Adjusting to changes of bikes as a new rider

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

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

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

[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 ???

Originally Posted by missyorkie_chris

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

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.

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.

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!