New bike collection - Any tips?

[The Marching Onion]

Happy Friday Troops

I'm finally picking up my new 1250 GS next Thursday. Call me stupid but this is my first bike. I'm 44, not really a sports bike fan and touring/off road are my bag with a trip to Malta planned for next year, so I wanted to future-proof myself. I'm fairly confident on the road but it's been about 6 months since I passed. I'd rather struggle at first than have to upgrade in a few months.

Live in Birmingham and collecting the bike somewhat south of Guildford. That's a hefty first ride. I've planned a route with Calimoto going through Hampshire and then up towards the Cotswolds.

Any tips on my first few miles? Anything those more experienced amongst us could recommend?

Would also love to know any decent stop off spots along that route.

Thanks all

 

[leadfarmer]

Don’t crash

More seriously, just take it steady, get to know the bike, and enjoy it

Happy new bike day!

 

[OnHellas]

Make sure that during the handover they make clear where all of the main controls are.
Take your time, try and relax and as said above, go very steady. Take more rest stops than you normally would in the car (I’m assuming that you drive cars) as it will tire you a lot more on two wheels.

Once you’re safely back home you can see how you feel and decide if a few hours refresher training would be of benefit.

Oh, enjoy the new bike and the planning for your Malta trip.

 

[Oldrat]

A GS is probably one of the easiest bikes to ride, but I think that if you are going to have problem, ut might be humping the bike around when off the bike.

Balance is your friend, keep it upright not leant over and use your legs on the pots or footrests to get it moving to or fro, it’s easier than just trying to push it with your arms.

Note any gradient where you park it.

Engine guards are worth their weight in gold, you will, as we all do at times, drop it.

Good luck

 

[wessie]

Make sure that during the handover they make clear where all of the main controls are.

and demonstrate the correct technique for getting the bike on the main stand. Once you have the knack, if is very easy but you see many struggle as they have yet to work out the stand needs to be planted on both feet and you use body weight on the foot lever, not pulling with an arm.

 

[leadfarmer]

Engine guards are worth their weight in gold, you will, as we all do at times, drop it.

The only farkles I put on my GSs, OEM cylinder head guards

 

[Trekker3]

I’d say always look at the camber approaching junctions, especially where it meets the main road, putting your foot down where your leg is not long enough is a mistake you don’t want to be making too often.

 

[leadfarmer]

Sounds obvious but don’t forget the basics, adjust the span of your levers and set your mirrors before you ride off

 

[tjmouse]

Take it easy. I picked up a bike in February after 18 months off and 2 hours uni was wrecked!

Wear your helmet around the house to get used to the weight and fit.

Adjust mirrors and levers before you set off.

Get earplugs

Don’t be worried about stopping multiple times on route and have breaks planned.

Take it really easy and enjoy the bike and some beautiful roads on that route.

 

[littleade]

If you can't flat foot it, plan where you come to a stop and be prepared to deal with the camber. Shifting your arse across the seat so you can get 1 foot down and leaning the bike slightly into that side is more stable than trying to cope with it upright on tippy toes.

 

[Hann]

Don`t feel in any rush to leave the dealers, take your time - take lots of time, and only set off when you are completely ready and relaxed.
Try not to have any `spectators` as you leave....

I expect after 5 minutes on the road you`ll feel completely at home and will really start to enjoy the ride back.
GS`s are extremely easy to get on with.

 

[TaskMule]

Don't drone along at a constant speed. Lots of acceleration and deceleration is recommended until after break in oil change

 

[GSian]

Don't be worried about getting on and off by standing on a peg to get your other leg over whilst it's on the side stand.

 

[clutchspring]

I would recommend putting it in rain or road mode till you get used to the power ask the person doing the hand over to show you how ,
Good luck & ride safe,
Ian.

 

[siddo]

Take it steady going home. Then ride as much as you can and arrange some advanced training.
Read that Roadcraft book. I learned more from that than anything they taught me to pass my test.

 

[siwhite]

Don`t feel in any rush to leave the dealers, take your time - take lots of time, and only set off when you are completely ready and relaxed.
Try not to have any `spectators` as you leave....

I would second this - I hate having spectators!

 

[stever1]

Whatever you do, don’t get into the bad habit of standing on the footpeg to mount it while the bike is on the side stand.
I’ve seen 2 bikes fall over doing that. 1 the stand broke, the other the rider just got it wrong.

 

[wessie]

Whatever you do, don’t get into the bad habit of standing on the footpeg to mount it while the bike is on the side stand.
I’ve seen 2 bikes fall over doing that. 1 the stand broke, the other the rider just got it wrong.

I prefer the goosestep approach when I have panniers fitted or my hip is playing up

 

[edzt]

Look at your route on google maps, on the route description look at the pix of major junctions.
Even when you’re using a sat nav a bit of familiarisation makes it a bit less stressful


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[SBD]

Make sure that during the handover they make clear where all of the main controls are.
Take your time, try and relax and as said above, go very steady. Take more rest stops than you normally would in the car (I’m assuming that you drive cars) as it will tire you a lot more on two wheels.

Once you’re safely back home you can see how you feel and decide if a few hours refresher training would be of benefit.

Oh, enjoy the new bike and the planning for your Malta trip.

And before you go, do lots of simple things like, make sure your mirrors are pretty much right, and go for a pee. Relax.

Sort out where you’re going. You don’t want to be panicking about your route, you want to have your head in the right place.

Plan a stop after a really short time twenty-thirty minutes to get your breath back.

If you haven’t ridden since your test, you might go back to your school and just do a half hour refresher before getting your new bike?

Good luck, enjoy, and, oh, don’t crash…