Probably some dumb questions...

[Alan_Hepburn]

Other than the 2 days in the MSF class where we rode those little Hondas, my riding experience has been on a Burgman 400 - now I'm looking at moving over to a C50T and I was wondering: do fuel injected bikes still have the fuel petcock that has to be turned on to start the engine?

Also, the C50T has what they call "heel-toe" shifting - looking at it, it looks like you use your toe to downshirt, and your heel to upshift; is that right?

Finally, they don't come with a tach - is there any danger of over-revving it or does the engine computer take care of itself by de-fueling before it hits redline?

Sorry for what are probably silly questions!

[talldragoon]

Hi Alan, My wife rides aa C50 - no petcock and yes to your assumption about the shift pattern. No tach either and no probs but as it is still a pretty new bike she hasn't pushed it. My VTX1300 does have a fuel petcock (it is normally aspirated), shifts the same way, and also has no tach. No probs there either but it is also new so I havn't pushed the upper end of revs. I'm also used to driving/riding with a tach most of my life so am finding it a bit of a challenge to use the speedo - and still haven't ridden enough to accurately judge engine speed - but it is coming - if only this wx would cooperate a bit more - snow this last night and this am - temps in the 30s after dodging raindrops the past two weeks. Arrrg - I'm ready to ride!! Enjoy yours!!!

[blackie1491]

The heel toe after an hour of use is second nature.
No one looks at a tack to shift. The rev limiter is around 8,500 rpms.
Do not create problems by over thinking it.

The C50 is an easy bike to ride.
Spend some time in an empty parking lot, ride thru quite areas.
Slowly move out in to more busy areas.
One of the big problems will be griping the bars too tight.
Relax and go for it.

Enjoy and ride safe.

[intimid8er]

I usually keep my petcock near the tank,





but he needed some exercise.

[Apertureguy]

That one handsome petcock you have there.

[intimid8er]

Rather large ain't he?

[4dtvman]

From learning how to ride years ago I find my self just using to front part of the shifter 90% of the time. I try to use the heel but after a couple of min. I'm back to the toe. As far as a tach I wish I had one but it would be one more thing to look at. The speedo being on the tank it a bad habit to look down and take you eyes off the road, you'll be able to know when to shift by engine noise, comes with time.

Ha why didn't you get the Burgman 650 I heard it's a great bike even to go 2 up.

O yes

[Clint]

Does your Burgman have a petcock? Most modern bikes just stay "on".

[blackie1491]

Except for Tims.
So how do you turn it off, wring it's neck.


So Alan, as you can see, there are no dumb questions, just look at the replies!!!!!


Just relax and enjoy.

[zukirob]

Originally Posted by Alan_Hepburn

Other than the 2 days in the MSF class where we rode those little Hondas, my riding experience has been on a Burgman 400 - now I'm looking at moving over to a C50T and I was wondering: do fuel injected bikes still have the fuel petcock that has to be turned on to start the engine?

Also, the C50T has what they call "heel-toe" shifting - looking at it, it looks like you use your toe to downshirt, and your heel to upshift; is that right?

Finally, they don't come with a tach - is there any danger of over-revving it or does the engine computer take care of itself by de-fueling before it hits redline?

Sorry for what are probably silly questions!

Have you ridden an 800cc bike before? The biggest difference you'll notice from the little 250 MSF bikes is how it's much less nimble the C50T is at low speeds. Blackie's right in that you should first spend a few hours in a parking lot until you can do tight figure 8's. Then go find a vacant back road and gradually learn how the bike responds when you lock the brakes at 50 mph. Then go find some twisties and make sure you can visualize your line and stay inside it.

Good luck. The C50 is the perfect bike ("Motorcycle Cruiser" magazine says so) and you'll love it.

[Rockhead]

Practice locking up at 50mph Im getting heartburn

[wildwolf]

For what it's worth, I rarely ever turn my petcock off. I do have the backup turned off, but that's just to 'act' like a reserve.

[Alan_Hepburn]

Thanks for all the replies - sounds like I'm making a good choice. I'll definitely spend some time in a parking lot before I hit the freeways. When I bought my Burgman it took me about 6 months to get to the point where I felt confident enough to get on the freeway.

Why didn't I get a Burgman 650? The biggest reason it that I don't like digital gauges. I can get more meaningful information from a quick glance at an analog gauge because the brain doesn't have to process the information like it does with a digital display. But that's a personal choice - many people like the looks of a digital display.

I really feel sorry for you folks who are dealing with snow and rain - it's nice being able to ride almost all year round!

[JmalB]

Originally Posted by talldragoon

My VTX1300 does have a fuel petcock (it is normally aspirated)

It's got a petcock because it's carburated (vs fuel injected, like the C50). A normally aspirated vehicle doesn't have forced induction, ie turbo or supercharger.

Why Honda continues to run carbs on so many of it's motorcycles and still charge more is another thread all together.

[4dtvman]

Originally Posted by Alan_Hepburn

Thanks for all the replies - sounds like I'm making a good choice. I'll definitely spend some time in a parking lot before I hit the freeways. When I bought my Burgman it took me about 6 months to get to the point where I felt confident enough to get on the freeway.

Why didn't I get a Burgman 650? The biggest reason it that I don't like digital gauges. I can get more meaningful information from a quick glance at an analog gauge because the brain doesn't have to process the information like it does with a digital display. But that's a personal choice - many people like the looks of a digital display.

I really feel sorry for you folks who are dealing with snow and rain - it's nice being able to ride almost all year round!

You are going to get 1 gauge, SPEED that's it.


O one more thing yes we have cold but no earth quarks, the highway not falling into the ocean and our houses are not burning in groups. Yes real boaring up here in New England. But during summer we have the best winding roads around.

[inspiron]

The quickest way to turn off your petcock is to introduce him to a half dozen chicks. After a little while, he'll limp away and go to sleep.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by inspiron

The quickest way to turn off your petcock is to introduce him to a half dozen chicks. After a little while, he'll limp away and go to sleep.

<rimshot>

(snicker-snicker)

You gonna be here all week?