tips on taking off?

[myGS]

i'm having trouble taking off. i don't think i give it enough gas and it boggs.  sometimes it dies on me.  i think it's a confidence thing and it's in my head but i don't know.  do any of u guys have tips?  more gas and then let go of gas, or what?

[RVertigo]

Have you taken the MSF course yet?  If not... Do it!

Are you sure there's not something wrong with the fuel system? Or are you sure it's just a clutch/gas user issue?

[brembo]

Pull the clutch in, rev to about 3-4k rpm, ease the clutch out half way, as your speed builds up ease out the clutch. As you let out the clutch the revs might drop a little, but you should be fine.

After a while it'll just become second nature.

[Phaedrus]

Are you starting off in first? Starting off in higher gears can be tricky if you are really new to manual transmissions/clutches.

If you are unsure as to what to do, just giving it more gas might not be the best idea.    That's kinda like swinging your first in all directions if you think a fly is going to land on you.  

I think you might need more practice clutching.  

[natedawg120]

good adice above.  Take the MSF safty course and you will be good to go with the basics.  As my instructor said "We tought you how to drive in a parking lot with no cars at 20mph.  Practice what you need to before you travel main highways and ride safe."  That is what I did and what I recommend.  Also it might be worthwhile to find a friend or group to ride with to encouage good habits.

[myGS]

i've already taken the MSF.  that's why i bought a GS as a first bike.  i'm sure it's a clutch/gas problem and not a fuel problem.

[natedawg120]

does it idle at 1200-1300 rpm, if not that might be the culprit.  But rev it a little and release the clutch slowly.  Just do the rock back and forth thing with the clutch you did in the MSF course.  The GS is a lot more of a bike then what you rode in the class. Good luck.

[Phaedrus]

Doing a throttle and clutch level adjustment might not be a bad idea  :dunno:

[myGS]

Doing a throttle and clutch level adjustment might not be a bad idea  :dunno:

is there a link that shows me how to do it? i noticed that i had to let it go almost all the way out just for the clutch to grab.  is this normal?

[natedawg120]

there is a how too on the clutch adjustment in the How too section off the main page.  You can adjust it to you preference just make sure that it is fully disengauged when pulled in and you will be good to go there.

[natedawg120]

link to that particular how to : http://www.gstwin.com/adjust_the_clutch_lever.htm

Man i am bored tonight.

[94suzuki500]

also when starting off , let the clutch out alittle till it starts grabbing and scooting you and just let it pull you then when you pick up alittle speed let it out all the way.  There is a pause in there that you need to do, just that and practice.