Eeeek... a newbie panics

[jazbug5]

Oh dear. Big, deep, breath.
This is a little embarrassing. Just got my bike to learn on; it's a 1990 suzuki gn250, in very good nick. So far so good. Took it out today, just up the road to a car park so as to practise all the basics etc (being sensible, I thought). Anyway, a taxi came flying up the ramp as I approached it (thought the place was deserted... and so did he!) I braked in time, but stalled in the process. Leeeeeaaaaned and slo-mo fell over on my right side. I am fine (thank the Lord for all that silly-looking padding) and so was the bike... or so I thought. Only... I don't think it is.
When I turn the key to the right to lock the steering, the lights come on. I don't get it. And when I flip the switch to put the lights on low beam, they flip right back up to full. Can anyone tell me what is going on?
The forehead - shaped dent in my wall is getting deeper and deeper and I have no nails left.
Is this a simple problem, or am I the simple problem?
I would be gibberingly grateful for anyone's input/advice on this one.
:thud:

[James Deuce]

Hi there. No stress, it can all be worked out I'm sure.

Check the writing on the ignition as I think you should be turning the key to the left to lock it. You may be turning the parking lights on turning to the right.

Flipping the switch on should put the lights on full beam. Do you mean you are flicking it to the low position and it is on high beam? The switch should be down nearest you. I

[jazbug5]

Hi! Thanks for your reply...Er; there are three key positions. To the left does lock it, but doesn't lock the steering into a fixed position. When I got the bike on Saturday, the guy said turning the key to the right did that, making it more stable. So it was parked like that overnight- and the lights weren't on. The light switch seems to be one that you can flip left / right (indicators) or up / down (high or low beam). The only way it seems to keep to low beam is if you hold it there- it flicks back to full if you don't. Pretty sure I shouldn't be riding about with one hand occupied doing that. It's a bit early in my riding career for stunt riding, possibly!
Of course, I may just be being thick about something here; really appreciate your advice... does it sound like I'm actually making some sort of stoopid mistake, then?

[James Deuce]

You're not stupid :).

It's all a big learning curve, so no sweat.

I'll give White Trash a call this morning and ask how the GN ignition switch and switch blocks work. Definitely sounds like the high beam switch is futzed.

Have a good one.

[Ms Piggy]

Hey Jazbug5,
Don't worry you're in the right place to learn more about bikes & riding :yes: There are some knowledgeable & helpful riders here.

I can't give you any advice cos I know nothing, but don't worry too much & if ya wanna have someone else to ride with at any stage I'm more than happy to keep ya company.

Sorry you may have posted an intro already but, welcome :2thumbsup

[Magua]

The steering lock for my GN125 used to be on the side of the bike (steering column?). Take a look there.

[toads]

Oh dear. Big, deep, breath.
This is a little embarrassing. Just got my bike to learn on; it's a 1990 suzuki gn250, in very good nick. So far so good. Took it out today, just up the road to a car park so as to practise all the basics etc (being sensible, I thought). Anyway, a taxi came flying up the ramp as I approached it (thought the place was deserted... and so did he!) I braked in time, but stalled in the process. Leeeeeaaaaned and slo-mo fell over on my right side. I am fine (thank the Lord for all that silly-looking padding) and so was the bike... or so I thought. Only... I don't think it is.
When I turn the key to the right to lock the steering, the lights come on. I don't get it. And when I flip the switch to put the lights on low beam, they flip right back up to full. Can anyone tell me what is going on?
The forehead - shaped dent in my wall is getting deeper and deeper and I have no nails left.
Is this a simple problem, or am I the simple problem?
I would be gibberingly grateful for anyone's input/advice on this one.
:thud:
my gn250 required turing the key to the left, as in turning the igition off and then 1 extra click, admittedly though it was an 85 model which might be different, to enable the steering lock. The lights maybe hard wired in your bike, which means you can't turn them off if the igniton is on, a saftey feature to make sure you lights are on at all times, I can't honestly remember where the hi/lo beam switch was but I do know there are often passing light switches on a lot of bikes designed to give a quick hi beam flash before pulling out to indicate past a vechicle up ahead, but your lights should always be on lo beam for just driving around generally, so maybe your dip switch is faulty. sorry I can't be of more use, cheers Lucy

[thehollowmen]

If you need pages from the workshop manual give me a yell... I got an old copy here

I have got a GN250 too... new one...

Steering locks when I turn the wheel to the left and take the key out, but I can also lock it to the right... I thought locking it to the right was supposed to put lights on for roadside visability or something?

They seemed to like changing the light swtich on these things, mine is different from what you describe and differerent from my owners manual. I've got two light switches... a high / low switch above the indicator on the left and an on / off above the electric start button. Apparently some of the older bikes had an on/ extra-low /off button there

[Paul in NZ]

If it helps....

Let me know if you want someone to eye ball it to make sure you are not doing anything daft. I seem to be building an affinity for ancient 250cc japanese singles.. (the bikes you fools)

Others will tell you.... I'm mostly harmless......

On a similar subject.......

It stikes me that some of the 'learner' (not derogatory in anyway - I'm still learning) types around the list might like a brief 'in shed' overview of what everything on the bike does, where it is located and some simple running adjustments that they need to know about.

Cable adjustment, suspension adjustment, chain mtce and adjustment?? Up to or including changing the oil / filter???

Wadda ya's think? I'm a keen amatuer (as any owner of ancient Triumphs and Moto Guzzi MUST be) but there might be a pro willing to put aside an hour one sat morning?

Paul N

[jazbug5]

You guys are great! Thanks so much; feeling a little calmer now, & will have another look at it when I get home. Someone else has also said it's possible there's actually four positions rather than three- which might explain things a bit! Thanks thehollowmen; that would actually be really useful, as I don't have a manual yet. And Celtic Sea Lily- I'd love to go for a ride; but it might be best if I get a bit of practise in first, unless you like going at 30 k... although I'm sure I'd give you a good laugh right now, with my comic learner stylings..!
He he.
Oh, and Magua- nice one for selling your bike: always knew you would in the end.
Cheers everyone.. over & out until this evening

Jaz

[scroter]

i cant tell if you mean you turn the steering to the right or the key to the right to lock it. i hope its the steering as ive never seen a bike where you turn a key to the right to lock the steering. i know my bikes a fair bit newer but if you turn the key just past the steering lock it has a park light feature built in. maybe this is the problem not sure though but i only found cause like you i locked the steering and the tail light was going. hope this helps. if i can give you one tip about riding which will make life a little easier on you, relax, iis hard to ride when your tense.

[Magua]

Oh, and Magua- nice one for selling your bike: always knew you would in the end

Thanks Jaz, it's gone to a better home.

[Motu]

Yeah,I think you would turn the steering (handle bars) to the right,turn the key fully to the left (anticlockwise) and remove the key,then the plunger will lock the steering head.Sometimes you lock them on left lock,maybe even both sides - my Honda locks on left lock,the Yamaha on right lock - both need the key turned anticlock then removed to set the lock.Confusion is the word ''lock'' I think.

[FROSTY]

I becha your pass button has stuck -thats the button on the front of the block. Either that or the switch innards have been damaged-unlikely unless theres visible damage outside the block.
Good news is a new switch block is cheap as chips at the wreckers.
I agree with past posters-- Turn the handlebars full left then turn the switch to the LEFT 2 clicks and it will lock the steering .Sometimes BTW it doesnt want to do that and you'll need to give the bars a little jiggle.

[vifferman]

Turn the handlebars full left then turn the switch to the LEFT 2 clicks and it will lock the steering .Sometimes BTW it doesnt want to do that and you'll need to give the bars a little jiggle.Good advice, XJ/Frosty, and what I was going to say, as my bike sometimes won't lock if I turn the bars hard left or right, as they have to be just slightly turned from either lock.
Sounds like the "ParK" position on the ignition is better 'n some I've encountered. On my VF500 the "P" was next to the "Lock", so I left it all day with the park lights on a few times. Luckily the beast was easy to bump start.:)

There's a few things like this to be aware of Jaz, and quite a learning curve for a newbie, so don't be afraid to ask questions, even if they appear to be silly ones. You might get teased a bit at times, but you'll also get lots of good advice.

[jazbug5]

Ahem.

Yeeeessss. Problem solved- it was pretty much what a few of you said; I obviously got my wires crossed about the key positions. It is, indeed, one click to the right to put it into park, and two to the LEFT to lock the steering column (?) into place. Cringe. (Thanks, toad et al..!)
Still, great to have met you all, and than you all so much for being so cool. Thanks scroter, I will try to remember to relax... just finding the weight of the thing a bit to get used to at first. I'm a puny 52 kg with my coat on, and am used to cycling! I know it's going to be well worth it once I'm not so spooked! Paul in NZ: that sounds like a fine idea. If someone awfully clever could be persuaded to give up valuable weekend time in exchange for gushing praise and a few tins, that is..? I'm signing up for Roadsafe's next maintenance course, if I can afford it, too.
As for the high/low beam thing, maybewhen I get the engine going next (I feel an early morning ride coming on) I'll figure it out. It might make sense that it doesn't really switch when the bike is stopped.
Anyway, cheers again, everyone, and maybe see some of you soon!!

[Paul in NZ]

Well if you are signing up for roadsafes course I guess thats best.

Offer is there if you need it. Don't stress about being nervous or slow, ride your own ride, we were all like that at one stage and you don't owe it to anyone else to meet their expectations. Biking really is one of the only pastimes that IS all about you!

Have FUN!!!!

Paul N

[toads]

I'm glad you are resolving some of the concerns you have with your GN, they have a good reputation as a first bike, in fact if you search through the old posts using the search function you will find several good write ups about them. Your bike will be way nicer to ride than mine as your one has disk brakes in the front, mine had drum brakes which felt horrible! and made for nasty spills when turning at low speed, such as into a driveway, also the fact that I am only 5ft 1 meant I had difficulty holding the bike up if it started to fall over, so I could only watch it drop and break clutch and brake levers, I don't think your weight is too much of a problem as opposed to height and being able to place both feet on the ground whilst seated on the bike. Hopefully you are not as short as me. While you are riding your bike, it really pays to scan the road, starting immediately in front of your front wheel up to 100 meters ahead and back again, and keep doing this, the road surface can change quickly and also be aware of what every other idiot is doing out there, car drivers do not seem to be aware of bikes a lot of the time, so never assume they have seen you. happy riding :scooter:

[toads]

Biking really is one of the only pastimes that IS all about you!
Paul N

definately, and so therapeutic

[wari]

MY WOrke here is done .... :ride:

YOu will neverr have to sleepe ina tent again ... :spudwave:

[Posh Tourer :P]

Thanks scroter, I will try to remember to relax... just finding the weight of the thing a bit to get used to at first. I'm a puny 52 kg with my coat on, and am used to cycling

If you are used to cycling you should be aware of other road users / the road surface. It is a good start into motorcycling.... I cycled for years before I got a bike, and I found that it was good to be able to concentrate on riding the bike rather than having to concentrate on learning about the traffic/road hazards that one faces on any version of two wheels

[FROSTY]

Ahh Mystery solved--It seems the GN in question has one of those ORRIBLE universal switches--ya know -hi-lo/indicators all in one switch
What a bloody stupid idea mr suzuki-every time ya flick the right indicator on ya tend to flash hi beam. :mad: :mad:

[scroter]

Well if you are signing up for roadsafes course I guess thats best.

Offer is there if you need it. Don't stress about being nervous or slow, ride your own ride, we were all like that at one stage and you don't owe it to anyone else to meet their expectations. Biking really is one of the only pastimes that IS all about you!

Have FUN!!!!

Paul N

ah ha, this is extremely important. one of the things about biking is it can be so easy to wanta strut your stuff in front of ya mates. and you know what normally comes after that. what ever happens though just stick at it youll get used to the weight of the bike suprisingly quickly if your not too short. i couldnt give up biking for anything. :spudwave: