First off let me say that I am sorry I have had so many post lately on the boards. Anyway I got to get on the bike for the first time today. At first I could not even get it to go without stalling or taking off quicker than I wanted and slamming the brakes. I have been ridding it around the yard some and have took it out on my street twice. (no tag, insurance or license) anyway streat is just a small subdivision .5 mile long so not that worried. Well, its not that easy and will take some getting used too. I am still having problems at slow speeds and its not exactly going where I want it when I accelerate comming out of turns. One things for sure though it is fun as can be. Thanks everyone for answering those questions.
P.S. I do plan on taking driving class but would like to be able to ride there instead of trucking it. Thanks again.
Well, if your having problems controling your takeoff speed, then try "feathering" the clutch. Let it out with a bit of throttle, and then pull it back in. Do this little by little, over and over. This will just get you rolling, not taking off like a bat outa hell. Accelerating out of turns? Sounds like your just not looking through the turn. Look where you want to go. Not at the ground in front of you. It might be a little weird at first, but trust me. Don't worry about the lean. As long as your on the throttle, you can lean a sustantial amount. Just make sure your not going into a lean and braking at the same time. Brake to slow to a comfortable speed, and accelerate through the turn.
I hope I was helpful.
-Anti
Most MSF affiliated classes provide bikes (don't they? mine did), like nice, small Nighthawk 250s that are easier to learn on. Why do you need to ride to the class?
I parked my GS in the shed for 2 months and learned on the Nighthawk at the MSF class. Those instructors are very good.
Plus, if you dump the bike learning swerves/u-turns/figure 8s in the class, it's covered :)
Trev
Take the MSF course in your area as soon as possible. Buy a Clymer or Haynes manual and a 15 tooth front sprocket. $15 and 15 minutes will have you taking off much smoother.
Practice finding the friction zone with the clutch. Don't actually go anywhere at first. Just rock back and forth from slowly releasing the clutch and pulling it back in. Once you know instinctively know where the clutch grabs, you can begin practicing taking off and stopping.
But PLEASE take the MSF ASAP. :thumb:
Yep, since you're begining by being self-taught (I am), first get used to the starting and stopping in a straight line. Ease the clutch out slowly. Ease the throttle on slowly. Stop. Repeat. When you get to the point where you have to turn (I'm guessing you'll have to do a U-turn), put it in first, get it to pull you along at idle (maybe set your idle before you start), keep your feet on the pegs, turn your head in the direction you want to go (look up the street) and turn. I know you've already done some turns, but hopefully this will help. It would be easier if you can make a series of rights or lefts around a block.
Accelerating out of turns: Look to where you WANT to go, steer in that direction (even if you have to consciously think about it).
Glad you're posting! Glad you're asking questions! I wish I had someone tell me these things when I was starting out.
Well, day one is done. Now I have my permit, tag and insurance. Anyway I got to go for a ride today. 12 miles total. I am suprised how stable it is once you get up to 45 or so but I am still having problems getting started and turning while movine slow(right/left hand turns at low speeds). Another issue I have with turning is gearing and what gear I am in. I do think I will try to to some stop and go in a local parking lot. As for the MSC you have to use your own bike and its like $100 2 day class. I do plan to take it though I just want to have the basics down first. Thanks Again.
The MSf course should have 2 levels of classes-one is the Basic riders course and they supply bikes. Legally they are limited to 250cc bikes so they couldnt allow your gs500 on there anyway. The second is the Experienced riders course, same as above but more time on bike, less in classroom and you use your own bike. You should make sure you have the right course.
Good riders are made in the slow speed manuvers-thats when you have control of the bike. That and in teh moderate to fast corners-again, its about control. Riding in a straight line is the easy part. You've got to practice! Lots of practice. I have a link to a series of exercises you can practice in a parking lot. Link is at work, I'll post tomorrow.
Not necessarily Pablo. I took the MSF course here and they allowed up to 600cc bikes. They recently dropped that to <500cc. The GS is still legal for the course here.
Unless you and her live in the same state, then my foot is in my mouth. :roll:
Quote from: glenn9171The GS is still legal for the course here.
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Yay!
BunnerRabbit. Parking lot practice is a great idea. That is how I learned. (And then of course I took MSF). Do you have any friends that already ride that could give you pointers as your practicing? It was helpful to me to have my husband there to give suggestions, like easier on the clutch, more throttle, etc.
Took me a while to "get" the whole starting thing (like learning how to drive a stick shift car) and figure out the "friction zone" but once I got it it just "clicked" and was really easy from there.
Have fun w/ your GS!
Quote from: BunnerRabbitAnother issue I have with turning is gearing and what gear I am in.
This question is better answered with another question. What rpms do you want the engine at when you LEAVE the turn? Going into the turn you get setup. Put the engine in a gear that has it revving a little bit, probably around 4,000 - 4,500 will feel comfortable for you. Make sure you have the clutch out. Then don't change a thing (no throttle) until you are on your way out of the turn. Throttle is very very sensitive. You need to treat it with care. Even a small input (like 1/8") at the throttle can change your situation drastically. A bike wants to be stable....let it be. If you change throttle in a turn you affect suspension and all sorts of things and you can start the bike jerking around and you're on your way to "ohmigoshwhydididothat".
Just get the engine revving comfortably and then focus on getting through the turn smoothly without changing throttle. You won't blow it up or anything (it likes you). These bikes are strong and forgiving.
Relax and you'll do well :)
Quote from: BunnerRabbitI am suprised how stable it is once you get up to 45 or so but I am still having problems getting started and turning while movine slow(right/left hand turns at low speeds).
Sorry to post so much but I like this topic.
I don't know if you ever did that physics experiment in school where you sit on a barstool (the kind that spins around) and hold a wheel from a ten speed bike by the axle. Somebody gets the wheel spinning really fast and then you try to turn the wheel with your hands like a steering wheel. You end up moving your barstool (the wheel moved YOU) and the ten speed wheel spinning in your hands feels HEAVY. Without getting too deep, the faster the ten speed wheel spins, the harder it is to turn it to the side (fall over). faster = more stable.
Street bikes are made that way. Go a little bit faster and you get a little more stable because of those spinning wheels.
When you are navigating at parking lot speeds, you don't have those spinning wheels to help you stay upright so it is easier to fall over. Until you get good with this level of control, let go of the natural tendency to "go slow" and carry a smidge more speed. It will help keep you stable.
And don't be afraid to put your feet down and walk it when you're going that slow. It's good insurance. Lots of experienced riders whom have ridden for 25 years have had their bike fall over when maneuvering it around in the driveway.....(me and I don't care, I am not ashamed :lol: )...
At the risk of being unoriginal, take the MSF class now. Start calling every morning to see if there's an opening this weekend. Eventually you'll get in.
There is really no good reason to skip the MSF class or to wait on it. If money is a problem, just remember that a new handlebar will likely cost you more than the MSF anyway, and the chance of needing one soon is much more likely without the excellent instruction given by the MSF.