New biker question

[J. W.]

Hi:

I recently returned to riding after about 35 years. I took the MSF course in February and got my bike in the same month. I purchased a BMW 650 GS based on the size recommedations I found on this site and after researching that make of bike. I need suggestions on ways to maintain a constant speed and increasing my speed while riding. I know I am real cautious my top speed is around 53 MPH. Thanks for any help

[Fast Eddy B]

Maintain speed: keep your wrist still , use a higher gear than normal to involve engine braking, in corners lightly ride the rear brake, or buy a thottlemeister throttle contol.

Increase speed: twist! or do you mean increase your safe speed in corners and such? uh, take an advanced riders course. there are lots of techniques, not all of them safe ALL of the time. BIKE mag in the UK has a great section each month on advanced rider technique.

[Lion_Lady]

Try putting masking tape over the speedometer and matching your speed to traffic. For some folks its just the "number" that is the real issue. Since you seem to be stuck at "53" I'm guessing that is your problem.

What year is that GS? Is it surging? Even though you hold your wrist steady, the engine speed increases, decreases? Some bikes had issues with engine surging. That could be your problem. Check the f650.com website for more clues to THAT.

What sort of traffic do you tend to ride in?

P

[J. W.]

My bike is an 07 so surging should not be a problem. I like the idea with the masking tape I will give it a try. I have rode mostly on 2 and 4 lane roads and during rush hour traffic. At times I am not keeping up with the flow of traffic. I have been trying to ride a minium of 25 miles per day for enjoyment and to develope my riding skills.

[Lion_Lady]

I find I almost NEVER look at my speedometer while riding. I match my speed to traffic or road conditions. If I'm in TOWN, then I make sure I'm not speeding, but otherwise I don't even look.

There is too much else to keep an eye on, like the cell phone yakking SUV drivers who don't see me.

Try making a point of getting out when traffic is LIGHT. Sunday mornings are almost universally quiet in the US. You'll have the road nearly to yourself and can concentrate on enjoying the ride and mastering skills and confidence.

P

[J. W.]

I will give it a try, thanks for your help.

JW

[mizoufiziks]

yup i second lion_lady, don't continuously check your panels, keep your attention on the road and traffic. you can match your speed with traffic the same way you listen to your engine to know when to shift rather then looking down at the gauge every few seconds.

[The549]

A way that is not "proper" yet still effective to boost your top speed relaxation (that is, IF you don't notice it moving up with your skill) is to find a very flat, open, wide, and newly paved road and take it up to 90 or so - basically overshoot your target cruising speed. Do that a few times and you'll get more used to the speed.

But really the best way is to keep riding safely and then when you feel comfortable, go for it. I personally "went for it" before I felt comfortable on purpose - and with a working brain, a knowledge of local roads, and luck it turned out well. As for fear itself, that's all part of the balancing act of riding. For some, it doesn't exist.

[Deuce_Nukem]

i agree with the above...

by no means should you be speeding in/around traffic... but if the opportunity arises, just like in a new car, open it up a little and speed for a short distance... once youve raised your "oh crap this is too fast" threshold, it's easier to maintain an appropriate speed.

i would assume it's also nice to know that if you should need to, you can go that fast and faster to stay out of trouble....

[ANDS!]

53! I just allowed myself to get to 35-40 today and was like "holy crap my bike is gonna fall to pieces". . .but then before that I was 10-15 it in first gear. . .so I guess in some cases it is all mental and getting over those jitters. When I fell yesterday, that really shook up my nerves and Im having to convince myself that it wasnt anything with the machine, it was all me.

53 though. . .someday - someday.