Got a few questions on my new GS500

[KooK]

Hey, I just bought my first on-road bike today which happens to be a 2004 GS500F.  I'm just wondering if there are any common problems I should look out for or anything I should replace before going to far.  The bike itself feels great and the fuel mileage is insane.  Can't say I majorly regret it yet .

[Alphamazing]

Hey! Nice bike! It looks like mine! Somethings you might want to watch out for are dirt in the middle of turns, black ice, and salminela.

These things are essentially bomb proof, and there is a wealth of knowledge in the archives. Do some searches and see what you can find!

Welcome to the board!

[pandy]

Welcome to GSTwin!! Nice looking bike!!  

It looks as though you're crossing over the double yellow! Careful with that! J/K!!!!!!!!!!!  :mrgreen:

Ride safely!!!!!  

[Phaedrus]

The only thing you might want to do is get it out of the middle of the road. Haha      

I also have an '04 GS500F and I absolutely love it. I am coming up on 8,000 miles (all of them by me) and I couldn't be happier. It is cheap on gas, insurance, looks great, feels great. I've ridden it long distances and on the highway for prolonged periods. I use it as a commuter, a weekend rider, you name it. I've ridden with everything from a Goldwing to a Kawi 636, and keep up pretty well. Great all around bike, IMHO  

[KooK]

Aww, I'm done for today.  Starting at noonish and ending at 2:43am, I put on 154 miles just riding.  My shoulders are screaming.  Time to get some rest so I can ride it again tomorrow :lol:

Good to hear everybody is happy with this bike!  Already makes me feel better about buying it.

[John Bates]

From your last pic it looks like your riding with leather.  Good choice on bike and jkt.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

beautiful bike! welcome to the board, and have fun!

and you make me jealous cuz I don't have one yet....

soon though... soon...  

[sys49152]

KooK, welcome.  Wow, you've already replaced the stock turn signals.  The new one's look great.

[Alphamazing]

Looks like a MotoGP brand jacket?

[Ed_in_Az]

I assume the newest GS still has the mushy fork springs. If so, they are easy to replace with progressive springs. The difference is amazing.

[KooK]

The jacket is a nexx unlimited actually.



Those stock turn signals looked weird as anything so those had to go, I'm goina modify the rear plate bracket, still not 100% sure if I want it actually inside the wheel well or just on a shorter bracket.

But I noticed the front suspension the first time I got on the front brakes, I've already bottemed it out once because yeesh...  I've been going through your guys search engine and I'm looking at those progressive springs that Ed just suggested and possibly dogbones.  Other then that, I think I'll just put an exhaust on it, jet it and modify the intake.  I want to keep it a daily driver so I'm not going to go all out, besides, I have a car for that.

[Alphamazing]

Ahh, in the reflection one of the kanji looked like the MotoGP eyes.

[OutOnBond]

I was just discussing last week with a riding buddy that I did not like the huge turn signals on my 2005 GS500f.  Where did you get the ones you put on your '04, and who makes 'em

[Alphamazing]

The ones I have on my '04 are stock turn signals. I took them out of the holes on the fairing and screwed them into the holes on the mounting brackets for the headlights. Perfectly interchangable.

If you want to change out the ugly turn signals do a search on Buell turnsignals. There's a how-to on Pantablo's page with all the part numbers you'd need. Problem is that they are about $12 a piece plus all the mounting nuts and bolts. It comes out to about $55 plus tax. They look considerably better than ANY stock turn signals I've ever seen.

[JetSwing]

watch out for...urge to pull wheelies

[Alphamazing]

watch out for...urge to pull wheelies

Yeah, because it won't work! :lol: Okay, yeah yeah. If you're good enough you can. But in all seriousness you've got to be really REALLY trying to get it to wheelie.

[callmelenny]

Aww, I'm done for today.  Starting at noonish and ending at 2:43am, I put on 154 miles just riding.  My shoulders are screaming.  

That is averaging 10 mph! you can use 2nd gear you know :lol:  :lol:

[Alphamazing]

Maybe he crossed a few time zones? :lol: