Advice for new M50 owners

[diamond_jim]

Be sure to when you put on and lock the left side cover (the one over the storage toolkit box), be sure it locks good so you don't lose the cover while riding down the road.

[diamond_jim]

If you install the forward controls be sure to check the spring that connects to the rear brake switch and pulls it down to activate the tail light when you press the brake down. When I first installed mine, that spring connected to the new rod and seemed good to go. Then a week later I looked and saw it just dangling from the brake switch. To get a good fit again I had to adjust the rear brake switch by backing it out a little which puts more tension on the spring.

[Turbo911]

If you bring on a new passenger, ensure to advise them not to rest their heels on the exhaust pipe. It gets very hot and will melt their shoe quickly. Your passenger will end up with a hole in their shoe, and you'll end up scraping goo off you pipes!

When locking your forks with your key, ensure you don't turn the key all the way back. This is the "Acc" mode which leaves your rear tail light on and will drain your battery rather quickly.

Search the forum for threads on how to remove those warning labels. Not as easy as you think.

Put up with your new pipes for a while before swapping to aftermarket as the originals DO get louder with time.

Ensure tire pressure is set properly and give your bike a nice wash n wax before riding.

[hammersfan]

Originally Posted by geoffsimpson

If you replace your Exhaust or Debaffle your stock pipe...you DON'T need a powercommander or any of it's affiliates. You ONLY need to install a fuel managment system if you replace the air Intake.

PS: The search function, found here Motorcycle-Journal Forums - Search Forums is pure gold. Chances are, your question has been asked and answered already and will make your life easier and results quicker.

That is something that is debatable. A staff writer for Motorcycle Cruiser magazine makes a case in this months issue stating the opposite opinion. My mechanic says sometimes it is needed sometimes its not. Myself , I am not knowledgeable enough to debate the case either way !

[ozoner]

As a new owner who will be picking up their new M50 tomorrow, can anyone give a quick listing of what should be expected in the toolkit besides the spark plug wrench and the suspension tool?

Originally Posted by NCxM50

2. open your toolkit right away and verify you have ALL the tools you should have, including the suspension adjustment tool. If anything is missing, demand it from your dealer if you bought new. If you bought used, go get the missing pieces, they're worth their weight in gold.

[womper]

lost another bolt... this time it's the rear bolt holding the muffler to the chassis!!
holy crap... dunno how i lost that one...
just a reminder... check all bolts and tighten them using lock-tite

[cyclesinct]

The wonderful New England heat reminded me of something. If you're going to park your bike on a really hot day outside (like at work) buy something to slip under the kickstand so it won't melt into the asphault and tip your bike. Anything works, they do sell plastic pieces to slide under, but a crushed cup/soda can, piece of carboard...anything like that should work.

[thekirin]

Originally Posted by UpstateM50

I think someone else said it the best in another thread, if you want the bike to sound like a Harley, just knock it out of timing and turn your idle down a little.

I love this one.

[geoffsimpson]

Originally Posted by hammersfan

That is something that is debatable. A staff writer for Motorcycle Cruiser magazine makes a case in this months issue stating the opposite opinion. My mechanic says sometimes it is needed sometimes its not. Myself , I am not knowledgeable enough to debate the case either way !

Trying to keep the thread on track, but: There is no debate, at least not on an M50 ...nearly all of us have debaffled or swapped pipes and run without a power commander (temporarily on my part). Perhaps a different bike would have a different outcome, but, for the dozens and dozens and dozens of us that have done it, we've had no problems related to debaffling or changing pipes...not to say that it won't run better with one, but it isn't necessarily required.

[DaveAlvarado]

Originally Posted by geoffsimpson

Trying to keep the thread on track, but: There is no debate, at least not on an M50 ...nearly all of us have debaffled or swapped pipes and run without a power commander (temporarily on my part). Perhaps a different bike would have a different outcome, but, for the dozens and dozens and dozens of us that have done it, we've had no problems related to debaffling or changing pipes...not to say that it won't run better with one, but it isn't necessarily required.

Not to mention, magazines have advertisers who like to sell things like power commanders. Rarely will you see a magazine promoting the dirt-cheap option. I've never seen a magazine or TV show say "eh, skip the V&H, get some stock pipe, cut it and weld it yourself, and wrap it with heat tape".

[DaveAlvarado]

Oh, I thought of another tip--ride your bike stock for a while. It's easy to fall into the trap of buying lots of accessories just because they look cool and people are telling you to buy them. I did over 10,000 miles on my bike with some throwover saddlebags as my only accessory. In that time I learned exactly what *my* problems were with the bike, and now I'm spending some serious money fixing them, basically going for a whole touring conversion. The stuff that is right for me isn't going to be right for everyone because we all ride differently and have different goals for our bikes. Figure out what *you* want out of your bike before you spend a lot of hard-earned cash (or break out the plasma cutter).

[diamond_jim]

Several M50 owners, including myself, have found that when we got the bikes from the dealer, the rear brake was adjusted a little on the weak side. Usually turning the rear brake adjusting nut 1 or 2 full turns clockwise improved the rear brake.

[DroopyDroors]

Originally Posted by diamond_jim

Several M50 owners, including myself, have found that when we got the bikes from the dealer, the rear brake was adjusted a little on the weak side. Usually turning the rear brake adjusting nut 1 or 2 full turns clockwise improved the rear brake.

so true just did it yesterday! Big differance!

[Bones21]

I just ordered a corbin solo seat for my new 2008 M50. Would anyone like to comment on it's comfort compared with the stock seat? Other than the seat, I love the M50. Might look at getting some louder cobra pipes though.

[DaveAlvarado]

Originally Posted by Bones21

I just ordered a corbin solo seat for my new 2008 M50. Would anyone like to comment on it's comfort compared with the stock seat? Other than the seat, I love the M50. Might look at getting some louder cobra pipes though.

http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...lo-review.html

I should also note that I have since sold that seat and gone to the Mustang touring seat. The complaint I had about the edges of the seat digging into my butt were what finally drove me over the edge. I've got a big fat ass, so if you don't you probably won't have that complaint. If you do, I strongly suggest looking at the Mustang seat, even if you just run the front seat. It looks nice that way and is much more comfy than stock.

http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...at-review.html

[Bones21]

Thanks for the info. I don't have the size issue (5'4", 120 lbs)...so hopefully I won't have the same problem. I just got the bike and after only about 20 miles it felt like someone had taken a bat to my lower back/tailbone. Does the corbin seat lower you at all?

[kandie]

If you plan to lower your bike, you should search this forum for Jeff's custom risers. I almost missed my opportunity to get them, and you can't find them anywhere else. Lowering the tail end really extends the reach to the handlebars and I am 5'10" and my arms are still stiff after only and hour commute. i think he might still have a couple of sets left.

And when you are installing the new bones, it is ok to remove the bottom bolt of the suspension to allow you to remove the long bolt from the bottom of the bones, it is almost impossible to remove otherwise. When intalling the new ones, put the bottom together first, then reattach to the suspension, then let the jack down to set the back tire on the ground to get the top holes to line up - If I didn't ask my husband to help, I would have been finished an hour quicker - that's how long it took for me to convince him I was right!

[womper]

Originally Posted by Bones21

I just ordered a corbin solo seat for my new 2008 M50. Would anyone like to comment on it's comfort compared with the stock seat? Other than the seat, I love the M50. Might look at getting some louder cobra pipes though.

there really is no comparison... ANY seat is better than that stock piece of crap.

i read both reviews from Dave and i'll agree on the corbin solo...
i'm a big guy but i have no ass to speak off...
it does act like a bucket and it REALLY does change your seating position... i found by it moving me up towards the front and inch or two, it forced me to sit straighter and i fewer back pains... butt pains were totally gone (tailbone couldn't take more than an hour at a time)

it does lack some back support, but you can always get the backrest... i think i'll get one as it's easily removable and can store it quite easily...

the solo seat will NOT work with the stock pillion as the solo seat comes with it's own mounting bracket... i got the corbin pillion as well, but no one has taken a ride on it yet

the biggest problem (which dave already pointed out) is getting a seat that fits your ass...

if you are shorter than i am (5'11" with 32" inseam) you won't have any problems with reach and position... i don't think it's made for the long legged people.
having you closer to the tank does have an advantage... crown jewels gets a little buzz from the tank women say they like it a lot... hah

as for the pipes... mine got progressively louder as time went by... i removed the top muffler and put it back on and it got a bit louder, but very acceptable... i like a good sound, i don't like bad sounds amplified...
all this to say, ride it like 10,000km and then see if the sound i good for you
(or just buy the pipes...)

hope this helps

[Bones21]

Thanks for the helpful information. Listening to everything, it sounds like I will like my new seat when it finally gets here. Corbin says it is going to take a month to get it to me!

[ace4aday]

Originally Posted by womper

the solo seat will NOT work with the stock pillion as the solo seat comes with it's own mounting bracket... i got the corbin pillion as well, but no one has taken a ride on it yet

I have the Corbin Solo with the pillion. My wife and I rode 2-up for the first time this weekend. She likes the Corbin and says it's pretty comfy (for a pillion). Now she wants a backrest.... Where does it end?