First ride in 8 years

[cernunos]

I finally did some riding over the weekend on the White Owl. Wow, seems like the first time (is there a song in there somewhere?). Was going to do some more this week but there is this jerk down the road who just bought a very loud bike and has been racing up and down all over the place at way above the posted limits. Now the state police have been patrolling the area and ain't no way i'm goin' out to practice. Some people just have to give us all a bad name don't they. But i'll have to say the GS is a hoot to ride. First "sport" bike i've ever rode and it sure is different. But after a mile or two it just all came back. I really like the way it pulls and corners but I just have to do something about that fork...that's the softest thing this side of a loaf of bread :lol: ...maybe some of you have some ideas on inexpensive fixes for that. Later

[jake42]

The easiest thing to do to fix the forks is to order a set of progressive springs , drop them in and replace the stock oil with 15w.  IF you use the search feature on the forum you will find tons of links of where to buy them and tips on installing them.  Many consider it a must for their first mod, I know I did.

welcome.

jake

[cernunos]

Thanx, that sounds like that might do the trick. I bottomed out the stock forks several times over hard bumps and under hard braking. Otherwise I really like the bike. Does take a while to warm up tho. Has a lot of cam chain noise until it gets warmed up and then it seems to go away like magic.

[jake42]

I actually ordered mine from my local bike store (not the suzi dealer) and they cost me like 57 bucks.  Definitely helps the front end.

Jake

[pantablo]

welcome back into the fold...check my site for info on progressive springs and an easy way to install them. THe bike takes long to warm up because it comes too lean from the factory (to make emissions standards). I have info on how to rejet for stock bike to get rid of that (info I compiled from posts here and on old board).

Good luck.
pablo-

[cernunos]

BTW, the bike needs a new front tire. The rear is an excedra?? (sp?) and the place I bought it says I should put a bt45 on the front...would that work or should I use same type on the front? Thanx.

[Kerry]

The Exedra is the OEM tire that is mounted at the factory.  As soon as it wears out (or even SOONER!), by all means replace both front and rear with Bridgestone Battlax BT45H tires.  (In stock sizes for starters.  Front: 110/70H-17, Rear: 130/70H-17)

If you plan to put on lots of miles, you can experiment later with different sizes, radials, etc.  But the BT45s will give you a good idea of how the bike should feel and perform.