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ghettoe · 08-25-2010, 08:59 AM

Okay, so I got my helmet and jacket yesterday. Today, woke up and hit the roads at 10 am.
Things I noticed - I am rather terrible at breaking and down shifting. I did have a few smooth stops but not as many as I would like. Any tips?

And my million dollar question was I noticed my bike has no gas gauge so how do I know I'm out of gas? I checked my gas tank and there's gas in there but how will I know when I need to refill? (I know I'm a newb)

proud of:
Not stalling.

12er · 08-25-2010, 09:13 AM

so what did you end up with? Most older bikes have a petschlong (fuel valve, cant say c*ck on this site) to where there is an "ON, OFF and RES." When it starts sputtering you reach down and flip the switch to "res" and off you go to the gas station. Make sure after filling you switch back to ON!!!! Or the next sputter will leave you on the side of the road. Note your Odometer, thats how you know how far you can go typically.

As for stopping, get out to a big uncrowded parking lot and practice practice practice. Welcome to the club.

pushrod · 08-25-2010, 09:27 AM

If it's a fuel-injected bike, it won't have a On/Off/Res valve, so you will need to determine how many miles you get on a tank.

Regarding stopping - keep your eyes on the horizon. Do not look down.

Work on your clutch technique: Keep the engine rpm up a bit, and control your slow speed with the clutch.

With practice, you'll be able to come to a complete stop, and then roll off without your feet touching the ground.

ghettoe · 08-25-2010, 09:29 AM

I have a 2005 ninja 250 R. I checked and I do have a fuel valve. It is currently on RES. By the way, should I always put it on off when I park?

Tomorrow, I'll hit my school parking lot like no man's business.

12er · 08-25-2010, 09:39 AM

Congrats, you shouldnt have to turn it off, and if you do and forget you'll be reminded about a block away. Old bikes sometimes flood when the valve is left on, but thats normally due to 30 year old carb floats. You shouldnt have to turn it off unless your storing it which its a good idea to turn it off and run it out of gas so your carbs dont muck up.

While your out in the lot practicing remember to practice flipping your valve to res just so your ready on the first sputter out on the road. Just remember to go back to ON.

A Star Ride · 08-25-2010, 04:19 PM

Good pointers above, make sure you know where the switch is without having to look. Sure you'll be in the left with no shoulder of 4 lanes when you run out.

As for braking, don't be afraid of the front brake, 80% stopping force is there.

08-25-2010, 08:59 AM	#1
ghettoe Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 32	First Day Riding. Okay, so I got my helmet and jacket yesterday. Today, woke up and hit the roads at 10 am. Things I noticed - I am rather terrible at breaking and down shifting. I did have a few smooth stops but not as many as I would like. Any tips? And my million dollar question was I noticed my bike has no gas gauge so how do I know I'm out of gas? I checked my gas tank and there's gas in there but how will I know when I need to refill? (I know I'm a newb) proud of: Not stalling.

08-25-2010, 09:13 AM	#2
12er Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SF Posts: 2,702	so what did you end up with? Most older bikes have a petschlong (fuel valve, cant say cck on this site) to where there is an "ON, OFF and RES." When it starts sputtering you reach down and flip the switch to "res" and off you go to the gas station. Make sure after filling you switch back to ON!!!! Or the next sputter will leave you on the side of the road. Note your Odometer, thats how you know how far you can go typically. As for stopping, get out to a big uncrowded parking lot and practice practice practice. Welcome to the club. Last edited by 12er : 08-25-2010 at 09:16 AM.*

08-25-2010, 09:27 AM	#3
pushrod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baja 'Bama Posts: 3,478	If it's a fuel-injected bike, it won't have a On/Off/Res valve, so you will need to determine how many miles you get on a tank. Regarding stopping - keep your eyes on the horizon. Do not look down. Work on your clutch technique: Keep the engine rpm up a bit, and control your slow speed with the clutch. With practice, you'll be able to come to a complete stop, and then roll off without your feet touching the ground. __________________ You would not understand, this is not how I am... I have become - Comfortably Numb.

08-25-2010, 09:39 AM	#5
12er Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SF Posts: 2,702	Congrats, you shouldnt have to turn it off, and if you do and forget you'll be reminded about a block away. Old bikes sometimes flood when the valve is left on, but thats normally due to 30 year old carb floats. You shouldnt have to turn it off unless your storing it which its a good idea to turn it off and run it out of gas so your carbs dont muck up. While your out in the lot practicing remember to practice flipping your valve to res just so your ready on the first sputter out on the road. Just remember to go back to ON. Last edited by 12er : 08-25-2010 at 09:44 AM.

08-25-2010, 04:19 PM	#6
A Star Ride Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: central Va Posts: 1,126	Good pointers above, make sure you know where the switch is without having to look. Sure you'll be in the left with no shoulder of 4 lanes when you run out. As for braking, don't be afraid of the front brake, 80% stopping force is there. __________________ White Trash Hick from Appalachia

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08-25-2010, 09:29 AM	#4
ghettoe Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 32	I have a 2005 ninja 250 R. I checked and I do have a fuel valve. It is currently on RES. By the way, should I always put it on off when I park? Tomorrow, I'll hit my school parking lot like no man's business.