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/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> 1st Time Rider /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1121880626 Message started by RocksimusMaximus on 07/20/05 at 10:30:26 |
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Title: 1st Time Rider Post by RocksimusMaximus on 07/20/05 at 10:30:26 I just purchased a brand new '05 Suzuki Boulevard S40 (this site greatly influenced my decision), and I LOVE it! It is my first bike, and I don't know a whole lot about them yet. So your expertise would be appreciated. Whenever I've got her rollin everything runs and works great. But when I'm at a standstill.... she has a hell of a time shifting. Sometimes Ive got to release the clutch and pull it back in twice just to get it to go from neutral to first. And when it finally does its not exactly a smooth transition. And if I have to stop quickly and I find myself at a stop sign in a higher gear....I sometimes cant even get her to downshift all the way to neutral. Is this something that I should worry about...or is this all just part of the "break in period"? Thanks, Ryan |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Savage_Rob on 07/20/05 at 10:55:50 Congratulations and welcome! Downshifting while sitting still isn't smooth. You need to release the clutch enough to engage, then disengage the clutch (pull it in) and downshift... lather/rinse/repeat until you're in 1st. Do not stomp on it at all as you'll wind up bending the linkage and making it even more difficult (or impossible) to downshift. The portion of linkage that bends is a short threaded rod and only costs about $6 but it's still inconvenient. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by shawn_b on 07/20/05 at 10:58:57 i have a 2000 it dose the same thing i just have to keep playing with it to get it to go from second to first ask the dealer about it they might have to adjust somthing ??? thats what i would do being thats it still brand new shawn |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Dynobob on 07/20/05 at 11:23:31 RocksimusMaximus wrote:
It's best to downshift while moving Ryan. They all shift like that and it will get better as you put the miles on. Nothing to worry about IMO. I ride a 2003 and it's exactly like you describe. Enjoy your new bike and ride safe. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Bluejeanz on 07/20/05 at 11:24:52 Actually, if you'll shift down to second as you are approaching a stop and then shift to first just before you come to a complete stop, you'll find that it shifts MUCH smoother. Basically, the bike doesn't like to shift while standing still. Period. Most of them are that way...it's not just the Savage (or S40). It's my theory that one should never sit at an intersection in neutral anyway. I hold the clutch and sit at a traffic light in first gear. That way, should there be an issue, I'm always ready to roll...plus I don't have the shifting issues that way. I get to first before I stop the bike and then just hold the clutch until I'm ready to roll again. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by kickthetires on 07/20/05 at 11:52:03 Congrats on the new bike...I'm running down the same street...this is as much fun as you can have with your clothes on.... |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by mikedasavage on 07/20/05 at 12:59:21 I dont know but holding the clutch at a light sucks for me. I like to stretch. I've had this problem only a few times on my 87 savage and i notice its a spot on the gear it happens to land on if i roll my bike foward or backward a foot then put into gear it goes in fine. and i dont do it while the bike is moving. and it doesn't always happen. You should be paying attention to your surroundings anyway so when you come to a light be sure to stop before the "line" look at the lights you should know when they are gonna change. put it into gear if it doesn't go roll it up a foot, should still keep you in the crosswalk then try it. also when downshifting watch your speed. My gears grind if i try to put my bike into first gear while going faster than 15 mph |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by RocksimusMaximus on 07/20/05 at 13:02:12 Thanks guys... That eases my worries a bit. I kind of figured that meant I was supposed to shift while rolling into the stop. Just had to make sure. And thank you for the warm welcome. I hope to be here for quite some time. Ryan |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by SavageDude on 07/20/05 at 13:20:41 Congratulation! I had same problem when I was new to this biking thing. But after her first oil change(600 mi.) and some more saddle time. I finally got this downshifting to the T ;D |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by sluggo on 07/20/05 at 13:28:44 mikedasavage wrote:
it may suck, but it's better than being run over by a cage. i've had to blast off an intersection a few times to avoid trouble. if you need to relax and strectch pull off into a parking lot or community park, an intersection is not the time to relax and let down you guard. if you've got your hands and feet off the controls you are "off guard". i don't mean to be harsh, yet i've seen the results of a rear impact at an intersection where the bike was hit by the cage, he didn't even see the light let alone the motorcycle. i would prefer to be able to move quickly and avoid the trouble if at all possible. just my 2 cents. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by mikedasavage on 07/20/05 at 13:32:01 das a very good point and i should listen. but i'm stubborn and its hot and sweaty palms and that whole deal just dont do it. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Savage_Rob on 07/20/05 at 13:32:46 I agree Sluggo. It may be inconvenient but getting packed in the @ss would be much worse. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by mikedasavage on 07/20/05 at 13:34:45 from shifting to a$$ packing. You guys have your minds in the gutter :o |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by sluggo on 07/20/05 at 13:41:53 mikedasavage wrote:
i've always said it's a short trip to the gutter, down for some of you, and up for some of us. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by mikedasavage on 07/20/05 at 13:44:17 ;D |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Savage_Rob on 07/20/05 at 13:54:10 ;D |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Paladin on 07/20/05 at 16:10:49 mikedasavage wrote:
Thank you for the compliment. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Paula71 on 07/20/05 at 19:56:40 mikedasavage wrote:
Now, now there are ladies in the house boys! :o ;D |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Joel on 07/20/05 at 20:14:36 sluggo wrote:
Good advice. I might add that your "clutch muscles" will improve with time. When I first started my hand would get sore, but now I don't have that problem. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by mikedasavage on 07/20/05 at 20:16:25 I already had strong clutch muscles :P i dont need to say anymore than that ;D |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Dynobob on 07/20/05 at 20:24:47 sluggo wrote:
Another tip for stops and intersections - continually hit your brakes and release them (like pumping the brake pedal in a car) to flash your brake light. I find myself doing this approaching a stop as well as while stopped. A flashing brakelight is easier to see than one that is continuous. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by sniperjim on 07/20/05 at 20:46:19 I about spilled my drink when i read "clutch muscles" is there some sort of excersize I can do to build up my Clutch Muscle? |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by mikedasavage on 07/20/05 at 20:56:52 sniperjim wrote:
LOL |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Karen627 on 07/20/05 at 22:02:06 Paula71 wrote:
"Ladies"? Speak for yourself. ;D Quote:
I simply installed a Back Off brake light modulator. When you hit the brake, it flashes the light quickly three times, then holds it for a few seconds, then repeats. It's done wonders for keeping cages off my back. Let's see -- what started this whole discussion? Oh yeah -- Ryan. Hello, Ryan! Congrats on the bike. You'll love it. (What color did you get? I got the white one myself.) 8) |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Paula71 on 07/21/05 at 04:12:26 [quote author=Karen627 link=board=RubberSideDown;num=1121880626;start=0#23 date=07/20/05 at 22:02:06] "Ladies"? Speak for yourself. ;D ;) ;D |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Savage_Rob on 07/21/05 at 06:10:17 Karen627 wrote:
:o Karen627 wrote:
Yup, same here. :) |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by lcs151 on 07/21/05 at 13:42:31 where to get this brake lite modulator? |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Savage_Rob on 07/21/05 at 15:50:58 lcs151 wrote:
I got mine at www.ridesafer.com. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by GaThumper on 07/21/05 at 19:09:25 mikedasavage wrote:
Sweaty palms shouldn't be a problem because you should be wearing gloves. A lot of people are very casual about safety, but when something bad happens they regret (if they are still alive) not taking it seriously. You should consider taking the MSF course. If anyone has already taken it and isn't following the MSF advice and procedures, then I don't know why he or she even bothered spending the money for it. This isn't a dig at you at all, it's just something you see everyday. Safety should be the first thing & the main thing on everyone's mind. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by DavidV on 07/21/05 at 19:49:31 Ridesafer also has the "SDC Tri-Star Brake Light Turn Signal Conversion Module" (ain't that a mouthful?). It turns your turn signals into brake lights. I've got two Harley red turn signals (cheap at $11 each) I'm gonna swap on, then wire the low-watt side of the bulbs as running lamps. That way, I'll have three bulbs instead of one for both running and brake lights. Don't think I'm gonna add a modulator to that setup, though. I've been wearing a Joe Rocket Meteor 4 jacket and full-finger leather gloves in muggy 90 degree weather here in Baltimore. It ain't perfect - I do sweat a bit - but it's a safety issue. Of course, I'd probably sweat without the jacket, too. I stay cool enough as long as I'm moving and the vents are open. This one is a three-season model (minus the liner right now, of course). NewEnough.com just sent me a flier for a riding jacket that's just mesh and armor for $71. I bet that'd be cooler. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by mikedasavage on 07/21/05 at 21:32:44 i'm still stubborn ;D i got a pair of gloves, and i sweat with or without them but i dont like the way they feel and i still like to stretch and sure its dangerous but so is riding with out a helmet. but thats the choice we make. Smoking ciggarettes can kill you too but thats the choice we make. drinking lots of alcohol can give you liver disease but thats the choice we make. Whats funny is that in the state of texas to not wear a helmet "legaly" you have to take the MSF course. Its kinda funny that someone would pay all that money to learn something and not listen way before they even went to the class. to each its own. and i'm sure there are lots of deaths or injuries that can be avoided by following simple procedures but id rather ride gloveless in this 100+ degree weather and jacketless and helmetless and i like to stretch when i'm at lights. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by RocksimusMaximus on 07/21/05 at 21:53:33 Karen627 wrote:
I got the black. But there was a white one right next to it in the show room. Pretty sharp. But I just couldnt pass up the classic black and chrome for my first bike. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Deb on 07/22/05 at 01:02:44 Joel wrote:
Yes, your muscles will get stronger but I have been having problems with my trumb starting to go numb on me any suggest on this? |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Mr 650 on 07/22/05 at 01:33:25 Well Ok Mike, If you like to ride drunk, w/ a lit cigarette, w/o helmet & gloves, OK, just don't call for bail. Just beware of them Texas cops. ::) mikedasavage wrote:
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Savage_Rob on 07/22/05 at 06:29:32 mikedasavage wrote:
That's not entirely true. You could also carry appropriate insurance instead. In either case, you must also be at least 21 years old and, technically, you must apply for a sticker in order to be exempt from helmet laws. In practice however, if you were ticketed, you could then obtain the sticker and show that in court to get out of the ticket. ============================= TRC §661.003. OFFENSES RELATING TO NOT WEARING PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR. (a) A person commits an offense if the person: (1) operates or rides as a passenger on a motorcycle on a public street or highway; and (2) is not wearing protective headgear that meets safety standards adopted by the department. (b) A person commits an offense if the person carries on a motorcycle on a public street or highway a passenger who is not wearing protective headgear that meets safety standards adopted by the department. (c) It is an exception to the application of Subsection (a) or (b) that at the time the offense was committed, the person required to wear protective headgear was at least 21 years old and had successfully completed a motorcycle operator training and safety course under Chapter 662 or was covered by a health insurance plan providing the person with at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of an accident while operating or riding on a motorcycle . (d) The Department of Public Safety shall issue a sticker to a person who: (1) applies to the department on a form provided by the department; (2) provides the department with evidence satisfactory to the department showing that the person: (A) is the owner of a motorcycle that is currently registered in this state; and (B) has successfully completed the training and safety course described by Subsection (c) or has the insurance coverage described by that subsection; and (3) pays a fee of $5 for the sticker . (e) A person may apply to the Department of Public Safety for a sticker for each motorcycle owned by the applicant. (f) A sticker issued by the Department of Public Safety under Subsection (d) expires on the third anniversary of the date of issuance. (g) A person operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle that displays on the license plate of the motorcycle or the license plate mounting bracket a sticker issued by the Department of Public Safety under Subsection (d) is presumed to have successfully completed the training and safety course described by Subsection (c) or to have the insurance coverage described by that subsection. (h) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $10 or more than $50. (i) In this section, "health insurance plan" means an individual, group, blanket, or franchise insurance policy, insurance agreement, evidence of coverage, group hospital services contract, health maintenance organization membership, or employee benefit plan that provides benefits for health care services or for medical or surgical expenses incurred as a result of an accident. ============================= |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by mikedasavage on 07/22/05 at 08:11:34 Mr 650 wrote:
this seems like a very difficult task. Maybee instead of doing motorcycle wheelies on I-35 at 100mph i'll try to do this ;D Now before another long thread goes. NO i do not do wheelies on I-35 at 100mph. Or at any speed for that matter. But hey the guys that do at least most of them wear there helmets jackets and gloves ;D and yes i know about the insurance it can be medical or life and i know about the $5 sticker which i have. But i was trieng to make a point. not very clear one i guess. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Karen627 on 07/22/05 at 12:51:37 RocksimusMaximus wrote:
Yeah, I like the black one too, even though my taste obviously runs more towards the white. But then again, I was at a dealership looking at the M50 a couple of weeks ago (it may very well be my second bike one day -- not for a long time though). I liked pictures of the M50 in blue, but when I saw the black M50 in person -- wow. 8) |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by DavidV on 07/22/05 at 22:37:36 Mike, Well, ya gotta do what works for you. I'm only wearing a half-helmet; at least it's DOT approved. Lighter weight gear is a lot more protective than nothing, and the heat doesn't seem like a big deal over 30 mph. Don't mean to preach. Guess I'm just too chicken to ride with much skin showing. Regards, David |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by mikedasavage on 07/23/05 at 08:22:42 dont say your chicken. Your Smart and prolly much smarter than me. Its like you said. Do what works for you. I dont not wear a helmet because i think i look cool 8) i just do it because i cant stand the things. and some will say well you wont be able to stand it afterwards blah blah blah. yea i know if i get into a wreck it will be much worse but i hope for the best and if something bad is going to happen its going to happen no matter what i do. anyway i haven't found a very comfortable helmet yet. and the day i do i will prolly wear one. i'd like to have something to help when its raining cus the raindrops hurt the face pretty bad but i just dont like it. My brother-in-law is new at riding and we went out to go for a ride and he says man i want to ride without a helmet but i 'm going to wait 6 months until i get more experience then i'll stop wearing it. I explained to my brother-in-law the same thing its not about bieng cool or anything of the sort. If you are going to wear a helmet Just Do It, just because your experienced or amatuer shouldn't make your descision It can happen if you're an expert. So i say to you. You've made your descision dont change it and dont wish you could ride without one because then your gonna hate wearing one even more. When i first started i went into the helmet thing with a negative attitude which did make it harder for me to like it. If your positive about then that will help. When my B-in-law got his bike we sat there and told him how good he looked and took pictures etc. that made him go into it pretty positive. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Savage_Rob on 07/23/05 at 08:31:39 On this subject, if I had a personal protective force-field (other than my gremlin bell, thanks Git), I'd love to ride without gear simply because it's less crap to mess with. In reality, as I've gotten older I've found that injuries take longer to heal and even that some are never the same again. With that and the fact that I can't control the other denizens of the roads out there, I choose to wear protective gear. I wear jacket with added armor, gloves, boots, half-chaps and a full-face helmet. Every now and then I may leave off the half-chaps. I used to wear a 3/4 helmet and actually loved its comfort but have since learned more about the common injuries. While a 3/4 helmet may offer the same life-saving properties as a full-face model, I have grown attached to my face and jaw and prefer then intact. That's just me though. Go with your comfort level but please fill out a donor card no matter what gear you use. It might allow someone else to continue to ride after you've moved on. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Paladin on 07/23/05 at 11:05:19 mikedasavage wrote:
As with everything in life you balance risks against pleasure. Riding with the wind caressing your head and body is a great pleasure. Riding without a helmet carries a slight risk or greater injury in the event of an accident. Unless you have an accident the helmet is totally useless. (The helmet part only, not counting the protection of the face shield against bugs and raindrops which requires a helmet to mount upon.) I use to ride dirt, alot. Not fast, but to go places I could not get to otherwise. And I enjoyed the riding as well. Except the one time when I had found a bat cave and returned with a backpack full of camera equipment worth triple what the bike was worth. That ride was not enjoyable as I no longer had the option of dropping the bike. As such I had to ride much more careful. To a degree, street riding is the same. Riding with a helmet and protective gear gives you the option of dropping the bike with less risk of injury. With this option you may take risks that would be unacceptable when helmetless. If you do not exercise that option then I do not see the need for a helmet, leathers, etc.. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Savage_Rob on 07/23/05 at 18:33:00 Paladin wrote:
I have to disagree heartily. If I were the only person out there and therefore controlled most of my risk, I would agree completely and would use far less gear. But since there are thousands of others out there over whom I have little or no control and in whom I place no trust, I'll hedge my bets on survival somewhat. To me, it's not a matter of trusting myself and my skills. It's a matter of distrusting the rest of those idiots. And to be honest, there are instances where laying it down is the best option available. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Paladin on 07/23/05 at 19:05:59 Savage_Rob wrote:
I have to disagree heartily. If you are not wearing protective gear laying it down is rarely the best option. With the attitude that "laying it down is the best option" you will ride to the point where you will exercise that option. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Savage_Rob on 07/24/05 at 07:47:36 Paladin wrote:
I can see where that's probably true. In instances where laying it down with gear on would be the best possible option, and you've removed that option by not wearing gear, you're have left whatever remains. Good luck and I hope you never need it! |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by WD on 07/24/05 at 11:09:34 When I lived on the Wa/Id border, on the way into Idaho I'd stop the bike, take off my lid, and throw it into the ditch on the westbound side of the road. If I rmembered, I'd stop and put it on riding back into Washington. >:( A good friend got hit back in 1995. Bumps, bruises, and a couple of scrapes. According to the highway patrol and the medical examiner, she died because her helmet broke her neck. No other broken bones. April 2005 would have been our 11th anniversary. Our daughter would have turned 10 next month. No amount of studies will ever convince me that helmets are a good thing. -WD As far as bikes being "donor-cycles" goes, if you were in the service and stationed in Britain, Spain, or Germany in the 1990s, you can't even donate blood. Counts me out. |
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Title: Re: 1st Time Rider Post by Savage_Rob on 07/24/05 at 11:37:50 Far be it from me to try to convince you to wear a lid when you've already convinced yourself otherwise. It's not my business but I hope it works for you and you never need it. So far as donating goes, you're absolutely right... for now. But, with BSE/mad-cow now having been discovered in the US and not from imported beef, that could change in the future. The reason they do that is to lessen the possibility of someone who has unknowingly contracted Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease from donating. It may still be a while though since only one's been found in the US and Britain has reduced theirs systematically since the early 90's to something shy of 100 cases of BSE per week now. |
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