New forum member

[jayhawk]

Hi folks-- nice to find place to read and post about motorcycles-- I've been reading about biking in general and expecially about starter bikes-- I found a really clean, low mileage 1981 250CC Suzuki street bike and so far it's plenty bike for runnin' around the boulevards, back roads and city streets. Makes about 26 hp and the manual says it will approach 80 altough I can see that I'm not going to push it anytime soon.

Got a Q or 2--
How long does it take before its pretty automatic to use the controls properly without thinking? (braking appropriately with both brakes, down and upshifting smoothly, etc) I had a very small bike about 40 years ago but find this is not as automatic as I expected.
I've read the threads and my motor vehicle booklet about watchfulness, but what things are the most likely things to get one in trouble?

I noticed that at some "smart" intersections, I and the bike apparently don't have enough mass to trigger the lights to go into their change cycle-- any way to let the sensor know you're there?

What's biker "ettiquite" (or however the heck it's spelled) these days when greeting a biker?
Anything about my Suzuki that I should be wary of or anything about its virtues you know of? I was told it was a good bike by someone who seemed to know, but have little knowledge of this particular bike.
Thanks

[totalmotorcycle]

Firstly, to the total motorcycle community!!

I enjoyed reading your post as it brought me back to when I started and some of the hundreds of questions I had. haha.

1981 250CC Suzuki street bike: Would that be the GN250 or GS250? Either bike is a good starter bike and the only thing that is serious to watch out for is the electrics on those old Suzuki's. The early 80's suzuki GS engines defined the term "bullet proof".


"I noticed at intersections, I and the bike apparently don't have enough mass to trigger the lights to go into their change cycle-- any way to let the sensor know you're there? "

I'm sure I can speak for the majority of us riders in saying we all suffer this problem. Nothing like being first in line at an advance green light, having other cars/trucks behind you and it doesn't change again and again... This may not be the best legal advice but if it doesn't change 2-3 times, I'll turn on the red when it's completely safe to do so or I'd be stuck there forever. I'm sure a police officer would understand.

The other thing I do is if there is a car/truck behind me I'll pull up in front of where I am, then get their attention to move up close to the rear of my bike so they are on the pad. It works.

Mike.

[embries]

Governor Bredeson (TN) signed in a law for this situation which allows bikes to go through red lights if you've waited an "appropriate length" of time. Some controversy over what that time is, but basically it means that if you stop and wait a policeman can't give you a ticket for going through a light.

[bigswifty]

How long does it take before its pretty automatic to use the controls properly without thinking?

took me about 300 miles of streettime to be perfectly comfortable, and 'automatic'.

I noticed that at some "smart" intersections,

this law varies by state...some you can run it others not...but, rule of thumb is if the cop didnt see it and its safe, what's the problem?

but what things are the most likely things to get one in trouble?

left turners failing to yeild and alley traffic filing to yield are two i've seen alot of this year. Just be observant, and be conservative in traffic, and you'll be fine.

What's biker "ettiquite" these days when greeting a biker?

in cross traffic just wave...a lift of fingers off the left bar, or drop yer arm downwith hand out....also the "V for Victory" (peace sign) is a greeting....

enjoy your moto experience!!!!~

[swatter555]

One thing beginners need to be careful of is the rear brake. I suggest doing braking drills in an empty parking lot to practice controlling your survival instincts. Your instincts will often force you to lock up the rear wheel (in pure reaction situations), which isnt all that hard to do. That will swing the rear wheel forward, this is followed by an instinct to get off the rear brake. If that sequence of events happens, when your rear tire regains traction, it could throw you off (high side).

To help avoid this, practice high speed stops to find out where your bike's limits are. Ideally with practice you will hopefully be able to control you survival reactions in an emergency situation.

The front brake provides most of your braking, so you definately need to test those limits safely also.

[Lion_Lady]

GReat little bike!! I started out on a 1980 GS250 AFTER I took the MSF course. YOu might look into taking it - there is a short version of the class for folks who've ridden before and don't need to start from square one.

Yeah, you definitely need to practice what we call "emergency braking." Pick up a copy of David Hough's "Proficient Motorcycling" - it includes how to do that along with a BUNCH of stuff that will help you get a good start (or return) to riding.

P

[sickchilly]

Some bikes just don't have enough iron mass to trigger the elecro-magnetic field...
http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detai ... nal_Cycles

[Wizzard]

Welcome to the forums and welcome back to riding .
Regards, Wizzard

[jayhawk]

Thanks for all the good info already! Yeah about the braking thing-- at the skill test site we were required to do the hard stop after hitting a line on the course and I was surprised to see that I was not very smooth.. I did turn the bike a fair amount-- that was my point deduction. I am practicing at low traffic times, not taking on passengers yet until feel better about my abilities.

Good to hear good stuff about my Suzuki-- its a GS 250T by the way. I'll add pics after I figure out how to do things here.

thanks again.