Oh wow. I'm in love.

[leo]

Here's my new bike story. (Be forewarnd, it's going to be long.) Plus a couple of questions at the end.

I picked up my yellow 04 last week and I didn't realize I couldn't get insurance until I had a permit. So I just drove it in the parking lot and had my girl following me home to my house to park it. I was sweating like a pig after that. It was only 3 miles, but the adrenaline was full on.

So I took the written test just to get my permit so that I can ride this weekend. I couldn't wait any longer even though I'm taking the MSF this coming weekend. Man I can't wait, I'm going to bombard the teacher with questions after class.

Well I picked up the rest of my gear yesterday and for those interested:

* AS TZ-1 jacket (also have a JR Rasp jacket, but mostly will wear the AS)
* AS GPS 3 boots (I can't believe how comfy and I wore them for 5 hours today and bought them yesterday)
* AS SMX air carbon gloves
* Scorpion EX-700
* Jeans (I was planning on getting some Over pants to go over my jeans, but the guy at the store told me it was a waste of money. Get leather or just stay in jeans.)

I put close to 40 miles or so today and I'm completely in love with it. I rode a little before maybe a total of 50-60 miles, but I was really immature then and rode in t-shirts, shorts and half helmet. I made the right choice in waiting until I matured a bit to get one. It's funny my car smokes my bike, but I'm totally cool with that. I can get my speed fix with my car.

After the day was done, I became much more comfortable, but I realized how much more there is to know. I have a million questions running through my head that I want answered.

I tried doing a quick search, but I can't concentrate right now. My left wrist was killing me. (shooting pains down my forearm) I even had to take my glove off to be able to shift. I figure my wrist just needs some strengthening, but my friend who rode with me today on his harley said that my clutch also bothered his wrist on a test drive he took. He says I should lower it so that my wrist is straight when using the clutch. Right now my wrist is pointed up a little. This is probably a personal thing, but how do you guys have yours or is there an optimum position for it?

Uno mas. Umm really basic question and might be a searchable thing, but how do you know what's full what's full in the gas tank? Are you supposed to fill it up until the gas comes up to the fill hole?

Part of me wishes I would have started years ago, but I'm glad I waited until I matured a bit. I would kill myself on a faster bike. I'm already having to control myself to keep the thing under 5k for the break in period. The worst times are when I shift into neutral instead of second.  :lol:

[ajgs500]

You have to count miles to know how much fuel you have using the trip meter.  I normally get 180-210 miles a tank.  If the bike starts sputtering, you will know what I mean when it happens, switch that baby to reserve and start looking for a gas station.  Res= up on the fuel petcock

[leo]

You have to count miles to know how much fuel you have using the trip meter.  I normally get 180-210 miles a tank.  If the bike starts sputtering, you will know what I mean when it happens, switch that baby to reserve and start looking for a gas station.  Res= up on the fuel petcock

Thanks, but what I'm asking is how do you know when you have put in enough gas? Example, today I put the nozzle in and filled it until the pump shut off like in my car. At that point I'm usually full, but the tank inside still looked half empty.

But like you said, I'm sure I'll figure it out as I go. I did reset my trip meter.  I'll see how far I get on this tank before I start sputtering and then look at my mileage. If I'm anywhere near the 180 mark, I guess I can say that I'm dong a proper fill up.

[Cal Price]

You're not in love, its lust.

Wrist. You are using unfamiliar muscles, it will get so you don't notice it in time. Try and relax as much as possible and don't grip too hard. The places you are most likely to feel it if you are too tense are wrists, shoulders and lower back / butt. Move as much as possible, hang loose and "waggle" your elbows funky-chicken style.

Fuel. Fill it to the hole, it will settle a fair bit, lots of members gently rock the bike, fill, rock, fill to ensure they are full right up. This is only critical if you are keeping ongoing milage stats or have a very long way (180+) between gas stations.

Don't worry too much about the odd blip into neutral but try to keep to the recomended pattern, it's hard but won't last long.

I would avoid shorts but it's your skin, personally I would rather keep mine on my legs not spread accross the tarmac. Enjoy the bike, have fun, remeber that in most traffic situations you are the most vulnerable party, it's the price we pay for having most fun. Hi Viz is good!

[leo]

Oh God no. Shorts? I felt naked in my jeans today. I was stupid when I learned this years ago in shorts. It sends shivers up my spine how stupid that must have been. No money, no insurance, little disregard for life. But that was then and this is now. I've spent  a ton of money on gear and I still want to get pants.

It must have looked funny today cruising with my friend. He's on a Harly, half helmet, t-shirts, and regular boots. Me on a yellow GS, almost full gear except the pants.

Good tips. I think I might have been squeezing too hard. Actually I would squeeze the clutch all the way in for each shift and that might be the problem.    Also my genitals were hurting a bit, I kept on resting right on the tank most of time. I really need to relax and take it easy.

Thanks for the gas filling tip.

[GSJames]

Doesn't RES=pointing toward the front of the bike?  On my petcock, ON is down, RES forward, PRI straight up?  Don't tell me there's more non-GS500 stuff on my bike  

[ajgs500]

Hold on like 15 mins and I'll go out and check my bike.

[leo]

On mine on is down, prime is to the rear, and reserve is up. At least that's what it looks like in the manual.

[ajgs500]

ok on mine I just check ON=down, RES= up, PRI= to the right when facing it

[davipu]

welcome to the circus.  keep a eye on the meet and greet section, we'll be having another socal noob ride one of these weekends.

[leo]

welcome to the circus.  keep a eye on the meet and greet section, we'll be having another socal noob ride one of these weekends.

Sweet. That would be fun.

[ukchickenlover]

I wear textile overpants and they are alot stronger than Jeans so I think they are worth the money.
For the pertrol just fill untill the petrol gets to the top of the tank, but slow down as you get to the top or it will splash on the paint work and can damage it.

[Jazzzzz]

* Jeans (I was planning on getting some Over pants to go over my jeans, but the guy at the store told me it was a waste of money. Get leather or just stay in jeans.)

the guy at the store was/is full of crap, textile overpants will hold up far better than a pair of jeans in a slide on asphalt.

[leo]

Cool. That's what I figured about the over pants. I couldn't see how they would not help even after researching. But he seemed knowledgable about everything else and I'm assuming he's trying to make money. So why not sell me some, especially since I was showing interest?  :dunno:

[insulinboy]

I have to dissagree with whomever at the store told you overpants were a waste of money... a buddie of my was wearing a $90 pair of Joe Rocket Balistic overpants when a pickup truck turned left in front of him. he didnt even have time to react.. slamed right into the back of the cab at 60mph... his textile jacket.. gloves.. smx-3 boots.. and helmet.. saved his life.. no doubt... trust me.. those joe rocket overpants.. if you dont have money for somthing else right now.. are much better than nothing.. anyway. thats my $.02

[scottpA_GS]

It's funny my car smokes my bike, but I'm totally cool with that. I can get my speed fix with my car.

Do you have a Lambo ? I toast rice cagers all the time on my GS  :mrgreen:

[leo]

I wish. Well maybe smokes is a big word. I wasn't thinking very straight last night. Maybe it feels like that since I'm breaking it in.

But my n/a cobra has gone a best of 12.86 at 106 at a bad DA of 1500. I've seen reports that the 1/4 miles times for these are low 14's at 93 something. I just can't wait to take it to the strip and start getting my times down on this thing.

[scratch]

Jeans (I was planning on getting some Over pants to go over my jeans, but the guy at the store told me it was a waste of money. Get leather or just stay in jeans.)

He may have just been trying to save your money to buy leather pants, instead of buying both and no longer wearing the textile; but for your interest: http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11184&highlight=crash

I tried doing a quick search, but I can't concentrate right now. My left wrist was killing me. (shooting pains down my forearm) I even had to take my glove off to be able to shift. I figure my wrist just needs some strengthening, but my friend who rode with me today on his harley said that my clutch also bothered his wrist on a test drive he took. He says I should lower it so that my wrist is straight when using the clutch. Right now my wrist is pointed up a little. This is probably a personal thing, but how do you guys have yours or is there an optimum position for it?

You can rotate the clutch lever down by loosening the bolt that holds the clutch perch and mirror (use 10mm wrench). I suggest you adjust all of the controls to fit you better; front brake lever (inward more, outward more along the handlebar; up, down), brake pedal, maybe even rotate the bars (and reposition the controls if you do this). I have mine slightly downward.