Anyone wanna help the MD out?

**FROSTY:Me** · 12th January 2005, 07:56

ohh and an idea for ya --take a gs500 and a gpz500 out for a ride -not to buy but as a comparison handling and confidence wise -then come back and blame your riding.-bet ya wont

**manuboy** · 12th January 2005, 08:22

MD, agree with Frosty, the thou front ends are the same. Far to soggy and undersprung with standard settings. I've experimented with the help of D and we actually went a little too far and had to bring it back.

However what are you actually worried about? Is it a confidence thing or are you more worried about the technical aspects of your riding?

I've improved in two months just from following - well... let's face it, the bastard himself (dangerous). If you want have to improve you have to dedicate most of your time out on the road to picking up the little things from those you've been around the block and are reasonably quick/confident riders. Not a group ride, just another pal.

You'll eventually develop your own style around the bike (twins are ridden slightly differently imho), but you can still use the guy in front. How i found it helped was the ability to let them raise your confidence by showing you how fast you can enter corners, when/where to brake, position on the road, body position on the bike, head position (REALLY IMPORTANT) e.t.c

All you need is somebody to follow round in the twisties until your happy with the bike first, your riding second. You'll find that indeed the 650 is capable of much more than you ever thought.

Or you might decide cruising along is more your bag baby....

**FROSTY:Me** · 12th January 2005, 12:24

Madduck --Ive had a word to Craig Brown -Hes the suspension man at colemans
I've got you an appointment with him. He will spend 10-20 minutes with you
and your bike.He'll set it up for you to suit YOU He suggested that first he'll do that then if you're still not happy then he can fit better front springs and better oil and that will make the bike 100% better.
Ohh and the good news --its FREE -gratus -no charge .
gimme a yell 021544251

**dangerous** · 12th January 2005, 17:55

Originally Posted by XJ/FROSTY

Madduck --Ive had a word to Craig Brown -Hes the suspension man at colemans

well that just has to forking well rock......................... go Frosty

**toads** · 12th January 2005, 20:25

Originally Posted by XJ/FROSTY

Madduck --Ive had a word to Craig Brown -Hes the suspension man at colemans
I've got you an appointment with him. He will spend 10-20 minutes with you
and your bike.He'll set it up for you to suit YOU He suggested that first he'll do that then if you're still not happy then he can fit better front springs and better oil and that will make the bike 100% better.
Ohh and the good news --its FREE -gratus -no charge .
gimme a yell 021544251

Frosty you rock! Good stuff

**MadDuck** · 13th January 2005, 13:01

Geez mate you just ROCK! Thanks a damn bunch.

I am off away for the next week on holiday so cant do anything till I get back. Shall give you a bell on my return. If this works well I may just take the offer of going to Taupo and maybe (just maybe) you can take the SV for a spin round the track as well

Thanks again
MD

**James Deuce** · 13th January 2005, 14:23

Originally Posted by MadDuck

OK so the story goes when I was very very very young I had a Honda 50 which (yes a step through) which I decided to put under a bus just for the hell of it. Then got a Yamy 175 for commuting to Tech in all sorts of weather and rode my brothers bikes whatever they were at the time.

I have refound my love of bikes but have to say I am struggling with the SV after the VTR 250. Zapf and Frosty have been a great help with getting the set up right for me but if anyone out there would be willing to help me one on one that would just rock. At my age I feel a tad silly rocking along to bike schools.

All responsibilty for damage would be mine. I am looking for some constructive help/cristicism about my riding and the set up of the bike. Bearing in mind I am never gonna need knee sliders. Well give me time anyways

You feel silly at bike schools?

Well the last training day I went to (8 months ago) the average age had to have been somewhere between 50 and 55. I felt positively young. Never let excuses stand between you and a learning experience, particularly where motorcycles are involved. Always listen with an open mind and use the things that work for you when you practice them.

Go to a training day as well as riding with KBers. Some of the older guys on the course I went to who'd been riding for years had some shocking habits, such as not looking where they want to go, and stopping with the only rear brake, because the front one will put you over the 'bars lad.

Go to school - it doesn't hurt, honest.

**jrandom** · 13th January 2005, 14:59

Schools are great. Why be embarrassed? I'm going to do some extra rider training this year, sometime, somehow.

I found when I (finally) went for bit of a ride before Xmas that following Firefight, Milky and PT (until they pissed off into the distance, at which point I got to enjoy just pootling along at a 'whatever' pace) was great. My main problem is a complete paranoia about blind corners. Someone else going around in front of me makes it all better.

You see, I'm having trouble figuring out where the right level of paranoia is. When I'm on my own, I ride at about 60% all the time, because I can't get my mind past imaginings of possible white vans broken down sideways just after the apex behind that tree, cages cutting the corner when I'm going around a left-hand bend fast enough that I can't tighten up, etc, etc...

I think I need some track time.

**MadDuck** · 13th January 2005, 19:21

Originally Posted by Yamahamaman

MadDuck, you pick the adventure and I am happy to tag along.

Not everything is about 'bike setup' you may not have the bike that is most suited to you. Took me a while to find Yamaha and now I am extremely happy.

Thanks so much Yamahaman.....I will take up Frostys offer and see where I end up...

Originally Posted by Lucyloo

MadDuck, are you a member of WIMA?

yes sure am but they dont ride often enough and I have met some awesome KBers to ride with in between.

**ajturbo** · 13th January 2005, 19:32

hey MD..
it was great to finally get to met you and your bike!!!
yes i am jealous.. you have a great bike!!!!!

you are doing a great job on the house!

hope you get really wet on your dive week! (for those of you who don't know .. MD has a dry suit!)

andy

**MadDuck** · 13th January 2005, 19:38

sssshhh dont tell everyone I am a poofy dry suit diver...

Great to meet you too but looking at my bike going "ohhh I like it" was not the kinda advise I was after

Lovely doggies too :spudwave:

**FROSTY:Me** · 13th January 2005, 19:57

Originally Posted by MadDuck

Geez mate you just ROCK! Thanks a damn bunch.

I am off away for the next week on holiday so cant do anything till I get back. Shall give you a bell on my return. If this works well I may just take the offer of going to Taupo and maybe (just maybe) you can take the SV for a spin round the track as well

Thanks again
MD

um er um er --cool nannas -but um er that wont meen youll be wanting a ride on MY sv does it??

**ajturbo** · 13th January 2005, 20:03

Originally Posted by MadDuck

sssshhh dont tell everyone I am a poofy dry suit diver...

Great to meet you too but looking at my bike going "ohhh I like it" was not the kinda advise I was after

Lovely doggies too :spudwave:

um sorry , but i don't know much about setting up a bike.... if it has petrol, some oil, air in the tyres (don't ask me how much!!),
to me it is set up!

have a great week matey!