First commute on new bike

[matcom]

Hi all. Hope i'm not saturating the forum here but commuted today to and from work on the new 'hog'. :D

NICE.

BIG.

HEAVY.

COMFORTABLE!

SMOOTH!

So, took back roads (not ready to open up on the highway and manual says it isn't broken in for 1k anyway).

Shifting is NO PROBLEM (for those squemish) although really had to think about 1)Shift/Down Shift 2)Rear Brake (now foot activated) 3)Putting feet down (you would be surprised) ;)

God this bike is comfy. Like riding a Caddy after my scooter. I LOVE the fact I'm pretty low to the grownd (gives me a little peace of mind).

I need to adjust the clutch as it releases too far away for my liking. Also would like to adjust the rear brake pedal as it is up too high to comfortably get to. Have a neighbor who will help me do both.

The sound is 'throaty' which I like without being obnoxious (I HATE loud Harley pipes). It certainly is beefy.

Biggest thing I need to get used to is having that weight under me on sharp turns at low speed. It will happen but man do I feel like I have a power plant between my legs (moreso than normal) :P

Everyday is a practice day as I see it so I'm looking forward to many many miles. My biggest pet peeve is no gas guage. I had one on the scooter and am now looking online to see if they make them as accessories for my V-Star (or at all). I really HATE the guessing game.

:hi:

[dmallind]

1. Good report - couple of basic hints

Remember to countersteer not just lean or even worse steer in corners. Push on left handlebar to go left. The lean comes with the move of the bike not the other way round. That way you will feel the weight less as you will not be trying to muscle it around - it will move you instead. I know they teach this on MSF etc but if you got used to a scooter where steering is more likely and where you can easily move the bike with your weight shifting it's a ahabit you may have to reintroduce. Given that you'r eon a cruiser with limited ground clearance there is absolutely no need to worry about weight shifting or knee dragging like the crotch rocket guys do (usually incorrectly but hey).

There are various schools of thought here but I only ever put my left foot down. I keep the right on the back brake in case those cagers get a bit friendly with my rear tire when I'm stopped so I don't fly off into traffic. Once you get used to that it's automatic. Right foot on the brake, left on the ground every time.

Another habit you may have gotten out of on the scooter is using your front brake for the vast majority of your stopping. The rear brake is to provide extra stopping and balance mostly for ghard stops. It's worth using both so you get into the habit, but front brake alone works fine in most cases. Definitely not mostly or even worse only rear brake. Admittedly I have linked brakes now so all this is done for me, but I'm speaking from earlier experience when I had traditional completely separate brakes.

Above all enjoy it and go steady until you get used to it. That's worth remmebring for anybody with a new bike no matter how experienced. I've done silly things more than once on unfamiliar bikes just because I wasn't used to how they handled or reacted in certain circumstances.

[matcom]

3. yeah, I remember they said to push left in MSF but

i've tried both with the scooter and the bike. they kept saying you will feel "resistance" but I have yet to experience really what they meant.

by 'countersteer' do you mean staying more upright on slow, sharp turns while leaning just the bike (think a skiing type movement where you stay forward while your legs to the work)?

[Robb]

4. Oddly enough, a good explanation

...is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countersteering

Important: it happens no matter what. Whether you initiate it or not is what determines the level of control you have during the turn.

Dirt riders will stay up on the pegs most of the time, and let the bike move under them (lean left and right) while keeping their bodies relatively straight. This does several things for us, most of which you won't need to worry about on yer low-rider. :D

On the fuel thing, use your trip odometer to know when you're getting close. Ever figure out if your reserve was empty or not? ;)

[matcom]

5. yeah, the reserve was empty

question on the reserve. that fills up automatically right? I don't need to turn the reserve on when filling or anything?

[Robb]

6. If you're on "run" when you fill up

...You should be fine. It's not really another tank, it's just a "shorter straw" on the bottom of the tank for the regular line. Usually. ;)

[HamstersFromHell]

7. Just to add to what Robb said...

Reserve is a "shorter straw" in the tank, so filling it in any position is fine.

However, two things to consider:

If it's a "split tank" (Harleys with "bob" tanks, and some others) that use two caps, put the bike in it's side stand and fill the left tank (downhill) first. Replace the cap on it and then fill the right tank. The left cap is non-vented so it won't spill when the level in the right tank is higher.

Also, never forget to shut the fuel cock off when you park if it's a "manual" petcock. (Off - On - Reserve)
If it's an automatic petcock, (On - Reserve - Prime), then never leave it on Prime. Prime is only there to keep you from having to crank the bike over a lot if you run out. Petcocks are there to keep the bike from being flooded if it's jostled or otherwise disturbed, but carb needles and seats are not perfect and flooding can occur in any event. Better to be safe than cursing a flooded bike that refuses to start or fouled the plugs.

[ThomWV]

2. Deleted by author

Sorry, I thought I was responding to the fellow who just bought a new Sportster last week.