New to Sportbikes.?
Let me try and get this accross first, before everyone gives me some asshole answers. If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't bother replying. Sorry, not to be rude, but my last question was bombarded with horrible answers. Ok.
I have recently decided to buy (lease) a 2007 Suzuki GSX-R600 due to a (what I think) good deal at a local dealership. ,000, price including all taxes and fees, free helmet, jacket, and gloves. Now, I have ridden dirt bikes before, many times (not a pro, but can handle alright), and I would like to ask for a general idea of how to ride one of these sport bikes. Now I'm not into racing, showing off, or stunting bikes, I like to have fun and drive 10 miles over the speed limit, that's it. I am planning on taking a Safety Course as soon as I get the bike, and a friend who is an experienced rider will be taking the bike home for me until I am ready to ride on my own. Let me know what to expect, and what to look for as a new rider. I'm looking to see what you other riders have to say, and to look back on what you guys did when you were new to motorcycles. Thanks.
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Tagged with: 2007 suzuki gsx • dirt bikes • free helmet • general idea • gloves • last question • motorcycles • safety course • speed limit • sport bikes • suzuki
Filed under: motorcycle helmets
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Last time you admitted you had a hard time shifting gears with a lent bike and now you are saying you’ve road many times. Sorry dude, you are a squid in the making. Be a hammerhead if you want, don’t blame us. Sport bikes are advanced bikes that require advanced skills, or at least proficiency in the basics. There is a very good reason the insurance is sky high and guys like you are it.
Great bike choice…..It’s a fun bike, you will like it.
First thing….You are making a good choice, taking the riders safety course, just to get into the grove and learn the basics.
The first three months, just ride slow & safe, Point A to Point B, no hard throttle hitting, the bike has the same get up & go as a 1000cc GSX R, from 0-60 mph.
Handle the bike with great care the first 4 months. Most people have a wreck in the first 90 days, acting silly or showing off.
Do all your braking….Using both front & rear brakes at the same time.
You may want to buy some better pants than blue jeans for riding, depends where you are or the traffic.
I live in a City where there’s 3.1 million people, so I ride in traffic everyday. The first 2 months scares the poop! out of you.
On Freeway riding, just ride ahead of traffic, stay in the fast lane if you can ride fast enough to stay head of traffic.
A Simple rule is….If you are not passing, you are in danger of getting run over!
No one can run you over if….you are ahead of them &……have not fallen down!
Have fun.
I began riding 2 years ago. I started out on a Kaw ZZR600 for about 6 months, then I switched to a Kaw ZX-14.
First, let me say that a 600cc bike is definitely not a slouch when it comes to speed. They are by no means slow compared to the litre bikes. So, don’t think that because you are starting off with a 600, that it is safer….not the case.
I took the safety course before riding and I definitely think you should too. In fact, you would be surprised how many riders that are self taught could not complete some of the things taught in the rider course.
I am just about the same type of rider you describe….no stunts, about 10miles over the speed limit. Regardless of what you may think or say you won’t do, there will be times that you will ‘hit it’ and touch the triple digits. I said I would never do it, but all it takes is a quick twist and you are there.
Spend a few days just riding around your neighborhood and get a feel for the bike at lower speeds before hitting highways and major traffic. The major thing to watch out for, in my opinion, is the twisties. These bikes are capable of taking turns very fast…… if you are comfortable and confident. It can be disastrous if you are not. Get comfortable in the turns and take them slowly to start….then work your way up.
Have fun and be safe.
Expect wild throttle control until you get used to it.
Expect to get up to speed very fast
Expect to get thrown back a bit if you really come on board the throttle.
Expect it to get a little hard to control at low speed use the clutch rather than the throttle at low speed maneuvering
Expect the front end to get light on hard acceleration
Expect to have a LOT of fun on the bike
I ride my Honda 599 to the daily salt mine and every now and then on the open highway I really come on board the throttle and have wound the beastie up to 100 mph. On your first day make sure you are wearing brown pants because you will $h*t yourself with the acceleration.
It sounded like a good deal to me just make sure the dealer supplied stuff is of good quality remember it is your head in the brain bucket not his. BTW make sure it is a full face helmet
That is a nice bike. Once you have taken the MSF safety class, you shouldn’t have any trouble.
Those bikes are snappy compared to the bikes you will ride during the safety class—so be prepared for that. But if you are familiar with dirtbikes, then it won’t be such a severe transition.
As for what we did when we were new to motorcycles: All of us have laid them down (usually within hours of getting on). Thankfully, usually those early wipe-outs are at low speed and not in traffic.
I have noticed that new riders generally tend to be very attentive during the "break-in" period while they are getting used to the feel of the bike and what it’s capabilities are.
But, once they are comfortable with the feel of the bike, they tend to give less concentration to riding. At this point they want to gawk at things, listen to music while riding, wave at their friends, etc. If at all possible, try to overcome that tendency.
Also, try to develop the mindset that you are invisible to cagers.
The motorcycle safety course is the best thing you can do. You never stop learning.
The only problem with a new sportbike is how easy it is to go too fast. Every thing else is great. Good brakes/very light/good handling. So the idear is to take it easy with the throttle and you will be fine. learn that counter-steering is the way to turn the bike. Try to learn good habits and riding techniques now so you don’t have to unlearn them later. I would read Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough. It gives a lot good info. This book will answer your question in much more detail than we could.
If you are on a 600 it wont be long before you are well past 10 over the speed limit.
Ok here are some basic tips and insites.
1) while learning use both front and rear brakes 50/50
2) learn to brake and learn to brake hard and come to a stop.
Braking the the most important skill to learn. It will save your life and win you races.
3) practice braking again.
4) coming to a stop and starting off.
While coming up to a stop have your left foot out a second before you stop and ready to hold the weight of the bike. Lean left as soon as you stop and it will be nice and smooth.
When taking off just start going and place your left foot back on the peg. Don’t duck walk with it.
5) you are going to drop it and you are going to crash. Get good gear and frame sliders.
6) It is common for new sport riders and some old to kill themselves by ramming into the back of a car. This bike is faster than you think and people don’t realize how fast they come up on things at 130+
7) take it easy and have fun.
learn to emergency brake!! Yes I said it again. It should be done instinctively.
9) Ride like you are invisible; this will make you conscious of the 3000lb cars around you