First time actually riding the bike! - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

nrvswreck · 03-29-2007, 05:04 PM

So, I bought my M50 during the fall last year, so I couldn't ride the bike. Yesterday was the very first day I actually took it out... Being a brand new rider, never before exceeding 3rd gear. (that was the highest gear i got to during the riding course.) I actually got to 4th gear.... and 60km/h... Still being chicken and not going on to the main roads, i stuck around the neighbourhood streets. I've learned that I should signal way before the stop sign. I can't seem to reach the signal switch with the clutch pulled in at the same time.... So, with me fiddling around with the switch, learning to use my signals, approaching the stop sign.. i was going really really slow, enough for the bike to wobble as i came to the stop...still concentrating on how i can get this signal to work with me still on the clutch... not paying attention to the bike tilting... i put my leg down a tab bit too late.. and the bike fell over... good thing i tried to let the bike down slowly, because since the bike is so low to the ground.. it ended up resting on the peg and the lower exhaust pipe... being a skinny asian guy... thought maybe my years of fixing cars, these pipes of mine could lift my bike from the ground while the bike was still between my legs... WRONG!... man, it took all my strength to get that bike up from the ground... you know, the type of weight where you close your eyes trying to lift something oh so heavy.. yeah. .that was my face!! lol.. so lesson from my first day riding, signal before you get to the stop sign!

blackie1491 · 03-29-2007, 05:29 PM

To lift the bike, face away from the bike, rest your butt on the seat, one hand on the frame or back rest, the other on the near side grip and use your legs to get your bike up. If the side on the ground is the kickstand side, when you get it upright use the weak leg to kick the stand down. If the kickstand side is the side up, drop the kickstand down before attempting to lift the bike. Just be careful when you get the bike straight up, change your position as the bike is balanced and gently bring it to rest on the kickstand.

The key is to use your legs, not you back or arms.
It works for an 800 lb Goldwing. Although it has been several years since I have had to do it.

raycogxxx · 03-29-2007, 05:32 PM

Keep in mind that bike weighs 540lbs dry-Ain't too many people going to just pick it up.

nrvswreck · 03-30-2007, 06:35 PM

yeah.. i saw a tv show once.. i think that show with that Britton guy with the sport bike... something about picking the bike up by holding the frame or seat area and lifting with your back towards the bike... ty for the tip.. hopefully that won't happen for awhile!

GregR1 · 03-30-2007, 07:42 PM

actually, i found a page a while ago where an older woman (60 or so) was lifting up her bike (not a goldwing, but maybe an ST1300 or a BMW of some kind) and she managed just fine.

DragonRider · 03-31-2007, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackie1491

To lift the bike, face away from the bike, rest your butt on the seat, one hand on the frame or back rest, the other on the near side grip and use your legs to get your bike up. If the side on the ground is the kickstand side, when you get it upright use the weak leg to kick the stand down. If the kickstand side is the side up, drop the kickstand down before attempting to lift the bike. Just be careful when you get the bike straight up, change your position as the bike is balanced and gently bring it to rest on the kickstand.

The key is to use your legs, not your back or arms.
It works for an 800 lb Goldwing. Although it has been several years since I have had to do it.

Exactly right Blackie...Do not do it the way I did,I tried to just lift my M50 up with the bars last November after I came to a stop and my foot slipped on gravel and it tipped over onto my leg. I have the hernia to prove that it is the wrong way to lift. Should be getting that fixed next month.

Bisket · 03-31-2007, 02:33 AM

Would someone be so kind as to explain how to upload Pics. What is it asking for an http:// to upload a pic. Can you not upload a file from your computer directly? Like to participate and share but need some help.
Confounded Bisket

devilboy26 · 03-31-2007, 06:43 AM

Hey NVRSWreck, Do NOT feel bad!I can relate to your situation. I took the
MSF course and deliberated over a bike for weeks. I finally pulled the trigger on an 06 M50 Blue(with 125 miles) in October 06. After paying and doing all the paperwork BS and stuff, I get on the bike , get to main drag(Orange Blossom Trail) and proceed to drop the bike and brake the nub off the brake handle. I hefted the bike back up(pure adrenaline) got back on the bike and proceeded to drive the 20 miles home with my wife following me. The whole way home I was freaking out that I dropped the bike and was also a nervous wreck. Slowly by doing local driving around my development I gained confidence and skills. I am by no means an highly experienced rider but 6 months and 3600 miles later, I am confident in the bike and feel my skills improving every day. I do weekly rides with guys in my development and go anywhere from 100-250 miles with the group.
I am leaving Monday am for Key West for 4 days, my longest ride to date.
It is 400 Miles each way from Poinciana to Key West. I am looking forward to this ride with confidence and utter joy as I need a break from work and the "real world". You will look back on it and laugh BUT never forget it and remember that we are outsized by these Mammoth SUVS with 5 ft tall women on cell phones who cant see over the wheel anyway. Ride like everyone else is blind and stupid, dont ride at night,try to ride in less crowded areas, and always ride straight and Dont ride when you are upset or cant concentrate.
Bikes have less room for error.
Ride Safe and Welcome Aboard!!

Atlas68 · 03-31-2007, 04:00 PM

nrvswreck from out west. Sucks to hear about your spill. Glad to hear you're OK though. Lesson learned. Great choice in bike.
Ride safe and post often.

Atlas68 · 03-31-2007, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bisket

Would someone be so kind as to explain how to upload Pics. What is it asking for an http:// to upload a pic. Can you not upload a file from your computer directly? Like to participate and share but need some help.
Confounded Bisket

Have you looked at the instructions in the gallery yet? They are pretty good. If yes, then we'll go on to the next step. Welcome BTW.

tallannie · 03-31-2007, 04:53 PM

Bisket
...it is pretty straighforward...but perhaps you didnt scroll down to find the "manage attachments" button?
Anyway, if you click that button, you will see a 4 bottons appear that clearly say "Browse"...which is how to get them from your computer. After you select the ones you want... click "upload" and go back to finish sending.

Try NOT to attach huge pics.

Use a photo editor to reduce the file size / lower the density / save for web ? or however your program works. A 100 K or 200 K file size has all the resolution these screens can use anyway...!

03-29-2007, 05:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
nrvswreck Newbie Joined: Nov 2006 Bike: 2006 Suzuki M50 Location: Mississauga, ON. Canada Posts: 8	First time actually riding the bike! So, I bought my M50 during the fall last year, so I couldn't ride the bike. Yesterday was the very first day I actually took it out... Being a brand new rider, never before exceeding 3rd gear. (that was the highest gear i got to during the riding course.) I actually got to 4th gear.... and 60km/h... Still being chicken and not going on to the main roads, i stuck around the neighbourhood streets. I've learned that I should signal way before the stop sign. I can't seem to reach the signal switch with the clutch pulled in at the same time.... So, with me fiddling around with the switch, learning to use my signals, approaching the stop sign.. i was going really really slow, enough for the bike to wobble as i came to the stop...still concentrating on how i can get this signal to work with me still on the clutch... not paying attention to the bike tilting... i put my leg down a tab bit too late.. and the bike fell over... good thing i tried to let the bike down slowly, because since the bike is so low to the ground.. it ended up resting on the peg and the lower exhaust pipe... being a skinny asian guy... thought maybe my years of fixing cars, these pipes of mine could lift my bike from the ground while the bike was still between my legs... WRONG!... man, it took all my strength to get that bike up from the ground... you know, the type of weight where you close your eyes trying to lift something oh so heavy.. yeah. .that was my face!! lol.. so lesson from my first day riding, signal before you get to the stop sign!

03-29-2007, 05:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
blackie1491 I took the All Bran Challenge Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50SE Location: Aldergrove, B.C., Canada Posts: 7,243	To lift the bike, face away from the bike, rest your butt on the seat, one hand on the frame or back rest, the other on the near side grip and use your legs to get your bike up. If the side on the ground is the kickstand side, when you get it upright use the weak leg to kick the stand down. If the kickstand side is the side up, drop the kickstand down before attempting to lift the bike. Just be careful when you get the bike straight up, change your position as the bike is balanced and gently bring it to rest on the kickstand. The key is to use your legs, not you back or arms. It works for an 800 lb Goldwing. Although it has been several years since I have had to do it. Last edited by blackie1491; 03-29-2007 at 05:31 PM.

03-29-2007, 05:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
raycogxxx Sprocket Pilot Joined: Feb 2007 Bike: 2006 M50-Blue Location: Ft Worth, Texas Posts: 845	Keep in mind that bike weighs 540lbs dry-Ain't too many people going to just pick it up. __________________ "So long as they don't get violent, I want to let everyone say what they wish, for I myself have always said exactly what pleased me." -- Albert Einstein 2006 M50 Blue, Jardine Slash Cuts w/custom baffles (courtesy of BlueM50Chick), Saddleman Profiler Seat, Memphis Shades Poptop shield, Tour Master saddle and fork bags, Küryakyn Dually ISO-Pegs, Stebel Airhorn.

03-31-2007, 02:33 AM	#7 (permalink)
Bisket Newbie Joined: Nov 2006 Bike: 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad 1600 Location: I live in Fredericksburg, Va. Posts: 8	How do I upload Pictures??? Would someone be so kind as to explain how to upload Pics. What is it asking for an http:// to upload a pic. Can you not upload a file from your computer directly? Like to participate and share but need some help. Confounded Bisket __________________ Bisket

03-31-2007, 04:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
Atlas68 Sit speling cheker Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 SOLD '05 Anniversary Edition VMax Location: Vancouver B.C. Canada Posts: 1,713	nrvswreck from out west. Sucks to hear about your spill. Glad to hear you're OK though. Lesson learned. Great choice in bike. Ride safe and post often. __________________ Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength. SuperTrapp Exhaust

03-30-2007, 06:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
nrvswreck Newbie Joined: Nov 2006 Bike: 2006 Suzuki M50 Location: Mississauga, ON. Canada Posts: 8	yeah.. i saw a tv show once.. i think that show with that Britton guy with the sport bike... something about picking the bike up by holding the frame or seat area and lifting with your back towards the bike... ty for the tip.. hopefully that won't happen for awhile!

03-30-2007, 07:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
GregR1 ... Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,308	actually, i found a page a while ago where an older woman (60 or so) was lifting up her bike (not a goldwing, but maybe an ST1300 or a BMW of some kind) and she managed just fine.

03-31-2007, 06:43 AM	#8 (permalink)
devilboy26 In Training Joined: Oct 2006 Bike: 2008 Victory Vision Tour Premium Steel Grey Location: Central Florida Posts: 147	Hey NVRSWreck, Do NOT feel bad!I can relate to your situation. I took the MSF course and deliberated over a bike for weeks. I finally pulled the trigger on an 06 M50 Blue(with 125 miles) in October 06. After paying and doing all the paperwork BS and stuff, I get on the bike , get to main drag(Orange Blossom Trail) and proceed to drop the bike and brake the nub off the brake handle. I hefted the bike back up(pure adrenaline) got back on the bike and proceeded to drive the 20 miles home with my wife following me. The whole way home I was freaking out that I dropped the bike and was also a nervous wreck. Slowly by doing local driving around my development I gained confidence and skills. I am by no means an highly experienced rider but 6 months and 3600 miles later, I am confident in the bike and feel my skills improving every day. I do weekly rides with guys in my development and go anywhere from 100-250 miles with the group. I am leaving Monday am for Key West for 4 days, my longest ride to date. It is 400 Miles each way from Poinciana to Key West. I am looking forward to this ride with confidence and utter joy as I need a break from work and the "real world". You will look back on it and laugh BUT never forget it and remember that we are outsized by these Mammoth SUVS with 5 ft tall women on cell phones who cant see over the wheel anyway. Ride like everyone else is blind and stupid, dont ride at night,try to ride in less crowded areas, and always ride straight and Dont ride when you are upset or cant concentrate. Bikes have less room for error. Ride Safe and Welcome Aboard!!

03-31-2007, 04:53 PM	#11 (permalink)
tallannie Can Ride And Chew Gum Joined: Dec 2006 Bike: C50 Boulevard Location: Hillsboro, Oregon Posts: 2,002	Bisket ...it is pretty straighforward...but perhaps you didnt scroll down to find the "manage attachments" button? Anyway, if you click that button, you will see a 4 bottons appear that clearly say "Browse"...which is how to get them from your computer. After you select the ones you want... click "upload" and go back to finish sending. Try NOT to attach huge pics. Use a photo editor to reduce the file size / lower the density / save for web ? or however your program works. A 100 K or 200 K file size has all the resolution these screens can use anyway...! __________________ ...Just in Time moto-cookie delivery

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