Complete Noob

[hellokitty]

I am new to this style of riding - I got a 98 BMW F650 from Santa.
I am used to riding a 1200cc Harley Davidson Sportster, and I can't remember what is used to be like when I rode a 2 stroke dirt bike a million years ago.
One of my issues is that I can't hear the engine and am unsure when to change gear. Should I look at the revs? This is the first bike I have had with a rev counter.
It (obviously) handles very differently than the Harley, and being so quiet, it gets up in speed very quickly without me realising. The only noise I get is when we are moving fast.
I also get sore hands and forearms, so I need new handles? I am leaning too far forward it seems. Any idea on good handlebars?
Any tips in general? Thanks

[jrandom]

http://www.motott.co.nz/

[jrandom]

I am used to riding a 1200cc Harley Davidson Sportster

Yes. You can pretty much control a Sportster blind drunk with both hands tied behind your back. You've been getting away with not knowing how to ride; you'll have to fix that now that you've got a proper bike.

Should I look at the revs?

Yes.

I also get sore hands and forearms, so I need new handles? I am leaning too far forward it seems.

The F650 has an upright riding posture. You're not leaning forward and putting weight on your hands (although it might feel like it after getting off the Sportster), you're just death-gripping the bars. Loosen up.

[hellokitty]

Yes. You can pretty much control a Sportster blind drunk with both hands tied behind your back. You've been getting away with not knowing how to ride; you'll have to fix that now that you've got a proper bike.

The F650 has an upright riding posture. You're not leaning forward and putting weight on your hands (although it might feel like it after getting off the Sportster), you're just death-gripping the bars. Loosen up.

Yes I know I have to start riding properly now, and on gravel too - will be a challenge and I am looking forward to it.
I did have the noobie death grip on the ride home from the shop in the pouring rain and strong winds too - the lightness of the bike was a shock in the winds too - 100 kilos lighter apparently. I
do feel the grips are smaller to what I am used to, and the handlebars are straight bars, I think I need bars that come back more - I have short arms.

[jrandom]

the lightness of the bike was a shock in the winds too - 100 kilos lighter apparently.

The F650 is 75kg lighter, assuming your Sportster weighs the same as mine. The difference might also be due to the BMW being taller with a higher center of gravity.

Both nice bikes. I'd have an F650.

The Sportster would probably go better in gravel, though.

I think I need bars that come back more - I have short arms.

http://www.protaper.com/

[The Baron]

Hi

Yes look at the revs on this bike - keep the revs above 3000. If below 3000 change down.

I would ride it for a while before changing the bars IMO.

Congrats on the new bike.

The Baron

[hellokitty]

Hi

Yes look at the revs on this bike - keep the revs above 3000. If below 3000 change down.

I would ride it for a while before changing the bars IMO.

Congrats on the new bike.

The Baron

Thanks, I was wondering what revs I needed as I used to the loud volume of the Harley, and my old dirt bike was a 200 and would let you do whatever in any gear!
I will ride it for a little while with the existing handlebars and try to relax more.

The F650 is 75kg lighter, assuming your Sportster weighs the same as mine. The difference might also be due to the BMW being taller with a higher center of gravity.

Both nice bikes. I'd have an F650.

The Sportster would probably go better in gravel, though.



http://www.protaper.com/

Yeah the Sportster is fine in gravel, and is fantastic in the pouring rain on twisty roads.
The BMW is so tall, even with the suspension wound down. Easy to handle on the road, so we will see how I manage on gravel on my tippy toes...

[Padmei]

Sounds to me like you're not a complete noob but merely changed bikes. As you ride it more, like with your sporty, you will learn how to bond with it & what feels right.
I reckon the big difference as was pointed out earlier is how the weight is carried higher. I hve gone from a KLR650 which is very top heavy - I dropped it a lot when stopping & trying to do 3 point turns - to a old fat bmw which has its weight lower.

You will soon learn to love it. good luck

[jrandom]

Come to think of it, curiously enough, I've just gone in the other direction - 1988 DR750 to 1200 Sportster. I'd still have the DR750 but I blew it up.

Don't ride big singles like they're GSXRs.





What prompted you to get the F650?

[hellokitty]

Come to think of it, curiously enough, I've just gone in the other direction - 1988 DR750 to 1200 Sportster. I'd still have the DR750 but I blew it up.

Don't ride big singles like they're GSXRs.



What prompted you to get the F650?

I ride like a nana anyway! I have always like the look and the idea of the dual purpose bike. I have always had cruiser bikes and I vowed I would never have a Harley, but then I fell in love with mine. I have been going on and on for ages about wanting a BMW and when my husband decided to get rid of his Fury, he traded it for a Suzuki TL1000R and got my BMW as some cash as well. He was sick of hearing me go on and on.
It is a good looking bike that I know will be heaps of fun.

[Eddieb]

Wow, you must have a different Santa to me Welcome.

[sinfull]

even with the suspension wound down. ...

That comment worries me !!!

[hellokitty]

Wow, you must have a different Santa to me Welcome.

Mr Hello Kitty got sick of me going on and on and on.... he got it to shut me up I think!

That comment worries me !!!

Why? Will it handle badly or will I damage it? Should I get it lowered? I am just too damn short.

[Ocean1]

I also get sore hands and forearms, so I need new handles? I am leaning too far forward it seems. Any idea on good handlebars?
Any tips in general? Thanks

Setup. If it's got a centrestand then put the bike on it, if not get someone to hold it from behind.

Sit on the bike, close eyes. Sit naturally, for most dirtybikes that means your arse is over your feet. CLOSE YOUR EYES. Reach out with your elbows slightly bent and put your hands at bar height. Unclamp the bars and roll them back or forward until the grips are as close as possible to your natural reach. There's a limit, don't roll the bars too far from standard. Once you're happy that the bars are as close as possible clamp them up again, (check the book, there's a procedure and a torque setting to use).

Unclamp the clutch and brake levers and re-nip them so you can move them easily but they stay put. Rest your fingers on the levers. Your fingers should be in line with your forearm, perhaps pointing down a little.

If none of that helps then go handlebar shopping, but give it a fair go each time you tweak it first.

[sinfull]

Mr Hello Kitty got sick of me going on and on and on.... he got it to shut me up I think!



Why? Will it handle badly or will I damage it? Should I get it lowered? I am just too damn short.

Not so much damage it but you should read through this so you know how it works and why correct sags etc are important ! Dual purpose may be slightly different sags etc but someone will no doubt be along shortly who knows more than i as i'm not an off roader !

But to answer the should i get it lowered question, i'd say yes !