New Rider in the House

[BreakerIBS]

Well hello all,

I just purchased a 2007 GS500F, new. Got it this last weekend, and just got my learner's permit. I am about to go tear up a few parking lots, and just wanted to know of the best ways to start off.

I also wanted to know, about engine breaking. I never used it when I drive my standard truck. So it'll be kinda hard to get into the habit with the bike. Any suggestions.

Thanks,
Breaker

[ajaxgs]

welcome .......the parking lot is the best place to start , just mack sure no sand/gravel or it will be the best/fastest way to be back at the bike shop .......engine braking just the same as any vehicle be smooth and match your rev's

[scottpA_GS]

The Motorcycle Safety course is a great place to start! 

Welcome! 

[pronator]

Welcome!

I'd suggest lots of figure 8's. If you can nail slow turn maneuvers, the other stuff will be cake. And depending on the parking lot, you probably won't be able to do much else. Oh, practice braking. Not necessarily engine braking.

Just get a real good sense of what your braking distance and speed is; accelerate to the extent that you can in a parking lot and then stop. If you feel comfortable doing it alone, practice locking your rear brake so you know what it feels like (fishtail-y) and can practice slowly taking your foot off the rear brake. No sudden moves! (It helped me to understand what locking my rear feels like so that if it happens in the future, I won't freak out.)

P

P.s. I'm assuming you're taking or will be taking the MSF course (or something like it), right??? Practicing in a parking lot is a great addition to - but NOT replacement for - the MSF class. Seriously. Worth. Every. Penny. [Ha! scottpA_GS just beat me to the punch on this!]

[1 wheel peel]

The Motorcycle Safety course is a great place to start! 

 I agree,  Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new f model.    I am new to the GS myself, bought mine about a month ago 07 f as well.  Lots of good info here.

[ohgood]

Welcome, and thanks for starting your practice in a lot

Engine braking is way different for a bike. In a car, if you select the wrong gear before a turn, it just revs higher. On the gs, which doesn't have a 'slipper' clutch, if you select the wrong gear before a turn, you can loose traction and crash. Not good !

Take the MSF (or similar) and practice practice practice. Choosing the right gear before a turn means you can hold that gear until upright again, and neither lug nor over-rev the engine in the process. Somewhere between 4,000 and 7,000 is a good place to be. Anything lower = lugging. Anything higher = you may run out of revs before it's safe to change gears.

One of the problems bikes have that doesn't effect cars is a 'false neutral'. If you shift during a turn (BIG NO NO!) and were to miss the next gear, you've got the possibility of dropping the bike, over revving and hurting the motor, or just plain crashing.

The practice in a parking lot does so much for confidence, agility, and avoidance. Not to mention it's way safer, and a blast.

[BreakerIBS]

Thanks for the responses. The first ride wasnt bad at all. I am also already enrolled for the MSF course. I'll be taking it june 24-25th. Took the two long day courses. I did drop the bike thugh. Not while moving, just came to a stop and my wife's dog I thought had broken away from his leesh. I stopped fine, I just didnt put my leg out far enough to support the bike. No major damage, just some battle scars, which I had totally expected. I had hoped I'd never drop my bike, but had fully expected it.

It pushed in my right front turn signal. I got it out most of the way, but the stopper on the end is still inside the fairing. Other than letting the excess fuel drain for a few mins, it started up fine, and I was off again.

Thanks,
Breaker