Advice for new M50 owners

[diamond_jim]

I thought I'd start a thread where those of us that have had M50s for a while could post a quick tip for new M50 owners.

Here we go with the first tip:

Check the 3 bolts that hold your tail light assembly on. They take a 10mm socket. A lot of people have lost a bolt, or two, and almost lost their tail light assembly while riding down the road.

Ok... who's next?

[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.

[nicocorea]

Be extremely careful when parking your VZ800 on any amount of slope if the bike is pointing downhill. If it's in neutral, there's a good chance that the kickstand will retract and your bike will fall onto its left side. So if you're parking with the bike pointing downhill, put it in first gear and let the bike roll the inch or two until the engine compression prevents it from rolling further. Then put the kickstand down and turn the handlebars all the way to the left.

Better yet, park it facing uphill and you won't need to worry about it.

[diamond_jim]

Good ones, guys.

Also, if you lower your bike either pay more attention to the slope when you park or do the kickstand mod.

[Bernie800]

If it's squeaking like a bird's nest just spray all rubber pads you can find with silicone spray.

[nicocorea]

Originally Posted by Bernie800

If it's squeaking like a bird's nest just spray all rubber pads you can find with silicone spray.

Even the two really big round ones that touch the ground?

[diamond_jim]

Originally Posted by nicocorea

Even the two really big round ones that touch the ground?

[DaveAlvarado]

Yes, that buzzing sound when you first turn it on is normal.
So is the high-pitched whine before you start it up.
Shifting between first and second going either way is not going to be smooth for the first thousand miles or so.
Synthetic is ok.
The stock seat sucks, but Corbin, Mustang, and Saddlemen all make good alternatives.
You can find reviews of just about every aftermarket part made for our bikes on this forum if you just use the search.
Those of you who really want a Harley, it's ok to ride a Suzuki for a while then trade up.
Those of you who hate Harleys and want to be snobs about it, Harleys are ok.
You should be getting about 40-50 mpg stock if you aren't running the engine too hard all the time.
You can't start your bike if it's in gear and the kickstand is down.
You can't mount Johnskit forward controls and the OEM engine guards at the same time.
The OEM engine guards are nothing like highway bars.
The OEM floorboards are nothing like regular floorboards.
You can buy a cheaper sissy bar than the OEM, but you can't buy a better-looking one.
C50 bars fit the M50--honest--you just have to re-route the cables.
Yes, you need to buy the saddlebag mounts if you're going to use throw-over saddlebags of any kind.

[Bernie800]

Originally Posted by nicocorea

Even the two really big round ones that touch the ground?

Only if your name is Big Bird

[ranger04]

Despite what many people will say highway bars will easily fit this bike without interferring with handling/leaning corners-even lindby highway bars (yes I have them) will fit without affecting handling. If you are riding corners aggressive enough that you do scrape pegs/bars you need a differant bike

[geoffsimpson]

Your Bike will NEVER sound like a Harley...
your Bike will never have the Deep Burble of an 1800 cc machine
Your Bike will never out accelerate any sportbike worth it's salt

[cyclechris]

LOL!

Seriously, some great pearls there. Thanks guys!

Newbie

[diamond_jim]

When you ride without a speedo (not the bikini kind), your fuel light doesn't come on to warn you that you are about to run out of gas.

[Jay313]

Don't bother drilling holes in your pipes. It's like dry humping your girl when you were a kid. It's all right, but no one is satisfied to stop there. Go all the way and debaffle (+fibrosleeve) or else get aftermarket pipes, big boy.

[diamond_jim]

Originally Posted by Jay313

Don't bother drilling holes in your pipes. It's like dry humping your girl when you were a kid. It's all right, but no one is satisfied to stop there. Go all the way and debaffle (+fibrosleeve) or else get aftermarket pipes, big boy.

[UpstateM50]

Originally Posted by geoffsimpson

Your Bike will NEVER sound like a Harley...

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.

[fake]

Originally Posted by Bernie800

If it's squeaking like a bird's nest just spray all rubber pads you can find with silicone spray.

Yup, had to ask about that myself.

['08-M50 Rider]

Originally Posted by DaveAlvarado

Yes, that buzzing sound when you first turn it on is normal.
So is the high-pitched whine before you start it up.
Shifting between first and second going either way is not going to be smooth for the first thousand miles or so.
Synthetic is ok.

Nice, these would have been so helpful when i just got mine. Totally new to bikes and was like "is this sound normal AHHH?"

Great posts you guys TYVM.

[GadZooks]

Great thread! I'm sure all of us new owners find this info extremely useful. Many Thanks

[05HDRAM]

Please pay no attention to the manuals recommended speeds for shifting gears, use your ears and get a feel for the useable range in each gear.

Use the search feature, there is a ton of valuable information if you take the time to look it up.