new rider

Welcome fella. As other have said, the weight will seem scary at first, but soon goes when you get her moving. Get some crash mushrooms fitted if you haven't already. They aren't cheap, but nor is a new fairing - everyone drops a bike as some point, so don't worry, it's all park of biking. Crash protectors will make it a less painful experience for your wallet!

Just take it easy and practice manoeuvring round the garage by hand. I find with heavier bikes (and believe me the SV is a lightweight!) I lean the bike on my hip at the tank to support it so I can lean into the bikes weight rather than trying to hold it all with my arms. Just go carefully, and if you do drop it, don't strain your back trying to pick it up - bend with the knees now...

[_Stretchie_]

Originally Posted by philbut

I find with heavier bikes (and believe me the SV is a lightweight!) I lean the bike on my hip at the tank to support it so I can lean into the bikes weight rather than trying to hold it all with my arms. Just go carefully, and if you do drop it, don't strain your back trying to pick it up - bend with the knees now...

What he said. I do it with all and any bike regardless of the weight and I find it no more difficult moving my BlackBird around than I do my CBR400 in this manner.

I stand on the left of the bike, lean the bike onto my right hip, (not to take the wieght neccessarily but to get it past the point of balance so that if something were to happen you can either take the weight of the bike to push it upright or get out of the way, also prevents the bike from falling AWAY from you, which you will not be able to recover) and hold the bars so I am always covering the front brake.

That way if you are on a slope or need to push over an obsticle (e.g. a kerb) you can put your weight behind it alot easier.

don't forget to put you feet down when you stop and all will be ok, welcome to the org.

Sit on the bike and gently lean it from side to side a little. Unless you only have you tippytoes on the ground you'll be surprised how far you can let it lean before it even begins to feel heavy, that was a real confidence booster for me.

[Daywalker]

Welcome to the org: enjoy your new bike & take it easey .........

Hey dude don't worry to much about the weight of your bike, I'm 5 7" and a small build. I manage my bike just fine. When I did get my bike 2 years ago now, it did feel heavy espically when I filled the petrol tank.

All that has faded away now, I have done mmm.. not far 15 000 miles, on the bike and I love my bike its so nice to ride. The only time I have trouable is when I go my parents house cause it slopes so much in every direction its not funny.

All I can suggest is ride it, I did the run in period in about 3 weeks, so just ride your bike until it becomes part of you. Then ride loads more

Where do you live, I'm sure if your near someone they will come out for a ride with you.

Look after you and your bike, remember take your time and enjoy.

You'll have massive neck muscles sooner or later...all those life savers etc!

If the bike feels heavy to you, perhaps do some upper body exercises? Trusty pressups or something.

For me, I've never had anything smaller than the SV...I'm massive and I actually think the SV feels light!

Originally Posted by TazDaz

For me, I've never had anything smaller than the SV...I'm massive and I actually think the SV feels light!

After my 50cc i had a 125 then the sv after a intruder 125 i thought the sv was a super light weight, and im not massive :P it only takes 2 people to load the sv into the back of a van, my mates pointy sport after crashed took me + his dad to lift it into the back of a van.

lifting a dropped bike is easy (technique we use on crashed harleys) grab the bar end on the floor with both hands and lift (bend at the knees) once your stood up, you get a leg under it and grab both sides of the handle bars and put back on the stand or move out of the road. lifted many bikes over the years mainly dropped scrammys out racing.

If you want a heavy bike try the bandit its alot heavier than the sv or feels it at least. Have fun with the new bike just push it out the garage and around the drive for abit sit on it and get used to weight as if you was at lights then go out for a quick spin and see how she feels out when on a ride or see if theres a local orger how can take you out for a ride to get used to the bike.

cheers to all of you for the advice, feel a bit more confident now. thanks

so where you from? maybe one of us can take you for a ride out?