New from Atlanta

[atalien25]

Hello all,
I recently purchased a 97 GSXR600 and I am a first time rider. I will be taking a rider education course in two weeks. During this time I have attempted to ride my bike on numerous occasions. I have been successful to not drop my bike or hit anything. I noticed my problem will be getting the bike moving, once im rolling in first I feel like a pro, but I know im not. I am either giving too much gas, or not enough. The motor will either cut off or sound like its about to run out of gas. I've had plenty of riders give me pointers here and there and learning from their mistakes. Trying to soak everything in before class, so I can get the most out of the class. If you have any pointers I should know, im listening...
ps. I got the hang of counter steering, only at 30-40mph though.

[ChicsterMG]

First bit of advice is, take it slow. It seems like your head is in the right place. The GSX-R is enough to get you really hurt.
Second, be careful the advice you get from your friends. Sometime that can be worse than teaching yourself. Other riders with bad habits will only teach you bad habits.
You'll get alot out of the Course. Take it easy until then.

Other than that, welcome to the forum.

[Rickster]

I really can't figure it out, maybe there's something in the water, I don't know. Why is it, that there seems to be a never ending supply of guys out there that think a race bike is a good platform to learn to ride on.

Best thing you could do, is park the GIXXER for now, and buy yourself a suitable starter bike to learn on.

Oh, and if the friends that are giving you pointers, are the same ones that told you to get a GSXR to learn on, don't listen to anything they have to say, your just going to have to unlearn it later.

Welcome to the forum! Keep an open mind, and we'll give you our best advice on what you need to know to stay alive.

[Atlas68]

Rickster. I was thinking the same thing. It almost seems as though we get done convincing one newb, take a sigh of relief, and then it's time to rewind the tape when another walks in the door. Another sign that riding season is fast approaching.

Welcome to the forum. It's our hope you will stick around long enough to really benefit your riding career.

[reddeth]

Originally Posted by atalien25

Hello all,
I recently purchased a 97 GSXR600 and I am a first time rider. I will be taking a rider education course in two weeks. During this time I have attempted to ride my bike on numerous occasions. I have been successful to not drop my bike or hit anything. I noticed my problem will be getting the bike moving, once im rolling in first I feel like a pro, but I know im not. I am either giving too much gas, or not enough. The motor will either cut off or sound like its about to run out of gas. I've had plenty of riders give me pointers here and there and learning from their mistakes. Trying to soak everything in before class, so I can get the most out of the class. If you have any pointers I should know, im listening...
ps. I got the hang of counter steering, only at 30-40mph though.

Alright, I'm not going to get into the 'you shouldn't buy a R class bike as a first bike etc etc' thing, its been said before and I don't feel like being a skipping record. Besides, you already bought the bike, the odds of you parking it and getting another bike because of what some people online said is slim to none (no offense Rickster, but it doesn't usually work when people go to buy their FIRST bike haha)

Anyways, as for the bike cutting out, it sounds like you are dumping the clutch to fast. I can't say for sure, you may have bad gas like Rickster said. Would you say you only have problem till the clutch is all the way out? IE once you are rolling and giving it just gas (no clutch) you are fine? I'd say its an issue of your clutch control. The MSF course instructors will help you out a lot on that issue. If you are having problems past that point (clutch) then again, it may be something in the gas. If thats the case, drain the gas (its easy), put fresh gas in, and test it.

You are about to catch a BUNCH of crap for buying a R bike for your first bike, please dont take it personally, everyone here (myself included) are simply concerned for your safety and well being, and USUALLY a R-bike-as-a-first-bike puts both those in jeopardy.

[POE-BOY SAMICH]

You've bought yourself a bit of a rattlesnake for a 1st bike. It's not that you can't handle it, but that class of bike is just not as forgiving as the First Bikes you find experienced riders recommending in this forum.

I'm not going to preach cuz I've only been riding 1 1/2 yrs myself, but I will comment on something I have learned. The less forgiving your first bike, the less adept a rider you become. This is because you spend more time trying to keep the bike from getting away from you than you do learning solid riding skills. I've heard this from experienced riders and have seen it with my own eyes within the group of guys I ride with.

If you haven't already, consider reading this book: Amazon.com: Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well: Books: David L. Hough It's got great info. I bought my copy, but I actually ran across a copy at my local public library recently. So, check your library. You may not even have to buy it.

Be patient with what the experienced riding here are posting, don't be offended at their comments, and you will learn a lot. There's great info and caring members here, if you just don't let your ego get in the way.