Newbie

[Indy GS]

So I just bougt a 1992 GS500, dark purple, that used to be someone's track bike (I know usually a no no, but it was cheap).Great starter bike (put 350 miles on so far).  Easy to handle and I'm getting used to the leaning thing.  Hoping to get 2000 miles this year so I can move up to a new bike next year and get the wife driving the GS.

Oh yeah here's my bike info:

V&H Exhaust
Racetech springs/emulators (not sure what it's got)
National Cycle F-16 sport Sheild
01 GS tank bra
EBC HH pads (F&R)
K&N Filter Pod
All new fluids, plugs

Let me know if there is anything special I should look for in terms of maintenance.  Thanks.

[pandy]

Welcome, and congrats on the new bike!!!  

pandy  

[RedShift]

Welcome aboard.

Of course it's always your decision, but I wouldn't be too quick to cast the GS500 aside for another mount.  Part of the joy of a "starter bike" is to learn the sport of motorcycling.  This isn't done in a day.  Experience takes a while.

If you haven't already, I'd sign up for a Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCourse.  There are usually no-shows that you can replace.  Regardless of how good you think you are, they can always remind you of something you need to improve.

If you can't get into one of those, practice is the next best thing.  The Arizona DOT publishes a good Motorcycle Practice Guide that lets you bone up on the foundations of getting to know your bike and riding around problems.  (There are other resources out there as well.)

Anyway, glad you arrived here.  Stick around and enjoy the ride.

[dgyver]

Do not worry about it being a former track bike. Sometimes they are taken care of better than street bikes.

Enjoy your ride.

[davipu]

I'll second that.  anyone interested in a 02? :mrgreen:

[Indy GS]

I'm already signed up for the MSF in Sept.  I took a course one of the instructors offered on his own (the MSF without the classroom) to get started.  

Only reason I want to get a new bike is the GS is a little cramped for me.  Plus I really want to get the wife driving, namely so I have a companion when I'm cruisin.  

This site is great (already figured out how to remove a broken oil filter cover bolt).  Thanks for the info on the Motorcycle book, and look forward to many miles on the GS (hopefully the weather last until Nov. like last year)

[Roadstergal]

2000 miles?  I'd wait longer than two months to trade it in on something bigger.   :nana:  

[pandy]

Plus I really want to get the wife driving, namely so I have a companion when I'm cruisin.  

 

[ajgs500]

Welcome!  I live in Indy if you ever want someone to ride with.

[Indy GS]

Cool shoot me an e-mail and we'll go cruisin.

Yeah I'll probably hit 2K in a couple months (got 400 in a couple weeks).  I'm looking April next year, maybe pickup a leftover (if I feel comfortable with getting a bigger bike).  Later.

[RVertigo]

You must be pretty tall...  I'm 6' and the only thing I think is cramped is the trunk space...

And...  I agree that 2 months isn't long...  I'd wait until you've dropped the GS a few times.  :lol:  I'm not getting a new bike until my desire to do wheelies goes away.

[Indy GS]

Yeah it'll be more like 6.  I just want something newer I guess that I can drive for hours.  You never know I may end up getting a cruiser and keeping the GS for a fun bike (I really like the kawasaki drifters).