So I've been riding for three weeks now

[HurricaneHeather]

I used to think I needed a gear indicator too, but you just get used to it after a while.

Like everyone said: SEAT TIME will be how you get all of it down.

Also, with the wrist thing; I know a few of us do this....do the chicken dance with your arms. Flap em around so you aren't so tense. Helped me out.

[racedoll]

Originally Posted by The Chi

Tached is dead on. Become confident and solid in basic riding skills and reactions before risking someone else's life (IMO). Personally, I dont ever carry 2 up, I dont care if I take myself out, but I wont be responsible for someone else.

To answer your wrist question, whenever you find yourself putting pressure on your wrists, consciously tighen your abs and use your back muscles to take all pressure off your wrists. Your hands should lightly rest on the grips. Its all a matter of practice. The more you remind yourself to take the weight off the wrists, the faster you'll be doing it without even thinking about it.

[Particle Man]

there is such a thing as a gear indicator... but I'd just get used to remembering where you are based on speed vs tach indicator as it's a good way to get more familliar with your bike.

[HokieDNA01]

If you are doing slow manuvers you will most likely want to be in first. Kick it down till you can't shift any more. I just keep kicking it down till it stops without counting. As for riding at any other speed. Just listen to the bike. Gear indicators are nice but definitely not a necessity.

[racedoll]

Originally Posted by Particle Man

there is such a thing as a gear indicator... but I'd just get used to remembering where you are based on speed vs tach indicator as it's a good way to get more familliar with your bike.

I figured out early on that if I match my speed around 35mph tach is around 3K rpm, then I'm probably in 3rd gear... same with 4th - 45mph @ 4000rpm, 5th and 6th - 65mph, 6000rpm.

[marko138]

Originally Posted by racedoll

I figured out early on that if I match my speed around 35mph tach is around 3K rpm, then I'm probably in 3rd gear... same with 4th - 45mph @ 4000rpm, 5th and 6th - 65mph, 6000rpm.

My speedo quit working on my Zuk years ago. I knew in 5th gear the RPM matched the road speed. 5k = 50mph for example.

[karl_1052]

Originally Posted by marko138

My speedo quit working on my Zuk years ago. I knew in 5th gear the RPM matched the road speed. 5k = 50mph for example.

they were so easy to fix back then, since they were run off the front wheel.

[Particle Man]

Originally Posted by racedoll

I figured out early on that if I match my speed around 35mph tach is around 3K rpm, then I'm probably in 3rd gear... same with 4th - 45mph @ 4000rpm, 5th and 6th - 65mph, 6000rpm.

And you've probably noticed other things about your bike as a result, right?

Originally Posted by karl_1052

they were so easy to fix back then, since they were run off the front wheel.

the SV still is

[racedoll]

Originally Posted by Particle Man

And you've probably noticed other things about your bike as a result, right?

Noticed on the way in to work that I no longer have to look at the speedo/tach to know what gear I'm in. I've been to the track enough now and live in 3rd to know what it sounds like and I go from there. I never paid attention to that before. I think I just knew but didn't "know" it.

Anything else I might now but am forgetting, that you might be implying?

[i2iSTUDIOS]

So i'm still riding around, keeping the rubber side down.