Good Starter Bike?

[i0nic]

Hey all.  Came across this board while researching the 2006 GS500F.  I'm sure you probably get this a lot, but I didn't see the topic on the first few pages.  How is the 06' GS500F as a starter bike?  It seems like the best option at this point.  Its not too powerful.  The only thing I have been hearing people say is that you will grow out of it in a few months.  Any truth to that?  Thanks in advance!

-ryan

[MarkusN]

You are right, these topics move fast. Here's one:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=28229.0

And here's one on the quick out-growing (myth debunked)

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=28110.0

[domahmegok]

As a new rider (about a month of riding time now) with a 05 GS-F myself, I think the GS is a perfect starter bike. It has a great upright seating position, which allows you to put your feet down confidently at a stop, and doesn't have enough torque to loop the bike if you get off the throttle too hard.  I use it to get to work everyday that I can and i have no problems keeping up with traffic or passing traffic.  For my 45-60min commute the bike is comfortable and gets me to work in a good mood which is a plus.  When I got the bike last month  I thought I outgrew it withen 1 wk because the top end of the bike is not that great, but anyone can go fast in a straight line, its the turns where it matters, and I am just starting to discover the bikes characturistics through some nice twisties.  So long post cut short, I think a GS would be a great bike for you to start with. It has been good to me and I think it has been good to a lot of new riders out there.

[Caffeine]

Welcome!   Yep, you picked a great first bike!   

[i0nic]

Thanks for the info!  I play on buying it around mid-end of august.  I want to take the Massachusetts Rider Education Program before I buy the bike, plus it will give me time to purchase the needed gear, instead of buying it all at once.  I can't wait though, I've always wanted a bike, and I'm very excited to get it!  Looking forward to talking with you all!

[domahmegok]

Thanks for the info!  I play on buying it around mid-end of august.  I want to take the Massachusetts Rider Education Program before I buy the bike, plus it will give me time to purchase the needed gear, instead of buying it all at once.  I can't wait though, I've always wanted a bike, and I'm very excited to get it!  Looking forward to talking with you all!

Where in MA are you located? As I am also in MA and maybe we can get together and ride sometime.

[fodder650]

Wait your waiting to get the bike until your MSF (or the version your taking) is done and until you buy the right gear?! I only waited for the first part. Still getting my gear. But thats great you will definatly make things better for yourself

Let me be the first to say welcome to the forums!

[ajaxgs]

welcome get the bike you will love it ,

[i0nic]

Where in MA are you located? As I am also in MA and maybe we can get together and ride sometime.

that would be cool!  I'm in Pittsfield, MA. WAAAAY out west


Thanks for the welcomes!  I'm gonna buy all the safety gear first  (already have a helmet, just need gloves and a jacket).  Once i take the class and get the license, I'm going to go buy the bike.  The cool think about this program is that once you take it and pass it, you automatically get your license, no road test required,a nd you get 10% off insurance 

[fodder650]

Ah the normal defination for safety gear then.

See after spending time on this forum. I have learned that the term means a full suit including pants and boots. And even where to get them really cheaply. http://www.brocktoncycle.com/ (do a search on these forums before buying anything on their)

Jacket, gloves, and helmet are what most of us consider normal anyway. Personally I'm going to get some kind of pants since my roads have a lot of foriegn material on them that wants to drop my bike. Mostly stuff that came out of a cow or horse

[pandy]

Welcome to the board! www.newenough.com is another great place to get well-priced gear! It always makes me happy to hear that someone is entering this sport with a good head on his/her shoulders and an eye to safety! 

[ets_gs500f2004]

if you find it to slow after a whiled just ad some mods to it youll see it makes a difference like a 14 t front sproket..... k&n filter and lots of stuff.... WELCOME to the site and good luck bying your bike.... have fun ride safe!!!!

[i0nic]

cool! thanks for all the links 

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Boots are a necessity. I've dragged my toe three times in the 930 miles I have logged on my bike in the last 3 weeks. (also my first three weeks ) Two of those times were on purpose. One was the back end going squirrelly in the rain. Even a pair of cheapo workboots from K-mart (Got mine for $20!) work better than tennis shoes. Believe me. I rode away and went "Damn, my foot hurts.. wonder what woulda happened if I had tennis shoes on?"

But welcome to the forum, from a fellow noob! I used to be a nood. Glad I'm not anymore!

Have fun at your MSF.. mine was a blast... all 15mph of it!

[baco99]

welcome aboard!  i'm new here from MA too. 

[GS Jenn]

Welcome... I'm another new rider, got my licence in May and the GS shortly after. I am just thrilled with it as a first bike. Cheap, comfortable, easy to ride, easy to work on. Good luck!

[jackiei26]

I'm on the same boat w/ Jenn.  I took the course in March, got my bike in April.  LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT.

[i0nic]

Yea I can't wait!  I havn't been this excited since i bought my car.  Is anyone else here from the western mass/albany,ny area?  I'd love to go for a ride sometime.  I dont have any friends that have bikes.

[vengeful]

There are a few in the Albany Area.

I'll be moving back to Rochester in November - hopefully I'll have my bike by then if all goes well. 

[scratch]

Welcome!

While it might be a great starter bike, and you might grow out of it, I've been riding 20 years and this bike has been great fun!  It's a keeper, and mine's stock!