I’m a green rider, just got my license. Despite lots of advice to the contrary, went with a cruiser as my first bike. Haven’t regretted a single moment, though the first slow turn off the seller’s driveway on this was…intimidating.

Now that I’ve got used to the bike, the valve clacking has started to bother me a bit. I have some experience with engines, it could be perfectly normal, but it is quite distinctive.

Anyone have experience with these, is it likely normal or should I start looking into adjusting them? According to the seller they were adjusted about 1600km ago last year.

I know it’s impossible to say without hearing it, but asking anyway. Other tips are more than welcome too!

  • Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafeEnglish
    4·
    2 months ago

    First, who would advise against a cruiser as a first bike, they have a low center of mass, and a nice shallow rake angle, making them very stable. Ideal for a beginner. Yea, they can be heavier, but they’re lower too. Far better than a sport bike, for sure.

    As for the valves, I can’t imagine they’re hard to adjust. I also can’t imagine that a modern Suzuki engine would make any valve noise.

    Pull the tank off and get to adjusting. Just need the appropriate feeler guage (assuming they’re adjustable, and don’t use shims, that’s a different kind of fun).

    • oranki@sopuli.xyzOP
      2·
      2 months ago

      Thanks!

      I drove on a learner’s permit with this for a couple weeks, then took the final driving test on a Kawasaki Z650. The smaller road/sport bikes are definetly more forgiving on slow speeds in the city, but the feeling is just not there.

      10/10 would recommend a lighter cruiser like this to start with. Brakes could be a bit stronger, especially when riding 2 up.