scared myself!

[caines]

I picked up my new SV650 today, Ive had a few hairy moments today and feel like a wiser man already! My last bike was a CG125 so as you can imagine this thing is a giant leap forward for me!

The road was horrible and greasy today, I was pulling out of a T junction (the second corner I had taken on my SV) and even though I was really gentle with the gas I did a massive power slide all the way out of the junction and admitely this freaked me out a bit and I felt very close to falling off (new tires aswell).

Then I kinda got over that and about 80 miles later I found myself maybe 50 yards behind a bus doing 30ish with no traffic coming the other way so (as you do) I decided it would be a good idea to nail it, before I knew it I was doing 75 and also tackling a bend on which I went horribly wide with oncoming traffic way to0 close for my liking. This all seemed to happen in a second.

Not a good start!

[chutz]

for christ sake calm down!!!! It's winter, you're obviously new to this so take your time. I don't want to read about you being a stain on some 4*4's bumper. Make sure you're wearing good protective gear and take your time dude!!!! :shock:

[Carsick]

Sounds like a nasty combination of over enthusiasm, cold tyres and a slippy road.
Gotta be bloody careful out there at the best of times, nevermind at this time of year, on a new bike.

[timwilky]

OK Your lastbike was a cg125. this one is a completely different beast. I don't know what previous expereince you have had but to go from a cg to sv without any big bike training is asking for trouble.

as Caines said it is winter. I don't want to teach my granny to suck eggs just in case you are an experienced rider but them there roads are bloody greasy and twisties are unforgiving.

assuming that you have had either experience orhad additional training remember the V twin is a completely different animal from your normal inline 4. what it lacks in straight grunt it tends to make up for in torque.

This means it is far more forgiving for the inexperienced rider who may get the occasional wrong gear and the engine braking help to get you into the bends in the right position to simply twist the trottle to pull out quicker than your run of the mill IL4 rider can achive.

But remember the best way to tame the beast is to push the throttle back. (Yes it does go that way) and let the SV teach you.

[shutdown]

as John Reynolds said in our "think Bike" safety campaign:

"The throttle works both ways"

I'm also learning to ride a bigger bike at this time of year and have quickly learnt to be calm and get used to the bike before I chance my luck and open her up on the twisties

[northwind]

These conditions, nad new tyres, can catch out the most experienced rider... Last year at about this time I helped a guy push his Deuville out of a ditch, he turned out the be a police bike cop. You need to be super smooth and be able to read the road well to go quick in winter conditions, and it's just not possible to get like that this fast. I'm not good enough after 7000 miles on the SV and 6000 on my 125, put it that way.

[Flamin_Squirrel]

:shock:

I've had my SV for 7 months, I've done 6500 miles and I ride it every day. I'm by no means an expert, but one thing I've learnt - overtakes in winter are not to be taken lightly. Quite frankly untill you're used to the machine I'd advise you don't attempt them.

Cold wet roads on tyres that are arguably not that good for those conditions, let alone when they're new mean massively reduced grip.

Throttling up hard for an overtake in this situation is likely to cause wheelspin. At best this will reduce acceleration and put you indanger of being hit by oncoming traffic, at worst the back will come out from under you and dump you on the road.

Even if you get past, you have to slow back down before you hit the next car/bend/moose (:shock:) etc. Brake hard/sharply enough, especialy on a white line/drain cover and you'll end up under the wheels of the car you just overtook.

BE CAREFUL

[Ed]

and also tackling a bend on which I went horribly wide with oncoming traffic way to0 close for my liking. This all seemed to happen in a second.

Not a good start!

Oh I know the feeling. It resulted in a badly broken pelvis, cuts and bruises everywhere, sciatica from hell and a written off SV. And that was on a dry grippy road in summer.

I'm not proud of it. Take it easy dude.

[wyrdness]

Ride to survive in the winter. Assume that the road is slippery and that every car, bus and lorry driver is out to kill you. If that means going much slower than you'd like to, then so be it. Wait until the weather is warmer, the roads drier and your tyres are grippier before having real fun.

[Cloggsy]

:shock: Calm down :!: :roll:

http://www.lorellin.demon.co.uk/dcj/nye-calm-down.jpg

[chutz]

:lol: @ Cloggsy

[howardr]

In these conditions you must make all your moves gently and gradually, think a long way ahead and always assume that ALL car drivers are blind, stupid or drunk - because they're usually at least one of these.

[embee]

Woooooo, easy there!

As said before, winters are to be survived until spring. No points for heroics in winter, only painful injuries and big repair bills (if you're lucky!)

[ArtyLady]

Sorry to hear you scared yourself m8 - take care - so you can enjoy next summer :D

[Warren]

just be careful.
i was in the same boat - gs125 to cbr6
i thought that id be ok on a big bike straight away - had a few moments - before i realised that the only thing the 2 bikes had in common were the postion of the controls.

its like starting from scratch again , everything is different - from u turns to corners and braking.

just take your time - go really slow and ride within your limits.
you learn alot more from this .

also if you do happen to make any mistakes - make sure you learn from them

[Ed]

Might it be a worthwhile investment to spend a few quid on some training?

[snoopy]

The CG125 couldn't get up a 3 degree incline it sucks so bad. Performance is uncomparable. Take it easy or you'll end up dead.

[caines]

ive done about 40,000 miles on various 125's and im 22 with no accidents but I definately got too trigger happy yesterday, today however has been no probs although Ive still not been able to resist the temptation of giving it some gas from time to time.

The SV seems rock solid on the road, it hasnt given me the slightest sign of a wobble or loss of traction (except on the corner I mentioned) and it does inspire confidence which may be a bad thing. When I did my unintentional powerslide I was bearly giving it any gas at all, 2000rpm maybe but it was enough on new, cold tires and greasy road.

Ive realised today that the brakes are about 50 times better than I thought they were, I locked up the back a few times yesterday and wasnt using the front anywhere near enough, Im really impressed with the brakes and maybe I wouldnt of had my moment on that bend if I had the confidence and knowledge that I could slow the SV down that fast.

I think it was a combination of not enough brake and also not knowing how far I could lean the bike and not leaning it enough, I know ive been nowhere near the limits yet, the tires say it all!

I will try my hardest to keep the speed down, overtaking is just so addictive! thats so not a good thing I know. I must resist! or sell the thing before I hurt myself. Cheers for the advise all!

[Jp]

My CG wasnt all that bad in comparison, i didnt find myself bieng surprised by the bikes power.

All down to the hands of the rider, i ridden my dads Hornet before i did the SV, and even that wasnt all that bad.

Take it easy, be prepared what your likely to expect and you will be fine.

[Mervin]

Sounds like me when I first got on my SV!

I went from this:

http://usera.imagecave.com/Mervin/ResizeofIMG_0007.JPG

to this:

http://usera.imagecave.com/Mervin/Resizeofmybike.jpg

Is you want to try out the power, do so on empty roads and not at all on bends!

Good luck lad.[/img]

[wheelnut]

Go bloody steady :?

It is cold and wet, there are slippery bits all over, even a good biker can use the British Rail excuse, with the wrong sort of leaves.

I went out today, and yes it was a reasonable day but the roads are still very slippery in the shadows of walls or trees.

Gently does it at this time of year, gentle on the throttle, steering and very gentle braking.

Oh and from experience, Christmas dinner in hospital is crap, even worse through a tube.

Wait for spring and take your time :?

[The Mass]

Words of wisdom again from everyone.

As you all probably know by now, I picked my SV up on Friday, after passing. Oh what Joy!

But seriousely, I totally respect anyone's decision to go through the winter months on 2 wheels.

I've done less than 30 miles on the girl in 3 days, and she's parked up now. I'm waiting for a few experienced riders down this way to shwo me the wrongs n rights, and a few friends of mine.

Until that point and possibly a few track days, I will be doing short journey's and very slowly!
I took her for a really really really short blast, and when I mean blast it was like less than a mile along the M4 yesterday (1 junction).
Jeeeeesus, the difference in power from a GS (that I did my test on) to this baby is unreal :shock:

Anyway, all of you stay safe, none of this falling off business over Chrimbo season please. I'd like to see everyone back in the classroom after the festive season :wink: :wink:

Cheers - Mass (lecture over)

:wink:

[caines]

Ive done 600 miles on the SV now and I am much more comfortable with it, really starting to enjoy the bike and feel alot more relaxed riding it. I actually find its still very stable under power in damp conditions in a straight line and even on corners it seems pretty solid. Although Im cornering slower on the SV at the moment then I did on my CG125 and that thing handled like a plate of jelly, it was seriously sh*tty.

Ive still got CG cornering syndrome, im used to feeling like the bikes wheels are about to fall off so im still pretty lame at cornering but im learning. But as for the brakes mmm mmm they are soooo good! head butt the clock brakes I love em!

Plus at 22 ive found my black SV is getting me a few more phone numbers than usual! lock up your daughters lol :D

[ophic]

Plus at 22 ive found my black SV is getting me a few more phone numbers than usual! lock up your daughters lol :D
I've found that the humungus beard i've grown for winter riding solves that :oops:

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Plus at 22 ive found my black SV is getting me a few more phone numbers than usual! lock up your daughters lol :D

Really? :shock:

Not working for me :cry:

[Carsick]

Plus at 22 ive found my black SV is getting me a few more phone numbers than usual! lock up your daughters lol :D

Really? :shock:

Not working for me :cry:
No extra luck for me, either. Lots of people admiring the bike, none of them admiring me.
Despite the funky neck beard I grow between site visits. :wink:

[Stig]

for christ sake calm down!!!! It's winter, you're obviously new to this so take your time. I don't want to read about you being a stain on some 4*4's bumper. Make sure you're wearing good protective gear and take your time dude!!!! :shock:

Ditto