I feel so inadequate...after today's ride.

[BRB96Z34]

Just came back from a ride and was almost home when this guy on a TLR1000 (I think that's right) came up behind me.  I didn't know what it was at first and wanted to see what the bike was so I let him get beside me at a light (while waiting at previous light, I could hear the thing behind me two car lengths away ).  The light turned green and he was gone - front wheel up and everything.  I had no chance of keeping up to this thing so I didn't even try.  I got beside him at the next light and I was in dreamland - the way it sounded just had me mezmerized.  The sound, the big fatty rear tire, the bodywork - I want to get a new bike now!  But I know better.  My skills just aren't at the level yet that I'll allow myself to get a bike like that.  But I can dream can't I?

[mp183]

Keep the GS for a  least two years and keep dreaming.  
If you get something that big too early you will either get hurt
or scare yourself away from motorcycles.  You can do this for a lifetime
if you do it right.

[john]

Exactly.  Practice on the GS.  Perhaps new BT45's so it sticks to corners better.  In a couple years you'll have saved enough to buy whatever you want and have some experience.

Till then........keep dreaming

[aplitz]

Well, I know this won't be popular, but I really don't subscribe to the beginner bike theory as much as I once did.  I bought my GS thinking that it would be safer.  I learned a lot on the bike and had tons of fun.  Then, a year later I bought a TL1000S.  THe build quality between the TL and GS is a gap wider than the Grand Canyon.  About two months into owning the GS I began to feel unsafe on it.  The brakes are inadequate (even ahfer EBC HH's) and the suspension dove so bad it was bottoming out in some sections.  

A slow bike does not quarantee that someone won't get in a wreck.  The GS will get up and move, it's just a little slower.  However, it does lag behind in parameters that can keep you out of trouble (ie brakes, suspension, headlight, bias-ply).  The speed factor is under control of the rider, but enexpected circumstances require equipment that responds well enough to keep you safe.  I really think that the squid factor is so much more dangerous than the actual bike itself.  You just have to ride with your head, and be confident in your machine which I could not be on the GS.

Aaron

PS-The TL is awesome, and rides like a dream.

[pantablo]

...About two months into owning the GS I began to feel unsafe on it.  ...
A slow bike does not quarantee that someone won't get in a wreck.  The GS will get up and move, it's just a little slower.  However, it does lag behind in parameters that can keep you out of trouble (ie brakes, suspension, headlight, bias-ply)....

Well I'll disagree.

I think that whether or not someone should start on a smaller bike is a very individual thing that each person may not know when they start. Its better to err on the side of safety I think. I could have started on a bigger bike but I'm still glad I did. It made me a better rider.

You can get hurt on any bike, even a 50cc scooter. The point of starting smaller is that when you make mistakes, as new riders often do, the bike doesnt react in a harsh way. If you give it throttle accidentally while applying front brake (has happened to me and many others here-as has been posted) the front end won't go skyward or the bike wont rocket forward, out of control (out of control because the newer rider will by this time be overwhelmed with stimulus).

Hell, you can start on a 600cc sportbike if you wanted to. Wont make you a good rider nearly as soon as a smaller bike will.  Maybe you never dropped your gs? Possible. But if you had I bet you'd be happy it wasnt a TL you dropped, costing you more money to fix.

[Cal Price]

Dreams are for those who sleep. Not a good combination on the bike! however aspirations are quite acceptable. Go for it!

[Rema1000]

I'm curious about the perceived brake inadequacy.  It seems to me that if the brakes are powerful enough to be able to lock the front wheel, and have a linear application, then the tire contact patch is the weak point.  Having two brake disks and stainless-steel brake lines will not get you stopped any faster; just with less finger pressure.

[BRB96Z34]

Yeah, I'll keep the GS for a couple of years yet.  Then if my skills are up to it, then I'll upgrade.

[Pam G]

You might want to check out what your insurance premium would be for a TL or equivalent bike also.  You may have a heart attack!

[aplitz]

The insurance premium on my TL went up about $20 per month from my GS.  I would never reccomend someone starting on a TL or other big bike.  But in hindsight I should have started on a higher quality bike.  The suspension was the bane of my existance, and the ultimate point that pushed me to a new bike.  I was buying a GSXR shock and looking into different front end choices, and realized too many points needed improvement to even bring the bike into the 90's.  I just wish that there were some highly developed beginner bikes to start on.  AS far as dropping the bike goes, I don't think that ease of tip over repair should be considered as a compromise to safety.

I think that the brakes, while at speed are inadequate.  It takes much longer for my GS to come down than the TL, and it weighs a ton.  Also, the TL takes a strong set in the corners, while the GS required continuous input and correction.  I don't see how that is really safe.  But it is ultimately a personal choice, I just wish that we had access to some of those small Japanese and European supersports with the fully tunable suspension ans strong brakes.

Aaron

[john]

I'm curious about the perceived brake inadequacy.  It seems to me that if the brakes are powerful enough to be able to lock the front wheel, and have a linear application, then the tire contact patch is the weak point.  Having two brake disks and stainless-steel brake lines will not get you stopped any faster; just with less finger pressure.

Anne's zx6r can pull stoppies with a one finger application. Many sportbikes have awesome breaks that have great feel too.  The GS brakes aren't inadequate, but not in the class of modern sportbikes.

[Pam G]

The insurance premium on my TL went up about $20 per month from my GS.

Aaron

Sure, everyone is different.  The thread starter is in Canada I think, so that may be a factor, plus his age & driving record.

[aplitz]

I maintain that they are inadequate, particuluarly two up and in the mountains.  I had so many "Oh-no" moments that I was seriously considering the GSXR front end swap just to get the USD forks and some dual discs.  I think that the rason the brakes feel so bad is really the forks.  The bike, with my 200 pounds on it, dives crazily giving an unsettling handling feel and making the brakes feel overwhelmed as the weight transfers forward.