[92blkSi]

1. In stop/go traffic, my GS500 gets more than a little warm between my legs:boink... As I look forward to the warmth of its embrace come oct/nov riding, It is a bit uncomfortable in 90 deg traffic days in full gear.......

2. I have played soccer for 18+ years. Part of playing at the college/semi pro level is that you need to be able to have excellent spatial awareness and constantly be observing your changing surroundings in the blink of an eye. Naturally I have adapted well to scanning the road ahead and being aware of other vehicles around me. But now i notice "scanning the road" even when I am walking down the street, in the mall, everywhere I am scanning the ground.....

3. Sportbikes are not build to be comfortable, they are built for only one thing.... to go fast on a track. While the GS500 is tuned down to make riding on the street a bit more do-able, it still beats me up fairly good on bad roads and stop/go traffic after 1 - 2 hrs...... I can only imagine how tough it would be had I started on a CBR/GSXR/ZX6/R6/busa turbo with NAWZ....:neener

4. You don't realize how much adrenaline is pumping through your body until about 15 min after you de-gear..... I keep finding I am out like a light on the couch after a good 1 hr ride. I dont know if its the concentration or the fact I ride so tense, but it takes it out of me.....

5. Relax, I keep finding I have the noob grip o death when I ride. I am not very nervous anymore, but I cannot seem to stay relaxed on the bike, I am sure this is something that comes with more seat time, but I go into an off/onramp telling myself "stay loose and look through the turn..." and when I come out im locked up and totally stiff even though I dont "feel" like I am anywhere near loosing it.....

6. I have found myself riding with a "worst case scenario" mentality (could be why I have the death grip problem so much). I take a left turn at a light and I assume that I am about to get run over from every direction by a soccer mom texting on her unnecessary iPhone while at the same time the road is covered in oil/sand. I have yet to have an "oh shit" moment that was not a result of almost dropping my bike at a light.
just my impressions after about 1000 miles.

 

[Stick N Move]

Try to shake up your arms every now and then, they should be loose and that will help you relax your tensity and grip somewhat.

 

[usernamedoug]

6. I have found myself riding with a "worst case scenario" mentality (could be why I have the death grip problem so much). I take a left turn at a light and I assume that I am about to get run over from every direction by a soccer mom texting on her unnecessary iPhone while at the same time the road is covered in oil/sand..

the death grip is going to prevent you from acting appropriately given a worst case scenario. As was mentioned, try doing the chicken wing, move your elbow up and down to remind your arm to stay loose.

Do you understand counter steering/ push steering (whatever you want to call it). If you steer a bike properly by pushing on the bar there is no need to be tight, and all of your weight should be held up by your abs and your knees keep you from slamming forward into the tank.

it's just smart to expect people not to see you. I never expect people to stay in their lane when making a right turn, or left through the intersection. On top of that when riding with traffic you learn to watch mirrors because if someone looks in their side mirror they're probably about to change lanes.

 

[92blkSi]

I have not been chicken winging.... I didnt get the chance to take the MSF course this year because all the spots filled up after like 2 days after registration opend.....

I cant wait to take it in the spring to really learn how to ride. I have been opening and closing my hands while on the grips to try and loosen up, but I have not done the arm shake... I'll try that moving forward....

 

[LobsterMagnet]

+1 to being able to flap your chicken wings during any given moment while riding.

 

[saligia]

I have not been chicken winging.... I didnt get the chance to take the MSF course this year because all the spots filled up after like 2 days after registration opend.....

I cant wait to take it in the spring to really learn how to ride. I have been opening and closing my hands while on the grips to try and loosen up, but I have not done the arm shake... I'll try that moving forward....

I had the same problem last year when I decided to finally take the plunge and had to wait 'til this year. Aaand then, the spots filled again. I started stalking all the nearby MSF locations for openings 'til I found one that opened up at the last minute. There were a handful of people from Chicago in my MSF course out in the west 'burbs. There were also a heck of a lot of people who simply walked into the course (i.e., they had not registered but were able to attend due to no/late shows). Something you may wish to consider if you have transportation.

 

[armith]

Chicken wings should be an MSF taught thing IMO..lol Just wait until your doing 12 hour day trips.. you'll be doing the whole chicken dance.nfloor

 

[OldSchlPunk]

As you find yourself using less of your concentration on your control inputs, divert that concentration to relaxing. Being 'tight' isn't going to help you in the moment you need to react.

 

[armith]

on a more serious note.. The basic exercises in the BRC course are available in PDF format.. http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/Riding_Tips.pdf When I got my bike, my BRC was more than a month away.. I borrowed a friends MSF booklet that came with his bike (same as the link above), ran to walmart and picked up a half dozen little orange cones and found myself a nice empty school parking lot (or in my second practice a AA Baseball field parking lot).

You want me to come in at 20mph and stop in how many feet!!?

Oh yeah!! getting good [email protected] 15mph:banana Hey this felt like knee dragging potential to me being my 2nd day ever riding a street bike.

Be nice, the jacket, helmet and gloves came in but the pants were backordered.. The sneakers is all on me though..:neener

 

[Razzy]

on a more serious note.. The basic exercises in the BRC course are available in PDF format.. http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/Riding_Tips.pdf When I got my bike, my BRC was more than a month away.. I borrowed a friends MSF booklet that came with his bike (same as the link above), ran to walmart and picked up a half dozen little orange cones and found myself a nice empty school parking lot (or in my second practice a AA Baseball field parking lot).

You want me to come in at 20mph and stop in how many feet!!?

Oh yeah!! getting good [email protected] 15mph:banana Hey this felt like knee dragging potential to me being my 2nd day ever riding a street bike.

Be nice, the jacket, helmet and gloves came in but the pants were backordered.. The sneakers is all on me though..:neener

Is it just me or does your helmet seem a bit big for you? Not to mention your sneakers have laces that are a potential danger at any given time.

 

[kevin_stevens]

3. Sportbikes are not build to be comfortable, they are built for only one thing.... to go fast on a track. While the GS500 is tuned down to make riding on the street a bit more do-able, it still beats me up fairly good on bad roads and stop/go traffic after 1 - 2 hrs...... I can only imagine how tough it would be had I started on a CBR/GSXR/ZX6/R6/busa turbo with NAWZ....:neener

4. You don't realize how much adrenaline is pumping through your body until about 15 min after you de-gear..... I keep finding I am out like a light on the couch after a good 1 hr ride. I dont know if its the concentration or the fact I ride so tense, but it takes it out of me.....

5. Relax, I keep finding I have the noob grip o death when I ride. I am not very nervous anymore, but I cannot seem to stay relaxed on the bike, I am sure this is something that comes with more seat time, but I go into an off/onramp telling myself "stay loose and look through the turn..." and when I come out im locked up and totally stiff even though I dont "feel" like I am anywhere near loosing it.....

The bike shouldn't be beating you up that badly. You probably need to adjust and/or re-spring your suspension. There are videos on YouTube from the SuperBike School and others. It makes a huge difference.

Both aspects of the relaxation thing will come, but you're right that they need to be worked on. One of the most impressive things I've observed is watching pro racers crash - the way they gently collapse off the bike shows just how relaxed their bodies are compared to mine.

One exercise/test is when making a long right-hand turn - like a cloverleaf ramp. Your left arm should be relaxed and basically lying loose on the tank. You should be able to open your left hand so that it is just lying on top of the bar and not exerting any pressure. Doing this will also show you how much you are fighting the bars, and how easily the bike actually steers.

KeS

 

[Stick N Move]

Definately learn to tuck in those laces.

 

[armith]

lol... everyone always gives me shit about the shoes.. I ride in boots all the time now.. I just didn't wear them that day.. loose laces = bad things..

As for the helmet, I have gotten that comment before.. I don't know what to say.. the CL-15 seems to have a wider shape.. When I tried it on it fit as everyone always told me it should fit, it doesn't move or slop around.. Tried a couple sizes and that one fit the best.. I've had 3 years and it still fits fine.. Maybe the graphic gives the illusion of being b***** or something..

Next helmet I'm going to see what Scorpion and Arai have to offer.. Keep the HJC as a backup or spare pillion lid.

 

[92blkSi]

thanks for the input. Bike has 10,000K+ and I was wondering if the suspension needed some work. Ill research and see what I can tweak.

I'm coach/train for several of the travel soccer clubs in the Chicagoland area, so I have 1000s of disc cones in my garage....

 

[Squid Killer]

on a more serious note.. The basic exercises in the BRC course are available in PDF format.. http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/Riding_Tips.pdf
You want me to come in at 20mph and stop in how many feet!!?

Years ago when I had a YZF600 I would use it to teach the MSF experienced class. On the quick stop exercise I would come in at 20 mph and do a quick stop right in front of the class so they could see all the details about the rider and the bike. On a good surface I could get that bike to stop in under 7 feet every time. It takes practice but the bike is capable of it.

 

[armith]

Years ago when I had a YZF600 I would use it to teach the MSF experienced class. On the quick stop exercise I would come in at 20 mph and do a quick stop right in front of the class so they could see all the details about the rider and the bike. On a good surface I could get that bike to stop in under 7 feet every time. It takes practice but the bike is capable of it.

7FT???:2eek suddenly I'm compelled to pull out the booklet and cones again.. I've got some work to do :cheers

 

[92blkSi]

7 ft!!!!!! wow......

I have been practicing in a parkinglot and been going 30 (normal driving around town speed) and once I hit the first dividing line for parking spaces I try and stop before go through 3 full spaces..... that has to be about 20 ft and I still cant stop before my front tire crosses the line or I lock the rear tire...... getting close though....

 

[armith]

no doubt.. I'm between 2 and 3 parking spaces too.. Last time I practiced threshold braking I ended having more of a grab than a squeeze and the rear came up a little.. This followed by my ass cheeks having more of a grab than a squeeze.. I never thought a bike that heavy could endo that easily.. And I prefer to never think about it again..lol But really 7ft!?? I want to go to your school!! I'd love to learn that.

 

[Squid Killer]

Part of a great stop is practice, part knowing the surface you are riding on and a big part is suspension setup. Too much preload increases the chance of a stoppie and so does too little preload because the fork can bottom out and that is the same as a rigid fork.

The 20mph was measured with a stopwatch and a pre measured distance marked on the ground. This way I know Im not going any less than the desired speed and getting false numbers.

 

[scraperman1]

sometimes it helps to make sure you are not holding your breath as you go through a corner. Exhale as you turn, it helped a friend of mine. Hope it works for you,