Hey - New kid here

[midlifecrisis]

Turned 40 in Dec, seperated from my wife a month and a half b4 that, spend time with the kids about 1/3 (soon to be 1/2) of my time, bored the other half..........suddenly.....lightbulb.....do the stuff she never let me.   So I did some research and bought a 92 GS500 (10K miles).  Actually, I just bought it 3 days ago.  Now I just have to learn to ride.  Taking the beginners safety course in April (that seems like years from now) but will mess around with friends and brother til then.  I'm not going to ask any questions now as I am sure I would get the "do a search NOOB" replies - just wanted to say HELLO.  Any words of advise from the pack?  Now off to search...

Later -J

[makenzie71]

We really don't have a lot of search nazis here, but it's only fair to warn you that you are the low man on the totum pole.  You're not worthy of our attention or criticism.  You must bow down before each of us.  Except An.  He lives beneath the totum pole.

[pandy]

Welcome, midlifecrisis! 

As you can see, they let Mak out of the asylum again. They let him out to visit ever so often...then we call 'em, and the men in white coats come take him back. It's been a while, so he's feelin' pretty ornery! 

Glad to hear you've signed up for the safety course. Get your gear. You can't have too much gear! (Yes, we have search nazis AND gear nazis, but we try to them down.

My first bike was also a '92 GS500E...my first love.....my sweetheart...one always has a soft spot for one's first.....ahem....what were we talking about?? Oh yeah...safety.....be safe....be patient.... 

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Welcome!

[ledfingers]

hooraaaaay full gear!

[Caffeine]

Welcome!

While waiting for your MSF course in April, do some reading.  "Proficient Motorcycling" is a good one.

[calamari]

go practice counter steering on a bicycle... pedal fast enough and start turning right to go left, or the opposite   

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Oh yeah, Twist of the Wrist 1 and 2 are great books to read also.

[scottpA_GS]

HEY! Welcome! 

New guy has to buy us all beer 

[blue05twin]

Grats on the bike and welcome to gstwins.  Glad to hear your  taking the MSF course, if I had taken it before  I started to ride it would have saved at least on accident  .

[pandy]

New guy has to buy us all beer 

[Zack]

My GS is also my first bike, what a GREAT bike to learn on!  I've been a lurker for a few months but I can't describe how much I've learned just from reading old posts, you've found an excellent resource, welcome!

[scratch]

Welcome!

Get gear: use the phone book to locate the nearest dealer or accessory shop and go and try stuff on; find out what fits you properly and buy helmet, boots, gloves, pants, and jacket.  Prefer leather, especially if you only ride when it's dry.

[colobluefox]

Welcome to the board.  Another noob here, don't let these guys give you a hard time, they are all really great.  I got my '96 just after christmas but am in the same boat as yourself.  My MSF class is at the end of March, so I know about the wait.  The only really good advice I can give is to try on lots of helmets till you find one that is really comfortable.  If I hadn't I think I would have a hole rubbed into my head by now. 

Welcome, welcome.

[Raydr]

LOL, sounds like me. I bought my 04 GS500F a few days after breaking up with the girlfriend of 6 years.

[midlifecrisis]

Gear, gear, gear.  I hear you.  What I have picked up so far: Joe Rocket Alter Ego 2.0 jacket, Held gloves, and Timberland downshifter boots.  Next on my list is a Joe Rocket Blaster (leather) jacket.  Helmets - argh - too many - too many reviews, too many opinions.  Is the hype around the the Z1R ZRP all it's cracked up to be?  I know I need to go try a bunch on, check fit and confort, but there are so many - I don't want to be in the bike shop for 4 hours.  I am thinking about a convertible (flip-up) - I like the look of the Lazer Century, but no one carries it.  The HJC-SYMAX is next on my list.  If it is better to go full face, I am liking the Scorpion EX-400 or the Z1R ZRP or the I dont flipping know.  Pants, pants I haven't even looked into yet.  Probably something I can waer over street clothes and wont make me sweat way too much.  There is really too much info out there - I had an easy time picking out a bike - the gear is so much more difficult - sounds ass backwards to me, but I gotta try to keep the body intact if I go doen - the bike is replaceable (sorry to hurt some feeligs on that one).  Take it easy folks - back to helmet searches and pants.  Is April hear yet?

[pandy]

I am thinking about a convertible (flip-up) -

Get a full face w/no flip up...these are bad...really bad.... 

Try on a Scorpion...great price & great helmet! 

[3imo]

Welcome, midlifecrisis! 

As you can see, they let Mak out of the asylum again. They let him out to visit ever so often...then we call 'em, and the men in white coats come take him back. It's been a while, so he's feelin' pretty ornery! 

Glad to hear you've signed up for the safety course. Get your gear. You can't have too much gear! (Yes, we have search nazis AND gear nazis, but we try to them down.

My first bike was also a '92 GS500E...my first love.....my sweetheart...one always has a soft spot for one's first.....ahem....what were we talking about?? Oh yeah...safety.....be safe....be patient.... 

This reminded me of an old post of mine.  http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=29047.msg314127#msg314127

Welcome to the cult..er..club.

[Cal Price]

Welcome, again, You can't have too much training or too much gear just like you can't have too much fun.