|
SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> New owner and a beginner rider! /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1468469026 Message started by och on 07/13/16 at 21:03:45 |
|
Title: New owner and a beginner rider! Post by och on 07/13/16 at 21:03:45 Bought a brand new S40 less than two weeks ago. This is my first bike and the first bike I ever ridden. Getting the hang of it and having fun! Obviously looking for all sorts of advice and recommended mods. The one thing that I already want to change is to relocate the gauge. I don't like how they are placed on the fuel tank, I keep forgetting to shut off my turn signals. Also looking to add crash bars. |
|
Title: Re: New owner and a beginner rider! Post by jcstokes on 07/13/16 at 22:11:27 Take an MSF course if you haven't already done so. Then you can think of mods. It may be difficult to relocate the speedo. but you can buy aftermarket ones that can mount on the handle bars. You shouldn't need the popular Raptor mod for a little while yet. Remember you have three friends in motorcycling, your two mirrors and the big gap in front of you. Are you shoulder checking? |
|
Title: Re: New owner and a beginner rider! Post by Dave on 07/14/16 at 04:21:56 The Savage was not my first bike - but it was my first bike with the speedo and indicator lights in the gas tank......it doesn't work for me. With my full coverage helmet I had to roll my head down and completely lose sight of the roadway to glance at the speedo....and the turn signal indicator light is invisible when my helmet is on. Moving the speedometer and gauges is doable - but not easy. You might consider adding a Trail Tech Vapor with the dash panel to the top of the forks....and you could just leave the stock parts where they are. |
|
Title: Re: New owner and a beginner rider! Post by Todd James on 07/14/16 at 06:25:48 Here's a link that shows you how to add a buzzer that reminds you to turn off your turn signal. Its easy and inexpensive. See Reply No. 14 and No. 19 Blinker Buddy: http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1285772416/0 |
|
Title: Re: New owner and a beginner rider! Post by och on 07/14/16 at 07:33:56 787161667D797761120 wrote:
Of course, signed up for MSF course which is coming up on August 5th, 6th and 7th. After I pass that, I will still need to get my license - right now I'm riding around my neighborhood only with a permit. A lot of stuff to learn still and I'm being very careful. |
|
Title: Re: New owner and a beginner rider! Post by och on 07/14/16 at 07:37:58 162D2037262A31372C242936450 wrote:
Is it a difficult procedure to install this Trail Tech Vapor system? I went on their website and they don't seem to have it listed for S40. For a beginner rider, it's even worse having to roll my head down like this every time. |
|
Title: Re: New owner and a beginner rider! Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/14/16 at 07:51:59 Scan the road, look for potholes, dead critters, traffic at an intersection, oncoming, oncoming that might turn, Any potential threat. Quickly look down. It doesn't require study to read the speedo. The only time I really needed it was when I was not rolling with traffic. After some time you'll get a feel for it, you'll know what gear you're in, and how hard it's running, you'll have a clue, not enough to keep you from getting a ticket,but you won't be running seventy five thinking you're going fifty five. |
|
Title: Re: New owner and a beginner rider! Post by stewmills on 07/14/16 at 07:52:35 Welcome to the forum. The previous replies pretty much answer most of your initial questions. Most will agree with the location of the speedo and blinker lights. You will get used to the bike and have a good "feel" for the speed based on experience and as well what the RPMs feel like in specific gears so don't let that bug you too bad. As far as the blinker lights, do the buzzer mod mentioned above, or you can to the same wiring but instead of connecting a buzzer you can connect a LED and wire that up to your handlebars where it is visible. Buzzer is better though because you don't have to "look" for it. I got mine about 4 years ago as my first bike at 38 years old and still love the snot out of it. I'm mostly a traditionalist, but the mods I have done so far that I do recommend once you are comfortable are: - Swapped to Harley Dyna muffler - Rejet as needed and white spacer mod (varies by location/altitude) - Added stock engine guard with kuryakyn longhorn pegs - Seat lift mod (if you need it) - Speedo rattle mod (if it rattles) - Headlight rattle mod (if it rattles) - LED blinker warning light (buzzer is better though) - Shim rear pulley (if/when yours seems loose) I'm sure there is something I am forgetting, but those are the ones I was glad I did at the appropriate time. DEFINITELY do the MSF course and don't take it for granted. I'm agile and not a complete idiot, but what I learned there as definitely helped me react properly and avoid many potential collisions with idiots in cars pulling out/over on me. Just remember, no matter how good you get at riding, treat EVERY driveway and EVERY car that you see as if they are planning to pull out on you, because the minute you think they won't and let your guard down, some idiot will pull right out! |
|
Title: Re: New owner and a beginner rider! Post by Wake51 on 07/14/16 at 09:13:36 Welcome! The Savage was my first bike, and it felt like "a lot" to handle initially. The fantastic part about this bike, is once you get some experience and more sure footing, its light weight makes it a dream to handle in parking lots and confined spaces, and a riot to ride on the round. You can't trot a larger, heavier bike around a parking lot or while learning the curves as forgivingly as you can the Ole' Savage. It's one of the simplest bikes to learn on, and with experience when pushed on the back roads can dust your friends as well. -Like others have said, take your time and stay focued while riding and you'll be a natural meant for the road in no time. -Work on making sure you are sure footed with every step when moving the bike around at low speed. Pay attention to if you're about to set your foot down on gravel, sand, cinder, etc. -I would recommend investing in a quality set of riding gear and helmet as soon as you're able to. This will make you more comfortable, often more visible, and can have the potential to let what could be serious injuries never get passed the level of mild discomfort. Plus I think riding gear can look cool. 8-) Good luck and have fun tearing the nipples off the tires. |
|
Title: Re: New owner and a beginner rider! Post by och on 07/14/16 at 09:53:04 Just ordered piezo buzzer from Radio shack to solve the issue with my turn signals. I may not even add a new speedo as I do generally have a good sense of speed. The blinkers were my biggest problem. What is a good choice of crash bars? I'd like to add these mostly for safety. |
|
Title: Re: New owner and a beginner rider! Post by stewmills on 07/14/16 at 11:34:35 I dunno if there are many that fit our bike besides the stock ones. I'll have to await others to chime in on that one. Stock crash bars are not that large and won't stop the handlebars (or YOU) from getting damage if you drop the bike. If you want to try them, post a WTB in the marketplace and someone may have some to offer you cheap. I got mine for $30 shipped, which was a steal and they were practically brand new. |
|
Title: Re: New owner and a beginner rider! Post by youngde811 on 07/14/16 at 15:39:00 Welcome. Your experience sounds similar to mine, with one major exception: I bought a new 2014 S40, got my permit, and started riding in the neighborhood. Moved on to secondary roads, had a close call, and quit riding for almost nine months. This past March I said "screw this, I love riding", took the MSF course, got my endorsement and have been riding to work just about every day now. I'm 57 years old and the S40 is my first bike, and like you I had never ridden before. I practice daily what others on this thread have preached: scan everything, be aware, don't target fixate, etc. My S40 is bone stock, and I don't plan to change anything on it. Yeah, I wish it had an actual instrument cluster on the handlebars, but that's not what this bike is about. This forum is great; you'll like it here. Lot's of smart, very helpful people. Again, welcome. David |
|
Title: Re: New owner and a beginner rider! Post by Kris01 on 07/14/16 at 19:37:39 I have a tendency to check my turn signals on a regular basis even if I'm not turning. Sometimes I leave them on too! DON'T DO THIS! It's dangerous and misleading to other drivers. |
|
Title: Re: New owner and a beginner rider! Post by KennyG on 07/14/16 at 20:10:36 Stew, How many decibels is the buzzer you used? Where did you purchase it? Kenny G |
|
Title: Re: New owner and a beginner rider! Post by Todd James on 07/14/16 at 20:26:58 The Radio Shack Piezo Buzzer referenced in Reply No. 3 above is 76 decibels. |
|
Title: Re: New owner and a beginner rider! Post by batman on 07/15/16 at 06:27:05 I'm not to in tuned to what your calling crash bars,I think they are more likely engine guards ,they may help to protect the bike if you take a spill ,but I wouldn't be buying them for safety.In fact their being at right angles to the direction of movement I'd be afraid they might snap off and trap your leg between it and a hot engine block! |
|
Title: Re: New owner and a beginner rider! Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/15/16 at 06:37:46 If they snap off, they are not attached, making it unlikely that they could Trap anything. |
|
Title: Re: New owner and a beginner rider! Post by stewmills on 07/15/16 at 06:50:05 634D466B5A495B40280 wrote:
I didn't use the buzzer, just did the LED. I was just supporting the buzzer as I do believe it is safer, especially for a new rider, than having to LOOK for the LED even if it is remounted up high. |
|
Title: Re: New owner and a beginner rider! Post by stewmills on 07/15/16 at 06:57:57 484B5E474B441E122A0 wrote:
I do agree that they are an engine guard versus crash bars. It's a tiny little apparatus, and if the bike falls it's not stopping the bike from hitting the ground (handlebars, blinkers, etc.) as it would if the guard wasn't there. Even with highway pegs it is not going to do too much because most highway pegs are built to fold back in the event of being hit (for safety) so even though they offer several additional inches of extension they will just fold up during an 'incident'. All of that aside, I am very pleased with my engine guard, albeit small, and highway pegs. At first the highway pegs seemed like they were 6' wide, but once I got used to it I like the look of it...takes up some of that empty space up there. Plus, with me being 5'6", when the pegs are dialed in just right it's perfect for stretching out a little on those nice open roads. Lastly, when I haul my bike or put it in my jig to work on it, I use the guard as an additional tie down point if going up to the handlebars is getting in the way of my work. |
|
Title: Re: New owner and a beginner rider! Post by batman on 07/16/16 at 19:17:41 STEW ,,OCH SAID HE WANTED TO BUY THEM FOR SAFETY. BEING A NEWBIE I JUST WANTED HIM TO KNOW THEY WOULDN'T REALLY DO MUCH TO KEEP HIM SAFE. |
|
SuzukiSavage.com » Powered by YaBB 2.2! YaBB © 2000-2007. All Rights Reserved. |