A few questions..

[DragonGold]

Ok, now that I have more riding time under my belt, I have a few more questions

I have been up-shifting without my clutch. It seems to shift much smoother than when I press the clutch and release everytime like a car. Is this OK for the bike?

I've noticed I get better miles tot he gallon on the bike now,t han when I first got it. I have around 700 miles on it now. Does this mean the rings are fully seated now?
I didnt use the standard break in method. I used the viper-lair technique. I changed the oil the first day I got the bike, and then again at 500 miles.

Is it normally so hard to get the bike on the center stand? I have a super hard time getting it on it by myself. It takes every muschle I have...Anyone know any tricks? Besides buying one of those things that lifts the wheel up itself...

I think thats it for now....oh..wait...I'm also looking for a kit that I can put on the back of my bike, for when those big pain in the ass metal things on 4 wheels come right up on my ass when I'm riding...you know..the one that releases the oil slick? Any ideas where I can get one? LOL

[Louis]

Check out this thread:

http://www.suzuki-bikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3494

[inspiron]

Originally Posted by DragonGold

Ok, now that I have more riding time under my belt, I have a few more questions

I have been up-shifting without my clutch. It seems to shift much smoother than when I press the clutch and release everytime like a car. Is this OK for the bike?

If you do it correctly, it shouldn't be "bad" for the gearbox, but if you do it at the wrong speed, you'll have metal shavings floating in your gearbox oil.

Originally Posted by DragonGold

I've noticed I get better miles tot he gallon on the bike now,t han when I first got it. I have around 700 miles on it now. Does this mean the rings are fully seated now?
I didnt use the standard break in method. I used the viper-lair technique. I changed the oil the first day I got the bike, and then again at 500 miles.

I guess that this is normal ... but I'm not familiar with the viper-lair technique. I would change the oil again around 1000 miles just to be safe.

Originally Posted by DragonGold

Is it normally so hard to get the bike on the center stand? I have a super hard time getting it on it by myself. It takes every muschle I have...Anyone know any tricks? Besides buying one of those things that lifts the wheel up itself...

It takes a bit of practice ... when you get the hang of it, you can put it up on the center stand quite easily. The trick is to hold the bike straight, and try to use leverage with one hand on the bars and the other on the grip (usually under the seat somewhere).

Originally Posted by DragonGold

I think thats it for now....oh..wait...I'm also looking for a kit that I can put on the back of my bike, for when those big pain in the ass metal things on 4 wheels come right up on my ass when I'm riding...you know..the one that releases the oil slick? Any ideas where I can get one? LOL

Yea, but that's sort of like planting land mines - you probably would not bother the huge truck behind you, but insted cause problems for the next biker that comes along a few minutes later. I would recommend using a cutting laser or electro-magnetic jammer if you really want to be sure to affect just the idiot behind you. Or ask one of the other guys here if they can loan you some other munitons.

[inspiron]

Man Louis, you're too fast for me today!

[themeatmanlandry]

Somehow I missed the centerstand thread. Here's how I learned to put it on the centerstand:

2002 Bandit 600S
I am short (5'6")

I could not get this thing on the c-stand to save my freakin' life!! Eventually, I had to adjust the chain and there was NO WAY I was taking it to the dealership for that. I'm, a big-mouthed 'funny guy,' so the personal embarrassment would have been devastating.

I have a driveway with a pretty good slope. I parked it NOSE UPGRADE, and practiced until I oculd do it on level surface. THe key to the whole thing is pushing DOWN with your foot.

1) Put the bike in neutral;
2) Face the bike;
3) Put your left hand on the handle bars and hold them pretty much straight;
4) Put you right hand UNDER the passenger seat and grasp the handle that's under there;
5) Simultaneously lift up/back with your right hand while stepping DOWN with your foot, pulling the bike up onto the centerstand, while still holding the bars pretty much straight with your left hand.
6) Practice until you get it right.

To let it back down, I just LET THE KICKSTAND DOWN (to catch the bike should somethign happen), put my right and left hands in the position and give the bike a firm push forward. Be ready to heft the bulk of the bike, but don't worry you have tyhe centerstand to back you up.

Someone on the other thread said the bike was not as stable when on the centerstand. I say, with all due respect, bull hockey. If some kid's gonna' mess with the bike, or if a windstorm comes along, I'd MUCh rather have it up on the centerstand than on the sidestand.

Also, the centerstand comes in handy MANY times for maintenance (Chain adjustment, cleaning and oiling; Rear brake work; Rear tire removal, etc.), and it doesn't sink into the hot asphalt AS MUCH (it will still sink!!) as the side stand.

Hope this helps.

P.S. I always use the clutch . . . but than again I plan on keeping this bike awhile.

[KatanaMatt]

Yeah, dude. Use your clutch. It's there for a reason... Just like a car, it's possible to shift without it, but do you think that clutches would still be around after all these years if they weren't really needed...?

Center stand, just like everybody else said. Left hand on the handlebars, right hand on those little bungee cord rails under the seat. Note: THIS BIKE IS HEAVY!!! The first time I did it, I had to get help - it kind of reassured me to the fact that when the bike pops up and starts that little wobble when you first get it up that it's not really going to fall over... But it sure does take a whole lotta muscle.

[md2lgyk]

I've heard a handful of ball bearings tossed over the shoulder works well, and doesn't leave an oil slick.

[themeatmanlandry]

I just put mine on the centerstand . . . you also have to pull UP quite a bit with the right hand (the one under the passenger seat).

[inspiron]

I found that getting the bike up on the center stand is much easier if when the bike is in neutral, and you make sure that the bike is really vertical ... stand the bike straight, and step on the center stand until it touches the ground. Here's the trick - make sure that the bike is really standing on BOTH sides of the stand (I have found that the bike is usually leanding towards me, even when I'm sure that it's straight). Once the bike is straight, you can just pull the bike up and backwards and it should go on the stand without too much effort.

If the bike is leaning toward you (even a few degrees), it's much harder to get it up on the stand.

HTH!