Adjusting to changes of bikes as a new rider

[missyburd]

How easy do you find it? I suppose what I really mean is the jump from 125cc to 500/650cc but it would also be interesting to know how easy new riders cope with adjusting their riding to accommodate bigger engines. I know you experienced riders can hop on and off bikes all day and probably hardly notice :-P

The reason I ask is that I'm hoping to take my test soon but I'm a little concerned about all the bad habits I've probably picked up while riding my YBR for the last few months. I've long since got to the point with the YBR where I know the bike well enough to push its boundaries because I know I can get away with it on that machine. I'm concerned that I'll try do the same on a bigger machine and end up falling off - a lot lol. YC tells me that won't happen as I'll find my limits much quicker on a larger bike and that will soon stop me from doing it.

I went for a bike assessment at a riding school last week where the instructor made me tootle about on one of their school 125s for 20 mins or so and he told me I was obviously confident and would just need a bit of time to iron out habits and find out exactly what the examiner was after before going in for the test.

Now I know many folks go through the DAS and hop on a 125, going on a 500 almost straight away. I suppose the question I'm wanting answers to really involves the folks that have got used to their 125 and then decided to go in for the test, leaving time to pick up habits and stuff.

I guess I'm just after a bit of reassurance, should I just shut up and stop worrying like a woman :-D

[Berlin]

You learned to do it on the bike you have despite its eyewatering performance, you just do it again on the next one.

But its quicker as you're adding to the learning you already have not starting from scratch.

C

[widepants]

Hun,I have been riding for 20 plus years and still find every bike I jump on takes a little while to get used to.The footpegs are in a differant place,so to are the bars and the seating position is all over the place ,but you soon get into the swing

[andrewsmith]

MYC just be careful for the first few miles, when u swap, and had to do it yesterday from a SV to RT1200

The bad habits with 125's are difficult to stop and ended up riding the 125 like a 500 for a week before my Mod 2. You doing your DAS or 33 brake test?

The biggest thing i had when a done my DAS was riding it like a 125 doing the maneuvers and the technique that worked for me was to do it with a lot higher revs slipping the clutch until you've cracked it and gradually dropping the revs to what is needed.

Hope that Helps

Andy

[Paul the 6th]

biggest thing I struggled with going from 125 to 500 was the u-turn. I could do them all day long on the 125 as it seemed much lighter, but with the 500 I must have tried 30 times before finally getting the bike round without putting my foot down. In the end I just had to do a u-turn with the bike in 1st gear at tickover revs (none of this fancy throttle/clutch/back brake business - too complicated for my tiny man brain).

Apart from that I reckon you'll probably find the 500 easier to ride as you don't have to work it upto national speed limit, you just twist it and wait for 60. Brakes are a bit betterer, and it will probably feel a bit more like a proper bike than a dinky-125-toy-type thing..

Like everyone always says, just take it steady and you'll soon warm to it. The 500 learner bikes are very similar to the 125's in that they're very forgiving and easy to ride. Like berlin says, you're not starting from scratch so you know what to expect and how to get moving - it just won't take as much effort :)

Above all, enjoy it and the rest of your learning/riding will slide into place :D

[dizzyblonde]

Went from Honda Rebel Cruiser 125 to Suzy. Exacty one year to the day between CBT and passing DAS.
Matthew got her out of the garage and I sat on her in the drive up Rishworth, then had to bounce over the bumps to the road, then straight out down past the school. Took me all of that particular straight, to get my bearings, muddled a bit on the big bend to Ripponden lights, but pretty much duck to water. This was after Pat had made her well, and after my last proper pillion ride on her. The anticipation of what was ahead was the biggest thing for me, she'd always seemed so huge when I sat in the pilot seat, and obviously much taller than having my asss close to the floor!

What you will find is its not such a hard progression, you'll have x amount of full days on a 500, and in that intense short time, all your bad habits will be ironed out of you, by the instructor continually in your earhole.
As above the Uturn was a tw4t, well in test that is.
Again jumping from the two SVs after 6 years to the Raptor was the same anticipation, it may have only been a short ride around the block a few times, but all the feelings were the same as getting on the first big bike....and you know what, it felt really natural, and not as scary as expected.

JUST...take your own time, no rush.
You'll be fine.....when you robbing a bank to buy Dave then ??? :-)

[simesb]

I know you experienced riders can hop on and off bikes all day and probably hardly notice :-P

I think you have the key right there - there is no substitute for experience.

The more bikes you ride the more you recognise the similarities and differences. Going to a 600 is not that huge of a step if you don't let it faze you. Take it easy, build the experience, and work up to the boundaries. You can be assured that the limits are no lower than on the YBR.

[Owenski]

No problem, just remember the stuff they tell you and you'll be fine.

Life savers, MirSigMan etc and you'll walk it.
The controls are the same, the weight its not really an issue if you've a good sense of balance because the centre of grav is in exactly the same place (ie you're sat on it). Just respect that when it starts to tip in it will go a little quicker than a lighter bike so dont let it tip too far. Like paul said the place you notice this the most is the turn in the road but dont worry, if you can nail it on the 125 you'll be fine on the 500.

[AndyBrad]

Youll be fine. as you know i didnt do the learner 125 thingy as i went straight to das. Still managed to take myself off the floor with my knackers when i picked the sv up. Youll get used to it fine im sure. Youll just realise youll be going a bit faster if you fall off. To be fair i think your less likely to fall off a 500 than a 125 though as its much more stable.

[dizzyblonde]

One thing I'll say. don't be concerning yourself with too much of the 'technical riding talk' and 'twist of the wrist' books. Go out there with a back to basic approach, a clean nuetral approach, and only take on board your instructors advice and teaching, for the beginning(when you pass) and whilst learning, then you won't get too confused, and/or try too hard.

Oh....and if you can ride an old SRX600 you can ride anything, bet you didn't know I had that pic I sent you on your phone! :p

[STRAMASHER]

You have probably made all the basic mistakes on control and road sense stuff on the 125, so it will be easier than you think.

Just be easy on the throttle and brakes. The bigger the bike the more learning it takes. This is not a bad thing and is something to savour. There is no rush.

I'll bet whatever you move onto won't feel like there is a pogo stick at each end and an angry sewing machine in the middle. You'll need to slow down for corners!

I went from a 125 stroker to a 600/4. I found I could actually travel places...and get back the same day! And I stopped smelling of Silkolene, much to her pleasure and my disapointment. Ahh the smell of it!

With the speed/acceleration of todays traffic I don't envy you a bit on a 125. You will have the power to get out of situations before they have the chance to arrive as regards the four-wheeled nuggets who are suppossed to SHARE the road with you. Easy power/torque at small throttle openings. :smt039

Have fun!

[Bibio]

I found I could actually travel places...and get back the same day!

the speed/acceleration of todays traffic.

+1

but there are a lot more nuggs in cages.

you'll be fine.

turn in the road i found easier on the 500.

[keith_d]

If you're using a training school bike it'll probably be something like an ER5. The things I noticed were:

1) They're quite relaxed below 5000 rpm, so if you're gentle on the throttle you'll have no problems. If you want it to go a bit faster just change up at higher revs.
2) They are quite a bit heavier, so you can't just chuck them around by moving your body weight.
3) The brakes are a bit sharper, so be gentle with the front brake until you've got a feel for what it's like. My little 125 had fairly wimpy brakes compared to a real bike.

I'd be cautious about using an SV650 for the test because it's got quite a big turning circle compared to the training school bikes I learned on. That makes the U-turn quite tricky. Oh, and remember to turn your indicators off (guess what I failed on).

Just my thoughts,

Keith.

[missyburd]

Thanks everyone, really appreciate the replies! Good lot of advice there.

Keith, I would be doing the test on a GS500 which I'm told is very forgiving! I'm actually really looking forward to getting on one, I left the school on a high note last week after enjoying the play about, bit shaky at first adjusting to another 125 but after a few minutes on it everything seemed fine.

[Scoobs]

I recommend at least two corners before hoiking it up into a wheelie. :)

[andrewsmith]

Thanks everyone, really appreciate the replies! Good lot of advice there.

Keith, I would be doing the test on a GS500 which I'm told is very forgiving! I'm actually really looking forward to getting on one, I left the school on a high note last week after enjoying the play about, bit shaky at first adjusting to another 125 but after a few minutes on it everything seemed fine.

When I was dumped on a cbf500 the first hour was on the yard and on a vacant industrial estate I was fine once i was on the road.

[simesb]

When I was dumped on a cbf500 the first hour was on the yard and on a vacant industrial estate I was fine once i was on the road.

For DAS you are supposed to have an 'off-road' transition lesson.

[andrewsmith]

i did it was 30 mins long and was doing the cbt maneuvers on a yard

[-Ralph-]

Pushing it's boundaries - there's nothing that you can do on your YBR, that a GS500 won't be able to do. The only boundaries you might push are yours, not the bikes.

You'll sit more in a GS500, than on it. The bike is heavier so overall centre of gravity of bike and rider will be lower. You should find it easier to ride.

Just be careful with the throttle and the front brake and you'll be absolutely fine.

Should I just shut up and stop worrying like a woman :-D

Yes ;) The more you think about it the more difficult you'll find it. Just get on the f'ing thing, knock it into first gear, and ride it.

[seedy100]

Just be careful the first time you pull off, and dont let the clutch out too quickly and shoot off down the road yelling "SSSHHHHIIIIII "

Mind you I didn't do that, oh no, not me, it was someone else; honest.

[fizzwheel]

You'll get used it quckly enough. I hop between bikes and I dont even think about it now. Except when the garage gave me a 1250 Bandit and I thought it was a 600 and wheelied off the forecourt on their courtesy bike. I dont think they were impressed.

I remember going from my 125 to the riding schools GS500, this is what I felt.

1. It was heavy
2. The steering was slow to respond
3. I wasnt used to the extra weight of the bike and ran a bit wide in the first couple of corners.

After a little while I got used to it and it felt natural. So just give it some time and ease yourself into it whilst you are getting used to the fact that handling is different and you'll be fine.

It really is nothing to worry about.

[DaveyF]

I obviously did my CBT on a 125 but from day one of my DAS I was on the 500. Everything felt immediately more comfortable and natural. I guess it's different for everyone but the 125 just felt too small and nervous and the 500 more stable and confidence inspiring.

Now on the sv650 as my first bike and that is even better. Clearly I'm still very much learning to ride as I only took the CBT at the end of July and passed DAS in August but I'm happy I took the direction I did.

[missyburd]

I recommend at least two corners before hoiking it up into a wheelie. :)
Lol, I #accidentally# popped a mini one on the Cagiva Planet...right before a wall and a 10foot drop :rolleyes:


Yes ;) The more you think about it the more difficult you'll find it. Just get on the f'ing thing, knock it into first gear, and ride it.
Tell me about it! I just want to get on it, having to wait a while is the worst thing, all this time to overthink everything, even what I'm doing on the road atm...I'm practicing lifesavers more, although I realised I do them anyway...

At the school when I was asked to do "move off round the car park as if you were on the road" I came back after doing it and the instructor said, "you didn't do what I told you did you?" Me: "Eh?" Instructor: "No lifesaver?" Me (in head): Aaaaargh, that's cos I wasn't on the bleeding road! I do it everytime when I'm out on the bike :lol:

[-Ralph-]

At the school when I was asked to do "move off round the car park as if you were on the road" I came back after doing it and the instructor said, "you didn't do what I told you did you?" Me: "Eh?" Instructor: "No lifesaver?" Me (in head): Aaaaargh, that's cos I wasn't on the bleeding road! I do it everytime when I'm out on the bike :lol:

Your brain works the same way as mine then. If something is not necessary you don't do it.

Don't forget to look over both shoulders before moving off from the middle of the road after your emergency stop. The examiner will take you to a completely deserted road, and you've been sitting on the bike in view of the mirrors and know there is nothing anywhere near you, but the examiner still wants to see you do the checks!

[yorkie_chris]

Your brain works the same way as mine then. If something is not necessary you don't do it.

Don't forget to look over both shoulders before moving off from the middle of the road after your emergency stop. The examiner will take you to a completely deserted road, and you've been sitting on the bike in view of the mirrors and know there is nothing anywhere near you, but the examiner still wants to see you do the checks!

It is done on car park mod 1 bit now AFAIK...

But point about lifesaver both sides still stands :)

[badsaboy]

you will be fine. you will adjust automatically and when you feel comfortable you will push yourself and your bike harder. you will be fine.........just go and paass your test already!!!!!!!

[ChrisSV]

Yeah mod 1 is done off road.
I rode my CBF125 for just over 12months, then got my SV and after few miles of it feeling big and heavy, it felt so much more natural than my 125 and so much more comfortable with what i wanted to do. I personlly find my SV far easier to ride than an 125 ive ridden.

[gruntygiggles]

I found the GS500 when I went up to it from the CG125 gave me far more confidence. Bigger bike was easier to handle I found...plus more rubber on the road is always a good thing. You'll get used to it in no time so long as you just ride it, not think about riding it if you know what I mean. The power difference is noticable, but at the same time, they are very forgiving bikes.

Passing your test and going from a 125 to a 400 though was fun. Then onto the Ninja and I was amazed. You will not have a problem giving it too much throttle having been used to twisting like mad on the 125. You'll feel the extra pull instantly and adjust your wrist twist accordingly.

Don't think, just do and you'll love it :-)

[Viney]

Hun,I have been riding for 20 plus years and still find every bike I jump on takes a little while to get used to.The footpegs are in a differant place,so to are the bars and the seating position is all over the place ,but you soon get into the swingYoure only 14, so how can that be?

[missyburd]

Well I've done it!!! Went to a training school today, spent 3 hours riding about on a 125 this morning then they plonked me on a GS500 after lunch, 10mins later we were out on the road...














.... :-D :-D :-D

Loved it! Found the steering a bit heavygoing at first, but not used to such big tyres obviously. Got on with it near enough straight away and yes, you were all right surprisingly :-P Loads more stability at slow speeds and the weight seems nothing once the speed is up. My roadcraft lets me down in places though which is what I've got to work on but apparently my bike control is fine and I'm near enough ready for the Mod 1 which is great!

Cheers for all the advice guys and gallies, dunno what the fuss was about :D

[minimorecambe]

:smt026:smt026:smt026:smt026:smt026:smt026

Fab news :)

My friend has also just had her first taste of a bigger bike.
She has been so worried about it and has been on the ohone to me most nights flapping.
Needless to say she loved it and is doing her module 1 next week :)

Hope you get your mod 1 sorted soon :mrgreen:

[barwel1992]

Well I've done it!!! Went to a training school today, spent 3 hours riding about on a 125 this morning then they plonked me on a GS500 after lunch, 10mins later we were out on the road...














.... :-D :-D :-D

Loved it! Found the steering a bit heavygoing at first, but not used to such big tyres obviously. Got on with it near enough straight away and yes, you were all right surprisingly :-P Loads more stability at slow speeds and the weight seems nothing once the speed is up. My roadcraft lets me down in places though which is what I've got to work on but apparently my bike control is fine and I'm near enough ready for the Mod 1 which is great!

Cheers for all the advice guys and gallies, dunno what the fuss was about :D

cool :D i was amazed at the diff when i went from a 50cc to a 125 then to a 660 single, in 4 days :lol:

big bike was the best to ride slow of them all

[thulfi]

The difference in fun between a 125 and a 500 is leaps and bounds. My 125 cbt lessons were kind of fun, but wern't that great at bikes. If all you've ever ridden is a 125 then this is gonna be so much better than you could imagine.

Enjoy!

[andrewsmith]

Good news :)

Good luck getting the mod 1