Out growing the GS

[TadMC]

Ok, about 3-4 months ago,  I thought I was growing out of my GS.  I was cursing, because I couldnt trade it in, or sell just yet because it'd be a money sink.  I'd ride it around thinking that the SV1000S would be a much better, faster, stronger bike.

Then one day it hit me.  I was riding in some back streets, and I hummed through a 90 degree turn.  I was so low I could have rubbed my ear on the ground (if I didnt have a helmet on).    I stopped and looked back at the curve and thought, and I was like,  " I havent even come close to pushing the limits of this bike"

Before I thought I was a decent rider, 

Now I realize Im just learning!!!

[Unnamed]

noob

[TadMC]

noob

Bastard

[Unnamed]

 

[domas]

It was the same for me. When i was bored going in straight line i found out that curves are much more fun. I fell more and more in control of the bike and i like it.

[galahs]

noob

He doesn't even know how to use the centre stand and he wants to upgrade 

[pantablo]

ah, the lightbulb just went on...Its impossible to explain that to new riders who are set on a 600cc sportbike, because they'll "respect the power"-laughable.

good for you, now ride the snot out of that gs...THEN upgrade.

[domas]

I am a bit scared to push the bike to limits in cornering. Is there a way to know when you shouldn't lean more? Or is it just snap and you are down?

[rangerbrown]

5000 miles or 6 months what ever comes last is a goo rule of thumb when moving up

[CirclesCenter]

Yes the GS is a fine little machine, but I can't help yearning for oh....



A singer of sorts.

http://www.ecossemoto.com/intro.htm

Go there to understand the last sentence.

But I still have my first love...

http://www.z1000.net/UploadImages%5Czedone.jpg

Of course they are two liter, and one liter respectively, each putting out triple, even quadruple that of the GS.  Also the Honda Hornet (CB919) putting out more than double. (Feels so nice to sit on!)

But the only reason I want these bikes is for the engine (or the fact that the first two are real easy on the eyes) and burning the hell out of the middle of the tire.

It occured to me the other day when I came at a hairpin WAAAY too fast and instead of panicking, I just leaned in and went over further than I ever had before, practically folding up my pegs. I stayed constant (but low) on the throttle and stayed of the brakes and really felt the GS and how it could be so fast.

Then the day after that i was out for a spirited ride on a local back road twisty bit and encountered a CBR600RR. He was having a little fun too, but through every corner I was gaining on him, and almost to my surprise, I didn't care! I was enjoying the ride! I still wasn't as far down as I had been when I hit that hairpin, and wasn't pushing for anything more than what was fun and relaxing.

The GS has more than I know how to get out of it right now, and when I have enough track time under my belt and have reached the limits of this bike, then I will buy myself something more capable. But I'll never trade it in, and I'll never give it up.

I love my GS 

As far is what is far enough, When your foot peg touches that means you're pretty far down.

5000 Miles? That's a pretty quick upgrade cycle, I don't want to start a debate but I really think the GS has plenty to teach for 10k, 15k, 20k or heck as long as you are willing to learn.

[pantablo]

It occured to me the other day when I came at a hairpin WAAAY too fast and instead of panicking, I just leaned in and went over further than I ever had before, practically folding up my pegs. I stayed constant (but low) on the throttle and stayed of the brakes and really felt the GS and how it could be so fast.

Thats pretty much how I learned to exceed my limits, one baby step at a time. If you are smooth with the controls and your movements you can touch down plenty before actually finding the limits of the bike (and traction). But you dont have to find the limits of the bike to upgrade, although I agree 5k miles is short, even if they're quality miles. I did 10k before moving up and even then was shocked at the differential in power from the gs to the 600rr.

[trend]

It occured to me the other day when I came at a hairpin WAAAY too fast and instead of panicking, I just leaned in and went over further than I ever had before, practically folding up my pegs. I stayed constant (but low) on the throttle and stayed of the brakes and really felt the GS and how it could be so fast.

Thats pretty much how I learned to exceed my limits, one baby step at a time. If you are smooth with the controls and your movements you can touch down plenty before actually finding the limits of the bike (and traction). But you dont have to find the limits of the bike to upgrade, although I agree 5k miles is short, even if they're quality miles. I did 10k before moving up and even then was shocked at the differential in power from the gs to the 600rr.

Oh really? I have probably put 10miles on my gs500 since I got it 2 weeks ago (riding in a parking lot a couple days). 0-60, I don't think I would want any more power (well except between 0-15mph).. And I don't think I want to go over 50mph much...

I am thinking I would do a r6 just for the looks .. but would prefer the gs500's performance (lack of performance if you will)..

Anyways, just typing this out because I am tired.. I am sure I am the only person in this boat

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

I am a bit scared to push the bike to limits in cornering. Is there a way to know when you shouldn't lean more? Or is it just snap and you are down?

Well, I took a 90 degree turn at about 25 yesterday, and put a peg down.. didn't realize it, and wasn't trying to. Just working on my cornering technique. And I've only got 750 miles under my belt...

[Chris2P]

I live in traffic congested Northeast.  The GS was the perfect bike for me when I bought it in 1990.  16 years later the traffic congestion seems to have multiplied by 50!!!  I moved out into the "country" 13 years ago to get away from it all and now it's a giant suburb. Traffic 24 hours a day.  The GS is fast enough 0-60 and thats about all your going to get around here before braking on traffic.  Less traffic at night but you dont want to outrun your lights and got to be carefull about the deer. 

If I lived in a different part of the country, like say Nebraska or Utah that has long expansive highways, I'd probably have a liter bike to soak up the miles.


Chris

[groff22]

Perhaps it's the evolution of motorcycling for me; but I'm just starting to enjoy the curves. My favorite corner so far is the one coming out of my work, it's a wide 90*degree left-handed turn down a slight hill and taken at rather low speeds (Second Gear). Every time I go around it I try to get myself lower than the time before - if only I had an "instant replay" camera from an outside observer, it's really difficult to tell how low I am. I'm not scraping pegs but it feels like I should be The tires look worn too, not too much left for chicken strips.

[CirclesCenter]

See i live in Nevada, land of highway 50.

And a bunch of other lonely little two lanes, and a few roads with NO speed limits.

I'd love to stretch out a liter bike on those.

[aaronstj]

I am a bit scared to push the bike to limits in cornering. Is there a way to know when you shouldn't lean more?

Hard parts start to grind.


...or at least, that's what they told me in the MSF. 

[RedShift]

People who say they would rather not buy a GS500 because they don't want to become bored with it after six months are missing the point of motorcycling.

Boredom is the sign of an uncreative mind.  If you want to scare yourself to stay interested, then you shouldn't be riding.

The GS500 is a great bike to learn on.  Eventually you may become curious about other bikes, or your tastes for riding may change.  These reasons are legitimate for trading the GS in for other rides.  But boredom -- not one of them.

[pandy]

RedShift: That was a positively BRILLIANT post. 

[RedShift]

Thanks.  It's well rehearsed.