[Chris17z650]

Just got my 650 today! Get my endorsement Saturday! This is my first bike, I have taken it to the end of the road and back, its the only motorcycle I hve ever been on other than a 125 Honda xr, an old 89. Any advice for me out there I might not get at Harley's riding academy this weekend?

 

[McFl]

Congrats on your bike dude!
1st I recommend get full gear. As a new rider, don't even think about riding without a helmet, gloves, jacket, pants and shoes. Take it easy and learn your bike. Take the MSP course, and spend time turning. Riding these days is not like it was 20 yrs ago - too many drivers on their cel phones and are distracted, so be extra careful.
It's a great bike and fun bike.

 

[Ziggs]

That's quite the bike you've decided on for your first, but I wouldn't expect it to take long for you to become more comfortable with it. As a new rider I would suggest that you prepare yourself for dropping it, because that happens to even the best riders. You may want to look into some frame sliders so you can protect your new toy.

 

[nedfromPA]

Here's some advice (based on personal experience): go real easy on corners for the first 100 miles. Brand new tires have poor traction until they are "scrubbed in."

 

[Chris17z650]

Thanks everyone, gonna take it slow and look into Frame sliders, though I hope it never comes to That, completed msf e-course and go to Harley classes today!

 

[Chris17z650]

And yeah I noticed the tires, didn't help it was wet out for two days, finally dry today! Hopefully won't need any cold weather gear for a while...

 

[Chris17z650]

Can anyone show me the style sliders I need to put on?

 

[Black17Z650]

Can anyone show me the style sliders I need to put on?

OES accessories
You can get a full package of frame sliders, fork sliders and spools. I found mine on eBay.

 

[Chris17z650]

Congrats on your bike dude!
1st I recommend get full gear. As a new rider, don't even think about riding without a helmet, gloves, jacket, pants and shoes. Take it easy and learn your bike. Take the MSP course, and spend time turning. Riding these days is not like it was 20 yrs ago - too many drivers on their cel phones and are distracted, so be extra careful.
It's a great bike and fun bike.

aced the msf, i mean aced it, and it really helped too! Gonna ease into riding more and more, any advice on a muffler? I dont like the sound unless i really get up in rpm's, oh, is it terrible to get up there every now and again during break in?

 

[roadhawk]

welcome to the forum!

 

[Chris17z650]

Thanks roadhawk know where to get a set of pipes I can put my own muffler on? Are straight pipes illegal?

 

[hawker]

The exhaust system is a full one piece, you can't use a slip-on. There are a couple of options, but they ain't cheap.

Straight pipes are generally illegal in most states, but seldom enforced. What state do you live in? However, your neighbors will hate you, most likely your bike will perform worse, not better and many other motorcyclists won't appreciate your obnoxious pipes as well. Especially those riding behind you. Ride and enjoy for a while before making any mods...then you'll have much more experience to draw from and you'll be better prepared to know whether your mods were a good move or not. My .02.

 

[Chris17z650]

Thanks, the bike is just so darn quiet, and the stock exhaust is so darn huge lol. It does look like close to another 1k to get what i want, frankly i just dont have it. for now i still have some must haves to invest in, more gear mainly and a windscreen for the highway. Taking my first trip in the dark to work monday morning, i feel really comfortable on the bike though, just want out of the break in period so i can really start to hammer it a little more!

 

[Jadar671]

Break in Shmake in ...if you want to wait for your first oil change fine but enjoy your new toy I'm sure you're not hot doggin it... bringing it up in speed isn't going to hurt anything.

 

[EvilBunny]

I bought my z650 brand new 6 months ago or so never ridden before, did exhaust, and a couple other mods, I have about 8500 miles on it now and dragged knee for the first time on it yesterday. Good bike to start on in my opinion and probably wont outgrow it too soon. It is fairly capable stock.