so I tried to find a naked GS locally

[MPA]

and never found one I searched up to 100 miles away on CycleTrader, posted a wanted ad here but all the bikes seem to be in Atlanta or the west coast unfortunately so I was forced to look elsewhere.

I ended up picking up a '98 Kawi 500R the other day. While I know I'll be happy with it, I was looking forward to really becoming a part of the community here since this board is more active and a little closer feeling then the EX500 board I found. Granted I've only been on that board a week and I signed up here 2 months ago it's just not the same.

Anyway I plan on hanging out since I like the board and people here, as well as having alot of free time at work anyway to read boards This is one of the few auto/bike boards I look forward to reading on a daily basis.  

Anyway, here's a pic of the new steed - it's all stock which is fine with me.  I want to worry about getting used to it before I go and screw it up It's my first bike and I think my emphasis should be on becoming a good rider my first season out. Plans for the winter are a fenderectomy, ZX-6 mirrors  and possibly a seat shave since I'm not flat footed at a stop.

[davipu]

we'll only make you wear it when you say something stupid, like "i wish I had waited and bought a gs...."

[Alphamazing]

You should take off those god damn ugly ass fairings and put a round headlight on it. Then get rid of those crappy bars and put on some normal ones or something lower. Those Kawi bars are crap.

[Jazzzzz]

Good-lookin' bike, hope you enjoy it.  How much did you pay, if you don't mind me asking?  Kawi's are 2x the price of GS's in my area.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

*breaks silence*
wait.. how tall are you? I'm 5'3 with a barely 29 1/2" inseam, and I can flatfoot the 500R... I won't be able to flatfoot the GS when I finally get it though.. and it is a very nice looking bike, hope you have tons of fun with it!
*returns to silence*

[MPA]

I'm 5'6" w/ a 29" inseam. I can get the balls of my feet down solidly, I just want to get my feet down a little more. If I left one foot on the peg I could probably flatfoot w/ one foot.

I paid $2500 for the bike w/ 13k miles. It's got new carbs, recent tune up, newer brakes and tires and has never been dropped. It's a few hundred more then they go for, but this one is really clean.

[GeeP]

Consider yourself officially banned!   :lol:

It's a nice looking bike.  I can tell from here it needs a fenderectomy though.  

Don't worry about flat footing unless it's a comfort issue - it's not really required.  I can only get my toes down on the GS, and it doesn't bother me.  

Let us know how it works out.  

[Blazinjr]

we'll only make you wear it when you say something stupid, like "i wish I had waited and bought a gs...."

If you look like that wearing that outfit you can visit on here as often as possible, as long as you post lots of pictures of yourself. :mrgreen:


Congrats on getting the bike.  I almost bought the 500R myself but bought the GS instead (dealer gave me a better deal on GS).  I like the 500R, nice performance, and I actually like the look.

BTW I have recently found a older Kawasaki.  ZX11, needs paint, it has new tires, carbs cleaned and jetted, aftermarket exhaust, and new fork seals.  Previous owner did a lot of maintanance and upkeep on it.  For the money I can get it for it is a good deal.

[MPA]

yeah I can't pull off that outfit as good as she can

I like the way it looks too - I just wanna ride. :lol:


So is there a big GS vs EX rivalry like a Ford vs Chevy, Import vs Domestic thing?

[Alphamazing]

Probably. My friend Isaac (IW4) is a moderator on www.EX500Riders.com

Good guy, but seems to have bad luck with bikes. A girl totaled his EX, and then a deer jumped out and totaled his Z750S. Very knowledgeable guy though.

[Jake D]

People from St. Louis are NOT welcome here!!!  Especially when the Redbirds come to town to play the Royals.   :lol:

No, seriously.  Keep your brooms in the closet and STAY HOME!!!!

[scratch]

Well, congradulations on buying a bike. I'd say you're still wlecome here because of you have the GS spirit (GSpirit? Is that like Espirit?).

[Blazinjr]

yeah I can't pull off that outfit as good as she can

I like the way it looks too - I just wanna ride. :lol:

the bike or the french maid? :mrgreen:

[MPA]

both  :lol:  

[pantablo]

you can stick around as long as you like...congratulations on the bike. You have the right attitude about it so you should do fine.

pablo-

[MPA]

Thanks

Knowing my luck a ton of GS's will pop up for sale this winter but I know I'll be happy with the Kawi