New GS Rider!

[Zap]

I just wanted to say hi because I'm new here.  I got a used 2005 GS500F about four weeks ago.  I've already put about 700 miles on it, with my longest ride being 120 miles.  I'm extremely pleased with it.  Thanks to this forum, I had a good idea of what to expect from the GS.  I'm pleasantly surprised that there's essentially no engine vibration through the bars or pegs.  I think that's impressive for any bike, especially a parallel twin.

I'm returning to riding after about a 12 year layoff.  The GS seems like a perfect bike for this.  It's big enough and fast enough to feel like a "real" motorcycle, yet forgiving enough to tolerate some of my clumsiness.  Some of my skills are still a bit rusty (even after an MSF course), but I'm gradually improving.  See ya on the road!

[cafeboy]

welcome  and congrats. glad to have you. 

[ajaxgs]

welcome to the board

[annguyen1981]

Welcome Zap!

[simonyau]

Welcome to the family of GS!

Simon

[pandy]

Welcome!!! 

I'm glad to hear that you're finding the Baby G to be such a great return-to-riding bike!  And WOW!! 120 miles is a long ride!! I can remember when I'd been riding for a month (though I was a complete n00b, not returning  ), a trip around the block seemed like a long ride! 

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Welcome!

[97gs500e]

The GS is a great bike.

Welcome to the board! 

[indywar360]

about the engine vibe, when I first got my 04 it had drag bars on it, my hands would go numb from the vibration and after getting off they still felt like they were vibrating. Recently I dont notice it anymore, either the nerves in my hands are dead now, or (more likely) the fact I put stock bars back on it helped. I don't know but the stock configuration seems like it's more vibration-dampening than fairly straight drag bars.

Also my perineum doesn't go to sleep as easily. Im sure this is interesting to everybody.

[bobmelvin]

Welcome!!! Glad to have you here.

[calamari]

don't drop it!!! 

[onefastgs500]

welcome enjoy it great bike be careful!

[Trwhouse]

Hi Zap,
Welcome to our little part of the Web.
What part of central PA are you in?
I'm in Lancaster.
If you need help, give me a ring.
I've been riding for 31 years, have all kinds of motorcycle tools and have owned my 1991 GS500E for 13 years. I know it inside and out.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Yours,
Todd   (trwhouse)

[starwalt]

Welcome!

Don't worry about rusty skills. Those of us who are really just learing after the MSF are becoming legion.

Go ahead and find a nice secluded place to drop your GS...like I did yesterday. 

I was riding around (with all gear on) my secluded neighborhood getting a feel for the new-to-me bike (I've got an identical 90 I am rebuilding also). Upshift, downshift, brake-stop, roll-on throttle/clutch, look into turns, buzzing around cul-de-sacs, right hand circles, left hand circles, etc. I saw a car entering the section where I was practicing RH circles so I found a good spot to stop and wait. Pull in the clutch, pull the front brake, down shift to 1st, step on the foot brake...stop...put left foot down.....nothing to touch because the grass sloped down down down.

Every thing has a point of no return. 

Fortunately L210 (abbreviated VIN) landed softly in the grass/dirt. The rider was happy to have been wearing gloves and only a little clay was on the pretty black leather. No other damage except to my pride. 

The driver stopped to check me and helped me set L210 upright. I told him I was just a beginning rider and expect to fall a few more times. He's a manager at the local Hooters and says that bike night there usually has lots of drops and falls. He thought my idea of getting experience in the neighborhood was a better idea than Hooters parking lot.

I just hope you have neighbors as nice as mine. Your neighbors here will help all they can.

[pandy]

Go ahead and find a nice secluded place to drop your GS...like I did yesterday. 

Awwww...you took one for me...thanks, starwalt!!! 

[scratch]

Welcome!  Excellent report and congradulations on the new bike!

[girlracer]

congrats and welcome

[AWRobinson]

I'm also new to my Gtwin and this forum.  Thought I'd save some space by posting here instead of creating a new thread. 

Bought a used '97 GS500E last week.  I learned to ride last summer on a friend's Honda Shadow and took the MSF basic rider course a few weeks ago. 

I've just relocated to Los Angeles and I'm going to try motorcycle commuting as soon as I get more comfortable on my bike.

This forum is one of the reasons I decided to get the GS500, so I'm looking forward to posting here and riding more often.

Cheers

[tussey]

Welcome! 

I'm also new to my Gtwin and this forum.  Thought I'd save some space by posting here instead of creating a new thread. 

Bought a used '97 GS500E last week.  I learned to ride last summer on a friend's Honda Shadow and took the MSF basic rider course a few weeks ago. 

I've just relocated to Los Angeles and I'm going to try motorcycle commuting as soon as I get more comfortable on my bike.

This forum is one of the reasons I decided to get the GS500, so I'm looking forward to posting here and riding more often.

Cheers

[scratch]

Welcome!