36 miles and counting...& need tips on smooth gearshifti

[bikeguy joe]

You bought a 2006 Suzuki GSX-R1000 with 178HP and you have never taken the MSF class and have no idea how to do the basics of riding and shifting gears?

Wow.

The best advice I can give is to get a REALLY good life-insurance policy and to please name me as a benificiary.

Or sell your bike immediately and read this:
http://www.californiabikenights.com/learn.php

DragonHawk, is this the first time you've been on a bike forum? Theire are a lot of people who despite advice from dozens, go out and buy a wicked fast bike as their first bike. There are just as many that go out and spend a bunch on a new bike as their first bike.

That's just how it is....better to steer them in the right direction than ridicule them.

How long have you been riding and what do you ride?

[gsJack]

I've been thinking about the same as Dragonhawk said, but just haven't bothered saying it. This comes up over and over again and no amount of warning does any good in most cases. They already have their minds made up and are just looking for someone to agree with them and will find some that it has worked out for that will do so.

I don't bother with the warnings about the dangers since many others will say it over and over. I just like to point out that they will become much better riders much sooner if they start out with a more sensible first bike. A lot of it depends on whether they buy a bike because they really want to ride one or if they buy a bike for the image it presents to others.

[VermilionX]

They already have their minds made up and are just looking for someone to agree with them and will find some that it has worked out for that will do so.

im not looking for someone to agree w/ me... in fact, i agree that this bike is not good for beginners and i've said it many times already here.

im looking for tips on being better, except changing my bike. im very thankful to the people that helped me.

i really learned a lot here and have applied it on my ventures outside.

oh and this is the 1st forum i joined and i didn't go here until after i already bought my bike. the only other website i went to gain bike info was the suzuki website.

[Dragonhawk]

DragonHawk, is this the first time you've been on a bike forum? Theire are a lot of people who despite advice from dozens, go out and buy a wicked fast bike as their first bike. There are just as many that go out and spend a bunch on a new bike as their first bike.

That's just how it is....better to steer them in the right direction than ridicule them.

How long have you been riding and what do you ride?

Nah. Not my first time on a forum at all. I know that there are
countless people out there who are clueless.

My intentions are good. I'd like to steer people in the right direction
just as much as you would. My approach is abrasive and I don't
sugar-coat things. Others use a more diplomatic approach. To each his
own.

Notice that I DID providde a link to a page with some good, sensible
advice on getting a good beginner bike? I didn't just mock him and
leave. I offered some helpful information.

I've been riding for 2 years. My first bike was a Ninja 250 and I rode
that for about 18 months before I got my current bike which is a SV650.
Considering that an SV650 can do 0-60 in 4 seconds, I don't think I'll
ever need anything more powerful and I know I'll never be able to ride
this bike to the full limits of it's capabilities.

im looking for tips on being better, except changing my bike. im very thankful to the people that helped me.

i really learned a lot here and have applied it on my ventures outside.

If you are THAT determined to not get rid of your bike, fine. Don't ride
it anymore until you take the MSF course. Then go get a used bike that
has 50HP or so. Ride that for 6 months. Then hop back on your GXR.

Will you take that advice? Of course not.

But, it's always good to have a variety of opinions to chose from,
before you make up your own mind on what to do.

[VermilionX]

Will you take that advice? Of course not.

But, it's always good to have a variety of opinions to chose from,
before you make up your own mind on what to do.

that's not such a bad idea for 6 months... but i don't have money anymore to spend on a used bike and the insurance for it.

i know the bike's power is way more than i'll ever need on the streets and even on the freeway. i just feel good knowing it's there. also, like i said on another topic, i hope to take my bike to the tracks some day and learn how to ride like a racer.

im very careful w/ my bike, i ride ony w/in my skill level and i respect its power a lot. but of course, i know other people can still cause you to crash.

BTW, i know the basics of gear changing... but smooth gear changing comes after the basics and from practice.

[Dragonhawk]

i know the bike's power is way more than i'll ever need on the streets and even on the freeway. i just feel good knowing it's there. also, like i said on another topic, i hope to take my bike to the tracks some day and learn how to ride like a racer.

im very careful w/ my bike, i ride ony w/in my skill level and i respect its power a lot. but of course, i know other people can still cause you to crash.

You're starting to give me the impression that you are not some irresponsible squid. Sounds like you are someone who was simply not well-informed about what a good beginner bike is and you bought what seemed cool.

The REAL person to blame is the asshat salesman who sold a 1000cc sportbike to a misinformed beginner.

Dude, my bike is 78HP and can do 0-60 in 4 seconds and top out at 125MPH. That is way more power than anyone needs on the street. Your bike is MORE THAN DOUBLE the horsepower of mine.

Obviously you won't sell it. You won't change your mind. But, you sound reasonable and mature enough to acknowledge that you bit off more than you can chew and that's a healthy attitude to have.

My advice is this - don't "respect the bike" anymore. People say that all the time and it's bullshit. "Respect the bike." No. The bike is an inanimate object. It has no emotion. It has no ego. it doesn't care if you respect it or not. What you need to respect and be aware of are your OWN limitations. As riders, WE need to improve our skills. WE need to get better. WE need to respect what we can do and can't do and not get cocky or arrogant. The bikes don't change their performace capabilites. But we do. So remember that - don't worry about respecting the bike; instead focus on realizing that you have to be respectful of your own skill-level.

Ride safe. Good luck.

[Pin_Cushion]

Though I'm sure it's been suggested before, buy a copy of "Proficient Motorcycling" and "More Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough. Read the first one. You won't understand half of the stuff the guy's writing about, but read it anyway. After about a month or two of riding read it again. Take it with you to work and read an article while eating lunch. Take it to the can. For the first few months of riding this book will be your bible. It will explain simple things like countersteering, and why it works. It'll explain delayed apex cornering, and why it's useful. It'll explain how to keep your speed within your sight-distance, and why that will save your life. There's even more stuff in there that is imminently useful.

The second book is mostly discussions of traffic techniques and how to do more advanced driving (The lesson on U-Turns sticks out in my mind especially). I've been riding heavily since last October (about 3 thousand miles) and I still don't understand half of the stuff in the 2nd book. Even so, those two books have helped me immeasurably. Those books are so cheap for what they teach. Buy them. Read them. Live them.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/188954 ... oding=UTF8
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/193199 ... oding=UTF8

Also, Mr. Hough has written a book specifically about dealing with traffic (Street Strategies). I haven't purchased this one yet, but I'm sure it is equally handy. There are also a few books around dealing with the specifics of driving sports bikes, or racing techniques (I think Total Control is a good example here). They would probably be useful to you eventually, but Hough's books will help you get the basics down.

The bottom line is with only 30ish miles under your belt you are a newb and a danger to yourself and others. The fact that you have a super-bike merely exacerbates that dilema. The faster you learn, and MASTER the basics the better all of us will sleep at night. People on these boards have really ridden your case because of your choice of bikes, but that's because they actually care about your welfare. The thought that some EMT might have to sponge up pieces of you off the asphalt b/c some tool of a salesman noticed how longingly you were looking at the Gixxer on the showroom floor really bothers me and probably most others too. With that said, please take the MSF, or buy those books (and others if you like), or buy a beater 250 to learn on (preferably all 3).

Above all, be safe.
L8rz

[sapaul]

Just chipping in my support again V. There has to be an exception to the rule and you have proved to me that you mean what you say. Keep going and do not let that red mist descend. You were told very early on that there would be a price to pay for getting that bike and so far you are paying at the going rate. Please do not let some of the negative comments get you down. Yes some of the guy's are showing concern but some are also having a dig at you. Up until now you are doing very little wrong, keep it up.

[Pin_Cushion]

Wow, that was way more abrasive than I intended. Let me rephrase. I think it's awesome that you're determined to be a motorcyclist. Your bike is a bit much for my tastes, but that's ok because it's your bike. Those books I mentioned were very helpful to me, and I'd suggest them to anyone of any skill level. Please be as safe as possible as you develop this new skill, and I can only imagine how awesome you'll feel when you finally do become comfortable piloting that machine.

[JustJames]

Okay for you to get any good on bike is praticing and to be able to pratice correctly you will need a good instructor. To be safer on the road you might need some friend to ride with.

check http://www.socal-letsride.com/

That is a small group in Socal, they plan a weekly ride and also monthly parking lot pratice which is co-op with SV Socal, Sportbike club and CrashClub. They are kind of sport bike group where concern about safety and also have fun at the same time.

Good luck with your learning, It is gonna be pretty tough on you with that bike. BTW there is a girl who also ride GSXR 1000 and not so much on experience either.