First Ride

Hi,
I've seen lots of news lately on the forum about "first rides" on the new bike.Besides managing to get into second gear on my cb500(bought last month) from the front drive round the back of the house and up the grass the last time I actually rode on the road was in the very late 70's on a GT380 triple.So on Saturday I'm off for an MOT. I can't find my old riding gear so I guess I binned it all years ago.So if you a see a CB500 in North Essex on Saturday with a rider clad in a yellow ocean sailing outfit-that's me. I promise I'll get something more suitable shortly and I'll detach the lifejacket.

Whatever it takes mate!...good luck to ya..

Good luck with the MOT - you should take it round the block a few times on the way there to get used it :)

Don't forget, loo roll under the dust seals if the forks are weeping before the mot!

bliomey a gt380, that takes me back to my Bonnie days, had mates with 380s and 550s, ended up with kettles gt750s.
i will be interested what it feels like for you, i am just a tad nervy these days but love it and my mrs says she has never seen such a grin on my face.

good luck ( or break a leg in my line of work theatre ) ........... Hein Gericke got a sale on at the minute for bike clothes or discount according to MCN ...

ta Ginger .................x

Well I now have an MOT.
The journey was about 9 miles so I was a little nervy first off to say the least.All seems to work fine as it is the first time I've riden it since I bought it.
As for comparing it with a triple 2 stroke GT380.It has more vibration which isn't suprising as there is more metal swinging around and it feels a lot heavier to wheel about(or I'm just getting older).I really miss the digital gear position indicator that I had on the GT380 but I was OK with the gears.I never give it enough welly though as I'm used to a car diesel engine.
Sure does go though and I can see why you all like them.Must remember to press the indictor switch for off.Roll on Summer.

God that all sounds so familiar. Have to agree, a bloody great bike tho. I was used to vibes with my old bikes before the "four" but had forgotten just how much they do it. Got some bar ends for mine, hope they work.haha

have fun

Well done freeride, let the sunny weather commence! (Come on now sunshine, all is forgiven!)
Speaking of cancelling indicators, I found this on ebay which seems a good idea; after 12 flashes it starts sounding a beeper with subsequent signals. I've got something similar fitted but it sounds as soon as you flick the indicators on which can be a bit annoying, although useful with the pedestrian lemmings in town.

haha brilliant idea but i am a bit mutton and have to take my aids out while wearing my helmet....pardon

Back to the comment from jforth.

Thanks Hein Gericke do have a sale on and also I got another 10% off for being insured with Bennetts.

Yes, I agree it does go and I actually got up to 3000 revs and I forgot to mention it is 30 years since I last rode my 380. Quite a challenge!
A lot different to a diesel auto people carrier but at least you can watch a DVD sitting in the rear. Was going to tax the bike but I think I'll wait till March/April.