My name is matt. I have a 2005 yamaha vstar650. I am new to motorcycles and working to tune uo this bike and use it as my first rider. Looking for tips and suggestions. Thanks guys.
Welcome from Wisconsin. For advice you have come to the right place, There are guys that have a ton of experience with the 650. Unfortunately i have an 1100 which i am learning is a lot different than the 650 than i would have thought. The people here are so nice and willing to help if needed. Stop by often
Welcome from Atlantic Canada. You picked a nice bike to start out on - reliable and powerful enough for commuting and highway riding. You'll find the people here are knowledgeable and helpful so post any questions you have and you'll get some answers. We're kinda big on pics here so please post one when you get a chance.
Each spring there are many riders trying to wake their bike up from a winter nap or new to them rides and are having issues. There's a many here who will share their experience in an attempt to get you safely on the road. A few things that really help us is your location and some bike details...
This is an idea I have seen on another forum, and it seemed like a lot of fun if enough people participate. This forum has more than enough activity that it should take off. The basic idea is this; while riding find certain objects or signs or whatever to take a pic of your bike in front of...
Matt, welcome to the forum from New York, another 650 owner and a new rider. I strongly suggest enrolling in a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course if you havent taken it. The experience is well worth it if one accident is prevented. Ask questions.. there are a lot of experienced active members here.
Welcome Matt from North Carolina!
Great pick for a starter bike. Lots of very knowledgeable and helpful people here to help you solve any issue you may have.
Like Les said, pictures are a must here so please post some of your new ride!
Again... WELCOME!
Welcome to the forum from East Tennessee! Yes pics are a must and you’ve purchased one the most reliable bikes ever produced. If you have questions, we have answers or at least we’ll find one for you. I also highly recommend the MSF course, I got 10% off my insurance.
Welcome to the forum from East Tennessee! Yes pics are a must and you’ve purchased one the most reliable bikes ever produced. If you have questions, we have answers or at least we’ll find one for you. I also highly recommend the MSF course, I got 10% off my insurance.
Yes, i will definetly take the course before i begin any serious riding. Right now the most i will do is an ops check down the street and back. I cant register the bike without having a license and I cant get a license without taking the course and i dont know anyone who has a bike that would let me borrow it for the class. I head back to the states this year so will do it then. For now im happy just getting the bike fixed and fully operarional.
Welcome from Columbus, OH! Lots of very knowledgeable 650 owners on this forum. Another vote for the rider safety course. True Confidence on a bike helps a bunch...know your limits and practice, practice practice..
If you have not been on a motorcycle before and cannot take the class yet
the single most important thing you need to know is that motorcycles steer backwards
its called counter steering - the physics behind it are not easy to explain
but the implementation is simple:
when you are going down the road with any speed (over 10mph... but lets say 40mph for example) and you want to turn or curve or ease the bike over to the right
you push the right grip forward, and the bike will lean down on the right side, and the bike will curve to the right
the more pressure you apply, the faster it will turn
when you stop pushing on the grip, the bike will do what it wants to do - resume going straight on its present heading (direction)
the 2nd most important thing you must know: always look where you want the motorbike to go, because its GOING to go where you are looking
this is even harder to understand, but its true. You cannot rubberneck on a motorcycle and site see and check out babes on the side of the road
if you look sideways the bike will start going sideways
if something is blocking your path and you look at it (a stopped car) you will drive right into it
if you look at the ground between your wheels, that is where you will end up, on the ground
These are the two things that literally kill new riders, who think they know how to ride a motorcycle because they know how to ride a bicycle.
if you are puttering around a parking lot at 5mph, then it steers and rides like a bicycle - you can practice slipping the clutch in the friction zone, and practice duck walking and turning around in circles and figure 8s
but when you get on the road and get out of 1st gear, remember those two golden rules
Even if you don't take a class to get your MC endorsement i still suggest taking a class at a community college. I took it oer 30 years ago and am still glad i did. I learned stuff i didn't know and i was on my 3rd cycle
Thats good to know too. Never even thought of that, didnt know they offered those type off classes.
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