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Message started by LawDawg77 on 06/02/09 at 02:48:33

Title: Hello all!
Post by LawDawg77 on 06/02/09 at 02:48:33

Lets see, where to start? I own a 2001 LS650 that my husband bought for me two years ago. I sat on it a couple of times at first but was timid when it came to learning to ride. My husband rode it because I wouldn't.. but recently he purchased a Yamaha Virago so it freed up the Savage for me.

After it had sat for a few months, my hubby took it to the Suzuki repair shop for a thorough going over. Last week we took it to a large parking lot, after studying the shifter,clutch,brakes ect, I hopped on. I fired it up and was nervous!! I slowly released the clutch to the friction zone and walked it around twice.. After that I released the clutch and away I went. WHAT A RUSH!!! After several days of the parking lot lessons I took it out yesterday. It was so fun!!

I still am working on the corners and learning to lean more. I still feel when I corner or give it gas to turn from a stop, that it is going to fly out from under me, but I'm getting better. Going for permit today.. I have no idea why I was so terrified of the bike.. I'm still a bit nervous but feel confident it will lessen as time goes by.

Sorry for the long post but, I have been bitten by the bike bug!!! :D

Title: Re: Hello all!
Post by PerrydaSavage on 06/02/09 at 03:19:31

Welcome aboard! As a Newbie, an MSF Course would help with ironing out most of the trepidation you might be experiencing executing certain manoeuvers ...

Title: Re: Hello all!
Post by LawDawg77 on 06/02/09 at 03:27:38

I do plan on taking the course when it comes up again in my town. Also have a really newbie question... I have ordered an owners manual but it is a few days away, at best.. How do I check the oil on my bike and when do I know I have enough?

Thanks!

Title: Re: Hello all!
Post by John_D on 06/02/09 at 05:11:25

4A657373696361000 wrote:

Welcome! Hopefully this picture will be good enough for you to have some idea what I'm talking about. ;D
On the right hand side of the engine (if you were sitting on it, near your right foot) toward the lower rear of the engine, is a small round sight glass. This shows you the level of the oil in the engine. There are two lines etched into the metal of the engine case. The oil level should be between the upper and lower lines. In the pic, you can see part of the sight glass just below the bulge in the engine case, and above and to the right of the exhaust splice. If you need to add oil, the fill plug is on the same side of the engine, toward the front of the bike.
Hope this makes sense, and helps! :D
http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt347/redneck72102/Bike%20Pics/Bike%20Mods/IM000264.jpg

Title: Re: Hello all!
Post by serenity3743 on 06/02/09 at 05:15:13

Welcome aboard!

Title: Re: Hello all!
Post by Joshua on 06/02/09 at 06:53:37

Welcome.

Title: Re: Hello all!
Post by Rocco on 06/02/09 at 09:29:40

i know exactly what u mean! i wanted a bike, then my friend took me for a ride and i HAD TO HAVE ONE!!!

the course is awesome, u'll love it! and i learned that cornering is like everything else physical...do it, do it, do it again and again and before u know it IT JUST DOES!! yeah i quoted joe dirt! lol

and you'll find everything u need 2 know on this site, trust me! ;D

Title: Re: Hello all!
Post by Rogue_Cheddar on 06/02/09 at 09:51:56

Huzzah and welcome! That little window down there on the rightside case ain't just for hanging curtains! :D

Title: Re: Hello all!
Post by Yonuh Adisi on 06/02/09 at 12:33:17

5146474D4640481411121311230 wrote:

[quote author=4A657373696361000 link=1243936113/0#2 date=1243938458]I do plan on taking the course when it comes up again in my town. Also have a really newbie question... I have ordered an owners manual but it is a few days away, at best.. How do I check the oil on my bike and when do I know I have enough?

Thanks!

Title: Re: Hello all!
Post by PTRider on 06/02/09 at 13:44:49

Here are three resources that are very valuable to a new rider...and many not so new.
Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well (http://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Motorcycling-Ultimate-Guide-Riding/dp/1933958359/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243975394&sr=8-1)
Motorcycle Tips & Techniques (http://www.msgroup.org/default.aspx)
The Boomer Bike (http://genjac.com/BoomerBiker/)

Title: Re: Hello all!
Post by LawDawg77 on 06/02/09 at 14:14:04

Thanks for the pic John_D. I found the little window and the level is fine. I went riding today, I passed my permit test with 100! I'm getting better and can't wait for my class. It looks like storms so I guess it's garage time for the bike.. :'(

Thanks for all the welcomes and tips!

Title: Re: Hello all!
Post by DavetheDog on 06/02/09 at 14:20:04

Welcome!

Title: Re: Hello all!
Post by Skid Mark on 06/02/09 at 15:04:14

Welcome Lawdawg77. Congrats on passing!!!

Title: Re: Hello all!
Post by Phelonius on 06/02/09 at 15:10:56

Pretty soon she will be bragging about wheelies and stoppies and such.
I always like to see ladies that ride their own.
8-)

Phelonius

Title: Re: Hello all!
Post by John_D on 06/02/09 at 22:03:04

Congrats on the great grade, and you're welcome for the pic.

And thanks Yonuh for pointing out the need to have the bike up off the stand. Like so many things I do out of habit, when I try to explain it to someone, I forget about half the steps! ::)

Title: Re: Hello all!
Post by LawDawg77 on 06/03/09 at 03:57:04

Yes, thank you Yonuh for the steps!!! I did not mean to leave anyone out, yesterday was a whirlwind of activity for me!! Gotta work for the next two days so the thumper will get to rest. Don't ya hate how work gets in the way of riding?

Title: Re: Hello all!
Post by Savage Eddie on 06/03/09 at 05:19:28

Welcome Law!

Title: Re: Hello all!
Post by LawDawg77 on 06/06/09 at 19:11:27

Having a great time riding my Savage. I laid it over yesterday and broke the right mirror off, but found a part and my Father replaced it for me. He and I went riding, it took 31 years for a ride together! My Father built his '72 Triumph from the ground up. When he pulled up on it I realized it was a thumper too! He told me that he knew the engine well and loved to tinker with mods... At this point I passed out ;D I do believe the first thing I want to do is make the engine run richer.. It's so lean and that was the reason for the lay over yesterday... it died in a turn..

Title: Re: Hello all!
Post by Jay on 06/07/09 at 06:24:19

Welcome LawDawg77. Well, you had your first laydown. Glad you got that out of the way and are ready to get back on and go! Cool about getting to ride with your dad. My grandfather started me on my love of motorcycles. I straddled the tank as a toddler. My second bike was actually a hand me down from my grandmother. Yep, she rode her own!
http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:CgOeGcS4ZIQ1JM:http://

Title: Re: Hello all!
Post by vhfkid on 06/07/09 at 12:14:44

If you are in need of a manual check out the Tech section. I believe Kropatchek put a link to one on there. When I ride on a long trip I keep an exploded view, Clymers manual, and the owners manual with me... on my Notebook. Came in hand once already to get me back on the road!

Glad to hear of another Savage rider! Welcome