to get acclimated.

Welcome aboard!

Rob

Thanks for the encouragement, Rob. I have begun talking to banks, and confirmed with the dealership that they are fine with me purchasing, and leaving it there until I can get the motorcycle safety corse taken (still a month away). So, the hammer is cocked, just in time for the oven that is the South Texas summer.

PeterC · Post by **PeterC** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 11:17 pm

I was 70 when I bought my new Stella in 2006. Just regard the clutch as a hand exerciser. It or you will improve with use. Enjoy!

jmer1234 · Post by **jmer1234** » Mon Jun 04, 2012 8:53 pm

Day 1: "Wow, my hand is pretty tired after that 10 miles."
Day 15: "What else can I do today that requires that I drive somewhere?"

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:09 pm

jmer1234 wrote:Day 1: "Wow, my hand is pretty tired after that 10 miles."
Day 15: "What else can I do today that requires that I drive somewhere?"

Shift or no, it's amazing what scoots inspire you to do and go.

I used to think a 30 mile trek around town was a hard day's work, but we're doing nearly 200 miles in a day on the 30th, just because we can!

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:34 pm

skully93 wrote:
jmer1234 wrote:Day 1: "Wow, my hand is pretty tired after that 10 miles."
Day 15: "What else can I do today that requires that I drive somewhere?"
Shift or no, it's amazing what scoots inspire you to do and go.

I used to think a 30 mile trek around town was a hard day's work, but we're doing nearly 200 miles in a day on the 30th, just because we can!

Ha!
Told you so!

I really believe the wrist gets stronger faster than the gearbox loosens up.
I'll bet, in my case, a right handed soul, the left hand and wrist needed the excercise badly anyways.

Glad you are diggin it!

Rob

Nettar · Post by **Nettar** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 12:49 am

I turned 60 last week and didn't even consider this problem before buying the Stella. Maybe I think I'm still 45.
It was an issue but not for long.
Glad to hear that you got over it too.
Did 45 miles yesterday and had a blast!
Scoot on!

Modern Buddy

Showing my age

Showing my age

get it!!!