New motorcycle & new to motorcycling

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lokhor

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Topic # 183945 4-Nov-2015 10:38

Hi all,

I have just bought myself a new motorcycle as my wife and I are having a baby and she told me to get a bike since we only have one car.

My new gear

My new bike

I have got my learners motorcycle licence, had it for around 10 years and haven't ridden in about that long so I am almost starting off completely new. When I test rode the bike I was okay with the gears, apart from stalling a bit when taking off uphill. Last night when I rode the bike after the shop dropped it off I put all my gear on and I had a lot of difficulty with changing gears/stalling, particularly when going from 1st to 2nd gear. Not sure if anyone has advice for learning when wearing quite thick gear. My boots in particular are Alpinestar Roam and I am having difficulty feeling the gear lever with them on.

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Reply # 1420532 4-Nov-2015 10:55

What new bike did you get?

I got a new Ducati Monster 821 Stripe few weeks back

lokhor

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Reply # 1420533 4-Nov-2015 10:57

That looks like a nice beasty.

I got the Hyosung X4R / GD250R
http://hyosung.co.nz/sports/x4r-efi.html

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Mark

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Reply # 1420534 4-Nov-2015 10:58

johnr: What new bike did you get?

I got a new Ducati Monster 821 Stripe few weeks back

Is that your bike ? Sorry about the drool on it yesterday I gave it a few licks after I parked next to it ... :-)

Mark

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Reply # 1420537 4-Nov-2015 11:01

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lokhor:

Last night when I rode the bike after the shop dropped it off I put all my gear on and I had a lot of difficulty with changing gears/stalling, particularly when going from 1st to 2nd gear. Not sure if anyone has advice for learning when wearing quite thick gear. My boots in particular are Alpinestar Roam and I am having difficulty feeling the gear lever with them on.

You'l get used to it basically :-)

I would however suggest going on a Pro rider course if you've been away for a bit, they run good courses!

johnr

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Reply # 1420541 4-Nov-2015 11:02

@Mark drool is OK it washes off easy LOL

johnr

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Reply # 1420545 4-Nov-2015 11:03

lokhor: That looks like a nice beasty.

I got the Hyosung X4R / GD250R
http://hyosung.co.nz/sports/x4r-efi.html

Great learners bike what part of NZ are you located? .

lokhor

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Reply # 1420557 4-Nov-2015 11:22

johnr:
lokhor: That looks like a nice beasty.

I got the Hyosung X4R / GD250R
http://hyosung.co.nz/sports/x4r-efi.html

Great learners bike what part of NZ are you located? .

I am in Lower Hutt.

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lokhor

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Reply # 1420560 4-Nov-2015 11:23

Mark:
lokhor:

Last night when I rode the bike after the shop dropped it off I put all my gear on and I had a lot of difficulty with changing gears/stalling, particularly when going from 1st to 2nd gear. Not sure if anyone has advice for learning when wearing quite thick gear. My boots in particular are Alpinestar Roam and I am having difficulty feeling the gear lever with them on.

You'l get used to it basically :-)

I would however suggest going on a Pro rider course if you've been away for a bit, they run good courses!

I am definitely planning on taking a few courses but want to make sure I don't embarass myself first. At the moment I am just riding around the streets near my house. I got my mate to give me a lesson before I took some bikes for test rides. I am okay without all the gear, I am having difficulty adjusting to wearing gear though. Also I am a little bit scared of throttling too hard during the break-in period as the manual recommends not going more than half throttle for the first 800km.

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gzt

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Reply # 1420591 4-Nov-2015 11:48

Why buy a bike? Is it a parking issue?

nathan

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Reply # 1420593 4-Nov-2015 11:49

johnr: What new bike did you get?

I got a new Ducati Monster 821 Stripe few weeks back

Hey I recognize that car park ;)

lokhor

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Reply # 1420594 4-Nov-2015 11:49

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gzt: Why buy a bike? Is it a parking issue?

If you've never ridden or you aren't a bike person you wouldn't understand.

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gzt

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Reply # 1420602 4-Nov-2015 11:59

lokhor:
gzt: Why buy a bike? Is it a parking issue?

If you've never ridden or you aren't a bike person you wouldn't understand.

Ok so not a parking issue then. Traditionally the partner is told to sell the bike at maternity not buy one. : ).

stevenz

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Reply # 1420609 4-Nov-2015 12:06

The whole "run-in" thing is largely a myth, I wouldn't worry about it, just make sure you do an oil change after ~1000Km for something decent.

As Mark says, you pretty much "get used to it".

Throttle snatchiness at low speeds is unfortunately a side effect of the lower-end EFI units that most bikes seem to use, it can usually be improved upon by adjusting the throttle cable for an absolute minimum of slack, and calibrating the throttle-position-sensor (TPS) which often involves plugging it into a computer (I've got a couple of spare OBD2 cables if you want one) remapping it or getting a PowerCommander involved (which are expensive), or you just learn to deal with it.

Good on ya for joining the ranks of the 2 wheeled.

@KnightNZ

gzt

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Reply # 1420610 4-Nov-2015 12:07

Last night when I rode the bike after the shop dropped it off I put all my gear on and I had a lot of difficulty with changing gears/stalling, particularly when going from 1st to 2nd gear.

I will guess you might be changing just a little too soon, or just the speed dropping while you change. If you drop the throttle slightly it is possible to change without the clutch, or very little. With a brand new bike I will guess everything is a bit stiff either way.

lokhor

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Reply # 1420615 4-Nov-2015 12:14

stevenz: The whole "run-in" thing is largely a myth, I wouldn't worry about it, just make sure you do an oil change after ~1000Km for something decent.

As Mark says, you pretty much "get used to it".

Throttle snatchiness at low speeds is unfortunately a side effect of the lower-end EFI units that most bikes seem to use, it can usually be improved upon by adjusting the throttle cable for an absolute minimum of slack, and calibrating the throttle-position-sensor (TPS) which often involves plugging it into a computer (I've got a couple of spare OBD2 cables if you want one) remapping it or getting a PowerCommander involved (which are expensive), or you just learn to deal with it.

Good on ya for joining the ranks of the 2 wheeled.

Yeah I'm not mechanical enough to do modding, probably not game for it yet either. Also unsure if it would impact the manufacturer's warranty..

Lead Consultant @Intergen
All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

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