Hi from Canada, I just passed my motorcycle test and got my full licsens on Friday and picked up my brand new 05 gs500. Wow, so much fun, the break in period is going to suck tho. I have a long way to go. I find I need to spend sometime to learn this clutch so I can creep along in stop and go traffic as well.
My question is on rain riding; it rains a ton up here this time of year and really want to ride my new bike, but is a little worried about breaking in the engine, tires ECT....any suggestions???
I guess I really should wait for some good weather but who wants to wait a month to ride there new toy?
Firt of all...
Welcome to GSTWIN!!!
Regarding the breakin period, I'm not sure... But I wouldn't push it too much if I were you. You're a new rider with a new bike... Take it easy, and you'll enjoy the GS.
+1 on the welcome!! :cheers:
Congrats on getting your license! :thumb:
You're in a tough spot! We all know how badly we want to ride when we get our bikes. Have you taken a safety course, or any sort of training course? If not, it's truly a good idea to do so. If you're still learning how to operate the controls, you could land in some sticky situations in the rain, including taking a spill on your new bike (of course, this is true on dry pavement as well, but wet pavement can be particularly challenging). :o
Try to fight the urge to go too quickly and get in above your head; take the time to learn, and build up to riding on the street and on the highways. Practice your skills in quiet, no-traffic places first, then build up to quiet, low-traffic areas. It's better to be in complete command of the controls and clutch before thinking about interacting with traffic.
You asked for opinions, so try to keep an open mind when the opinions aren't what you want to hear... :kiss3:
I remember my first week getting my bike. The first day was great, but after I brought it home, I only had a little more than an hour to ride before I had to go to work. The second and third days it started to rain a bit... I still rode, but I sure as hell took it easy. As Pandy said, try to fight the urge, and you'll do fine.
Welcome,
5k revs for three hundred miles then 8k max for the next 300, It'll flash by. One word of caution about the rain, the tyres can be pretty slippy when new so dont be too adventurous in the wet, avoid metal drain covers etc as well until the "newness" is scuffed off the rubber and you are a little more experienced.
Enjoy the bike.
Welcome!
Breaking it in in the rain wont hurt it a bit. You will need to be more careful about braking though, as the brakes need to bed in (gradual increasing pressure of braking pressure on the lever) and the tires need to breakin-in, too. Both will be broken-in in about 100 miles (or 100kilometers). No sudden steering or braking movements, either; these will upset the bike. Riding in the rain trains you to be a smoother, better rider.
If you're a new rider... I would recomend (just for your safety) giving yourself a few months before riding in the rain.. It's something I do quite often and it's a different ballgame. Take it easy during the break in time. After your first service take it on a couple short trips on wet pavement before you attempt the really nasty stuff..