New here, advice?

[OctaneMotorsports]

Hey Everyone,

First of all, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Brendan and I am fourteen years old. I live in Ontario, Canada and my passion has always been two wheels. I used to ride motocross when I was twelve but due to some knee injuries I had to sell the bike and focus my attention into professional kart racing, but that's an entirely different story all on it's own. I have always wanted to get back into motocross but I don't have the time or the money to do so.

Before long I will be sixteen. I  basically have two options here: I can get my car licence and buy a car, or get my motorycle licence and buy a motorcycle. Either way I will probably end up with both licences, but I think a motorcycle would be way better for getting to and from high school and commuting around town. The insurance will cost less, it will use less of the fuel that is getting more expensive by the minute, and a motorcycle is a hell of a lot more fun than any car! I will always have a car available to use if the weather is bad or in the winter so that isn't an issue.

So yesterday I was checking out some entry level bikes from the big four, and the 2006 Suzuki GS500F really caught my eye. There isn't a better bang for the buck out there in my opinion, and it looks like it would be a really nice first bike. While I would love to be on a Suzuki Hayabusa or a Kawasaki ZX-14, it just isn't in the cards, and something like this would be way more practical. One of these in black and silver with a nice intake and exhaust would look nice and have more than enough power, too. I'm not looking to break any land speed records here. Of course, I would also do some custom modifications too. Even though I am young I have a ton of experience inside two-cycle and four-cycle engines and I tend to over-maintain things anyway, so that's not an issue here.

Anyway, I was just wondering first of all how everybody likes their Suzuki GS500's (especially 2001+)? Secondly I was just wondering out of curiosity how much you guys spend on insurance? I realize it will vary depending on location and age but I am just looking for a general idea. Thanks a lot and I hope to be posting here a lot, because it looks like an awesome forum.

-Brendan

[CirclesCenter]

About 15 bucks a month for the basic stuff. But I have a 1990. (That's US)

Best to stay away from those bikes (ZX-14 et al) for a long time. They should come with free body bags.

How do I like my GS? I don't, I LOVE MY GS500!!!!!

[3imo]

Welcome!

To answer your question.  I personally think the GS is an awesome bike. Especially a first (road) bike. Insurance runs me about 35$(US)
but I am over 25, and live in Alabama.

Again welcome to the site.  

From your post it is hard to believe you are 14 yrs old.  Most of the "adults" online cannot structure a paragraph half as well as you have.
The grammer police here are gonna love you.

[scratch]

Welcome!

You must be a fan of Octane Motorsports magazine, of which one of our members is the publisher: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=4200.msg21072#msg21072

Edit: Oops, Octane Magazine.

[OctaneMotorsports]

Thanks for the advice. I figure insurance will be around $50 CDN for me when I first get started, but after a few years of no incidents I'm sure it will go down a lot.

Yeah, I get that a lot...thanks. I guess I am pretty mature for my age. I work at Cameron Motorsports, which is basically one of the best karting teams in North America. I work at the shop building race karts, and I do rebuilds on two-cycle and four-cycle engines all the time. I also travel all over the USA and Canada so I am used to always keeping a professional appearance and that crosses over to internet forums I guess, too. I type like this on AIM and MSN too, by the way. I can type way faster using proper spelling and grammar than screwing around with all the little abbreviations and short forms.

For any of you who are interested, here is a recent picture of me racing at the Pepsi Grand Prix Of Barrie:

125cc two-cycle, figure 100-125 km/h on the straights depending on the track.

Nope, I havn't even heard of an "Octane Motorsports" magazine. It's my internet handle. I frequent over 10 forums and I am an administrator and moderator on many of them. Yes, I have a life too...hahaha.

[pandy]

Welcome! 

[manofthefield]

Welcome!  As 3imo alluded to, it sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders.  For someone who's responsible and is comfortable on 2 wheels I think a motocycle could be a great choice for your first road going motor vehicle for the economic reasons you mentioned.

I would probably recommend getting a bike that's a few years old (and naked) because of the inevitable period of feeling too comfortable (and therefor crashing) that comes with being newly licensed AND with being new to a street bike.  Let's face it, just about everyone has a few "incidents" within their first few months or years with a license, same with first few months/years on a streetbike.  You probably have a jump start on most people since you experience on dirt bikes and go-karts, but you still don't have the experience with real traffic, ie. distracted drivers, drivers who don't see bikes, drivers who hate bikes, people who don't know how to drive, drivers that just do something stupid, etc.  So all I'm saying is that something will probably happen and it might be a big deal or might be something little.  Either way, you'll be happier it happened on a vehicle that might already have a scratch or two on it and that you didn't just drop $5000 (US) for.

I'll let the canadian members comment on insurance for the GS, I remember Canadian insurance recently reclassified the GS as a sport or super-sport bike, so the insurace just went up on it.

I'm sure just about everyone here is going to tell you that they love their GS500, I'm no exception.  As for mods, there are lots of ideas floating around here and even a few racers that will let you pick their brains.

Whatever you decide, good luck and ride safe

[OctaneMotorsports]

Thanks again for the advice.

I am well aware of the danger out there, because it is dangerous for sure. I am not too concerned though as I live in a small town and I probably wouldn't be riding very far. I'm not one to ride without full safety gear, either. To be honest with you, if I get this the day I turn 16 and get smoked by an 18-wheeler the first time I ride it and die instantly, then so be it. I just want to ride, and I am going to be responsible for sure because accidents do happen.

I can't really see myself buying a used motorcycle. Stuff wears out. Some stuff, such as engine and transmission internals are impossible to check until after you have bought it. The way I see it, it will usually cost you more in the long run to buy a used bike and with a new bike I can maintain it my way and ensure that everything is the way I like it before I even turn the key. I realize scratches and dings are bound to happen, but it's my first bike. If that happens, so be it. Although I am experienced and responsible enough that it shouldn't be a problem.

Do you guys think that Suzuki will still be making the GS500F in 2008+?

[TadMC]

x

[OctaneMotorsports]

I'm not sure if you are kidding or what, but I made a search for a topic on general opinions of the Suzuki GS500F and general insurance costs but came up with nothing useful for either. I wanted to introduce myself anyway, so what's the problem?

[TadMC]

x

[scratch]

But, he's a real good listener.

I'll add that I'm paying $75/year, liability only, 38yrs old, been riding 20, on a '94

[OctaneMotorsports]

Hahaha, that's cool. I figured you were kidding anyway. Sorry for kind of jumping on you like that.

[werase643]

you better wait for a canadian member to tell you the ins. prices....i think you butt is going to tingle....after they drive a mack truck up it to get $$$$(CANADIAN) FROM you

[pandy]

Yeah...I still remember this thread:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=25994.0



I pay about $600.00US for full coverage (at the highest limits available). My only wish for modern GS's is FI. I would have purchased a new GS500F if they were FI'd.  But I'm pretty darned happy with my "alternative" Suzuki!

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

No, its a joke, because sometimes new people will join, post a question,  and a couple more bitter members will jump on em, and be search nazis.... im looking at you NGFL

anyway welcome to the club, and i have no useful advice so dont ask me...

WTF.. I'm not a search nazi. I only get pissed when people say something like "I'm too lazy to search, can you just tell me?" That pisses me off. Anyway, Brendan, welcome to the madhouse!

[Matty B 500]

Im 17 and i pay 102 a year for full coverage ... BUT ... my dad has a bike and im on his insurance.

Just like tad i have no advice. so dont ask. i just kinda linger around. flirt with the ladies. and if i see somethings wrong with my bike, i ask. for the most part, not mentioning any names (pandy), every one is pretty cool.

[pandy]

To be considered uncool by Matty is a very good thing...kind of like Christmas in September! 

[annguyen1981]

Not rain on your parade.....  And I don't know if anyone brought this up yet....

Have you considered that you can't really effectively ride the bike ALL year long?  I live in MA, USA and I can't ride for about four months of the year.

[OctaneMotorsports]

Yeah, I guess you missed that part in my post.

I am getting both my car and motorcycle licence, and my parents have 3 cars between them, so I will pretty much always have a car in bad weather/winter.

Wow, the insurance up here looks like way more than I thought. I guess I'll have to keep researching.

Thanks guys.