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Suzuki boulevard c50t, 5'6"

by Joe

Is 5'6" to short for riding a suzuki boulevard c50t?

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Jan 20, 2013

c50
by: pdotts

I am only 5'3" and I ride a C50. It fits me great!

Dec 26, 2012

great bike
by: Shelly

The suzuki Boulevard C50 is a great ride. I'm only 5'4 (my bike was lowered) and rode one for 2 years before I traded up for a larger bike. I rode the boulevard across country and it never gave me any trouble. I highly recommend it!!

Dec 24, 2012

5'5" on my c50
by: Rene L

Hi. I have a 2009 boulevard c-50T and I am 5'5". I love the bike. It's a comfortable fit and my feet are flat on the ground. You are a bit taller than I so it should be all good. Go for it!

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intermitent slow down and then start right back after a few mins

by skip
(florida)

i cannot find an ans. while riding my kawasacki at 70mph it will cut out and not go over 50-60mph then all of a sudden it will pick up speed and run normal again. This happened today in a 30 mile ride 3 times, carb cleaned, new plugs and wires, hi test premium gas, does someone know whats wrong, it's driving me crazy, i know a shop and professional tech is needed, just hoping it's something simple i can fix myself..thanks for looking, skip

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Dec 03, 2012

Just a guess obviously...
by: Clarissa

But it sounds like the mixture of air and fuel your engine is getting is light on fuel. If you have a filter on your fuel line, might want to clean that or replace it. Could also be something else getting in the way of fuel. When you cleaned the carbs, did you triple check the jets?

Anyway, those are my guesses.

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harley baffle removal

can the baffles be removed from my 09 heritage without retuning or causing engine damage ?

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Feb 22, 2013

baffles
by: J

or do what I did, drill holes in them.. 3- 5 inches.. makes it sound bit better... try listen before u drill and see differnece... then after.no noise poloution...

Dec 09, 2012

Harley Baffle Removal
by: Anonymous

You will need to have your carb rejetted to run right and then there is no guarentee that it will run right.
Depending on where you live you should consider checking your law ordinances on noise.

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Still tentative on the curves....

by mary
(texas)

Okay, I've been riding for a little over a year, have over 1k miles on me and am STILL very intimidated (for lack of a better word) on curves. My husband and I have had this same conversation (or argument) many times....Him: "your motorcycle can handle them at a quicker speed." Me: "it's not the motorcycle i'm worried about!" And so it goes...I'm not going to leave my comfort zone just to make him happy, which in turn makes him angry! I'm NOT a daredevil, not saying you have to be to take a curve, but my confidence/riding level just isn't there I guess. I don't know if/when I will. I just bought a new bike, I'd hate to throw in the towel. Yet he can't offer me any advice or suggestion to help....can any of you? Does anyone else have this issue? Or HAD and you got over/through it?

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Jun 08, 2013

Not tentative on curves anymore...
by: Anonymous

thanks for the feedback. I'm good now, been quite a few months since I posted that and thru practice and some advice from a long time rider (push not pull), I'm good now, taking curves like a pro. Good luck to you all.

Shiny side up! ;)

Jun 07, 2013

Parking Lot
by: Anonymous

Go to a parking lot, and go over 30 km per hour and push on either handle bar.

The best way to get comfortable turning is to learn your bike and understand the counter steering method.

Then under your own comfort, start playing with the clutch and brake.

I was PETRIFIED of corners and counter steering when placed in front of pylons. But when i tried it out and really figured out how low it can go i got way more comfortable.

Dec 20, 2012

Need To Know What To Practice
by: Carlos

I think many of the comments here are great.

I'm in the same boat. I just started riding a few months ago. My cornering, turning and dealing with curves still need a lot of work.

I saw Ride Like A Pro V and it is absolutely great. However, it only covers slow speed manuevers. Nevertheless, the video provides the essential techniques/skills to make one an expert rider along with lessons to practice these techniques/skills. Two of them are throttle control (via clutch and rear brake) and pointing your eyes and head to where you want to go.

One of the most important comments the Motorman made is that as long as you apply power to the rear wheel, the bike will not fall down (hence the use of the rear brake and clutch to control the bike's speed).

As for handling curves, corners and turns, think about what you do in a car. First, you slow down (establish an entry speed), then you keep the velocity steady (throttle control via having the clutch in the friction zone along with using the rear brake) and once you've clear the curve, you accelerate back to the desired speed.

As for practicing, it doesn't do any good if you don't know what to practice. That is, you need to know what lessons will give you what you need to tackle curves, corners and turns correctly. After that, then you can practice to make the necessary adjustments and to create the muscle memory so it becomes second nature.

Dec 19, 2012

Keep at it!
by: Cathy

Great advice has already been given here, so I'll just add that I, too, totally get where you're coming from, but I recently had an 'aha' moment regarding curves, and things are SO much better now, so just know that if you can keep at it, it will get there. My moment was just all the tutoring and reading I'd been getting suddenly gelling and falling into place.
And absolutely, try to get out there on your own some - that definitely helped me, because I wasn't self-conscious or concerned about slowing others down, just riding at my own pace, and practicing what I needed to. They do mean well, but sometimes the hubbies just don't 'get' that we like to do things a little differently!!

Dec 18, 2012

Simple!
by: Scarlett

Simple.

The cornering bible:

Twist of the Wrist 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyVdyUTnlDw

It taught me so much about what a bike can and cannot do.

Dec 18, 2012

I feel ya!
by: Vicki

I'm happy to know I'm not the only one lacking a lil confidence. I'm new at riding and have had a couple minor spills.I'm afraid of a "major" one but too determined to keep at it caz i really wanna ride my own. My hubby just says, "Practice,practice,practice!" We'll get it sister :) God's speed, happy riding ;)

Dec 17, 2012

Wow...nice to see all the responses...
by: Mary

I did take the basic MSF course, in TX you have to in order to get your endorsement. And actually, as my husband has pointed out, I have well OVER 2k miles, though it doesn't seem like it. I have thought about the advanced course, and will look into it. Hubby actually took the "ride like a pro" course last year and even watching it was really informative, he has tried taking me to a parking lot but I find his frustration in me puts me off. We had yet another go around this evening about this when I brought up that y'all were telling me to basically "ride my own" and not be "shamed" out of my comfort zone, and that it was perfectly okay for me to ride at the back...if he'd stop being such a freakin' MOTHER HEN that may help. I am going to start trying to go out on my own more...THANK YOU ALL for hearing me out and offering "non-frustrated" advice. ;)

Dec 17, 2012

MSF ARC
by: Anonymous

This may be a bit early for you, but you may want to consider the MSF Advanced Riding Clinic after you get a couple thousand more miles under your belt.

I have about 5k miles of experience, and I'm still not 100% comfortable with curves, but I took the MSF's ARC this year and learned A LOT. It focuses on cornering-- corner entry, line selection, body positioning, etc... The class takes place in a parking lot so you don't have to worry about running off the road or smacking into anything. It doesn't matter what kind of bike you ride, the coaches cater to you.

I was skeptical at first and didn't think I'd see much improvement in one day because I'm a wuss when it comes to leaning my bike. But by the end of the day I got a butt cheek off the seat and was hanging off a teensy bit. It taught me to trust my bike more because I learned that it really would stay upright with me leaning off of it at 20 mph in a tight circle.

The coaches were a huge help. Before the class, I had read all the books, but needed an extra set of eyes to tell me what I was doing wrong. I thought I had been leaning correctly, but it turned out my body positioning was all wrong and I wasn't keeping my eyes up in the right place. After I ironed some of that out, my cornering really smoothed out. I was amazed.

Anyway, here's a link with more info: http://www.totalcontroltraining.net/

Stay safe!

Dec 17, 2012

Stick with it!
by: GrrrlX

I second a lot of the previous comments - Get David Hough's book "Proficient Motorcycling" and also the "Ride like a Pro" I have read the Hough book(s) and I am reminded of a good riding technique every time I do. (I have not watched the Pro videos but I hear they are amazing).
One thing that helped me tremendously is counter steering through turns. Once I "got" that, the twisty mountain roads here in Colorado are suddenly much more enjoyable :)

Yeah, and after you read the book, and watch the video - go out on your own and practice those techniques - in a parking lot or road you know well at first, then with your hubby. Did you take an MSF, MOST or ABATE course when you were starting out? if not, take one :) Best investment ever.
HAVE FUN and RIDE SAFE
Sara

Dec 17, 2012

Breathe
by: Jeanette

Hi Mary: If you don't have much time to practice it may take you a little longer to get comfortable, but that doesn't mean you won't. Be that tough biker chick and tell hubby you are riding at the back. I still ride at the back.. I am just more comfortable there in a pack as well... My bike isn't as powerful as some of the Harley's we ride with so I don't want to hold people up either.
Instead of going on a run... go to a parking lot and practice... I too must dress up for work and I have found a way to make it work... If it isn't an hour to work your hair should fair quite well...
I know it can be frustrating but you are doing well and you are right on track with your skill level and time in the saddle... Just Breathe and enjoy and don't let anyone take your fun away...
J

Dec 17, 2012

Thanks Everyone....
by: Mary

I'm a BIG advocate for never doing more than YOU know you can, but my husband keeps after me, and I feel bad because when in groups where he is leading he makes me be right behind him, which means the rest of the pack gets slowed down by me. I'd much rather be at the end so as not to hold anyone up. I know you're supposed to put the more inexperienced riders in the middle or at the front but this makes me more nervous/anxious than anything! We have helmet communication so I don't see why it would be a big deal for me to be at the back.

As for practice I don't get a lot of time. I work full-time and have two kids. Plus my husbands schedule rarely affords him a WHOLE weekend off it's either Sat or Sun. Then there's the whole "getting a sitter" situation. I'd ride to work if i could but I'm not really keen on having to change into my work attire when i'm able to ride every time, and let's not even talk about the whole "helmet hair" situation! UGH!

Dec 17, 2012

comfort zone
by: Gypsy Spirit

Hi Mary ...

NEVER let someone "shame" you into riding over your head (beyond your comfort level)! That's a sure way to crash, especially in a turn ... you'll tense up and throw your line off.

Remember to slow down BEFORE the turn, then accelerate through it. There are several techniques for going through turns; leaning with the bike, counterbalancing, and so on ... depending on speed and terrain.

All of the previous are great suggestions. The bottom line is there is no substitute for practice. As you gain confidence, your speed will pick up. Let the speed demons go on ahead. Enjoy YOUR ride!

Dec 16, 2012

Don't give up...you can do it!
by: Monica

HI Mary, I too was intimidated by corners. My husband and son would leave me in the dust. They would eventually stop and wait for me every 5 to 10 miles. My husband checked out a book from the library titled "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough.(all 3 of us read it) He writes very clearly basic techniques for doing many different skills with diagrams and pictures. I found it very useful. Each time I went out I would try something new in a parking lot with no cars or objects around and then I would try it on curves. It helped alot. Slowly I was able to increase my speed to a level that I was confortable with and not be so far behind my husband and son.

Also, I agree with Jeanette. Riding on your own will boost your confidence and skill. I mapped out a route to work that would minimize the risk of possible left-turners (most common collision in city streets). This is my first season riding. I started riding to work last Spring 2 times a week. Over summer I would ride 3 or 4 days a week. I taught kindergarten last school year and now I am teaching 3rd grade. I was the coolest teacher in school. I am so sad it is winter time...no more riding. I put 6k miles on my bike last year.

Keep at it! If I can do it, so can you.

Dec 16, 2012

riding
by: Jill

I have a chopper motorcycle. I didnt know it was when i bought it.
but i love it. This bike has a long nose, so yes curves turning was, is tricky! you must have the right speed. and try gearing down and lighty its called (push steering...when turning) the bike will turn with you. lightly lean into your turn..let the bike guide you. dont fight the bike.. but its all how YOU FEEL..."
LIGHTLY break gear down and keep bike moving .. i ride a lone a lot, and when i can find a friend, we ride together.. no men, womyn telling me what to do. well the men try.. lol whatever...
I live in Toronto canada. near downtown. lots of lights cars and people.. good practice for me.

i just got my M2 in May. from there it was mostly me. dropping my bike, not giving up.
Jill

Dec 16, 2012

Take your Time
by: Jeanette

Hi Mary: I have two suggestions... Number one is to pick up the ride like a pro dvd's and actually set up the course and do the excersizes. The second in my opinion is the most important... Ride without your husband. If you feel confindent enough ride alone...My husband didn't want me to ride alone because he was worried about me but I felt less intimidated when I was alone... I was able to try new things in my own time.. I just got my license in August of this year and I am now able to keep up on most runs including curves. I've put over 6000 klm (over 3700 miles)on my bike because I took it everywhere while the weather was good. The curves still intimidate me and I don't push them beyond my comfort level but I now find the ones I found really hard before are much easier.. I feel this is because I have ridden so much on my own. Anyway don't give up.. the more you do it the easier it will get. Sometimes those that think they are helping us get over something are actually holding us back...
You can do it.. hang in there... :)

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