From MSF to WTF! - My first two days on the road

[79FiveFifty]

For those of you that don't like reading stories I'll sum it up: I got my license, got my bike, and experienced more than I ever imagined in my first 2 days of riding.

For those of you that DO like to read, well, look on.

I was never on a motorcycle before my MSF course, in 1 weekend (2) 8 hour days I went from Obtaining my paper permit, to getting a waiver for my Motorcycle license road test. I proceed to the DMV and got my license, then finally made my purchase of my 1979 Suzuki GS550L. Got that legalized and headed out on the road alone to get a feel for my new hobby and bike.

I took back roads to start with since less traffic usually means less trouble right? Not so much! The first day was good I did some mountain roads and got used to a steady 50mph on county road 519. 80 miles later I found myself on the way home when it actually started to snow flurry. Not what you wanna see on your first day of riding a motorcycle ever. But I made it home safely and stored the bike away.

The clouds moved out, and the sun appeared in the western sky yesterday, so I polished up my chrome and went out for another ride. To make this long story shorter I will make a list of what I experienced yesterday (every single thing I was warned about in the MSF course happened on the road, it was worth the $250.00 to potentially save my life.

- Box fell off the back of a truck in front of me, practiced my swerve 4 times before dodging all the pieces coming at me.
- Bike actually stalled on the highway due to clogged air filter and I coasted to safety on the shoulder before removing it and re-starting.
- Tar-snakes.. boy are they slippery on turns.
- Vehicle cut me off with in inches, I quickly downshifted and tapped my brakes to alert the driver behind me. (luckily they saw this and backed off quickly.)
- Sun goes down, had to drive in the dark to get home but decided not to go home, instead hit some country back roads in PA.
- Opossum runs out in front of me (MSF course teaches about which animals are squishable) I took this opportunity to rid the world of a rodent, and gain some real life experience by raising up on my pegs and taking the obstacle in stride. (All went well for me, not so much for the opossum.)
- Had to cross a metal grate bridge (basically I just held on kept my balance and tried not to be nervous with the bike changing direction every split second from the grates.. what a terrible thing to deal with on a motorcycle.)
- Finally on the way back, I guess my clutch springs are tired being stock from 30 years ago and my clutch had begun to slip at a traffic light I thought maybe I screwed up.. nope it was really slipping bad then with a jolt, into gear and off I went. This happened at 3 traffic lights in a row until it wouldnt grab and stalled a few times trying to get the bike moving.. traffic was less than pleased but I had to press-on so I made it home and parked the bike.

In 2 days I managed to encounter things I wouldn't have otherwise been prepared for had I not taken the MSF basic skills course. I logged about 150 miles so far and burned up almost 2 tanks of gas. This bike is a real screamer on the highway, I do not like driving it over 50mph because it's just not got the horsepower to efficiently maintain 5,500 rpms at 65 mph.

I hate the tall slanted "L model" handlebars, but everything else is fairly comfortable and operates smoothly. The bike gets a lot of attention and people are always surprised when they find out its 30 years old with low miles on it.

No good story would be complete if I didn't tell you that an 18 year old punk kid came up to me and said "is that a harley?"
To which I replied: "It's a Suzuki."
Kid says: "Oh, I knew it didn't sound American.. pshh."
I smiled, and asked: "Then why did you ask me if it was a Harley?"
Kid pauses for a moment, looks at the bike and says: "Jap crap!"

Ignorance is bliss in the minds of the omnipotent and naive I guess, maybe someday he will grow up. Well no need to let one bad apple sour my day, I had a great 2 days thus far - plan to have many more once I fix my bike.

 

[Dogma]

Great story, and a great first day out! Swap those L bars for superbike bars maybe and have a blast.

Other things: I'm surprised that a clogged air filter can stall it out on the highway. I'm thinking the petcock may not be flowing enough fuel. Not due about the clutch beginning to slip in the middle of a ride, unless you put in oil with anti-friction modifiers.

Anyhow, welcome to the larger world. It's better on two wheels.

 

[79FiveFifty]

Well, I put in Valvoline 10w40 motorcycle oil.. should be just what the engine calls for SF SG SL I believe it is.

When I first got the bike the clutch was having issues, it went away for a little, then came back full tilt so I'm going to replace the clutch springs and see if that cures it.

Definitely getting new bars!

Oh, the filter was experimental.. bad idea.

 

[ReTread]

You should change your screen name to Possom.... it would be a fitting tribute.

Glad to hear the MSF training has served you so well. Send them this post!

Stay safe.

 

[Redman]

For those of you that don't like reading stories I'll sum it up: I got my license, got my bike, and experienced more than I ever imagined in my first 2 days of riding.

For those of you that DO like to read, well, look on.

...
...
...

Thanks for posting.

Good that you took the MSF class.

Sounds like you had quite an expereeince, all in two days.
I was expecting a worse story when you said "on first day headed out to the mountians....."
Do contiunue to take it easy.

Yah, that kid, dont even know what a Harley is or isnt, but somehow has an idea that a Harley is what is cool, whatever that is.

Good story, thanks.

Have a tankbag or pocket on jacket? GOt a small digital camera? Story would be better with picture. We all like pictures, and some of us read the story too har har har

Once you replace clutch plates and springs, It will be like you are learning your bike all over again.
Even if clutch plates measure within the spec thickness, if slipping like that it is because thee friction materal is stiff and hard (from age/heat/usage) not so much that it is worn thin.

.

 

[850 Combat]

Well, good job. You made it.

I think a possum is a marsupial, not a rodent.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I'm glad you enjoyed/survived your first days on the road with your new bike. Thanks for sharing your story.

Your 550 should run up to 100mph with little trouble. The smaller motors like to rev up. A new petcock and a carb cleaning/float height adjust/syncing may be all you need.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[tkent02]

(MSF course teaches about which animals are squishable)

let me guess, Moose = non squishable, Elk = non squishable, Bears = non squishable, Deer marginally squishable?
What about goats?

 

[Guest]

Good job! Don't judge your 550's power (or lack thereof) in it's current state....once you have the clutch/air/fuel issues fixed, it should be able to cruise at 65mph/5500 rpm all day long.

Tony.

 

[shirazdrum]

let me guess, Moose = non squishable, Elk = non squishable, Bears = non squishable, Deer marginally squishable?
What about goats?

I was gonna sqish that one but my hand wouldn't let go of the brake.

Your 550 is more capable than you think, roll on the throttle and don't look at that tach too much. welcome to the forum.

 

[russr33]

Good job! Don't judge your 550's power (or lack thereof) in it's current state....once you have the clutch/air/fuel issues fixed, it should be able to cruise at 65mph/5500 rpm all day long.

Tony.

+1 on that. Welcome to the forum!

 

[Steve]

MSF course teaches about which animals are squishable

let me guess, Moose = non squishable, Elk = non squishable, Bears = non squishable, Deer marginally squishable?
What about goats?

One of the instructors at my last MSF class gave us the guidelines this way:

"If it can be consumed in two meals, HIT IT. If it's bigger than two meals, at least slow down, if you can."

.

 

[mighty13d]

I was taught that anything dog or smaller, hit it... I'm not sure if the guy teaching me this too into account dogs like my newfoundland.. but then again, they are small bears not dogs! HAHA

Also if a dog or something gets stuck under the bike, crank the throttle so the rear tire spits it out the back. Don't stop and pull it out because whatever it is, will bite you.



Thanks for the story! I'm glad that you didn't come back all broken up due to the stuff you encountered. Also, if you do end up laying the bike down, don't be ashamed. almost everyone has at one point or more and it's just a learning experience. I layed my old 850 down and I surely learned from it.

 

[79FiveFifty]

I just wanna thank you all for the words of encouragement, that and I got a good laugh about all the squishable animal comments and the 400lb bear photo! Haha.

They told me to make a speed-bump out of anything under 20/30 lbs if I can't swerve to avoid it.

I don't suspect a deer would make a good practice ramp, in class we used a 2x4 or something similar.

I think you are all right It may be much better once I put some work into it when my parts arrive!

 

[Steve]

I was taught that anything dog or smaller, hit it... I'm not sure if the guy teaching me this too into account dogs like my newfoundland..

Newfies are good-sized dogs, but so was this one:

Yeah, it's a very old picture, but keep in mind, I'm "only" 6'5" tall.


This one was only a little smaller: there is no size reference, but this is his 8-month-old 'puppy picture'.

.

 

[79FiveFifty]

One of the questions on my NJ Motorcycle Permit test was as follows:

If a dog approaches you, you should:

a) maintain speed and swerve around the dog if necessary
b) kick the dog if it comes near you
c) approach the dog slowly, and accelerate rapidly once past
d) come to a complete stop and wait for the dog to lose interest

The correct answer of course, is C.. approach and floor it - apparently this causes most of them to lose interest unless you are on a 90cc and the dog can actually keep up with you.

 

[Steve]

Actually, the answer is C, but not for that reason.

A dog is pretty good at tracking you. If you approach it slowly, then speed up, you will mess up it's closing rate and will be gone by the time it gets to where he thought you would be.

That also reminds me of another time I had an unplanned horizontal experience.
A friend kindly lent me his GoldWing while my KZ1300 was in the shop getting some engine work done. On the way to work, a dog came out from behind a bush and bumped the front wheel, sending me down. Only minor damage to the bike and me, and the dog ran down the road, never did see it again.

.

 

[zrtdarryl]

murderer , everybody/thing has to live some where , now if the deer tomorrow just runs in front of my bullet i'm going to have sweet n sour deer next week !

by the way never ever hit a porcupine they are not squishable in any way

 

[Charlie G]

I hate metal grate bridges. The 550 should have good power for plus 55 speeds. They will have you thinking there goin to blow, but it will handle it. To some extent it's a matter of you getting used to it. A poor running 550 may contribute to your uneasyness about 55mph plus. My comfort level is 70mph. Wind blows my courage to h#ll! I agree on the "Superbike" bars. Good luck and welcome.

cg

 

[KGB]

GREAT story!!
I'm still laughing!
I've been riding a long time and have yet to get 1/2 of what you've experienced in 2 days.

As to 2 meals or larger, I usually tell my students
if it's below the axel, surmount the obstacle, if above the obstacle, go around or stop.

2 meals, now that's funny!!
I'm stealing that line for my classes.


As to the 550's power. or lack there of..........rev it!!
And once that new clutch or replacement springs go in, hold on.

Bars,,,,,,yea the "L" is the ugly duckling of the GS family.
Never achieves swan status
There was/is a few threads in here about bar swaps.

Welcome aboard and don't lay it down.
That is not an option, we didn't teach you that in class, did we?