The Suzuki gs850G as a first motorcycle for a new rider

[seanarthurmachado]

I always suggest a small, light bike like maybe a Honda 250 Rebel. Low seat, light weight, modest power or even a no-shift scooter. Get used to riding a bit before you take on something as tall and heavy as the 850.

Buying something smaller was my original plan, but my wife noticed I kept checkout out pictures of UJM's and didnt notice the difference of size and already bought the bike a couple years ago and Id say close to a thousand getting it in good shape has been spent.

So, one works with what one has I suppose.

 

[argonsagas]

That is a wonderful story!

Thanks for being so detailed and honest. I loved every word of it.



A recommendation would be to return to the instruction pad and do the MSF course again. With a break of seven years, no matter level of skill you had then, it will be considerably diminished by now.

Yes, that will cost a couple of dollars, but it will be WELL worth it as you will regain confidence, dramatically improve skill level and avoid learning BAD habits, which is highly common with those that do not take the course.

There is a great of good to be had there, and no downside at all, plus, as a bonus, you may well find your insurance company will reward you with a discount for taking the course.

The discount is often 10% for up to three years after the course date, and depending on your rates, that discount may cover the entire cost of the course.

 

[Wingsconsin]

That is a wonderful story!

Thanks for being so detailed and honest. I loved every word of it.



A recommendation would be to return to the instruction pad and do the MSF course again. With a break of seven years, no matter level of skill you had then, it will be considerably diminished by now.

Yes, that will cost a couple of dollars, but it will be WELL worth it as you will regain confidence, dramatically improve skill level and avoid learning BAD habits, which is highly common with those that do not take the course.

There is a great of good to be had there, and no downside at all, plus, as a bonus, you may well find your insurance company will reward you with a discount for taking the course.

The discount is often 10% for up to three years after the course date, and depending on your rates, that discount may cover the entire cost of the course.

​Where's the "Like" button...

 

[Grimly]

Excellent intro to the GS saga.
Of course, back in the day, it was quite common for young and foolish eejits (like myself) to buy an old large pile of scrap and go haring off into the distance with it. At least you had the sense to take it easy and be cautious.
A lot of the young wans I knew back then didn't, and not all of them are still around.

 

[eil]

If you want to practice riding but can't be arsed to get the bike out of the garage, put it up on the center stand and hop on. Visualize and practice working the controls for taking off, upshifting, downshifting, stopping, etc. It may sound dumb but it totally works for helping build that muscle memory.

 

[seanarthurmachado]

If you want to practice riding but can't be arsed to get the bike out of the garage, put it up on the center stand and hop on. Visualize and practice working the controls for taking off, upshifting, downshifting, stopping, etc. It may sound dumb but it totally works for helping build that muscle memory.

I understand your general concept (I have been going for rides around the block to practice actually) but what does "arsed" mean ? "Can't be a$$ed" ?

Not sure I completely follow your lingo.

Sean

 

[Guest]

...the business the PO had purchased. (A car washing business with self service bays.)

I haven't read the full thread yet, but the PO's name wasn't Walter White, was it? Looking forward to finding out...

Oh, and: a) Steve is a saint! b) Your restraint is an important part of this story. You'll know when to move up in speed. As has been said, faster is MUCH easier. The slow part is the hardest.

 

[1948man]

Thanks for the narrative Sean, I enjoyed reading it. If you can find a large and fairly little-used parking lot somewhere (abandoned big-box store maybe), that would be a great stress-free zone that you could practice in without worries. It sounds like you could have got a smaller, newer bike for the same $$ but with the 850, now you know a whole lot about the maintenance and workings of the bike. Knowing you can fix things takes a lot of the worry away. You have a classic and cool ride that will last a long time if you treat it right. Be careful with easing into high-stress traffic riding.

 

[80GS850GBob]

Sean, love the story. This rings true of what most 1st timers run into...riding worries as well as used cycle maint issues. My 1st two cycles were CB750s only because of my fathers worry that a 750 was too big for him - he bought a CB550, but that bike served him well for many trouble free years. I've owned one 1100cc, but went back after a long hiatis to the '80 version of your bike. Yes, she's a tad on the heavy side and a little harder to navigate during slow speed, but she is stable and well powered...just keep taking your time and get used to each other, in the long run, you'll be happy with her.
Find some oem clutch springs if those are aftermarket/heavier, rebuild the brake cylinders, consider Salty Monks brake ugrade for better oem front braking, and "ride". The more time you put in the saddle, the easier things will feel.
BTW, you do know how to counter steer, right?!

 

[seanarthurmachado]

..Find some oem clutch springs if those are aftermarket/heavier, rebuild the brake cylinders, consider Salty Monks brake ugrade for better oem front braking, and "ride". The more time you put in the saddle, the easier things will feel.
BTW, you do know how to counter steer, right?!

Yep, I know how to counter steer, just need to practice everything more. The clutch springs were replaced already, brake cylinders cleaned up, and one left front side caliper piston and seal replaced to fix the previous leak....now my front master cylinder is leaking so I'm about to replace the front brake handle/caliper so I can ride again.

Hopefully this will be the last of the brake gremlins.

sean

 

[salty_monk]

I started on a 1000G so it's possible just probably not ideal.... Best of luck.

Rather than rebuild your brakes you could spend your money to upgrade to the twinpot Kawasaki Calipers - i started putting the brackets for that together as a kit as the stock 1000G brakes scared me... Especially with my wife on the back (even though she's only 100lb)!
depends on how bothered you are with originality over performance. The Twinpots are night and day to the originals.

 

[Guest]

It sounds like you're well on the way to being an "old salt"!

 

[seanarthurmachado]

I started on a 1000G so it's possible just probably not ideal.... Best of luck.

Rather than rebuild your brakes you could spend your money to upgrade to the twinpot Kawasaki Calipers
depends on how bothered you are with originality over performance. The Twinpots are night and day to the originals.

Well I have the leaks down below fixed and I'm working on the front master cylinder.

I think this weekend it might be OK.

I'm more concerned with a working bike than being 100% original, though I'm trying to keep it close to stock.