How can I keep up?

[CanadianGS]

I was just wondering if ne one has ne suggestions on how to keep up to the F4i 600, gixxer 600, and the new Ninja's.  These guys i met last night who live in my neighbourhood invited me to ride w/ them.  They're all nice, and realise that the 500 just can't produce like the 600 does, but i want to ride with them more, so is there ne techniques i can use to keep up.  Of course this is once my break in period is over.  Also what can I rev it to after the first 1000 km / 500 miles? :dunno:

[dgyver]

Ride your own ride. Do not try to keep up. Be a smooth rider and speed will come with experience.

[94suzuki500]

have you ordered the flux capacitor or a new powerband?

[CanadianGS]

have you ordered the flux capacitor or a new powerband?

What in God's name are they?  I am an idiot when it comes to parts for bikes.  I just like riding em.  Please explain what they are, and what they do, and how Much $$$.

[Jake D]

Maybe one of them will just let you ride on the back of theirs?

Ah.  On second thought. . .

If they are nice, they will let you set the pace.  Otherwise, you could get into trouble trying to keep up.  Of course, I know you don't want to set the pace.  But that is the best answer to your question.

[Hi-T]

Canadian- You're funny...

So before even finishing the breakin period on your bike, you already posted on tire size, wheelies, and keeping up with motorcycles that have 3x the horse power....

99% of riding has to do with the rider.

[Roadstergal]

Smooth and clean technique is the first order.  Much, much practice with those two gives you speed eventually.

Put a good rider on a GS500, and he or she will dust a liter bike in anything that isn't a straight line.  Displacement compensates for lack of skill only in a straight line.  But as dgyver said, skill comes from riding your own ride and riding it clean.  Don't worry about keeping up; just have fun.

[JetSwing]

learn how to ride properly first....

[gazingwa]

Trying to keep up is one of the bests ways to kill yourself... ride on your own or make them slow down, "being cool" isn't worth the risk

enjoy the gs for what it is... a sporty economical bike.... it isn't a supersport

[RVertigo]

I think you're trying to kill yourself CanGS...  Wheelies and keeping up in the races?  Damn man...  


Just ride the bike.

[Anonymous]

You will:

a.  need a different bike.  

b.  need to find a road that's ALL VERY TIGHT hairpin turns.

Those are your options.

Maybe a GREAT rider can smoke a liter bike but none of us can.  I just got one of those Ninjas you spoke of and it's so far out of the GSs league that if the GS league exploded right now it would take a week for the Ninja to hear it.  Seriously, you're outclassed by those bikes.  They're quicker and much more stable in the turns.  The ONLY place you'll beat them is at the MSF cource doing the figure 8s in the little box!

You WILL die trying to keep up with them.  Don't bother.  Find some different friends to ride with, maybe some cruisers, the guys with the sportbikes will get frustrated waiting for you.

[94suzuki500]

you could always stuff cotton balls in there intakes

[Frost]

learn how to wheelie first!!!...if you can't wheelie you can't keep up with those bigger bikes...WHEELIE!!!...oh...and stoppies too...

[JetSwing]

ok, class...today's lesson is: not knowing your limit  is bad for your health

http://movies.plsthx.com/media/motorcycle_stunt.wmv

EDIT: copy & paste the url in your media player

[GSRider]

CanGS -

When I first started riding, I was trying to keep up with a ZX-6E (ZZR-600 as it is known now) and a GSXR-750. Both were piloted by very experienced guys who wanted nothing more than to help me ride through giving me lots of tips.

The first rule:

Get smooth.
Get good.

Then get fast.

The second rule:

You lead.
Period.

You set the pace if they allow it, and then get ready for the de-brief. Be modest, and set your pride aside when they rip apart your entry speed/approach, apex, and exit speed. Take what they say to heart. That is the difference between a wanna be rider, and a rider who really wants to learn how to ride the bike.

Now, after several years of chasing after the faster guys, I can keep up with my friends in the twisties and expressway ramps. Yeah, I got to work at it harder than they do, but I am never too far off from what they are doing. Besides, because I gotta work at it harder than they do, I believe I am having a hell of a lot more fun!

In fact, I took a certian (I'll leave unnamed) set of twisties at my comfortable speed the other day, and after stopping for a coffee at a Tim Horton's, an SV-650 rider said I lost him through that set. He couldn't believe that a GS could flick from side to side and keep the pace up.

Experience.
Experience is all you need.

You do NOT need a bigger bike.
You need the most priceless asset that a rider can possess.

[RVertigo]

ok, class...today's lesson is: not knowing your limit  is bad for your health

http://movies.plsthx.com/media/motorcycle_stunt.wmv

           

[rww22]

I've been practising riding skills on my (stock) 500F for 1 year now.  Until 2 weeks ago I never once rode with anyone because I was too preoccupied with getting to know my bike and how to ride safely (and still have fun!).  Then a friend asked me to go for a 4-hour ride - along the shores of Lake Erie - with his Kaw. Concours (1L sport tourer).  I didn't try to "keep up" with him - just trusted my GS and concentrated on smooth, safe riding.  After we finished he had this to say: "I wasn't screamin', but wasn't holding back either.  You seemed to be having no trouble." I also noticed most of the time we were 10-20 over the speed limit, so we weren't exactly putting along.
I'm in no position to offer advice, but hope this helps give some perspective for you.  Best of luck and happy riding.

RW

[stefman722]

have you ordered the flux capacitor or a new powerband?

HAHAHAHHA. are u serious?

[94suzuki500]

no i hope i wasnt taken seriously, i have been known to suggest a trombone for added horsepower to replace the puny stock can.  Move the slide in and out to get the right back pressure, no jetting.

[alexXx]

have you ordered the flux capacitor or a new powerband?

What in God's name are they?  I am an idiot when it comes to parts for bikes.  I just like riding em.  Please explain what they are, and what they do, and how Much $$$.

dont worry about parts that can do this or that...worry about getting more riding time and experience...there is NOTHING that can give automatically give you the ability to ride fast, ya just gotta practice...


- alex