[Bob Harley]

I didn’t need the choke today at all.  In fact, I think the more often I ride the s40 the less often it needs the choke it seems to me.  And it sounds like you are only 200 miles ahead of me on the odometer, so it’s a fair comparison.  Also I remember last week I got confused and thought I had the choke open, and when I pulled it out (that should have been a big hint..duh?), which WAS actually the open position, the bike stalled on me.  It did not want to start with the choke open.  So I closed it and viola, it started and idled fine.  I think these s40 bikes are really durable. I have decided to leave the choke alone, unless it just won’t start and idle without it.

Congrats on the break in!  Is the S40 your first bike too? 

[Bob Harley]

I have an s40.  In warm weather it starts and runs fine in a couple minutes with no choke.  In fact I think it dislikes the choke in warm weather like we have had here in california lately.  When I do use the choke, the throttle doesn’t seem to help.  In fact I’ve stalled the engine opening up the throttle several times with the choke open when I pulled the bike out of half a year of deep sleep.  Eventually I just let the bike idle and after it warmed up all was good.  I am stil breaking in my bike (and myself) so everything is in new condition.  How may miles do you have?  Maybe you are ready for a carb adjustment?

[Bob Harley]

I am not sure about the windshield, at least in terms of attractiveness, but I notice I keep coming back to this topic just to look at the pics of the gladius.  I really like this bike.  I was looking at the er-6n and ninja 650r, but each time I sit on those bikes and then sit on a gladius, the gladius is calling to me…

I would say the kawi product are great, but the little suzuki has something that you can’t put on a spec sheet that makes me want to take it home.   Maybe Santa Claus will leave one under my tree this year. 

I have also decide that I like both colors.  I think anyone who dislikes this bike has not seen it in person or sat on it.  It doesn’t photo well, but it looks so nice and feels so good in person.  Keep posting pics.  At least til’ xmas…

PS:  I can’t place it, but something seems to be missing from your bike?  I do like the exposed frame.  That is a nice touch.

[Bob Harley]

So I tried on about a dozen pants or so when I was handed a pair that did everything I wanted them to do.

Fit comfortably over my jeans, knee armor that actually fits over the knee and doesn’t move around too much, offers wind and water protection and has a decent textile abrasion resistance.  I bought Tourmaster Quest pants.  Too my surprise they were cheap!  $68!!!  As far as I can tell they do not have ventallation vents, the water proof liner is not removable and there is no zipper to connect to my jacket (although my jacket does also have belt loop clips that will work just fine).  But somehow I don’t really feel like I need that stuff.  Plus although the liner is not removable, it is easy to put on and take off, even with jeans on and feels less restrictive.  If I had been told that the pants were so cheap and simple before I put them on I might have over looked them.  Simplicity has it’s own reward.  I figure the only real downside is that without ventilation, on the 100+ degree days like we are having today, it may get a bit sweaty in my shorts, but at least I’ll feel safer now that I have a complete set of gear to wear.

At this point my investment in gear has run me:

Helmet:  $150
Glove:  $60
Boots: $130
Jacket, leather:  $500 (I know, but I really liked it!)
Pants, textile: $68
Grand total:  $908, plus taxes makes it about $985 to fully gear up.

Hopefully I’ll never use them for anything other than to keep the sun and wind off my bare skin.

[Bob Harley]

I need to try on more pants! 

Maybe I”ll have time today if the truck passes smog hassle free to go to a different shop and look at their gear.  When I bought my jacket, I think I tried on every jacket they had before settling on the one I have.  Maybe I’m just picky?  But I’d like to think that I’m spending my money on gear I’ll want to wear.  I look for fieldsheer, I like the idea of a strap beneath the knee.  I was actually contemplating a velcro calf strap if I couldn’t find a pant that worked well for me to hold that knee pad close.  I have found that riding with my gear feels great, it’s the putting it on and taking it off that’s a chore.  The underpants armor seems like a good idea at first, but taking them off once they are on is not such a simple task.  For running around town or a joy ride I’d love it, but for going to work, I can imagine running late and having to wear those knee pads till lunch break.

Anyone else have a favorite brand of pants? 

[Bob Harley]

And I wanted to help too.  In the MSF class I saw several guys drop or toss their lids around, so I figured that the MSF gear gets really abused.  Giving them a full face helm would be an upgrade over the 3/4 lids they mostly hand out.

OK, well then I have another question.  Is there a safe place to send the helms for disposal?  In my neighborhood I have a lot trash diggers, who I am certain would care if they found a helmet with a minor scratch.  I’d hate to toss it and see it next weekend at the neighbor’s yard sale.  I’m in California if that helps.  I have heard that fire depts and law enforcement will take helms for disposal, but I cannot confirm this anywhere.

Maybe I’m trying to hard to be responsible…

[Bob Harley]

I’m beginning to realize that motorcycling is a lot of trial and error.  You can ask for advice, but until you actually go out and try something you really don’t know.  And the funny thing is, what works great for one person is totally disappointing for another.  Variables for bike and rider are situation at best, but at least it doesn’t sound like the fly screen is a pure cosmetic application.  I have a coworker who rides, and he has had no luck finding a windshield he likes.  So he is thinking about just going without and living with the wind.  I just don’t like hanging on to the bars with a death grip at 50 mph and above.  I have noticed that jacket material seems to have a slight effect.  My wife’s Jacket is Leather over the shoulders and arms, but textile over the chest and back.  My jacket is mostly leather, with some textile in the armpits and inner arms.  I feel less resistance in my jacket.  I wonder if leather is more aerodynamic or slippery?  It seems to me like it makes a difference.

[Bob Harley]

Buying a bike is largely a personal choice of both style and needs.

What exactly are you looking for? What do like or dislike and how many different bikes have you had the chance to sit on or actually ride? I’m certain if you give a little more info other web members here can point you the right direction.

[Bob Harley]

I really like the black Gladius. I finally figured out why. The body has some nice curves, but the other colors distract you away from that. Anyways, the lack of wind protection has had me looking at other bikes. Your windshield is inspirational! What is the brand and model of the windshield and can you show a better picture of how it mounts to the handlebars? Also, does the windshield mounted this way stay put or do you have to adjust it from time to time? I’ll want to know if I decide to buy one of suzuki’s swords…

Thanks

Brian

[Bob Harley]

I hadn’t thought of “Sam” as being pissed? Whoa, maybe he has some attitude…

My take on it was that despite of his “injures”, he still carried me home safely!

Thankyou on the compliment. I was worried my first two posts were too long and that no one would want to read my ‘essays of introspection’.

[Bob Harley]

I haven’t ruled out the sports bike entirely, but on my mountain bike I replaced the flat bar with a 3.5″ riser bar because I didn’t like being leaned so far forward. Logically, I can see why it’s a good posture, especially for aggressive riding. Also, I know that a mountain bike is not a motorcycle ergonomically. However, my thought is that if you get a bike that is more of a standard, you can easily convert it to a flat bar or clip ons later. But if you start out with a bike in an aggressive posture, the cables and lines are shorter and you are stuck with it. I’m trying to plan ahead. But the next time I look at bikes I’ll give that sv650F a second chance.

At this point my top bike choices are Gladius, Ninja 650r, gs500 and I’d like to find a naked sv650 (those things sell FAST!).

Thanks for the support!

-Brian V.

[Bob Harley]

I pass MSF in April. Sit on as many bikes as you can, and keep your options open. You may find yourself looking at a bike that you didn’t think you’d like. I just finished my thoughts on hunting for a bike.

https://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/forum/forum/3177/my-search-my-first-bike-part-1

I have the luxury of riding my wife’s Suzuki S40. It’s actually a nice bike. I want something sporty, but learning on this bike has been a good experience so far.

[Author]

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