Hi - I'm new!

[sys49152]

Hi,

I just wanted to introduce myself before posting tons of "Help me!" questions in the next few weeks..

I bought my blue GS500F just this last Friday, and will *attempt* to drive it home Monday after work.  I'm not entirely sure this is a good idea though..  I finished (and passed) my motorcycle training course this weekend, but the course bikes were 125cc dirt bikes and I have never ridden before.  I'm a little hestiant to take the GS500 all the way from the dealership on Monday, but figure if I take the side roads it shouldn't be too difficult (about a 50 km trip, no roads faster than 80km/h).  

I hope the clutch uptake is a lot better than the practice bikes .

My first question.. would I be able to hit the speed limit (70-80km) in 6th at 5K RPM?  If not, I'll probably need to map out another route.

sys49152

[Ed_in_Az]

You should be fine. These bikes are very docile until you rev them up. Still even during break-in you should have plenty of speed for the ride home.

[jabbajosh]

hi im the resident smartass/minority leader, but yeah you will be fine

[kyzee]

At 5k on 6th, you should be crusin around 100kmh. congrats on you purchase.  

[mojocho]

DId you ask to see if the dealer would deliver the bike for you?  Just a thought.  I know most dealers here will deliver for no charge up to a certain radius and a nominal charge for further.

THat is my plan.  I want my first ride to be in controlled situations in parking lots before hitting the road.
:dunno:

[Edsel]

welcome to the forum.

Which dealership did you buy your bike from?  when i picked up my bike, i took side streets to go home. it allowed me to practice changing gears and down shifting. I recommend bring a friend with you with a car or a bike. let them follow you on your way home, let them "set picks" block traffic, and just in case you stall, your friend is the one behind you. no one honking, no one trying to pass you.

[sys49152]

Thanks all - I've decided to try taking it home myself this evening (caveat below..)

mojocho - I didn't ask the dealer if they would deliver it.  I didn't think it was even an option.  To be completely honest, even if I had to pay a little more, I would have done this had I known it was available.  However, I just can't wait another day and I'm guessing they won't deliver without some notice and a couple of days of wait, so I'm definitely picking up my bike tonight.

Edsel - I bought it from Suzuki of Newmarket.  I tried Brampton Suzuki first, but they were unwilling to budge on the price.  I've decided to take your advice though..

(caveat) : Although I'll try riding the bike home myself, I'll have a cop friend of mine follow me (..not in uniform..) in my car.  If at any time I don't feel comfortable, he's willing to ride it the rest of the way.  He's been riding for a while (work and hobby).  I'll also practice around the dealership location, since it's open and not very busy, prior to jumping on the regular roads.

I'll definitely post tonight to let you all know how things went.

sys49152

[jason_S]

I just rode my new 500F home from the dealership Saturday morning.  I was doing really well, until I had to stop and turn right.  I stopped, waited for traffic to clear, went to go, and I'm not sure what I did I think I may have bumped the shifter up into second when moving my foot up on the peg, which killed it, and I tried to put my foot down but lost my balance and dropped the bike.  I had my dad and brother with me on their bikes, so they helped me lift it back up, and after cooling off on the side of the road for a little I rode it the rest of the way with no problems.  

At least it didn't do too much damage to the bike, scratched the mirror, turn signal, front brake lever, a little scratch on the fairing (damn!), and the muffler.  Could have been worse...

[perfdrug]

man. dropped it on the way home. i had mine delivered but that's only cause it was all interstate home.  
this post serves as all the more reason to buy used your first bike. my 1996 already had the tell-tale scratches on the engine covers of drops. no skidding or damage other than that. i've never dropped it, but i've come damn close. if i would crack or scratch a fairing i'd be a whole lot more pissed than if i scratched the already-scratched engine covers.

[fettcols]

I brought mine home in the truck... I got the best deal from a shop that was 30 miles away... I hadn't been on a bike in about 9 years and the ride was all interstate home...

After the break in I wrung that 500 out on the way home from the 600 mile service

fett

[sys49152]

Brought mine home yesterday without hurting myself or the bike (whew!).  I was really nervous the first 5-10 minutes, but after that I got comfortable.  Before I knew it I was passing through some busy intersections and hitting 80-90kms/h.  It was a ton of fun!  

I also couldn't resist crossing over the 5K RPM limit.  I ran the engine up to around 9-10K RPM in second -- wow!  I can't wait until the break in period is over  

sys49152

[Edsel]

Brought mine home yesterday without hurting myself or the bike (whew!).  I was really nervous the first 5-10 minutes, but after that I got comfortable.  Before I knew it I was passing through some busy intersections and hitting 80-90kms/h.  It was a ton of fun!  

I also couldn't resist crossing over the 5K RPM limit.  I ran the engine up to around 9-10K RPM in second -- wow!  I can't wait until the break in period is over  

sys49152

Thats how i was. Before i got on the bike i was shaking. after a few minutes, I had a smile from ear to ear.. good choice and hope to see you on the road.
check out  www.gtamotorcycle.com

[Jenerator]

Welcome to the GS world, sys49152!  I just got on my 92 GS for the first time last Saturday See here.

Hope you hop onto gtamotorcycle.com too...lots of great people on there, hook-ups, and tonnes more (local) help if you need it.

[Skim]

Congrats!! Another GTA gs500 rider.  The list seems to be growing every day.