Newbie Questions on C50T

[C90TinPA]

Hello All,
I just bought my first bike ever. In fact, yesterday was the forst time I have ever riden a bike. After careful research I settled on a Suzuki C50T. I have a coupel questions and would like to applogize up front for how lame they may sound. Having not ben on any other bike I have nothing to compare to and my "issues" are likely normal or minor adjustments.

1) Starting around 50mph I notice some vibration in the floor boards. Just a tingling like a cheap foot massager. Is this normal?

2) The windshield is at the lowest setting. At 55mph and above, I notice a fair amount of wind buffeting at my head. Will raising the windshield an inch or two reduce this? What is the rule of thumb for windshield height?

3) I do hear a gear noise from the tranny, and, a very slight "chirping-like" sound if I back and engage the throttle when riding.

The bike is just wonderful, and, in no way do I think there is any problem. I am just a totally lame newbie to the world of bikes in general and want to be sure everything is as it should be. I have only traveled 113 miles and cannot believe I have waited so long to experience this.

[Danr]

Originally Posted by C50TinPA

Hello All,
I just bought my first bike ever. In fact, yesterday was the forst time I have ever riden a bike. After careful research I settled on a Suzuki C50T. I have a coupel questions and would like to applogize up front for how lame they may sound. Having not ben on any other bike I have nothing to compare to and my "issues" are likely normal or minor adjustments.

1) Starting around 50mph I notice some vibration in the floor boards. Just a tingling like a cheap foot massager. Is this normal?

2) The windshield is at the lowest setting. At 55mph and above, I notice a fair amount of wind buffeting at my head. Will raising the windshield an inch or two reduce this? What is the rule of thumb for windshield height?

3) I do hear a gear noise from the tranny, and, a very slight "chirping-like" sound if I back and engage the throttle when riding.

The bike is just wonderful, and, in no way do I think there is any problem. I am just a totally lame newbie to the world of bikes in general and want to be sure everything is as it should be. I have only traveled 113 miles and cannot believe I have waited so long to experience this.

Welcome !
Good choice on the Bike,
Before anyone else says it I will, Did you take the MSF new riders course and have the proper gear ? (helmet,Jacket and Boots)

OK, being a newbie on a V-Twin, I am going to guess at some things here. What gear are you in at 50 mph, 5th? if so you are lugging the motor, not a good idea during and after break in. At 50 in fifth that motor is just about turning 3,000 rpm. I have a tach on mine and it is happy between 3500 and 4000 and red line is over 7 K. You have a 5 speed transmission and the object is not get into 5th as soon as possible, but to use the gears according to speed and road conditions (hills, inclines and declines etc.).

Some vibration is normal in a V-Twin

By all means experiment with the shield height there is only 4 bolts to loosen. You are not going to eliminate befitting complete but you can minimize it. Your helmet (and you do wear one right! ) can effect it also. I experience more buffeting with my full face then with my 3/4 open face one.

The chirping your hearing is probably the drive train lash when you load and deload it. Normal for a shaft drive. It might get better as the bike breaks in.


Now, get yourself a headlight modulator and a break light modulator to be seen, before any Bling.

Ride Safe and Often !!!!!!!!

[MYC50T]

Ditto what Danr said, as far as the break light modulator, I highly recommend this, see below ▼
http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/de..._Boulevard_C50
It costs alittle more up front, but oh so easy, just replace the bulb, no splicing and trying to fit the box under the seat
Enjoy, it's a great bike, I now have over 5,300 mi on mine and enjoyed every one

[thehobe]

What Danr said about the chirping sound: "The chirping your hearing is probably the drive train lash when you load and deload it. Normal for a shaft drive. It might get better as the bike breaks in." ...is well-worded. I have a C50 Black, and I experience the same exact chirping symptons. Danr is dead-on with this description.

As far as the comment about wearing a helmet.... I saw a guy riding a VTX1800 the other day with PA plates on his bike, but this was on Rt.1 in NJ (about 15 minutes from PA border), and he WASN'T wearing a helmet at all. I believe I've heard in PA, helmets are not required (which is totally crazy if you ask me and about a zillion other people), but if that is true, is he allowed to be in NJ (where it IS required by law to wear one) to be riding with no helmet? I wouldn't think HIS state laws would carry over to another. This might be a dumb question, but I had to ask.

[C90TinPA]

Thanks for the great responses. 1st of all, I am signed up for the Saftey program here and can't wait to take it. Drive line backlash is exactly what I was hoping the answer would be, and, I do think it is normal....just wanted to hear from someone else. The head buffeting I am experiencing at speeds above 50 mph seem to be experienced by others and apparently a set of lowers should help take care of that or lower it considerabley. This is a great resource and so far, many friendly folks with great knowledge.

As far as the helmet laws in PA....it is true that there is no mandatory helmet requirement. For me, however, I would not consider riding without one. I was worried that it would not be comfortable or would restrict my vision, but, the one I got (full face) is quite comfortable and does not interfere with my vision in any way shape or form. Just makes sense to have it on. Of course my younger daughter thinks I look like a power ranger...lol...but...she still kicks my butt.

[C90TinPA]

"..At 50 in fifth that motor is just about turning 3,000 rpm. I have a tach on mine and it is happy between 3500 and 4000 and red line is over 7 K. You have a 5 speed transmission and the object is not get into 5th as soon as possible, but to use the gears according to speed and road conditions (hills, inclines and declines etc...."

The manual state the following shift points:
1st ->2nd 12mph
2nd ->3rd 19mph
3rd ->4th 25mph
4th ->5th 31mph

I have been following this but your reply seems to think this is not a good idea. I haven't messed anything up doing it this way have I?

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by C50TinPA

The manual state the following shift points:
1st ->2nd 12mph
2nd ->3rd 19mph
3rd ->4th 25mph
4th ->5th 31mph

The manual is wrong, they use the same shifting table for a GZ 250 cruiser as they do for a Hayabusa - maybe it was correct for some little bike back in 1968 but it's way bad for most modern bikes with engines larget than 50 cc.

Also note that your spedometer is lying to you. When it shows 55 mph, you are actually going about 50 mph. That's just how the VL800 spedometer works.

Most cruisers have low redlines and are made to run at low rpms, but the C50's redline is closer to 8000 rpms and I don't go to 5th gear until about 55 mph indicated. Going to 5th at 55 indicated is by no means revving anywhere near the redline - it's just keeping the engine in it's happiest power band.

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by thehobe

As far as the comment about wearing a helmet.... I saw a guy riding a VTX1800 the other day with PA plates on his bike, but this was on Rt.1 in NJ (about 15 minutes from PA border), and he WASN'T wearing a helmet at all. I believe I've heard in PA, helmets are not required (which is totally crazy if you ask me and about a zillion other people), but if that is true, is he allowed to be in NJ (where it IS required by law to wear one) to be riding with no helmet? I wouldn't think HIS state laws would carry over to another. This might be a dumb question, but I had to ask.

In New Jersey, everyone riding a motorcycle is required to wear a helmet, state laws stop at state borders. Not everybody obeys helmet laws. In Kentucky, we're not required to wear helmets, but I don't need a law to tell me that wearing a helmet is a smart thing to do 100% of the time I'm riding, even though my head is quite hard.

[thehobe]

well...that dude from PA I saw was dumb AND crazy then.

As far as the "shift points" comments.... Yeah, I read that it my manual too, and those numbers are off. After a while, especially without a tach, you just get used to where the appropriate shift points should be, based on the RPM sound of the engine and the amount of vibration you feel. Although, I didn't realize the redline on the C50 is around 8000. I guess I shouldn't really wish for a 6th gear on my C50 as much as I do then. Sometimes between 60-70mph, I feel like it is starting to get into the winding out range of RPMs, but I guess not. I know that, sometimes, while in 5th gear, many times I'll pull in the clutch and push my heel down, only to find that I'm already IN top gear when the shift lever doesn't move. haha Don't know if anyone else has done this. Probably. Just takes some getting used I guess, because at higher speeds like that, I feel the need to check if I'm in 4th because it sounds and feels sort of wind-ey, but nope... that's just 5th on a C50.

And yes, what tlwisner said is true.... the VL800's speedo is 4 to 5 mph "optimistic" in displaying the bike's speed. C50TinPA, if you ever ride past one of those stationary police radar display things with the huge digital display, take notice of what the radar is clocking you at, and then (briefly) look down at your speedo. You'll see. That's how I stumbled across this fact too. Wonder why this is? My '05 Toyota Matrix does the same exact thing. It too reads 4 to 5 mph higher than actual. Maybe it's a japanese thing? *shrug*

[Danr]

Originally Posted by tlwisner

The manual is wrong, they use the same shifting table for a HZ 250 cruiser as they do for a Habeas - maybe it was correct for some little bike back in 1968 but it's way bad for most modern bikes with engines larget than 50 cc.

Also note that your spedometer is lying to you. When it shows 55 mph, you are actually going about 50 mph. That's just how the VL800 spedometer works.

Most cruisers have low redlines and are made to run at low rpms, but the C50's redline is closer to 8000 rpms and I don't go to 5th gear until about 55 mph indicated. Going to 5th at 55 indicated is by no means revving anywhere near the redline - it's just keeping the engine in it's happiest power band.

Tlwisner is correct as usual , I have verified the speedo on two C50's with two different GPs's . One was 4 mph slower then indicated and mine was 5 mph slower. He is right about the manual's recommended speed and shift points, I cannot understand their logic, but I have a theory and it's related to safety and it's this; It is Suzuki's way of telling you to take your time and get to know your bike before you run it thru it's more then capable abilities.

[robertc729]

I used to find myself looking for that darned 6th gear as well , mostly due to my first bike being a 6 speed I got used to it. I still do it every now and then, but the more I ride now I'm not doing it as much

[blackie1491]

I think it is just being uncertain that your are in fact in 5th, that we attempt to shift again. I know I am used to the gear indicator I had on my wing.

[C90TinPA]

I can't tell youhow much I appreciate all of the great advice! With only a 120 miles on the odo, I am sure I have not done any real harm using the manual's recommended shift points, but, I will now let it rev more. I was wanting to do that anyhow, but figured I would, for a change, read and follow the directions...lol. A little late in life to start reading the instructions now....a lesson learned.

I am really hoping that I can reduce the buffeting I am experiencing at speeds over 50 from the OEM windscreen. Absolutely incredible how strong it is and quite tiring.

Thanks again for the great advice.

[Rickster]

Sorry guys, but I have to disagree with a few of the things said here. I bet that will surprise nobody.

First, I'm pretty sure the chirping sound is the rear tire, not the drive train.

Second, I don't feel you have to be going 50 before shifting into 5'th gear. If the bike doesn't bog, or buck when you apply throttle, than you are not in to high of a gear. My "M50" is very happy in 5'th gear at 40 mph. You shouldn't ever think you know more than the manual.

C50TinPA. You are on the right track in solving the wind buffeting, keep experimenting. You can also try tilting the windshield at different angles. You might never get rid of all of it, but you should be able to make it livable.

[ELGOLD C50T]

Congrats on the new bike! I have installed a set of lowers on my bike and find that this has reduced the wind buffeting (nearly totally eliminated) and has certainly made for a more comfortable ride. Keep my stock windshield in highest position, my line of vision still clears the top by a good margin.
I too have found myself shifting up to the next gear and found that there is none, but I think this is just something that will happen less as I get more familiarized with the bike. Overall I really love the C50T and ride with guys with big Harleys, I don't feel that my bike is any less than one of theirs. But I do know that I saved over $20K and in most cases ride a more technologically advanced bike that easily keeps up with anything on the road and is very comfortable.

[C90TinPA]

Again, thanks for the great replies. I do love my C50T. I have raised the windshield to the highest setting (It is stil below my line of site) and this has dramatically reduced the buffeting. I havefound that my bike is quite happy in 5th gear at 45mph...no lugging and excellent acceleration just by rolling on the throttle. The"chirping I first reported is definitely in the driveline not the rear tire in my case. It is rare that I have bought something that has exceeded my expectations (re: way more bang for the buck than expected) than this little Suzuki has.

[Fishpart]

C50TinPA, I work in harrisburg on 2nd Street, myself and two co workers have an M50, C50 and C90T. Maybe we can ride sometime.

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by Rickster

Second, I don't feel you have to be going 50 before shifting into 5'th gear. If the bike doesn't bog, or buck when you apply throttle, than you are not in to high of a gear. My "M50" is very happy in 5'th gear at 40 mph. You shouldn't ever think you know more than the manual.

The manual says to upshift to 5th at 31 mph. I think I know better than that. Wow, the engine will just about die at 31 mph in 5th gear. I'd rather get my bike up in to it's powerband (or at least above idle...) before I upshift.

[Rickster]

Tim: I don't normally ride in 5'th gear when I'm in a 30 zone, but I have run it down that slow, just to see what it would do when I apply full throttle. In fact, I can snap my throttle open on my M50, and it will pull strong, and clean in 5'th gear from as low as 25 mph. No bucking, no hesitation, no pre-ignition. Just strong and clean. I normally run in 5'th gear in any speed zone that is 35 mph or above. If you want to wait till you are going faster before you shift, that's fine to, I don't think it's going to damage the motor in either case.

Anyone with a C50/M50 that can't do that, should get there EFI recalibrated.

The manual doesn't say to shift into 5'th at 31 mph, it says anywhere between 31 mph, and 50 mph.

[C90TinPA]

Fishpart,
I live on N. 3rd Street. If you would not mind riding with a rookie, I would like to take you up on that.