Newbie tips

[Chipstix]

...The Long Wait...

Hi All,

Just thought I'd say hello, this is my first post.

I passed my direct access last week, and although I learnt on the not too sexy Kawasaki ER5, I had a great time and I've well and truly caught the bug! :D

Lots of people have recommended the SV650S and the more I read and the more I see of them the more I want one! I know its the bike for me.

I know there's an excellent deal on at the moment for a new one £1 deposit 3yr interest free credit, but I really don't want a new one for my first bike (well, of course I want one,.... you know what I mean....) :lol:

I'll be looking to spend around 2-2.5K, and should have savings in about 4-5 months.

Has anyone got any tips or recommendations? What to look for in a second hand SVS? Opinions of injection vs carbs (although price bracket will prob dictate pre-injection - but then budgets are made to be 'flexed'!) Thinking although will be doing most of my riding in the spring/summer, but could buy Feb/Mar time and tuck her away - would I save much by buying in the depth of Winter?

Kit wise, I've budgeted about £600 (pref including security chain/anchor etc) and hoping to sort a lot of it out at the NEC show in Nov. Like the idea of leathers (2 piece that zip together), and like the Raid 2 but not sure if it fits yet(!). Any kit suggestions? Liked the look of the Weise Race Jacket I saw in ride, but am thinking ventilation would be a definite plus for summer riding? Clueless about gloves and boots.

Apologies this post is not much more than a dribbly rant. Just trying to compress my wait through loads of research! Talking about it seems to help ease my anticipation....

Chipstix

[bluebell]

Weel done and welcome to the site.

[Noufy]

Congrats on passing your test. The SVS is a great bike for new riders, having changed 3 bikes in the space of 6 months I can tell you I coudlnt be happier with my SV. As for the rest, there is common sense and then tehre is what the heart wants, I tend to go with the heart. If yuou will be at NEC then have a look at what you like and try them on of they feel right then buy them else go for waht feels right to you.


I tend to ride most of teh yr commuting into London.

Have Daytona Boots, Spada Jacket, Frank Thomas Trousers and ESKA Gloves all of which are Gore Tex all weather, I think they are best for me. I have had a Dainese 2 piece leathers in my cupboard for a few months now, hopefully will get to try them next week when I have my first track day but dont think they are suitable for everyday use.

[Kylie]

Well done on the test. I was in much same situation as you 3 weeks back, bought an SK3 a week after passing DAS. As Noufy says, go with your heart on the bike, I much preferred the pointy shape so went with the oldest pointy I could find. I didn't want brand new as I knew I would drop it (which I have already).

Some random notes on my experience:
1. I could not find a single dealer who would let me test drive a bike, all claimed that their insurance would not cover a newly passed rider. I don't have any biking mates living nearby :( so I had to buy a bike having looked over it only. Get a mate to ride any prospective bike for you, or buy from a dealer and get a good warranty in case there are problems. And the newer you get the lower the risk I suppose.
2. Buy your lid first, then your gear, then the bike. Get the best lid you can afford (my mates told me only go for Arai or Shoei, others may disagree of course). Don't blow your budget on your bike and then have to get sh*t gear.
3. I was all set on leather gear, tried on loads, but the price, weight and comfort (in hot weather) put me off, so I got a Bering textile jacket and textile trousers instead. You want stuff that looks good and feels confortable so you *never* think "hmmn, maybe I'll go without me jacket today". I will get leathers eventually, but aslong as you are not going racing I'm told textiles are nearly as good, so long as they have all the knee, hip, back, elbow, shoulder protection stuff.
4. Get crash bungs fitted before you ride it for the first time. I dropped mine twice in the first week both stupid low speed turns. Bungs stopped nearly all damage,
5. Get a Hein Gericke catalogue, have a look at all the gear in there. I got my boots from them, fine so far.
Mike.

[Jase22]

Good work with the test pass!

Thought I would add my two-penneth to the argument. You can get hold of the carbed model pretty cheap now. I bought my 2000 model with 11k miles for £1600 private. Ok it's been dropped down the right before I bought it, but its been repaired and just really needs a good respray. But the choice is yours.

As for the gear, I wouldn't buy that garbage about getting the most expensive lid you can. You need a lid that fits, but obviously one that lives up to british standards. I've just bought myself a HJC helmet and it fits well, cost me £40 and it's gold stamped.

As for leathers, it's an entirely personal choice. I've just recently bought my first set having previously worn textile stuff. Leathers are VERY tight at first and take some breaking in, textile stuff tends to be warmer. I got my set from Hein Gericke and can highly recommend their gear and customer service (if yer stuff leaks they'll either repair or replace it no quarms and everything comes with 2 yr guarantee). My leathers were reduced (end of line sale) but were originally £400, textile stuff can generally be picked up cheaper and is arguably more all-year-round wear.

Just take your time choosing gear and make sure you've tried plenty on to get an idea of a 'good fit'.

Happy biking

Jase

[didge]

hellow and welcome and n1 for passing your test and yes svs are realy cool bikes

[jenni]

Hiya, welcome to the site. I bought a bike without riding it and kylies advice on this is spot one, try and go for low mileage too if you can. 2-2.5k should be fine. I got my sk2 for 3k- a bit pricey but only 600 miles on clock.

BUY R+Gs - I dropped my bike on the second day- again a low speed corner, not a scratch on the paintwork. well worth the 70 quid.

I have found myself spending more and more money, so expect your buget to expand a little. I wanted to go for textiles but my caribbean butt made that a bit hard :oops: , although it doesn't look bad clad in leather 8) !

I got a 2 piece leather set for hien gerick and it's great, I have also got a bering waterproof jacket in case its really wet.

I love hien gerick, they made me welcome and answer all my daft newbie questions, get a catalogue and make a list of stuff you want- i'm in there every week at the mo

Take it easy, don't worry if you don't enjoy your first ride. Mine was in the ****ing rain - 30miles from the dealer back to mine and hated every second, was really worried that I had done the wrong thing.

I'm now 1 1/2 weeks in and 400 miles more experienced and loving every second :twisted:

Even thought about riding straight past work this morning and not bothering to go in as she had only just warmed up :twisted: :twisted:

sadly, responsibility prevailed :(

[Chipstix]

Thanks to you all, good tips!

I had planned to have all my kit before I buy the bike, and wanted to get
good quality stuff. I'm keen on a Shoei but I have to get to a shop and try
one on first to ensure a good fit.

I have been in a dilema regarding leathers vs textiles. I'm lucky to be surrounded by experienced bikers, of which 1 is a particularly good friend and will be helping all the way with kit and bike - he's very mechanically minded (and even owns and has worked many times on his TL1000S) - and amongst his recommendations he has mentioned textiles as a starting point. I guess one option to reduce overheating is to look for a leathers with ventilation? I don't intend to commute in bad weather as I drive a cage as well, and will do most of the riding seasonally - so weatherwise I'll need to be prepared for suprise showers (or are they a suprise any more in the UK?!!!). I take the points on board though about price and effectivness being very good for textiles.

Crash bungs will be a complete certainty! and I will get an HG catalogue as well, cheers...

[aimhamilton]

Hey Chipstix...and might well done!

I have been riding for just over a month now and am the "VERY" proud owner of 2004 K4 SV650S (See pic <-) and couldn't be happier with the bike. It to me is everything I started biking for. Its got the looks, the performance and the capabilities of much more expensive bike and most importantly won't bite you in the ass if you get something a little wrong. Which I tell you, is inevitable over the next few months.

I was lucky and picked up my bike for £2600 off this very forum but do feel if you can get anything over 2500 you could be looking at the newer K3 onwards shape SV. I have to be honest and say I am a pointy fan (errr...duh...I bought one) but as we all know biking is about personal preference (each to their own) and obviously budget.

As for kit I do have a couple of recommendations but can only speak for what I have had experience with and what I have bought/owned! I am very Gericke biased because I think they are great but not all stuff is from there. So please believe I am not on Commision ;)

Security:
My bike is Alpha Dotted (I think this is standard suzuki thing) and I currently use a Oxford Monster Lock and Chain which is superb. The lock also doubles as a disc lock with a handy little case to go under you seat. These are currently on offer in Hein Gerickes for £109.99 for both. They are normally well over £160. If you get the latest copy of Ride magazine it has a great section on locks at the back. The top lock and chain was only £70ish so that maybe worth a look. The Oxford monster came within the top ten and basically had to be attacked with power tools.
I also bought a Oxford Bike Cover as I do not have the luxury of garage so have to chain the bike to my back wall in my garden. So if you are in similar circumstances well worth the money (waterproof, damp proof and heatproof. You can put it straight on after a ride and it won't melt). These are on offer from Infinity for £49.99

Clothing:
The big debate. 1 piece, 2 piece, matching or not...retro or sports..blah blah blah.

I firstly when doing my test and stuff and also being pillion a lot on my mates Fazer 1000 (spit spit) bought a Belstaff Turbo jacket which is superb. Excellent Armour in Shoulders, Elbow and Back and since Belstaff has been bought out are a snip and can be had for around £99 from Infinity or elsewhere. This is normally a £200 jacket with great reviews. Its very retro in look but a lot of people make comments on it as a jacket. Which is testament enough to its looks.

I then bought a Shoei XR-1000 lid from the Alexandra Palace Show in Grey which cost me £150. Not bad for a (at the time) £250 lid! I love it. Its extremely comfortable, vents are good and the Pin Lock visor is just the nuts. I do however find it a little noisy. But maybe thats a speed thing ;)

My wife has just bought a HJC AC-11 lid from Gerickes for £99.99 and I am truly amazed. 2nd best lid on the market in terms of protection, looks great and under £100...WOW...I would recommend this if your on a strict budget. The new AC-11 paint scheme is nicer than the older Zeek aswell.

I also bought some Gericke Black Race boots for £99 which are such a bargain its untrue. they are warm, comfortable and pretty waterproof. plus you don't look like tit when you walk in em!

When I started my DAS course I decided to get some trousers and bought a pair of Gericke plain black leather sports trousers (with Hiprotec armour and knee). These are sooo comfortable its untrue and offer good protection . These were £69.99

So that was full kit really for nearly £250...bargain! The only thing I had to do was pay £5 to get the zipped swapped round on my jacket cause its an american jacket and its zips the wrong way.

However now.....since I came back into some money and wasn't saving for my DAS, Bike and kit I did go out and buy some more kit. So my above stuff is my reserve kit now and will probably be my winter kit!

Last week I bought a set of RST Forza leather (2 Piece) in Silver/Black for £299.99 and a new set of boots. Sidi Vertrabrae for £130. Both very comfortable, look the nuts and feel very safe! However a little early to tell really as they are still very stiff and need to mould to me and soften a little. But signs are good!

I also went to Gerickes and bought some of their new race gloves which are replica's of last season Apline Stars Pro1 gloves. They are £79.99 and I am sure will be getting a great review in the next few months. The boss of my local HG has swapped his Sidi gloves for them. Not bad!

There is soo much choice now mate for bikers, in terms of both kit and bikes so just be sensible. Don't just buy something cause its in budget. Have a look around, read some reviews (Ride magazine is a kit bible) and try everything on. If it ain't comfortable then its not for you.

Hope this helps, have fun and ride safe!

[trick]

As for the gear, I wouldn't buy that garbage about getting the most expensive lid you can. You need a lid that fits, but obviously one that lives up to british standards.

be careful though, if you want to get into track days or racing at all (minitwins...etc...etc) you wont be able to do it with many of the cheaper helmets as they use the seat buckle type fastners on the neck strap and these are not allowed. ACU (and most trackday organisers) only allow double D ring fastners on track as these will not come undone in the event of an off on track. in my honest opinion your better off getting a good helmet straight out and then you'll have your bases covered if you want to race or go for a track day later on. the cheaper ones are OK andthey all conform to the same safety standards, however not all are ACU approved and the more expensive ones are so much more comfortable and they help with noise reduction at high speeds (wind and exhaust noise) and some of them even go past standard requirements so they do actually protect you better.
For me somthing like the John Reynolds Arai or the Yukio Kagayama Shoei helmets are the best bet. shark are good too, i had one for my first helmet and it did OK, but couldnt take it on track. so i changed to arai and never looked back.
hope this helps a bit

TRICK

[trick]

Thanks to you all, good tips!

I had planned to have all my kit before I buy the bike, and wanted to get
good quality stuff. I'm keen on a Shoei but I have to get to a shop and try
one on first to ensure a good fit.

I have been in a dilema regarding leathers vs textiles. I'm lucky to be surrounded by experienced bikers, of which 1 is a particularly good friend and will be helping all the way with kit and bike - he's very mechanically minded (and even owns and has worked many times on his TL1000S) - and amongst his recommendations he has mentioned textiles as a starting point. I guess one option to reduce overheating is to look for a leathers with ventilation? I don't intend to commute in bad weather as I drive a cage as well, and will do most of the riding seasonally - so weatherwise I'll need to be prepared for suprise showers (or are they a suprise any more in the UK?!!!). I take the points on board though about price and effectivness being very good for textiles.

Crash bungs will be a complete certainty! and I will get an HG catalogue as well, cheers...

if a moto GP rider can come off a bike at 200mph wearing leathers then leathers will definately do for you and me. thers no point in getting somthing that can withstand a 5,000,000,000 mile and hour fall if your only going at 50 mile an hour. leathers are fine and will protect you well enough. again, if it were me, id definately go for leathers.

TRICK