Got my Rodent, pics to follow soon...

[riffer]

Thanks for the encouragement and advice guys.

Thanks for the tip csl, I'll give it a go. just another n0b question. I know the same switch also turns on the reserve. But say you've used your reserve fuel. When it comes to full up do you have to switch that switch to reserve to full up that then switch it back to full up the main tank or does it do it automatically?

Hey Ghost Lemur. Congrats on getting the bike. A perfect choice for a first bike. You should learn a lot both about maintenance and riding with the CB.

My wife swears by the handling course and recommends you did that.

As for the reserve/main switch. As soon as you've filled up, switch it back to main. What the switch does is stops you using the reserve until you flick the switch over. If you leave it on reserve all the time you will lose that emergency fuel left. I don't recommend it.

Enjoy the bike.

[erik]

Thanks for the encouragement and advice guys.

Thanks for the tip csl, I'll give it a go. just another n0b question. I know the same switch also turns on the reserve. But say you've used your reserve fuel. When it comes to full up do you have to switch that switch to reserve to full up that then switch it back to full up the main tank or does it do it automatically?

AFAIK the reserve switch is only a lower pickup in the main tank. It's all the same tank, so it doesn't matter where the switch is when you fill up. But like celticno6 said, make sure you set it to the main tank so that you'll get a warning before you fun out completely. And remember to zero your odometer!

[dangerous]

I start by stepping through the pedal (kickstart thingee) without trying to start the bike as far as it will go...apparently this pushes petrol though the motor (correct me if I'm wrong here guys). Then I turn the throttle a little and stomp down on the pedal turning the throttle as I do this.

Yes that is what happens, but also you are finding the compression stroke (the hardest clunk down) which is the only stroke out of 4 that will start the bike, with out doing this you are wasting energy turning the motor over...make sence?

The first time I had ever rode a proper bike with gears etc was when I went to look at the VT250 I bought last year. Took it for a quick spin around the block. Then picked it up the next morning. Didn't get any pointers from anyone, but managed to work it out for myself

Well then in 12 odd months you must of come a long way, as your lines arn't to bad, but remember never get too cocky about it!! (not nesaceriously aimed at you)

When it comes to full up do you have to switch that switch to reserve to full up that then switch it back to full up the main tank or does it do it automatically?

automatically, when at the servo turn the tap back to 'on'

[Posh Tourer :P]

AFAIK the reserve switch is only a lower pickup in the main tank. It's all the same tank, so it doesn't matter where the switch is when you fill up. But like celticno6 said, make sure you set it to the main tank so that you'll get a warning before you fun out completely. And remember to zero your odometer!

Trip meter erik. Or are you just trying to illegally add value to your bike everytime you fill up with petrol???

Correct re reserve fuel switch. Reserve is a lower pickup on the same input, so you get that little bit more, but with a warning first.

As far as the kick start goes there is definitely a technique to it - I ended up with massive bruises all over my right leg when I was 1st learning b/c the kickstart kept whacking me! OUCH! Every time I start her, I start by stepping through the pedal (kickstart thingee) without trying to start the bike as far as it will go...apparently this pushes petrol though the motor (correct me if I'm wrong here guys). Then I turn the throttle a little and stomp down on the pedal turning the throttle as I do this. It's a laugh when I go riding with the others b/c they all just press a button & away they go and here's me stomping away!

I think TS would sympathise Technique is important, kick it quickly, but more importantly make sure your choke/throttle settings are appropriate. If you havent ridden it for 12 hours or so, choke is imperative. When you have the choke on, dont put very much throttle on or you cancel out the effect. Choke adds fuel to richen the mixture therefore burns easier. If you add more air again by opening the throttle you cancel this out. You shouldnt have to kick more than once normally. If you do (except on cold mornings) you are doing something wrong/something isnt set up well. Also, on the CB250RS, dont twist the throttle too much before/while kicking it. There is a throttle operated fuel pump that squirts fuel when you twist. You could flood it doing this. Its also a matter of just gettign to know the bike and what it needs. Or experience (ask speeddemon about after spanner evening)

[erik]

Trip meter erik. Or are you just trying to illegally add value to your bike everytime you fill up with petrol???

Yep, I meant trip meter.

[Ghost Lemur]

As promised pics...

The last to pics show an example of the paint chips which are all over the place and leading me to think a cheap but reasonable paintjob (ie done myself) might be in order so they don't deteriorate.

[Motu]

Get some black duct tape for the seat - I can talk,I still have silver duct tape on my XS1 seat...it's been on there for 15 yrs,good stuff eh!

Nice bike - I always liked them,if you wanted to do the go fast thing with it,it's the same motor as the XR250,so XR goodies like Wiseco cams and pistons fit - they'd be hard to find these days though.

[toads]

congrats gl, please get yourself a leather jacket, I got one for $3 from a local second hand store, it needed a new zip and a couple of patches fixing up on it, costing a total of $40, but it's nice and thick and warm and will save my skin if I am unfortunate to bin off my bike, any leggings are better than none, and gumboots may not be a fashion statement but will protect your ankles better than just shoes, I learned to ride a bike back in the days when all you needed was a provisional licence, which involved nothing more than a few questions as I recall, so I was out there making an idiot of myself, it doesn't take long to get the hang of how your bike handles, and being cautious is fine, read the bike road code it's quite informative really, especially the bits on how to avoid obstacles in a hurry, ( a cool swerving manouvere) and little things about getting used to putting your right leg down when stopped at the lights, in readiness for the day when you are stopped on a slope and need to have your foot on the footbrake etc, most stuff you will pick up instinctively and by watching other people on bikes, the bike handling course is no problem and you will be fine, it's designed for people who haven't had much experience.

[Gummybear]

Congrats ... again GL on getting a bike. GET SOME GOOD GEAR. If you know you are protected it is one less thing to think about. Don't underestimate the amount of damage you can do to your body at 5kpm,40kpm. It has been my experience that slow equals more damage. This is said, not to put you off , but for own protection. We care!

[Ghost Lemur]

Thanks for the concern toads and Gummybear.when I was young and silly I came off a skateboard at 20-30kph so know the feeling of roadrash well (btw - skateboards don't like speed bumps as I discovered holding onto the back of a van ), and have little desire to feel it again. So yes I am currently looking out for some supercheap gear, at least a leather jacket and boots of some description, to do me until I can afford some quality gear (which is my self imposed requirement for open road riding.

My family is too valuable to me to take silly risks and cause them pain.

[FROSTY:Me]

gl--I might be able to help on that front--I have a jacket and gloves--possibly even boots here -pm me if ya need pics

[FROSTY:Me]

about the paint and stuff GL
for the moment I'd be temted to get one of those color matched spray cans from repco and pencil touch the chips.
recovering ya seat is pretty cheap I think -then she'll look good as new