New Bike- Getting Started

freestyler_onli · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Nov 2004 Karma :

Ok. I got a brand new Aprilia RS125. Apart from riding it in/filling it up as per dealers instructions, are there any hints/tips you guys have on how to ease it in for smooth riding???

Also 1 Q: Someone said that spraying WD-40 on the wheels gives you better grip in cold conditions. Not that i ever would-does anyone know if this is true??#

Ta.

scottc1088 · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Karma :

wd-40 is oily so i wudnt reccomend it lol
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2000 Derbi Senda R, Malossi 80cc, evolution n.g. full circle race crankshaft,26mm carb,Malossi mhr exhaust,TNT filter,Hebo reedblock + carbon reeds,Alien front light,Kundo 330mm rear shock,13-53
Breaking 2000 senda r

JonB · Afraid of Mileage Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Karma :

scottc1088 · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Karma :

freestyler_onli · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Nov 2004 Karma :

LOL.

Well i'll let him try it out then. Smile

Rollins · Trackday Trickster Joined: 15 Jul 2004 Karma :

Flip · Super Spammer Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Karma :

I really do not think Optimax in a 125 would even be noticed. Fuel like that is for high performance vehicles. Ferrari etc. Not worth the extra cash in a 125.

Whoever the person who told you to put WD-40 on your wheels for grip is trying to kill you. Sorry.

stryker · Brolly Dolly Joined: 30 Aug 2004 Karma :

I generally keep the revs below 5k when my bike is cold. I'd also choose to ride away as soon as so the engine warms up quicker. A lot of engine wear happens while its cold.
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Now what?

freestyler_onli · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Nov 2004 Karma :

It's funny you lot should mention this. I turned it on cold, kept it running for 5 mins say as i put my gloves and helmet on. Then i was riding off maybe 3 miles later when all power cut out. Everything powered down. I tried to restart and 'COLD' flashed up on the screen. Fair enough- then it said it was optimum temprature so off i went only for it to cut out again. So i guessed that petrol was to blame so i filled her up. No probs for the next 10 miles or so. Just gotta make sure i warm it up a bit first i guess. Confused

Barker-CBR 600 · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 20 Nov 2004 Karma :

On the general riding note.

There are a lot of advanced courses etc that are great, and even a few video's etc that really teach you things that would otherwise come with years of experience.

But theres the money factor, and if (like me) you cant afford the most expensive courses, and find that the video's etc are a lot for what they are then my one tip to you is find the Bike/Ride mags sections that they ran a month of two ago.

Was along the lines of 'perfect riding' or something similar, basically some real good tips on counter steering, road positioning, the sacred vanishing point ( Wink

)

Another idea is simply ride with, or more like behind, someone who's done these courses or benefit from years of experience. After only 3-4 rides following my dad on his VFR (20+ years biking and done several courses etc) i found i had tightened my line, smoothed out nasty habits that were beginning to emerge after only about 2 weeks on the CBR!

Thats my 2 cents, only one way you'll ever get it all right though... thats to get out that chair and on the bike! Thumbs Up

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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?'

freestyler_onli · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Nov 2004 Karma :

Yeah thanks for that-sounds like good advice/tips there- ill look it up.

On another note- i just couldn't get the bike started tonight. I don't think the battery's flat as i only had it a few days. Besides-i wouldn't know if it was flat- i mean the lights/instrument panels light up fine. It kept saying 'COLD' which i couldn't do anything about so i had to call of 2 important trips.

Bloody bike! Mad

Barker-CBR 600 · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 20 Nov 2004 Karma :

NSR's have a manual choke if i am right... maybe RS's are the same?

If it does then i find that full choke doesnt always do the job, if you can get the engine ticking over then you find a point just before full choke (7/8ths of the way or something odd like that) and then it idles fast enough to keep it going.

Did it turn over at all or simply wouldnt even gurgle at you?
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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?'

freestyler_onli · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Nov 2004 Karma :

Well the very first time i wheeled it out garage-it started fine- ran for maybe 10 secs then died. Then it wouldn't even 'gurgle'. -Sounded like when you turn a power drill on and off quickly- cold kept flashing up- i hope its that!