Hey I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm new to bikes entirely, so I'm pretty excited about everything that I'm learning so far. My other ride is a Jeep, so I'm coming in from pretty much the opposite side of the vehicle spectrum! Now that I have a bike too I can equally enjoy the road and off it. After doing a lot of research, I decided the 650 would be the perfect first bike for me because It's very practical for daily and long rides (I often commute between Austin and Dallas which is a 3.5 hour drive (well less now that I got a bike!)). So I will be saving tons of money on gas/tires (both are ridiculous on the Jeep), and having a blast. I definitely have the best of both worlds now.

I was planning on getting the '08 250 at first, but the salesman talked me into the 650 and I'm really glad he did. I got a great deal too. I paid 6,000 out the door and he included the MSF course! ($200 dollar value). I think I got such a great deal because he was trying to get rid of it ('07 model). Though I really like the extra black that is on the red '08, I can live with the red '07 for sure.

Right now there is only 6.6 miles on my bike, as I have only been riding it in circles around the parking lot while I get used to the feel of the bike. I've read about the break in period in the manual that says stay under 4k rpm for the first 500 miles and under 6k rpm for the second 500 miles. Is this really as important as the manual says? How do yall break in your bikes?

Also, my Jeep is a manual transmission so I understand the whole shifting thing. However, I have found that I can shift into second without using the clutch. Is this good or bad? I only did it once so far I was worried I might be damaging something.

Well here is a crappy picture I took with my cell phone, but it is all I have right now. I will post more up later maybe with myself and some gear on when I get the chance.


Oh, and in case your interested, I know off-roading isn't really the hot topic on these boards but maybe you can appreciate it, here is a picture of the Jeep.

 

Nice rides Jake. Good job with the MSF course, make sure you take it before you start to develop some bad habits. The break in period is a highly debated topic, but I would suggest that you simply take it easy, the RPM thing can be a little impractical. Any manual transmission (including your jeep) can be shifted without the clutch as long as the engine and transmission rpms match up. most riders only use the clutch for stoping and sometimes downshifting. Play around with it, it wont hurt anything. Great shot of the Jeep, looks like some awesome four wheelin, too bad theres not any near my school.

Enjoy the bike, the 650 forums are a little quiet, but there is a wealth of knowledge here.
Welcome to KF!

 

Nice Ride, I am concidering one my self after wrecking my Z1000, or that is after a soccer mom went out of control and hit me..., anyways after my broken bones heal, I will be shopping for new by but the lady's insurnce will only give my 5500 after I paid 8400 for my z just a couple of years ago.

 

Welcome to KF. Congrats on the new ride, looks great.

 

Welcome to the forum, and congrats on the new bike...As for the breakin period I didn't stay in those ranges, but I just took it easy on the bike for probably the first 700 miles.

 

Welcome to KF! i got an 07 650 and i love it, Ifollowed the guidelines 4 ther break-in period, you'll be past all of that b4 u know it. i was n the same shoes u were n wen i bought my bike, i got a jeep that gets bout 14m.p.g, i couldnt handle that, but i like the bike pretty good, i get bout 200 mile to the tank except wen i get on it. but over all it a good starter bike (buts thats just my opinion)

 

That picture with the jeep in the foreground looks awesome, great riding for the KLX I had to throw that in there. Welcome to the forums.