Page 1 of 2

New biker again...

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 7:43 pm
by Kev946
I am new to the motorcycle world, i recently bought a 2005 gsxr 600, i got my permit last week and have rode twice since then. The first time i was in an empty parking lot and did ok, but, was only enough room to ride in circles in 1st gear...second time on the bike i was at a semetary and didnt do so hot....i got the whole take off in first thing down ok, but, when it comes time to put both feet up and get ready to move, it just feels like im gonna accidently roll back on the throtle wayyy to much and the have the bike fly out from under me...(bad pocket bike, and dirt bike experiences lol) I think once i get moving i will be just fine, but, any advice on how to overcome the fear of thinking im gonna grab that throtle too hard? any help would be greatly appreciated...thanks in advance!

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 8:56 pm
by Shiv
Mehhhhh...


Well first off, Welcome to TMW!

Now down to business. You really didn't pick too great of a beginners bike. I'd recommend reading the stickies at the top of this forum for more information. You can get in trouble FAST with that bike.

Second off, take the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) course and it'll answer a lot of the basic questions you're having right now.

Third off, wear gear if you don't have any at the moment. I have a feeling you'll be needing it, no offense intended.

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 9:30 pm
by Wrider
Read above statement^^^^^
Also, welcome to the forums. After riding my friend's gixxer 600 for all of 20 minutes (so obviously I'm an expert now... :laughing: I'd recommend putting the revs up at about 3-4K then slowly letting out the clutch. That's what seemed to work for his bike. While letting off of the clutch, KEEP THE THROTTLE WHERE IT IS. Don't try to keep it up at 3-4K, just let it fall until the clutch is fully engaged, then you can start twisting your wrist a little.
Like was said above, wear gear and take the MSF. Even though I started off on a cruiser, it still stopped me from dropping the bike several times.
Wrider

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 1:08 am
by Lion_Lady
Keep your right wrist LOW. . . that is pay attention to how you hold your right arm. Keeping your wrist at or below the level of the grip, will keep you from rolling on accidentally.

It is one of the FIRST and most basic instructions taught to new riders in the MSF Basic Riders Course. You really ought to consider signing up. It will help you to manage that tweaky machine a LOT better.

P

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 5:44 am
by Kev946
yea, i started to keep my wrist low and i think it helped alot, but il definitly look into the MSF, thanks for the help guys!

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 6:58 am
by shalihe74
You might also benefit from spending some time getting to know the throttle while the bike is in neutral. Practice making your wrist motion as smooth as possible - as Lion Lady said, the Gixxer is a tweaky (good word) machine; the slightest blip on the throttle is going to make the bike jump under you.

And I third - or is it fourth by now? - the MSF suggestion. :) I'm actually taking it this weekend as a refresher since I've been off bikes for a while and, even with a good bit of experience, I'm re/learning a lot.

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 7:34 am
by Sev
Keep your weight off your wrists, grip the tank with your knees, but at the same time try to keep your weight forward during starts. This will help to keep the front end down.

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 10:38 am
by hi-side
After you take the MSF course, sign up for the Keith Code school. One leads right into the other.

Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 3:38 am
by storysunfolding
Sev wrote:Keep your weight off your wrists, grip the tank with your knees, but at the same time try to keep your weight forward during starts. This will help to keep the front end down.
+1. Sportbikes can be fun, but keep the front wheel on the ground for the first year or so.

Re: New biker again...

Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 3:05 pm
by ninja79
Kev946 wrote:second time on the bike i was at a semetary and didnt do so hot....
I was just about to suggest that, but you're way ahead of us, kid. You picked an excellent location to ride: they won't have to move your body very far when the inevitable happens.