Ok, I'm new to this forum and would like to introduce myself! My name is Sofija and I just purchased my first ever bike last week! Its a late 91/92 Suzuki GSX 250 Across and I love it, I'm yet to get my open licence but I've been practising every day for my test next week! Its the most exciting thing I've ever done and my poor mother is scared to death! I hope that I don't cause her any grief and look forward to riding safely on the roads.. I'd love some newbie advice and I have a few questions: 1. Should I modify the exhaust or not ? Some people say for safety reasons its good to have a louder exhast so others can hear you approaching? I have a touch of hoon in my blood and would like to, but maybe I should get my P plates first ! haha 2. Taking off the 'across' stickers..should I leave her original or get a nice candy red respray..I dont want her to lose value if and when I might sell her? 3. The rear vision mirrors are quite difficult to judge distances, should I buy new mirrors or not, perhaps I'm just not used to looking into such small mirrors? 4. Do you have any newbie safety advice for me? Ok enough questions for now, please tell me more about you and what bike you ride...I'm very excited to be here and hope to meet some new friends! Sofija. P.S Heres a pic of my Suzi, I enjoy photography also, this was shot using a 30 Second exposure at f/18, 100ISO and a flashlight.
Hey Sofija Wclcome to the forum, goos to see you have an Across, there are quite a few GSX250F owners on here. :Thumbs_up: 1. Should I modify the exhaust or not ? Some people say for safety reasons its good to have a louder exhast so others can hear you approaching? I have a touch of hoon in my blood and would like to, but maybe I should get my P plates first ! haha An exhaust can improve performance and many say loud pipes save lives, if you want one, send a PM to twowheeledbike as he has one spare. 2. Taking off the 'across' stickers..should I leave her original or get a nice candy red respray..I dont want her to lose value if and when I might sell her? This is one of personal choice, if you do want to paint your bike, send a message to paintmyride , he does excellent work see www.aceofsprays.com.au 3. The rear vision mirrors are quite difficult to judge distances, should I buy new mirrors or not, perhaps I'm just not used to looking into such small mirrors? I never had any probs with mine, they are a good size, give it time to get used to them. 4. Do you have any newbie safety advice for me? There are a few threads in the Rider Training board, check that out , my simple rule is to always ride like there is a target on your back and have an exit plan in case you get into trouble. I really like your photo, I wanted to start some photography threads in the "Pub", wouldnt mind understanding how you did your lightpainting, the effect is awesome !!!! take it easy Chris
Thanks for your advice Chris! Riding a bike is a very exciting and scary concept for me, but the target on my back idea is a really good analogy! I really love the sound she makes but feel a bit more noise would be nice! I love the sound of the Ducati ss900 and if I wasnt a learner it would be that or a monster I'd love to ride, they sound awesome!! I'm not sure I will spend money on pipes yet but its something I wasnt sure was a waste of money or not? Sounds like it might be the next plan.. I really think you should start a photography section, theres one in Boostcruising.com! :-\ I did my light painting with a torch. The bike was in the dark, I put my camera on a tripod and I shone the torch on the bike to focus the camera, opened the exposure to f/18 then clicked the shutter release and walked around the bike paining the light where I wanted it...If you leave it open longer you would get different results and also with different apertures and different light sources, my flashlight had a more yellow tone to it...I love photography and am experimenting with lots of stuff such as steel wool photography, its awesome!..I youtube ideas all the time..you will see some nice light painting there! Ok im off to find the rider training board...I really should sleep, I have work tomorrow!
Hey Sofija Welcome to the Forum, you are in good company. Suzuki Across, one of my favorite bikes. They look great, they go well and do most things very well. I owned one that had been resprayed in a dark silver and it looked hot. When I posted it for sale the phone rang continuously. There is plenty of reading on the Across on this Forum and plenty who can assist should you need a hand. My one piece of advise to a new rider is this, NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING. The minute you do, trouble follows. Do things in your own time and when you feel comfortable to do so, riding a motorcycle is probably the most enjoyable time, doesn't matter how old you are. As always, enjoy the ride. Cheers Phil
Hi Sofija Welcome to the forum and have fun with the across. There are plenty of owners here and every one is willing to help out where they can. Have fun riding and don't do what you don't feel comfortable with you will get better as you ride more.
Thanks for the welcome guys! I must say she is a wonderful bike to ride compared to the crappy learner bike I'm using in my lessons... I can't see myself selling her in a hurry since its powerful enough for me..I've been watching 'Faster' and 'Close to the edge' for some entertainment..Its great to see some hardcore riders rip those corners and I hope one day I can take her on a track and see how fast the across can go...I bought some Dainese jackets yesterday instead of spending on a new exhaust, with the colder weather coming my leather one will surely keep me warm. I am however still thinking of modifying the exhaust a little since I keep reading 'loud bikes are safe bikes'... :o Im not quite ready to do line locks, but my instructor said he would teach me one day, Um ahhhh Plus I wouldnt mind poppin a wheelie, but a friend said a 250 wouldn't be able to do it?...(Im thinking this wouldn't happen for a while anyway) I have a bit of hoonism in my blood, I did own a Valiant VG coupe a few years back, bored out 30tho over and mild cam etc...Im yet to learn the ins and outs of a bike motor...still learning, bit confusing..but I'm sure i'll get here.. Oh and i like your comment "never assume anything" roundabouts scare me and I always slow right down to check and small side streets where crazy bogans might start ripping around the corner also keep me on guard..I fear being Tboned. Thanks for the advice guys! Any random suggestions are appreciated!
Hello Everybody, I'm a newbie to this site (oldie in the bones though). I used to own a ZZR600 until 4 weeks ago :angry4: and some [words escape me] stole it and trashed my beloved Bruiser. So with the insurance money I went out and bought myself a 1999 ZX-2R. Have been :BangHead: trying to find a service manual for it and hopefully the lovely person on this site with the manuals has the right one for me. My first ride on the silver streak was from Coomera back up to BrackenRidge QLD. I thought I was only doing about 80klms and had to 'Whoa there Neddy' when I looked at the speedo which showed 160klms. What a difference in power to weight ratio of the bikes! I'll have to make sure that I keep my record of 30 years licenced with one measley rotten speeding fine. I'm at work at the moment so won't stay long but hope to have some good chatting and some fantastic rides around south east QLD with you in the near future. Rinders
Hi Rindercella Welcome to the forum I can only imagine how you feel having your bike trashed it sucks. I hope you enjoy your new ride and have some fun setting it up just right.
hi sofija, i dont know about you but the exhaust is loud as hell and its only the stock muffler, either the baffles have colapsed or its just loud, i havent heard another across running close by so i cant judge it however i have been told by a few people that you can hear me coming lol
Yeah I've decided to leave the exhaust alone since my friend said he can hear me riding in the backstreets...its got a nice note but I just wanted more ooooOoOOoph...im afraid if I put anything on it, it will just sound crappy.. Id love someone to come and ride with me, since I dont know anyone with a bike... Im also wondering if I should put oggy pegs on it? im 50/50 on the idea. Also my rego sticker says Katana, should I be worried? are they the same, I think it isnt? I'm wondering if it makes a diffff?
If anyone wants to come riding ID LOVE IT, I posted in the shadowing section, but I'm not sure anyone is reading that.. Please pretty please??? Im in Logan, Brisbane.
