Wow I feel retarded

[Jusiat]

Hey guys. I was given a gs500 yesterday by a friend of mine. I am completely new to the motorcycle scene, and have only been two up on one. I signed up for the MSF course, but its not until next month. My question is....How do I start the GS500? I put the key in the ignition, the lights start, but the key doesnt go any further than that? I just wanna start it and rev it a bit.

[davipu]

you put the key in the drawer and take the msf.  so you don't kill yourself.

[Jusiat]

I need to move the bike right now. We're moving to a new house and the bike is in the way. I sat on it to roll it out of the way, but its locked.

[Faxxxy]

you put the key in the drawer and take the msf.  so you don't kill yourself.

+1

If you have to move it immediately, find a buddy that rides that is willing to do it for you..

Once you die, they don't let you ride anymore..

[Jusiat]

Jesus. Dont act like Im a damn idiot.I just came back from a tour in the Iraq war so I know Im at least smart enough to not go riding the motorcycle around town.My friend who gave it to me cant come because he just moved (hence giving me the bike)

[davipu]

with the bike in neutral you turn the key on, open the choke, and push the starter button (with your right thumb, it's the little black one.) then to kill it you push the big red one.

[Jusiat]

So once I have the bike rolled away I just push the kill switch? Awesome, thanks Davipu.

[davipu]

you have to be pretty dumb to not be able to get out of going into the sandbox.  

[scratch]

Welcome to a fellow servicemember. The start button is on the right switchgear housing, it's the lower button. Before you touch that, make sure the bike is in neutral (green light lit), and pull the choke lever all the way back (left handlebar, between the switchgear housing and the mirror). The sidestand may have to be up and the clutch lever pulled.

Now, just to push the bike around, just make sure the bike is in neutral. BTW, it is far safer to move the bike with the sidestand up. Use the front brake to stop the bike.

[Jusiat]

I didnt try to get out of the sandbox. All the males in my family were Marines, so it was my turn. Thanks for the information guys. Didnt mean to sound like an ass, I just needed to move the bike pronto.

EDIT: Does it automatically start a neutral?

I think I'm just gonna sell the damn thing. He just came up out of the blue and dropped it at my house, and said I could keep it.

[davipu]

silly jarhead.

[scratch]

I need to move the bike right now. We're moving to a new house and the bike is in the way.I sat on it too roll it out of the way, but its locked.

Need clarification - Is the steering locked, or will it not roll for you?

If it's the steering, push the key in a little and turn clockwise.

If it wont roll, it's in gear, the gearshift lever is in front of the left footpeg; with the key in the on position, pull the clutch and pull the lever up ever so gently to get the green light to come on.

Edit: No, it doesn't start automatically, it's not like a car ignition (helps deter theives, I guess), but press the start button on the right handlebar, like I described in my previous post, and the bike should start right up.

[Jusiat]

It wont roll. It feels like the back wheels have the brakes applied too them.

[scratch]

Then it is in gear. See my post above yours.

[groff22]

. Put the key into the ignition and twist until you get lights -- but not too far or you're in park

. Make sure the gas petcock on the  left side (below your seat)  is set to "ON"

. Move the choke towards you (it's on the left hand control)

. Put the red switch on the right hand side closest to you (ON)

. Assuming you are on the bike, put the kickstand up.

. Pull in the clutch (left hand side) and move the gears so the little green light comes on telling you that you are in neutral

. Now make sure the Clutch is IN and You ARE applying the front and rear breaks. (Just in case you missed Neutral or are on a slant)

. Push the little black button on the right hand side with your thumb.

. Voilla. It should start.

. Did I miss something?

. THe bike will rev quite high, and as it revs (to about 4k) .. Slowly move the Choke away from you until the engine stops making a skipping sound... ONce the choke is all the way off, you should be able to rev the bike without the engine skipping... It could take about 2-3 minutes of moving the choke before you get a good rev going... depending on the temperature of where you are..........

Hope this helps and welcome to the site.

[Jazzzzz]

To clarify the procedure for getting the bike into neutral -- turn the key to the right til the lights come on, hold the clutch lever (the one on the left handlebar) in, tap down on the shift lever (by the left footpeg) several times, and then gently tap up on it once - the neutral indicator light should come on, it's the green light under the speedometer.  If you can't get the bike into neutral, push it forwad a bit with the clutch in and try again, sometimes you have to turn the rear wheel to get it to go.

If you're just pushing the bike a short distance, you can do so by just pushing the bike while holding the clutch in.

[vfrocket]

Jusiat, Let me say welcome back. Please excuse davipu. My guess is that he has never been there, and hence doesnt have any right to say SH*! about it. I got back in 2004. I am glad you came back in one piece.

I dont usually respond to negitivity on the board, but for pete's sake the man just got back, someone was cool enough to give him a GS, and he needs to move it.

It is assanine to call anyone dumb for doing his duty. I salute him, and thank him for his service.

davipu, that is the most assenine comment I have ever seen posted on this MB. You just got written off in my book.

(getting down off my soap box)

I hope that the latter post help. If not, PM me and we will get it going for you.

VFR.

[animal mother]

silly jarhead.

I hope your being "silly" yourself and not disrespecting this newbie who is asking an honest question.  Whether or not you believe we should be in Iraq, don't call our soldiers "dumb for not being able to get out of going into the sandbox."  Our military personel should be praised for having the balls to stand up for something and held in the highest regard if and when they return safetly.  My apologies if I jumped the gun and missunderstood your words.  I don't want to turn this into a polital discussion, but I couldn't sit by and say nothing against what I perceived to be a blatent slap in the face to a U.S. soldier.

[Jusiat]

Thanks alot for your information guys. I ended up moving it to the spot that I wanted to. I wont be touching it till I have to load it up on the truck and move it to the new house.As for the fuel petcock. What exactly does that do? I looked on the left side of the bike and saw this little switch thing with three options. It was pointing north, then theres a "west" option, and then south that says "ON" Im guessing thats the fuel petcock? Whats the significance of turning it on and off? Now that Ive moved the bike, should I keep it on "ON"?

[Roadstergal]

Asinine, not assanine.  

My dad was over there.  We send all kinds (and I mean that in every way).


Did you not get a manual with the bike?