Brand Spanking!
 

after my dubious test 2 weeks ago, i passed yesterday! after skipping home and making this hangover i'm taking to work (but still happy :D ) i was wondering if anyones got any advice;- not on running in a new bike, but what to watch out for. i gather the brakes will be a bit crap - but surely no worse than a 125! and i assume the throttle can't be half as snatchy as the hornet i learnt on ? :?
I'm heading to the dealer tomorrow afternoon to pick up the bike i bought a month ago! (and haven't even seen it yet :shock: )

My advice:

You know how to ride a bike (obviously since you passed - congratulations btw). Take it easy & enjoy it. Road condition is starting to go downhill fast, so build your confidence slowly.

I'm sure you've read other threads from people in similar situations, but at the end of the day, so long as you stay the right way up, keep up the good work.

Better to arrive late than to ride beyond your ability and arrive at the hospital!

I'll jump in before TSM gets here, might save some bruises.....

Nothing wrong with any part of the SV.

Definatly not with the brakes (as someone who has "used them in anger")

Only weak point is the suspension, which to be honest I haven't really felt any problems (tho I haven't ridden many other bikes to compare)

Do not believe that the SV is a sub-standard machine, yes it is a little under-spec'd in some places, but is not sub-standard.

Do not doubt the machine you are getting, its a good-un

When I first started on the SV, the best advice was take it easy, and be smooth with the controls. It will take a while to get used to it, especially versus a learner bike. Basically, it's much bigger and heavier, and has way more power. Enjoy and congrats!

If your buying a new one you'll be running in anyway so you have to take easier, a good way to get to know the bile as well. Brakes are one thing that will bed in quite quickly, but remember that the tyres will be new as well and will need scrubbing in. As the others have said, just take it easy for a while untillyou find your comfort zone

My advice is get some crash bungs fitted asap. Just in case you drop it. I put some on my new bike and it has saved me already :thumbsup:

and dont shut the thottle too quickly when new as you'll find two small dents in the tank.

H

I second this

All my drop cost me was a brake pedal - and that was only because I didnt want a bent one on the bike

David

Yeah, I lost an indicator on a u-turn.

FEET DOWN U-TURNS!

Whats a U turn havnt done one since my test

H

So you learnt on a Hornet and have now bought an SV? Talk about going backwards! :lol:

Just messing, SV is a wicked bike. That sound is awesome.

When I first started biking I too was snatchin' away on all the bikes I had. To be honest it just takes a bit if practive to have a smooth throttle hand. If you bought a new SV (making an assumption that you did) then you might notice that it is a bit more snatchy than if you were riding a carb'ed bike. I certainly found my K6 SV very snatchy and took me a while to smooth out. The brakes will feel a little spongy when brand new so just think ahead a little more. Just take it handy and all will be fine, enjoy it matey (although a shame winters on it's way).

EDIT: Oh and congrats on passing your test BTW. Well done. :wink:

yep its brand new! still wrapped in plastic (150 miles away) By an odd twist of fate the motosliders i've waited ages for turned up just now, so i'll attatch those as soon as! (in all fairness i didn't have to pay delivery because of the delay - with now quibbles :) ) I thought the hornet was very snatchy! i can't imagine the SV being snatchier :? but jesus the hornet moves when you ask it too! instructor took me for my first traffic lights gp yesterday against his duke! :D

good choice of ride matey! ride carefull and enjoy. :D

The first thing i found out was that the clutch was WAY sharper than the hack I learnt on (ER5)

Watch it when you pull away from the dealers!

I swear the guy thought I was being cocky when I pulled away.
The truth is I was hanging on for dear life. :oops:

Congrats, on the test and the choice of bike.

Well done you :thumbsup:

Surprised you thought the Hornet 'snatchy', mine wasn't :D

Remember that new and cold tyres on cold tarmac is not desperately helpful. Especially cos the SV will take off damn fast - so be gentle and smooth on the controls. The brakes on a SV are pretty good - not 'pretty crap' - pay them due respect. DO NOT squeeze them hard. I have personal experience of this.....

did my first 250 miles on it this weekend and it was fantastic (shame about the monsoons) Its so so easy to ride- very natural. However feels a fair bit slower than the hornet (gets ready to dodge thrown stones). But i am yet to redline it. I wish they'd run them in in the factory! now i've got to part with £350 for an alarm :( i feel so nervous owning a bike in manchester- there seems to be crime on every street corner.
also- you guys on this site whinge so much about the stock exhaust- but it sounds ace! almost as good as the induction noise :twisted: