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i bought my first bike today! it's a 2006 Suzuki GZ250, had less than 250 miles on it. it looks brand new. i wouldn't have chosen the baby-blue color, but i'm not complaining. i was planning on leaving it in the garage until early june after i took my MSF class... yeah right. it never even made it to the garage. i sat on it and started it up and memorized all the controls for about ten minutes trying to convince myself i was ready. i had all my newly bought gear right there so i put my helmet on and took it for a ride around the block. it was awesome! my biggest concern was shifting (i drive a manual but the whole foot-lever thing seemed intimidating and backwards to me), especially since my neighborhood is extremely hilly and "around the block" includes stopping twice on very steep inclines, but i was relieved to discover it's really pretty simple. by the time i made it back to my driveway i had a smile on my face that would make the joker look grumpy. and yes, i suck at metaphors.

riding around my neighborhood i discovered a few things:
1. my jacket is really really hot when im just standing there wearing it, but those ridiculously small vents work amazingly and i was quite comfortable
2. you really DO turn the opposite way as you'd think when you're going fast-ish
3. i need to learn how to corner better, if it had been busy streets with traffic i almost definitely would have been in the wrong lane at some parts.
4. i won't be going on the freeway right away... the fastest i went today was just under 50mph and it seemed like the bike didn't want to go much faster. granted, i didn't really want it to, and i really can't pretend to know it's limits at this point but it doesn't really seem to have much power (which is probably for the best).

i also have a few questions:
1. the guy who sold me the bike stuck the key into a keyhole below the seat and got the seat to come off; i tried the same thing but it doesn't seem to want to budge. the key isn't going in all the way and it feels like i turn it any further it'll break off. am i missing something?
2. any tips on maneuvering when the engine isn't running? specifically in reverse, for example, to back it into the garage? it seems like i was doing it really slow and awkwardly, that's probably normal since i've never done it before but maybe there's more to it.

i'm looking forward to my MSF class and in the meantime i'm considering getting my permit so i can legally ride around my neighborhood. thank you all for the help you've given me so far and the help you'll hopefully give me in the future! i'll let you know how things progress, you know, just in case you're really excited about it. like i am.

JIBTEXHNKA wrote:3. i need to learn how to corner better, if it had been busy streets with traffic i almost definitely would have been in the wrong lane at some parts.

MSF will teach you cornering. Consider parking your bike until you take the course. IMO MSF works best if you don't have to unlearn bad habits. The program's designed to start with complete beginners.

JIBTEXHNKA wrote:1. the guy who sold me the bike stuck the key into a keyhole below the seat and got the seat to come off; i tried the same thing but it doesn't seem to want to budge. the key isn't going in all the way and it feels like i turn it any further it'll break off. am i missing something?

Besides turning the key, most bike seats need some peculiar combination of pushing and pulling to release. It always seems hard until you get the knack of it. Do you have the owner's manual? That might help.

JIBTEXHNKA wrote:2. any tips on maneuvering when the engine isn't running? specifically in reverse, for example, to back it into the garage? it seems like i was doing it really slow and awkwardly, that's probably normal since i've never done it before but maybe there's more to it.

Even very experienced riders can look awkward backing up a bike. Some find it easier standing alongside rather than straddling. If standing alongside the bike should be leaned toward you slightly; if you're not used to its "tipping point," better leave this for later. My wife's bike is tall and sometimes I have to help push her backward if the footing's not good, i.e. gravel. She just can't get much of her foot down on the ground.

Sweet! Congrats!

I'm about to get a GZ250 for my first bike. Should be getting it in the next week or 2. Are you going to use it for the MSF course? Guess it only makes sense .

The MSF course is SO helpful. One of the big eye-openers for me is that it is hardest to ride slow. I had always thought riding fast would be hard, but wait until you get to start practicing figure 8s and whatnot. Fun.

Backing up is mostly a matter of looking where you want to go (from what I remember of the course. I haven't gotten my bike yet ). You turn your head, look where you want to back up to, and walk the bike back.

Nice bike, congrats on it!

thank you all for the advice! i'm gonna have to go work on that seat compartment some more, ha.

and i'm not going to use it for the MSF class... i figure it's best to learn on a bike that's already been dropped and won't matter too much if i drop it. mine's all shiny and new.

They generally won't let you use your own bike at the MSF.

Good news is that you'll probably be on a GZ250 or the very similar Honda Rebel for the class.

And, yeah, keep it parked til then. Most single-rider accidents are caused by riders who mess up cornering. It's hard enough when you've been properly trained.

After the course you're going to think back about how much you didn't know and how much you were risking by riding around not knowing what you're doing.

JIBTEXHNKA wrote: ...
4. i won't be going on the freeway right away... the fastest i went today was just under 50mph and it seemed like the bike didn't want to go much faster. granted, i didn't really want it to, and i really can't pretend to know it's limits at this point but it doesn't really seem to have much power (which is probably for the best).

Don't be afraid to let that engine rev, if you shift too soon the bike will seem listless, let the revs build then shift. You should not be in fifth gear until you hit 60mph or so, if you want a quick burst of power you can downshift. As others have said, wait 'till after your training though

Consider parking your bike until you take the course

The MSF course is SO helpful.

yeah, keep it parked til then.

Yup, yup, and yup.

Congrats on your bike!

in the meantime i'm considering getting my permit

Um, yes, please do. I mean, I know you're excited and everything, but, well, please get your permit. Anyway, don't you have to have it for your MSF? I know I did.