Moving from a 125 to a 500

[ginguar]

Today I finally get my GS500 and am absolutely terrified of riding it. I have had a go on it in a car park and find it hard work. It feels really powerful (don't laugh) and the controls are too big for my girl hands.

Anyone got any advice on moving up to a bigger bike? How did any of you lot find it? Will it take me ages to get used to it? I feel like a learner again.

[G]

It shouldn't take you long at all.

If you're worried by the power, just turn the throttle slowly. I reckon you'll soon find it's easier to ride than your 125.
If you're worried by the power - just turn the throttle less initially .

Usually the biggest problem is getting used to the weight - so maybe put a bit more thought into slow speed manouvers if this is the case.

[byke95]

It's more than likely that the fact you're terrified is making it hard work, build your confidence up (the stuff that G said should do the trick).

Once you've got the manouvers sorted (confidence and ability) take it on a nice straight, feeling that bit of grunt for the first time may well make you fall in love all over again!

[stinkwheel]

[syl]

[Bendy]

It's probably the hardest work in the carpark, where you're going slowly and the weight/size/whatever is revealing itself more.

Take it on the roads proper and it'll feel much better.

[Kitten]

If I was ok, you will be. When you give a proper ride you'll find it much less hard work than a 125. I did!
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RVF400 (NC35) My baby

[ginguar]

Cheers for the advice people.

Bendy, I was hoping that would be the case. I remember practicing in a car park was a nightmare on the 125 but once you get on the roads it's a lot easier.

Have butterflies in my stomach now. Am both excited and sick all at the same time. Lovely.

[Misc]

I've just moved from a moped to a Yamaha R6, when it got delivered i went around the carpark just getting used to pulling away & the weight of the bike. Then today i went out for my 1st proper ride & once you're out for a few minutes you just get used to the bike & start to enjoy it & depsite what i read about the R6, she's a pussycat.

Just take it slow & barley twist the throttle, you will start to enjoy it & it will come naturally. or maybe take the bike out early in the morning when theres hardly any cars on the road. Just like you're test, you feel nervous & terrified but once you're out you actually enjoy it.

Good luck.

[nick.h]

I had relatively hardly any trouble with learning on my gs500. But it really makes my 50 feel like a toy.

Weight and power are the biggest changes.

I found after about 30 mins riding loops/junctions in a double car park that i was ready for the road. I was thrown in at the deep end, as after my dad rode me home on it, we took a trip to oxford. Had no troubles, and was fun being able to keep up with my dad.

Just remember to enjoy yourself!

Nick
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[Italjet MM5A] ll [Rieju RS1 Evolution] ll [Suzuki GS500e] ll [Suzuki GSX600F] ll [Honda CG125] ll [Pug Elyseo 125] ll [Yamaha YZF750R] ll [Yamaha Thunderace] ll [Yamaha R6] ll [Triumph 955i] ll [Hayabusa RZK3] ll [Suzuki RGV250] ll

[ginguar]

I just rode home from the garage on it. Oh my fecking god. It was cool. Am shaking now. I was more nervous about that than doing my bike test.

[byke95]

[alec_h]

i got thrown in at the deep end lol. my dad got an er-5 on a test ride, and rode it home for me to have a go.

so it wasnt my bike and if i dropped it i was in the brown stuff, also it was against the law because i didnt actually have a licence. was just an ickle bit scared
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Other nations, the French, looked at a dining table and saw an opportunity to have dinner. We looked at a dining table and saw an opportunity to play wiff waff! - Boris Johnson

[Misc]

Every time you ride it you will gain more confident, even on small trips to the shops

[MementoMori]

Hey, I'm gonna be in your situation tomorrow. I'm gonna be test riding an ER-5. I have been waiting for this for ages, but I am worried about the weight.

I had a succesful go on my dad's unrestricted GPZ500 and it was pretty good, and I'm glad you had a good first proper experience with your new bike.
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The tiger who came for a pint

[kawakid]

I went from a 125 to a 500 myself, it was quite frightening at first.

The thing I struggled with the most was slow speed control and turns (don't ask I had passed already).

The speed and exceleration was frightening compared to a 125, now it feels slow.................
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I've a twin and a 4.

[The Old Geeza]

[Whosthedaddy]

The bike will feel heavier and cumbersome at 1st, just take it easy with the throttle AND the brakes as both will be more powerful than the 125cc bike.

It wont take long to get used to the difference in weight and the way it handles, be careful you dont snatch at the controls otherwise you'll be pogoing down the road. A spin in a car park will help, but remember to go around some quiet street to get used to the clutch contol and difficult angled starts / pull aways.

You will have a grin on your face from ear to ear when you feel that bad boy between your legs and its throbbing away

Fear is a good thing as it makes you more cautious and less likely to be wreckless until you feel confident in the way the bike handles and performs The switch gear will take a while to get used to, but everything is pretty much in the same place just a little more spread out on the wider bars, summers nearly here so smaller / thinner summer gloves may help.
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[king kong]

i went from 125 to a 750 and felt EVERY emotion and git feel that you had, now i can't stop grinning when I ride.