Hey guys, I'm looking at getting a new GSX650F because the bike I have is so unreliable & old.

The finance is not an issue, neither is the insurance.

However, I live in a flat and have no access to a garage. I currently leave my bike in the bin store (which is integeral to our small block of flats (12 flat block, 3 stories high). There is an automatic light on when you walk into this bin store - which might make a difference.

My question is, how can I secure the bike down in a cost effective maner. Woudl i be able to drill a ground anchor in? Dont know?! But if you dont mi nd sharing your wisdom I would appreciate it

First thing to remember is that you'll never stop a truly determined thief. Locks and chains will slow them down, but they can all be cut.

Disk locks are pointless for overnight security, as the locked wheel can just be lifted.
Chaining to a bin would be pointless because I expect the chain could be manouevred off.
I don't know if there are railings you can chain it to? It's a quick and easy opener, but railings can be cut pretty easily.
Then the (probably) best option is a ground anchor. But if it's rented accommodation you'll need permission from the landlord, and if it's a communal area you'll need permission from the other residents.

You could also use a disk lock with an alarm in it - at least you'd know if someone was trying to move it.

Best deterrent? Just have an old and unreliable bike! :)

Congrats on the new bike - I am very jealous cos I want one!

Defiler is right in that a very determined thief will take something. However if you are keeping it in the bin store then it being out of sight is a good start. You should be able to dig into the flooring to put a ground anchor down. Hobo did it in our driveway. It would depend on the floor construction. If you can put in a ground anchor then make sure you get a seriously good chain which would take hours and hours to cut with a large padlock - Squires or similar, which would also take hours to cut.

As Defiler said - an alarmed disc lock would also make a noise. That combination should deter most people at least!

Oh - make sure you have Datatool or similar on it just in case.

Strange as it may seem, a bike cover will help.

Not sure why, but bikes with covers on seem to have fewer problems with scrotes.

Well I managed to source a garage approx 2 min walk away! so well chuffed....

also I made my purchase today, GSX650F on an 11 plate, never had a new bike before so I'm pretty excited, any dos and donts I should do? Hopefully will be ready for the first week of March!!! will upload pics as soon as I pick it up...chose the silver/blue, looks stunning and rides brilliantly, also rode an xj600 diversion, another fun bike, but I had my heart set on the gsx

Might still be worth putting in an anchor of some sort if you can, even if its not one of the "dig a hole and fill it with cement" anchors. At least it's out of sight, though. You can also get an anchor which goes through the gaps between the engine and frame and into a wall - might be worth investigating?

There's a ground anchor you can get where the top part, which has a big eye in it, has a plate that completey covers the masonry bolts that hold it down and revolves, making it a bit harder to attack. That, combined with a decent chain, will at least slow the scum down. Good chains aren't cheap, but compared to the bike they're a worthwhile investment.




Yeah - don't drop it Enjoy!

Keep the rubber on the road and don't feck it up.

Wot 'e said

yeah apart from the obvious....

how does the running in work? I assume the salesman will tell me all that when I pick it up?

The manual will explain that although engines do not need the running in that they did in days of old as the engineering has improved to that extent. I do not advise red lining it on the way home from the shop though.

For a general ballpark on a modern engine, I'd say run at no more than 50% revs for the first 500 miles and 75% revs for the next 500 (or whatever will take it to it's run-in check and oil change). After that, just be nice to it, but you can cane it if you choose.

The manual will give the exact figures, but don't get too stressed about them. So long as you're gentle until it gets its first "service" you should be fine.

Just be glad you didn't buy a Harley. A guy I worked with bough a new Road King, and had to keep it under 60 for 6000 miles to run it it...

When I picked up my Thunderace, I think it was 5000 rpm for the first 500 miles and then 6000 for the next 1000 after that (or something like that) wasn't much of an inconvenience as 5000 in top was about 80

--The revs they tell you are just the easiest way of telling you, what's more important really is how you get to those revs - ie treat it gently at first. I've never run in a modern bike but when my little bike had a rebore and I had to run it in I found it 'told' me when it was ready for more - it just all felt easier!

As promised....

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Looks good.

Love the colour scheme

Very nice.

very nice, and oh so shiny. Hope you keep it that way bud.

You bringing it to Squires then?

Very pretty I like the colour blend.

Enjoy the ride.

Squires is a long way away....may be able to rope in a couple of people though to come with.

I will try and keep it clean & shiny, doing 500 miles a week in london will test me

Nice looking machine.

Very nice young sir.

As for the running in - should b done in no time if that's the sort of mileage you are doing - just take it easy huh?

Hobo ran his Sprint in easily - we went to Cornwall and back right after he got it in convoy with a learner on a 125!

It's only a couple of hundred miles from Essex up to Squires. About the same for you as for me! Go on - you know you want to! Worth getting a couple of mates and making a day of the trip.

You could also join us for the Pewsey meet on May 22nd.