post 4000 mi service = much better bike.

[rritterson]

I got my bike back from the 4000 mile service today. I could have done most of the things myself, in theory, but I didn't want to buy tools and I'm lazy. Total cost was $250.

Immediately I noticed the bike felt a lot better:
-much less slack in the throttle
-much less slack in the chain- it doesn't hesitate from engine braking to throttle again
-brakes are more powerful
-shifting is cleaner

10 minutes into my ride I noticed a bunch more things
-The idle sounds completely different. My carbs were way out of sync. It sounds much much better now.
-The bike spins up and down much smoother now, and a gap developing in the 4-5k range is gone and replaced with a boost!
-letting the clutch out is smoother in the engine too
-the suspension seems tighter, which is a good thing. The whole bike just seems to lean in and also take bumps with less disruption. I don't know what they did to make that happen though.


All in all, it was a fantastic ride. Can't think of a better example of why maintainance is a good idea

[TheGoodGuy]

woot!


a good running bike is such a blessing.

[Smokebombb]

When you guys take your bike in for service, do you usually:
A)  Go to a large stealership
B)  Go to a small mechanic

I'm in Southern California so there are a few large dealerships around here.  I'm guessing I should trust the quality of service at the dealership over the small mechanic?

Thanks

[TarzanBoy]

I don't think it matters all that much with a GS500.   I think they are pretty rudimentary as motorcycle engine technology goes... i'd think that any mechanic worth his salt would be able to perform the service

[TragicImage]

I don't think it matters all that much with a GS500.   I think they are pretty rudimentary as motorcycle engine technology goes... i'd think that any mechanic worth his salt would be able to perform the service

+2

[My Name Is Dave]

I'm curious what they exactly did. Do you have an invoice so you can tell us?

Dave 

[aqxea2500]

I just did some maintanace today too and after getting a face full of hot motor oil, the bike feels much smoother and the clutch feels ligther!

[pantablo]

When you guys take your bike in for service, do you usually:
A) Go to a large stealership
B) Go to a small mechanic

I'm in Southern California so there are a few large dealerships around here. I'm guessing I should trust the quality of service at the dealership over the small mechanic?

Thanks

Where in SoCal are you?

[scratch]

I think he's around Rowland heights or thereabouts: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=25095.msg259174#msg259174

-the suspension seems tighter, which is a good thing. The whole bike just seems to lean in and also take bumps with less disruption. I don't know what they did to make that happen though.

They just put air in the tires.  It really is amazing how much tire pressures affect handling.

I'm curious what they exactly did.

They should be doing this: http://www.gstwin.com/every4000miles.htm
But, I know from experience, we don't have a lot of time to do all of that.
Namely:
# Inspect all fuel lines for deterioration and leakage
# (California models) Inspect evaporation canister and vapor lines
# Inspect all brake hoses for chaffing, cracks or leakage
# Check steering operation; adjust if necessary
# Check operation of front forks
# Check rear suspension operation
# Check all chassis bolts and nuts for tightness; tighten if necessary
# Check headlight aim, adjust if necessary
# Lubricate rear suspension linkage and swing arm bearings

Most of these are not going to be done unless something is obvious, expecially on a bike so new.

[papiocho]

# (California models) Inspect evaporation canister and vapor lines

how can you tell if you have a CA model. before all the joke's come rolling in, keep in mind my bike only has 4 miles on it(waiting on my helmet)

[Egaeus]

California models are fruiter! 

No, seriously, they have a extra emissions stuff.  Look under the tank.  If you have 3 lines coming off of the tank (2 petcock, 1 drain), then you have a "regular" model.  If you have a 4th, then you have a california model.  Regular models vent gas vapor into the air.  California models send it through the engine to be burned, hence the 4th line.  Them damn dirty liberuls think that gasoline "pollutes" and therefore impose more emissions restrictions than the federal government, further restricting our freedumb. 

[My Name Is Dave]

Scratch, I actually read that last night, so I have a decent idea of what SHOULD be done, I'm just curious what his shop ACTUALLY did.

Dave

[scratch]

I shoulda known I was talking to you... 

[l3uddha]

wow that's all for the 4k service? you might as wall have taken that wad of cash and crammed it up ur butt. things like tire pressure & chain slack I check pretty much every time I ride. I really recommend investing some time in your bike learn how to do these things yourself. It's easy and very rewarding 

[Smokebombb]

West Covina here.

I called the local dealer & he wants $91/hour for 3 hours + parts.  I'd rather buy the manual but I have an '04 GS500F and they haven't come out with the manual yet.  I've only been riding for 4 months so perhaps I'll let the dealer handle the first major service.

[Alphamazing]

West Covina here.

I called the local dealer & he wants $91/hour for 3 hours + parts.  I'd rather buy the manual but I have an '04 GS500F and they haven't come out with the manual yet.  I've only been riding for 4 months so perhaps I'll let the dealer handle the first major service.

I did a complete 4000 mile service in under 2 hours, documenting everything I did in a notebook. There's a checklist on the main site (www.gstwins.com) Just follow that and you should be fine. Most of it is straight forward and there is plenty of help on this site to get you through it.