So I went out for a ride tonight...

[nzspokes]

Heres a GN being ridden, http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...fe-Racer/page2

[FJRider]

Yesterday and today I've kept the revs 4 1/2 - 5000rpm, 5 is when it starts to maybe sound a lil sick?

You were talking about getting a Mentor ... let him have a ride on it. He would have a better idea about how it should sound.

5000 rpm is about where the engine would start a subtle change in engine sound. But "sick" .. ??

Having said that ... if "round town running" is all it has been getting ... a hard run up to the speed limit might do it a bit of good. If it's been a while since it's been at the upper rev's ... a bit of coughing and spluttering could be expected.

[bosslady]

The rev counter will show the redline which is the limit it can rev to. Probably about 8k on a GN? Its safe to rev it that high. Sounds like your not reving it hard enough at times. But that will come with experience. I will try to pop over for a ride next week if we can work a time.

I guess not? I have only been around sports bikes 600cc+ so that's the sound I am used to... way different to my little 250 cruiser... I guess I'm not revving it enough perhaps.

Heres a GN being ridden, http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...fe-Racer/page2

I'll have a gander when I get home after work

You were talking about getting a Mentor ... let him have a ride on it. He would have a better idea about how it should sound.

5000 rpm is about where the engine would start a subtle change in engine sound. But "sick" .. ??

Having said that ... if "round town running" is all it has been getting ... a hard run up to the speed limit might do it a bit of good. If it's been a while since it's been at the upper rev's ... a bit of coughing and spluttering could be expected.

Yes I have had an offer from nzspokes and also Kiwi Graham, gosh darn need all the help I can get haha. I guess with where I live, there's seriously no flat ground, it's all either inclines or.. declines... I'd be lucky if I get anywhere with 10m of flat ground and then it's roundabout after bloody intersection after corner, blah blah blah. And yes it was previously owned by a lovely Chinaman (good negotiater when I bought the bike haha). And he didn't seem the type to give it a good go, just a round the town runabout, ironically his wife made him sell it when they had their baby, lol. Like I said, I probably think it sounds "sick" cause of the only other bikes I have ever been around. My flatmate who got me interested in bikes in the first place has a (track only) 2010 bmw s1000 (previously a ninja zx6r and no he won't help with lessons) and I've been to quite a few track days.. generally all very fast sports bikes lol and the couple times i've pillioned again, fast sports bikes.

[FJRider]

Yes I have had an offer from nzspokes and also Kiwi Graham, gosh darn need all the help I can get haha. I guess with where I live, there's seriously no flat ground, it's all either inclines or.. declines... I'd be lucky if I get anywhere with 10m of flat ground and then it's roundabout after bloody intersection after corner, blah blah blah. And yes it was previously owned by a lovely Chinaman (good negotiater when I bought the bike haha). And he didn't seem the type to give it a good go, just a round the town runabout, ironically his wife made him sell it when they had their baby, lol. Like I said, I probably think it sounds "sick" cause of the only other bikes I have ever been around. My flatmate who got me interested in bikes in the first place has a (track only) 2010 bmw s1000 (previously a ninja zx6r and no he won't help with lessons) and I've been to quite a few track days.. generally all very fast sports bikes lol and the couple times i've pillioned again, fast sports bikes.

Actually ... this might be a good "excuse" to take a ride on the motorway. Don't try to rush the higher rev's (or yourself)... slowly increase the revs to the speed limit (if you feel comfortable doing it).

[Subike]

Go visit a girlfriend who lives a distance from home that you feel you can do. Say 30ks to get there.
Have a coffee girly chat etc, then ride home.
Forget about the bike, other than what you need to do to operate it. I mean sounds, clunks, rattles.
When you come home, you will realize how much you have learnt,
Having a goal, reason , for going somewhere, gives your mind that purpose, your learning will come to the forefront , all will be well.
You know you can do it, you dont need to ask us for an excuse to do it.

[bosslady]

Actually ... this might be a good "excuse" to take a ride on the motorway. Don't try to rush the higher rev's (or yourself)... slowly increase the revs to the speed limit (if you feel comfortable doing it).

The motorway will definitely be a milestone haha

Go visit a girlfriend who lives a distance from home that you feel you can do. Say 30ks to get there.
Have a coffee girly chat etc, then ride home.
Forget about the bike, other than what you need to do to operate it. I mean sounds, clunks, rattles.
When you come home, you will realize how much you have learnt,
Having a goal, reason , for going somewhere, gives your mind that purpose, your learning will come to the forefront , all will be well.
You know you can do it, you dont need to ask us for an excuse to do it.

I don't have any girlfriends true story... that's why I've taken this up as a hobby, Nigel no mates haha. But I see what you mean 're: having a goal or objective, you're quite right! Oh and I'm not really asking anyone's permission so to speak but I certainly do use you all as a sounding board and often like to think out loud!

[bosslady]

Heres a GN being ridden, http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...fe-Racer/page2

thanks for that link!! just looked now. Sounds way better than my gn though? you know I think someone fiddled with something to do with the revs on it, the dude that picked it up for me (not from here) maybe that's why it's funny... dunno

[bosslady]

reason why my bike sounded so sick? definitely at least because the revs were prob quite low. Took her out again tonight tried to get the revs higher, sounded a bit more like a proper motorbike and a little less like a lawnmower so that's nice. Everrrrrrr so slowly getting changing down gears a bit better. Notice I start to get a little nervous going downhill for sure though. Didnt get so panicked though riding somewhere id not been to/am used to, found a new set of shops i didnt know were near me but was going too fast to see what they were lol. Which reminds me, was accidentally speeding past the popo, 60 in a 50, oops.. 23.3km this time.

[FJRider]

Progress ... Go girl ..

[bosslady]

Progress ... Go girl ..

Thanks for you're support

[Subike]

reason why my bike sounded so sick? definitely at least because the revs were prob quite low. Took her out again tonight tried to get the revs higher, sounded a bit more like a proper motorbike and a little less like a lawnmower so that's nice. Everrrrrrr so slowly getting changing down gears a bit better. Notice I start to get a little nervous going downhill for sure though. .

going downhill, a very common feeling amongst new riders.Even ones who have been riding for a few years. Just be in the same gear you were going up the hill, the engine braking will keep your speed down quite well, If you feel insecure about the grip of the front wheel going down hill, remember that most of the weight of the bike and you are on that wheel when going down hill, so it will have more grip on it than when you are going up hill. When strangely enough, most riders feel more comfortable
And good on you for another completed incident free ride.

[bosslady]

going downhill, a very common feeling amongst new riders.Even ones who have been riding for a few years. Just be in the same gear you were going up the hill, the engine braking will keep your speed down quite well, If you feel insecure about the grip of the front wheel going down hill, remember that most of the weight of the bike and you are on that wheel when going down hill, so it will have more grip on it than when you are going up hill. When strangely enough, most riders feel more comfortable
And good on you for another completed incident free ride.

Thanks! Now I'm sure I could Google but is it best to use the front or rear brake to slow down when going downhill when the engine braking isn't quite enough to slow it down?

I was curious about what gear I should be in when going down but you've already answered that for me, Cheers!

[Ender EnZed]

is it best to use the front or rear brake to slow down when going downhill when the engine braking isn't quite enough to slow it down?

The front brake will always provide much more stopping power.

[Maha]

Personally, I am a huge exponent of using the rear brake, especially down hill. I always have it covered.
Also, it's good to get used to using it (the rear brake) for when you may need it most....in combination with the front in an emergency situation.

[nzspokes]

reason why my bike sounded so sick? definitely at least because the revs were prob quite low. Took her out again tonight tried to get the revs higher, sounded a bit more like a proper motorbike and a little less like a lawnmower so that's nice. Everrrrrrr so slowly getting changing down gears a bit better. Notice I start to get a little nervous going downhill for sure though. Didnt get so panicked though riding somewhere id not been to/am used to, found a new set of shops i didnt know were near me but was going too fast to see what they were lol. Which reminds me, was accidentally speeding past the popo, 60 in a 50, oops.. 23.3km this time.

Cool, now your starting to make progress. Just keep riding.

Next week when Im free we can hit a higher speed area if you feel up to it. Maybe ride to a café somewhere.