The one thing I regret..well maybe not

[NjDan]

So today it hit around 55 in jersey and the sun was shining and the bike is all done and ready to ride she was calling my name (even though I take MSF in a month) So i said what the heck let me get on her a bit. I live on a side street thats about 300 yards long and not many cars turn onto it. So for about 30 minutes I went up and down the street. First time I was ever on the bike or on a bike period (stalled a few times but not bad maybe 4 tops) I have never driven stickshift either so it was an accomplishment I guess you can say

So why do I regret it?

I loved it and I cant wait to go on rides around town and eventually work my way up to longer rides. I hit about 40 and like everyone says the first time it feels like 80 and yes it did but it was AWESOME just sucks that I have a month left and the bike sitting in the garage is just teasing me...cant wait now I know what everybody means by being free and relaxed

just one side not my wrists felt a bit sore only for a couple minutes after I got off then they were fine....normal?

also I believe the rear brake was squeaking a bit not much should I replace it?

BTW yes I did wear Gear

[browncheetah]

sore wrists? it'll be gone after few miles on the road.

[Twisted]

also I believe the rear brake was squeaking a bit not much should I replace it?

Ahhh... you are one of the lucky ones who got the optional extra squeaky rear brake. You and a lot of other GS owners are blessed with this (including me). It shouldn't need replacing unless it is badly scored.

[adidasguy]

Squeaking rear: you are lucky! That's the early warning system to pedestrians. Often it goes away with some use of the rear brake.

Wrists sore? probably gripping too hard in all the excitement. That will go away as you build confidence and loosen your grip.

[NjDan]

also I believe the rear brake was squeaking a bit not much should I replace it?

Ahhh... you are one of the lucky ones who got the optional extra squeaky rear brake. You and a lot of other GS owners are blessed with this (including me). It shouldn't need replacing unless it is badly scored.

lol we asked for the base model and they gave us the luxury model 

and glad to here the soreness goes away

[W79]

Yup, don't grip the handlebars too tightly...

They're a means of control, not a means of support.
Your whole body should be secure on a bike, just from your seating position.

Trust me, once you get the hang of it, you won't have sore wrists any more.
Chances are your legs will start aching then

[BockinBboy]

Yup, don't grip the handlebars too tightly...

They're a means of control, not a means of support.
Your whole body should be secure on a bike, just from your seating position.

Trust me, once you get the hang of it, you won't have sore wrists any more.
Changes are your legs will start aching then

+1

You can keep a firm grip without locking your wrists and arms.  Don't stiff arm the bars, and your handling will greatly improve.  Alway give smooth input to the bars.  Do this with practice, and soreness will be a thing of the past... Unless you do an Iron-Butt, but no one can escape soreness with that kind of riding.

- Bboy

[jestercinti]

Fix the squeaking rear by placing a dab of Suzuki Moly Paste ($10 a tube) on the backside of the pads.  I did it to mine, squeak free ever since.

Don't grip so hard, or install risers.  You'll be glad you did.

[Huff1371]

As stated earlier, squeaky brakes is a sign for joe jaywalker to hear you before trying to bend your forks with his hip. It'll go away after a little bit if your braking right. Or at least mine did.

[Worm]

I don't know what the laws are in New Jersey but in Ohio, you have to have your temps before the MSF course anyway. You are not allowed to ride at night and your not allowed a passenger and blah, blah, blah....there are restrictions but you can ride on temps before taking a course because they are not mandatory. The course includes the maneuverability test though and only costs $25 so I think people are dumb to not take it. You practice for 2 days then at the end of the second day, you take the test! Simple!

Back to the topic, don't wait until after your course to get some experience unless the laws in your state prohibit you from doing so. You don't want to lose you license before you get it! Practice as much as you can in the low risk settings before venturing out into rush hour traffic because that can be intimidating to a new rider.

Good job wearing the gear too! Make sure you always gear up every time you go out.

[SuzukiCrazy]

HEHEHE That was me last year! I couldn't wait to get on the thing!! I got it one month before I could pass my exam, and it was sitting there, teasing me. lol Gratz! For my part, I changed the rear brake pad, it was pretty worn anyway, hasn't been doing it much since..

Can't wait for the snow to melt so I can get back on.. I miss the rush and the relaxation.. I've been stressed for like 4 months.. 

[NjDan]

Here in jersey your supposed to have your permit but you dont need to take it out for the course anymore the way it works here is you take written first day and half then you ride second half of 2nd day then 3rd day you ride and test at night. Might explain the 300 dollar price tag for the course yup that wasn't a typo but everyone said it's worth it so I rather pay 300 then have a funeral that could have been avoided by something you learn there and thanks for everyone's input I will take into consideration

[crzydood17]

I would not ride yet just because you can start bad habits before the MSF has a chance to beat it out of you.

If you don't care, watch some videos about how the MSF is done and start doing those small things in a very safe environment. DO NOT go out on any highways or majors streets! You need to build your confidence slowly. When I started riding, I avoided major roads completely, then I got onto some of the 2-3 lane in town roads, then feeder roads, then highways at night(little to no traffic and you can get used to the speed), and finally highways during the day. Took me 3-4 weeks to get comfortable enough to ride on highways during the day.

[Calpantera]

You at least want to know how to operate you bike and have some control before the MSF or you will be concentrating too much on just getting it to move than on the MSF stuff. IMO I say ride it a bit but take it easy and keep to the low traffic areas for now..

[SuzukiCrazy]

Here in jersey your supposed to have your permit but you dont need to take it out for the course anymore the way it works here is you take written first day and half then you ride second half of 2nd day then 3rd day you ride and test at night. Might explain the 300 dollar price tag for the course yup that wasn't a typo but everyone said it's worth it so I rather pay 300 then have a funeral that could have been avoided by something you learn there and thanks for everyone's input I will take into consideration

HAHA, you guys are in for a laugh! Here in Quebec, here is the procedure.. (650$ for the MANDATORY classes, including theory 9 hours total and practice, 24 hours total I think)
Exams: you have to pass a written exam, then a month later (after the theory classes) you have to pass a "closed circuit" exam with specific exercises to perform perfectly, after that is the kicker: you have to wait 11 months! before passing your final road exam, during which time, you are not allowed to ride your bike by yourself: you have to be accompanied by at least another biker, with over 2 years experience riding on a separate bike next to you.
I did not include exam costs and license costs in there.. all adds up to around a G, that's before you even own a bike..

Thoughts? 

I am thankful though, I did learn proper control and good habits from it, even if I had the choice not to do the classes I would have! It would have scared the hell out of me if I hadn't.. plus I learnt what bikes I preferred, riding positions, driving styles, what power output I was comfortable with etc.. AND I was introduced to the GS!!! Thank you lord!

[adidasguy]

11 months with a buddy? What if you don't know anyone? Seems they don't want bikers. That's a little strict.
Here in WA you can take the class $125 subsidized (and you have to wait for an opening) or $250 and you can pretty much get in anytime you want.
We can pass a written test and have a "Learners Permit" that allows riding sunup to sundown. No passengers. It gave me a chance to ride around my neighborhood fro a month before I took the class. I had ridden years ago, so I wasn't a total noob at it.
The class is definitely worth it.

[Janx101]

  oh Man!!.. glad i dont live in quebec for licensing then!!.... i'd have to pay for a ride buddy too probably!! 

[SuzukiCrazy]

Yup.. and I was completely new to the biking community, the only person that I knew that had a bike, got his license a month before I did.. it was a long ass year!!! Anyway.. it's done now, and I am so glad I did it!!!

[Leadberry]

I can't believe anyone pays that much!  The course only costs $25 in Ohio.  You can take it immediately after getting your temporary permit (course availability permitting), it's two/three days long, and you can get your endorsement immediately afterward.  This is assuming you WANT to take it, as it's not mandatory!

$600+ and a year wait time!?  I couldn't do it!

[gsJack]

I can't imagine waiting another month to ride with a bike sitting there ready to go.  I just walked in and bought a new CB400T one Saturday back in 84 at age 52 having never even sat on a bike before.  The dealer was on a busy street in a shopping area so I got JP to ride it home for me.  I rode it around an empty parking lot for an hour and put it away.  Next morning I hit the street alone and kept on going and have never stopped and won't as long as I can walk to the bike.

Sounds about the same here in OH as WA, take a written test and get a learners permit good for a year.  No riding after dark, can't carry a passenger, must wear helmet while on permit and for a year after you get the M endorsement on license.   Ohio doesn't require a helmet after that.  I just went and took the state test about a month after I started riding and have never taken the course.