Newbie Hi From Norwich

Hi welcome to the forum. Personally i wouldn't bother with the restriction, i'd never ridden a bike before doing my DAS and got an sv straight after i passed. After the first couple of rides you soon get used to the power.

[kaivalagi]

Originally Posted by gsak

Nooooooooooooooo!
If you are doing direct access then keep the bike as it is meant to be.
I have not ridden a restricted sv so i stand to be corrected but i would think that it only knocks the power off at the top half of the revs anyway.
You will take a while to get used to the bike so by the time you've got used to the sv you will be ready for the power anyway.
Dare i say on this forum but the bike does not have much power to start with so i would not be worrying! Even as a new rider.

Originally Posted by kellyjo

Hello and welcome from Peterborough

I went straight from DAS (on an ER5) to my SV and there was absolutely no need to restrict it. I really dont think you should unles you absolutely have to.

If you can be up and running by September then come and join us on the next EAR rideout. Skip's buying the chips (well, actually hes not but it rhymes so thought id write it anyway)

Bored?? Who me??

Originally Posted by Rob969

Hi welcome to the forum. Personally i wouldn't bother with the restriction, i'd never ridden a bike before doing my DAS and got an sv straight after i passed. After the first couple of rides you soon get used to the power.

Thanks guys/gal, just what I wanted to hear...Rob, I am in the same boat as you were so that's good to know. I am a sensible guy with a wife and kid so I would like to think I will control myself and the bike

I deliberately got an SV as a first bike because of the more manageable power delivery, nice torque and better comfort than most other sportier bikes....I think I had a moment of weakness asking the 33bhp question

Fingers crossed I'll be in this region in September, and would love to come along on a ride with the EAR posse

I might even buy the chips!

BTW, I took a trip to Hein Gericke in Norwich today, I'm shopping about for goretex jacket and trousers. I really like their gear, and am very tempted with a 2 piece set....it's that or Dianese textiles but they are ridiculously expensive. I assume it's a general thumbs up for Hein Gerickes own brand?

best thing i did after passing my test was a track day at snetterton, i'd onlybeen riding 2 months and was amazed at how hard you could actually brake on your bike. Definatley recommend doing one to build up confidence on your bike.

[kaivalagi]

Not a bad idea at all, it would certainly help to know what the extremes of the bike are. I'll see how I feel after I have been riding for a bit....knowing me I'll be up for it in time

Another one for a track day. It was great and the limits of you riding aren't as scary to find on one as they are on the road.
Are you going to Hales C J Ball? I got mine from them 3 1/2 years ago and have had good service since. I too went from passing the direct access to the SV. Literally the next day. I chose it over a Fazer 600 and have never looked back. It was very easy to get comfortable with and the power isn't an issue unless you push it hard enough to be. We can hook up for a ride whenever you like. I won't rush about. I can remember what being a new rider was like, in fact I still feel like a new rider some times. And I've a young family too.
I picked up Dianese textiles and have used them daily through all weathers and they have been very good. They are only starting to leak in one place, unfortunately that's the crotch area And they held up very well when I had my off in March last year. C J Ball quoted me for a full set of gear (helmet, two piece textiles, gloves, and boots) I asked if they could do better, they called back in 10 minutes and offered the lot for £600 and threw in a back protector too.

[kaivalagi]

How often do track days occur at Snetterton? And what sort of price is it? Insurance doesn't apply I assume

The bike is coming from Hales, but is getting moved to the Honda dealership in Norwich for me as it's 5 minutes walk from my place. Fingers crossed I'll get to drool over it when I am there next week for Mod 1 training/test. They've given me a great deal (I think so anyway) on a 3 month old ex-demo black pointy with 60 miles on it

I will be taking it to Hales for servicing I'm sure, unless a Honda dealership will do Suzuki servicing? I doubt it but I guess I should ask anyway...

I do have my eye on a Dainese Gator jacket at C J's....but I am very impressed with the Hein Gericke stuff I saw today. If they give me a good deal I shall stick with C J Balls though, can't go wrong either way really. I'll no doubt get my Shoei hat and Sidi boots from there regardless...

I have to get this license thing sorted out first but once on the road and happy with the bike it will be great to hook up and go for a ride, thanks. I just hope I can get comfy on a Hornet for the training and Mod 1 test, slow manoeuvring on a CG125 for my CBT was a pain in the **** to be honest, I did okay but the bike was just not sturdy enough to make me feel comfortable - too twitchy which I hope was due to it's size.

http://www.focusedevents.com/events.asp?event_type=UK
If you scan down there are events on the 2nd and 24th of August, both whole day and evening sessions.
Good luck with the test.
Oh, and if you don't do your own servicing, try to find a trusted local independent place. Cheaper and better than main dealer as far as my own experience goes. But you should be able to manage the main stuff.

[kaivalagi]

Well I just got back from day 1 of my training and apart from being completely knackered I thoroughly enjoyed it. The hornet is a nice bike to ride but I found (nothing to compare yet) that the gears were too close together, it sometimes felt like I hadn't actually changed up when I had...I assume the SV650 with all that torque and lower red line has slightly more spaced gearing?

I managed to nail all the mock mod 1 tests too, most of them first time, which surprised me...it is so much easier slow manoeuvring and swerving on a big bike, when doing the same stuff on a CG125 week before last it was very hard work and didn't feel comfortable to me.

Fingers crossed progress continues and I hope Friday will be a dry day for the mod 1 test, not that forecasted rain should make any real difference, but I would just like conditions to continue as they are Observation and all that stuff needs a thorough work out tomorrow!

Also managed to get over to the bike shop to take another look at my black SV with the R&G crash bungs fitted, I so badly want to ride it now...

So, after one day on a big bike I can safely safe I am loving it

edit: Hopp Rider Training was recommended by my instructor for track days, as the tuition and general attitude of the team is apparently more sensible and constructive than some...can anyone share their thoughts/experiences on this? I would like a second opinion if I can get one.

[Skip]

Welcome! I am based in Wymondham so not far at all - best advice I can recommend is just to get out there and ride - and don't be afraid of the odd rain shower either - wet riding can be just as enjoyable as dry

[kaivalagi]

Thanks for the welcome, you're definitely the closest rider to me that I know right now! Do you have an SV? I think your avatar is one but with twin exhausts?

After just 2 days (full days mind) out on a Hornet I am feeling so much more confident now, a couple of months of daily rides and I'll be right with it I am sure

Today has been good, we were out all day on the country roads, on the bypass and in town...having not drove or riden any vehicle legally and at length before now, I am quite shattered from all the concentration (more so as I am new) but have no real negative comments from the instructor...he actually thought I was a car driver already as my road sense was good which was nice to hear. Must be all those years as a vulnerable cyclist riding to work and back (5 miles each way though town traffic) that's helped me, that I
or sitting in the passenger seat with my wife after she passed her car test

One major thing the last 2 days have taught me though is that there are a lot of bad car drivers out there so riding defensively expecting the worst and keeping a fair amount of space between me and them is by far the most important thing...

I am glad I have a day off from training tomorrow though, I have aches and pains in my arms and shoulders from the very poor road surfaces that are out there...Am I right in assuming that the SV's suspension will be somewhat softer than a Hornets more sportier upside downies?