New Bike

[Craggles]

Hiya,

I've got a new bike... GPZ500S. This is moving up from my GN125 I've had since May - I've still got it, will be activley looking to sell from about March time... but am open to any reasonable offers now!

Well its a '96 Model, N Reg.... Blue.... Picked it up from Southampton Motorcycle Center yesterday. Love having the extra power - and I've found I'm instantly riding more responsibly - I don't think I've broken any speed limits by more than 5mph since I've had it! (A whole 24 hours )

What sort of fuel consumption can I expect with it, riding sensibly? How many miles will a full tank do on average do you think??

Does anyone have any advice with dealing with the wind at high speed - I've tried tucking myself behind the fairing but that makes the bike feel very unstable, and me look like a Boi Racer! Rearward glances are especially difficult to do!

Of course, thats based on today's experience, and the conditions are not ideal down here atall! (Looks out window to see tree bending over due to wind)

Craig
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If this signature is blue, you're riding too fast

[Barker-CBR 600]

High winds from weather or speed related?

From weather -

High winds = a pain on faired bike,

Not as bad as cruisers but your still a big old sail from side on.
All you can do is ride less towards either side of your lane than you would normaly (less towards middle on straights and left handers, less towards gutter on right handers) so you have some extra room to get blown about.
When it does happen, then just lean into it to keep yourself on the straight. Depending upon angle of wind will depend how it affects you.


If from speed -

Double bubble screens are great for this, slight duck and most of its over my head without lying on my tank, and the tint on a black bike dont look to bad either.

Leathers as opposed to textiles have a slight effect, i worn both in experimenting and i found leather is tighter to the skin, doesnt bluster about as much and generally makes it far more comfortable. Did away with textiles and only got a full leather suit now.

That and generally tuck yourself in and get used it to, will be alot more than a 125 and you will be going alot faster. (despite what you may tell your parents )


As for fuel consumption.

Not a clue, but i have read that restriction can affect it making it run rich or lean... so less/more miles per tank if restricted depending on the bike.

CBR600 doing about 140 miles a tank. Like i said little real help to anyone there.
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Previous - Gilera DNA50 / XVS125 Dragstar/Honda CBR 600F/GSF 650 Bandit
Current - 2013 Suzuki VZ800 Intruder
'Is this a rhetorical question?'

[iCraig]

Well done, GPZ's are decent little bikes, I should know I have one.

Take it easy in this kind of weather as the top fairing acts like a sale and catches the wind in it.

Fuel consumption is good on mine, I fill it up with about 16ltrs of Petrol about £13 worth and can go 180 miles before going to reserve. Which works out to be just less than 12MPL (Miles per litre) or 70MPG-ish?

[Craggles]

[iCraig]

By the way is it restricted? If It is I am intriugued to find out if the powerband is still there at 7000RPM?

Also a quick correction, its a GPZ500S, not a GPz500, the upper case Z means its Watercooled rather than lower case z meaning aircooled. Sorry to be pedantic .

[Craggles]

[stinkwheel]

Good wee bikes, I have had two and have done about 45k miles on them. They return absolutley phenomenal fuel consumption figures if ridden sensibly, I have done 200 miles on a tank before now (running on what was left in the float bowls when I finally filled up). Even when thrashed, they still do around 50mpg. Plan to fill up at 165miles on an unrestricted bike from a brim-full tank (the tank will take about another 1 1/2 litres when it looks like it is full if you fill it with the bike level).

They are a bit of a bitch in the wind, it seems to try to flick the bottom half of the bike out from underneath you rather than leaning it over. Sit as far forwards on the seat as you can, take more of your weight on the pegs, crouch down and stick your elbows out, don't ask me why but it works. By loading one or other of the pegs up, you can make the bike 'crab' accross a lane without altering your position.

As you may have noticed, the mirrors are shite. Nothing is perfect I suppose. When you are checking behind you, rather than turning your head, move it down and to the side so your chin touches your collar bone and look out of the corner of your eye over your shoulder whilst at the same time twisting your elbow inwards...I don't know if that makes sense, try it when you are sitting on the bike and I hope you will see what I mean.

Keep a good eye on the oil level and do not stint on oil changes, give it an oil and filter change every 3k miles and it will last you well (the book says a filter every 6k but pattern ones are only 3 quid, just change it with the oil).
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Craggles]

Cheers stinkwheel,

I'll give the head movement a go tmz, it makes sense, but I'm sure it'll make more sense when I've got a helmet on and am on the bike!

I've got mirrors set so I can see into the other two lanes (if I was in the Middle lane of a three lane road) without moving my head, and can see behind if I move my head and tuck my elbows in. I figure I'll have to learn to do more regular rearward checks.

Craig
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If this signature is blue, you're riding too fast

[dodsi]

I have just bought an ER-5 (restricted) and travel at over 70 sometimes like when i am going 90 on the way too keiths *ahem* i mean 70 officer and have no problem moving my head to change lane!, dont be scared just use the force craggles, use the force (of you neck force it back around)

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

My Dad's mirror's were crap to use and he got fed up of being a contortionist so made some spacers. Two metal cylinders for either side about an inch and a half long, thread them and your done. Used longer screws(plus extra rubber washers), covered them in black tape for looks, hey presto. Still has to bend in elbow a bit for proper view.

Wind protection on the GPZ is mediocre, on front or back.
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical