SuzukiSavage.com /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Fist Bike Wisdom Needed /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1260049900 Message started by wolfmrp on 12/05/09 at 13:51:40

Title: Fist Bike Wisdom Needed Post by wolfmrp on 12/05/09 at 13:51:40 Hi all,      I just got my first bike about 2 months ago.  Its a 2002 ls650 and was completely stock with under 700 miles.  I have been reading this forum since then and all I can say is wow! What a great resource.   So far I have debadged the bike, redone the seat and installed a super brace. I have sitting in my living room a supertrapp, header wrap and lacer jet set.  I also have plans to remove the airbox and replace it with a cone.  The bike has the standard  backfire issue. I hope to take care of that when I rejet and trim the spacer.        I have read everything on the forum about these mods and have a Clymer in hand.  This is my first bike however and I was wondering if there were any words of wisdom or caution before I begin.  I know there are some really skilled people on this forum so any advise is welcome.

Title: Re: Fist Bike Wisdom Needed Post by ero4444 on 12/05/09 at 14:22:01 I am not skilled but I have avidly read this forum for a year now.  As a new rider these are the first items that I would want to know: Since the carb is factory-adjusted lean for emissions requirements, the idle mix screw is a quick and easy adjustment that you should make first to lessen backfire.  It is behind the brass plug.  Shield the starter area from brass shavings (maybe a little obsessive), then drill a hole in the plug, it is only about 3/16" deep so don't scratch the adjustment screw underneath.  Screw in a drywall screw firmly, and grab ahold with a vicegrip and pull out the brass plug.  Usually factory set is about 1.5 turns CCW(I think) and it turns easily (if yours doesn't then re-evaluate!)  Mine is adjusted to about 2.5 turns CCW and backfire is now rare for me, only happens sometimes on a snap-closed throttle. Then you can proceed with the other tweaks for performance or whatever but take time to learn what "normal" sounds like. 700 miles eh, 600 was supposed to be the first service interval with valve check, I wonder if that happened years ago.  I hope you already changed the oil.  Don't get the oil filter backwards, that can be pretty dramatic.   Note your tires are pretty old if original - check for cracking and change them anyway.  Although I haven't taken my own advice yet.

Title: Re: Fist Bike Wisdom Needed Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/05/09 at 15:22:36 Turn it in & close it, count the turns. Close it very, very gently, as the needle is soft & will deform if closed tight. Then count back out. That way, you can always put it back to where it was.

Title: Re: Fist Bike Wisdom Needed Post by verslagen1 on 12/05/09 at 15:58:33 Don't get lazy, do your mods one at a time.  That way if it don't work you know what to fix.  2 you learn what that mod does by itself.  And if it needs a little adjustment you can do it easier than if you've done a lot of mod's and they all have different effect.

Title: Re: Fist Bike Wisdom Needed Post by sluggo on 12/05/09 at 16:09:48 there is only one rule i livie and ride by. YOU ARE INVISIBLE, no matter how many lights or reflective gear you have you will still not be seen by the majority of cage's out there. if i had a nickle for every time iv'e heard  "i had my signal on and they still hit me" i'de be rich. remember  YOU ARE INVISIBLE.

Title: Re: Fist Bike Wisdom Needed Post by Yonuh Adisi on 12/05/09 at 16:39:58 Can't really add much to what has already been said, except to keep that Clymer's open near you through out every mod and be sure to look in the tech section of this site for the thread that speaks of the Clymer inaccuracies.

Title: Re: Fist Bike Wisdom Needed Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/05/09 at 19:53:08 heres MY "fist" bike wisdom. I dont care how big of a FIST it can make, youd be better off not hitting anything.

Title: Re: Fist Bike Wisdom Needed Post by drums1 on 12/06/09 at 06:51:14 And don't downshift too fast--when you hit a lower gear going too fast, it likes to want to grab and try to throw you over the handlebars. Loss of control is no fun when going 40 mph. Also, I have become a VERY defensive driver. I find myself looking both ways at almost every intersection. Like Sluggo said, we are invisible. Be cautious, but have fun.

Title: Re: Fist Bike Wisdom Needed Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/06/09 at 09:34:12 Take the safety class, if youre a first time rider.

Title: Re: Fist Bike Wisdom Needed Post by bill67 on 12/06/09 at 09:44:20  Be careful in those safety classes people have broken arms and legs listening to the instructor on how to ride their way.

Title: Re: Fist Bike Wisdom Needed Post by Serowbot on 12/06/09 at 12:18:58 Use the front brake,... it has most of the stopping power... Read up, and learn how to use counter-steering... Keep the rubberside down.... Welcome... ;)

Title: Re: Fist Bike Wisdom Needed Post by bill67 on 12/06/09 at 13:10:39   Theres 4 ways to steer a motorcycle,Counter steering is the only one I don't use.Look up four ways to steer a motorcycle.

Title: Re: Fist Bike Wisdom Needed Post by Rocco on 12/06/09 at 13:32:59 welcome! you ARE invisible and naked, so be careful! layin it down @ 40 does suck! play with it, make it yours, and if you like it, it doesn't look bad!

Title: Re: Fist Bike Wisdom Needed Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/06/09 at 14:17:19 The final part of the steering equation we teach at the Freddie Spencer High Performance Riding School involves application of the brake and throttle. We teach that the most important aspect of each corner is the entrance, dubbed Zone 1 in the school. Brake and throttle usage in Zone 1 are essential to successfully navigating the rest of the corner. Both brake and throttle input have a tremendous affect on how the motorcycle steers when used in conjunction with the other methods I've described above. This is quite an eye opener. Braking for a corner loads the front tire, compresses the front suspension and tightens rake and trail, allowing the motorcycle to steer more quickly. Trail braking well past the turn-in point allows the rider to continue slowing the bike and help it steer, adjusting the line if need be while maintaining the load factor on the front tire. The throttle is used in much the same way; rolling it off and squeezing the brake will cause the motorcycle's line to tighten, cracking the throttle off idle after the brakes are released arrests the bike's lean angle and helps hold the desired line.

Title: Re: Fist Bike Wisdom Needed Post by wolfmrp on 12/07/09 at 01:00:49 Thank you all for the fast replies and good advice.  I took a motorcycle training class before I bought the bike and I think it was indispensable as a first time rider.  The different types of steering was an interesting read and I will have to play around with how I am controlling the bike. I am just finishing up with final exams and will have three weeks to play. I will post some pics once the bike starts looking less stock.

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