How do you go fast?

where bouts u from ?

hmmmm a lack of confidence I see!

The faster you go in a straight line the more stable the bike becomes (generally speaking!!!!). Because the wheels are generating lateral energy (upwards energy) which keeps the bike upright. Im not saying do this but if you were going 110 - 120 down the motorway, you would find it much harder to steer/lean the bike because of this and its highly unlikely that the wind will blow the bike away while your on it. It may cause the bike to veer slightly left or right but this is where countersteering really is a benefit in keeping in a straight line.

Countersteering: If you get a gust of wind blow from your right, keep your body upright and shift the bike underneath your body. Lean the bike (and not yourself) SLIGHTLY right to counter the effect of the wind with the handlebars straight. As the wind goes bring the bike back to upright. You'll find once you master this wind is not a problem!

Ive done 100 mph on a GS on the motorway in the ****ing rain with really bad winds, (dont try this either its just an example) but your bike isnt the problem. Its highly unlikely that wind will take the grip of the wheels from underneath you.

I would suggest going onto a dual carriage way keep it constant at 60mph and no matter how difficult you find it relax yourself and your grip on the handlebars and just get a feel for the way the suspension is dealing with the bumps, practice your countersteering and your confidence will come. Avoid massive potholes obviously but as you go over bumps etc, dont panic just tell yourself that this bike CAN handle this, this is what its designed to do.

lynw: If you want to go left, push the left handlebar to the right. If you want to go right, push the right handlebar to the left

Are you sure about this? surely pushing the handlebar right will make the bike lean right and not left?

How do i go fast? Buggered if i know.

But the faster you try to go the slower you will go. You need to relax and be comfortable. Try getting more lean angle through slower corners first where your confidence should be higher.
If you're on a curvy road, try to get into a rythm. When you get it right it's very rewarding, no matter how fast you're going.

At speed, lean forward so that the wind is holding you in position and 'push' yourself forwards on the pegs if necessary, don't hang on to the bars. If you do you'll basically be pulling the front up and it will get unstable.

The most important thing is probably where you're looking. Look at where you want to go, not at trees that you're scared of running into or whatever. And look as far ahead as possible, while scanning the road in front of you without actually 'looking' at it.

There's good advice in this thread and a lot of it. I'd just concentrate on one thing after the other. Say go out one day and concentrate on looking ahead. Then another day concentrate on relaxing your grip on the bars etc.

Do some rider training. And once you're halfway comfy do a track day. I learned more in one day on a track than i did in a year on the road.

Take your time, i'm still not a great rider after 7 years on bikes, but i like to think i'm still improving.

Actually, pushing down on the right bar will make you go right.
I think what whoever wrote it the other way round meant was pushing the right bar forward and pulling the left towards you will make you turn right. Opposite of what you'd do on a pushbike.
It's just the initial force needed for cornering, not through the whole corner.

That's how i think it works anywa, feel free to correct me.

I did my training on a Honda 500 - and had trouble going above 60MPH.
My helmet started to llift and I started to feel uncomfortable - it's pointless forcing yourself to go faster in these conditions.
It sounds like you have a similar problem - the GS is not for you.
If the Z750S feels better, then that's a good way to solve this - and then get some advanced training to sort out the cornering.

And there are no 'stupid' questions.

BTW, I have no problems above 60 on the SVs - I changed the helmet also.

I used to own a CB500 and used to commute on the autobahn, sitting on 130-140kph easily. Weird. I've been to track days with it and around 180kph didn't have any problems either.
Is your helmet too big or do you not tighten up the strap properly?

hhmmmm, sounds like a big lack of confidence.

a gs500 will not get blown over by the wind, unless you atach a sail
most bikes have more grip than the rider has cahones.

even when it feels like youre cornering really hard youre probably only using 50% of the available grip

you wont fall off the side of the bike when leaning into a corner, well not unless you try really hard.

it sounds like you need some more training to get your confidence up.

if you felt at home on Z750 then id get your gs checked over it maybe that theres something wrong that you cant identify but is making it handle like a pig, cos if youre scared on the gs the kwak sjould have terrified you.

im not trying to be rude, but if youre so nervous and unable to control the bike, how did you pass your test? id have thought that the examiner would have picked up on your riding and failed you for not being in full control of the bike.

again not trying to be offensive,

but,

i tried fishing once it/i was crap so now i dont go fishing,

it could be that biking just isnt for you and that youll never feel really comfy on a bike at speed, so what, go slow and enjoy it or find something else to spend all your time/money/energy on..............

Maybe get a flyscreen? Also, what sort of leathers do you wear?

Although there's probably a deeper/more serious problem as to why you feel uncomfortable at speed, windblast (particularly on a naked bike) count for a lot. Something to deflect the windblast off you (decent leathers or a waterproof oversuit and/or screen) will do this. Without realising it, you'll look at the speedo and notice you're going quicker than it feels. I imagine part of the reason the semi-faired Z750s felt better to you was the reduced windblast. I know that both getting windproof leathers and a DB screen on my bike has made me quicker, first time out after each one I was averaging 10mph faster without meaning to.

Also, get the bike checked over: suspension, tyres, etc. as people have said. Just knowing the bike is in good working order will increase your faith in it. Once you've done that, get yourself some advanced rider training.

Without being rude, how did you pass your test? I thought you had to do dual carriageways and reach 70mph to pass?

Whereabouts in the country are you? If any of the suggestions of having the bike checked have worried you, maybe somebody from here will be willing to give it a run to see if it feels ok. After all, most of us have ridden a GS500 or something similar.

Btw, the GS will go above 100 (takes a bit of wringing to get above 90, though) Once you get into those figures it does indeed get a bit unstable when on a bend, but at 60 it should have surprisingly good handling.
I know I was surprised when I rode one again after 6 months on other bikes.

Originally Posted by lynw

Its called countersteering. Its the weirdest concept when explained to me but increased my speed round corners.

I respectfully suggest that if he's having difficulty going round corners at not even approaching normal riding speeds, counter-steering won't help and could cause him more yet problems.

The man needs one to one training IMO from a patient and qualified instructor. Confidence (plus basic technique), as suggested, seems to be the major factor here.


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