Done it!!

[chilli]

After much searching, I've got one. I chose the older route in the end. I licence for a week or so, I'd have been too scared to spend silly money on a new one so.....I've got a Suzuki GSXR600, on a T plate, with loads of toys (and leathers) for a great price. Picking her up on Saturday...Apart from the usual questions, anyone know of anything specific to this bike that I should know or ask?

Cheers all.

[pesty]

excellent.

take it easy out there. ride it with respect and read up about target fixation.

Have fun

[Mark_SV]

If you ever find that reading books can help, then arguably the top two books on riding are:

Motorcycle Roadcraft
www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/011341143X/ref=pd_sim_b_dp_2/026-6178862-8617220
"save your life and brighten up your weekend all at once, read this manual"

A Twist of the Wrist - Volume 2
www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0965045021/qid%3D1125147041/026-6178862-8617220
(Out of the lot, probably the best Keith Code book to read.)

Have fun

>> Edited by Mark_SV on Saturday 27th August 13:57

[Momentofmadness]

chilli said:

I've got a Suzuki GSXR600, on a T plate

Mmmmm nice! First tip, just because the GSXR is 600cc and your DAS bike was 500cc, don't assume they have anything in common - The GSXR will have approximately double the power...

And everyone drops their first bike

[plivesey]

Another tip is now that you've got a licence and a bike get some training in.

I've learnt more about riding quickly and safely in the last few months with the Thames Vale Advanced Motorcyclists than in most of the previous 14 years put together.

[stu 9-5]

I'm booked to do a course with TVAM in October. The documentation I've received states that the bike should be FULLY legal.

This would involve me having to remove my racecan and fanny about with ECU programmes, which I can't be arsed with if I don't need to.

Was anybody on your course making more noise than they were legally entitled to?

[bennyboysvuk]

Nice one Chilli. That particular model of GSXR was always respected as having fantastic handling. It'll be sooo different from the bike you passed your test on and will feel more like a land based missile at first.

The only things to watch on gixers is alloy corrosion. Adjusters and bolts and things will always benefit from a loving squirt of WD40 from time to time. Just spray some on a cloth and wipe it on.

And as the guys have already said, try some advanced training. It might teach you loads.

Remember that everyone has had a scary moment on a bike. Generally, it's the first time that you go into a corner at too high a speed for your own ability. When this happens, try to release the brake and lean the bike further into the corner anyway and if possible get on the throttle too. More often than not, you'll get round.

Have fun.

Ben
GSXR600 K1

(edited for mis-spelling of Chilli as Chili...you're not that good...yet )

>> Edited by bennyboysvuk on Tuesday 30th August 13:13

[plivesey]

stu 9-5 said:

Was anybody on your course making more noise than they were legally entitled to?

They seem OK about it. At the end of the day it's your responsibility to be legal, not theirs. Ther's a LOT of black visors about on the "third Sunday of the month" meets.

I haven't taken my indecently loud CR500 along yet to test this theory fully though.

Glad to hear you're giving it a go though. You'll learn lots. There's nothing like being shown how to ride quickly and safely round the back roads by an old bloke on a Honda Pan European with all the luggage on when you're on something sporty with way more power and handling.

[chilli]

bennyboysvuk said:

Nice one Chilli. That particular model of GSXR was always respected as having fantastic handling. It'll be sooo different from the bike you passed your test on and will feel more like a land based missile at first. The only things to watch on gixers is alloy corrosion. Adjusters and bolts and things will always benefit from a loving squirt of WD40 from time to time. Just spray some on a cloth and wipe it on. And as the guys have already said, try some advanced training. It might teach you loads. Remember that everyone has had a scary moment on a bike. Generally, it's the first time that you go into a corner at too high a speed for your own ability. When this happens, try to release the brake and lean the bike further into the corner anyway and if possible get on the throttle too. More often than not, you'll get round. Have fun. Ben GSXR600 K1 (edited for mis-spelling of Chilli as Chili...you're not that good...yet ) >> Edited by bennyboysvuk on Tuesday 30th August 13:13

Thanks mate, I've certainly enjoyed it to date. Can't get it outta my head though. The Mrs (hates bikes) is already fed up with it all, and I'm thinking of excuses to have days off just to go riding!
Guy up the road has an 05 Gixer....better than mine!

[bennyboysvuk]

chilli said:

Thanks mate, I've certainly enjoyed it to date. Can't get it outta my head though. The Mrs (hates bikes) is already fed up with it all, and I'm thinking of excuses to have days off just to go riding! Guy up the road has an 05 Gixer....better than mine!

I can't remember who it was that said it, but with bikes in the same class the rider provides 80% of the performance.

[m1spw]

bennyboysvuk said:

Remember that everyone has had a scary moment on a bike. Generally, it's the first time that you go into a corner at too high a speed for your own ability. When this happens, try to release the brake and lean the bike further into the corner anyway and if possible get on the throttle too. More often than not, you'll get round.

Yeh, watch out for that. Scared the sh!t out of myself twice now doing that, yesterday was the worst because not only did I take a very tight, short corner way too fast the surface was totally sh!te so it was bumpy. So I got that target fixation thingummy. And with another biker behind me . Saved it by about 3 inches.

[bennyboysvuk]

m1spw said:

Yeh, watch out for that. Scared the sh!t out of myself twice now doing that

I think the last time I did it was years ago now. I came round a corner on my SV and after running wide I eventually went off the road and through a wet muddy verge before returning back onto the road. I managed to keep it upright and apart from mud everywhere and my pride knocked slightly, all was fine.