Bogging/No power on take off

[quiktaco]

Okay, so I've been practicing tons over the last month since I got the bike.  I've taken the MSF course and ACE'd it, got my licence and ACE'd it, and have been practicing nearly everyday since.   I don't know if it's me, or if it's a problem with the bike, but no matter how much gas I give it or how slow I let out the throttle, the bike has no power right from a stop.

I'll rev it up to 3-4k rpm's then let out the clutch to the friction zone, the rpm's will drop to 1k as I start to move (same throttle position), then after about 10-15 feet after starting, it will take off.  Before it takes off, it goes super slow.  This is slow to the point that I don't want to pull out into traffic, because It won't go fast for a good 3-4 seconds, then it will take off and I can get up to speed quickly.  During this slow period, I can increase the throttle and it doesn't do anything, no matter what, it takes about 3 seconds to get about 15 feet, then it's like there's nothing wrong after that.

I don't think it's me, I think it's the bike (maybe too lean?).  I can start moving without the throttle, only using the clutch (this is part of my practice on side streets to get clutch control down).

Anyone know what's wrong?  Or if it is me/my technique, what do I need to do to fix it, so I don't get rear ended cause I can't get up to speed fast enough.

[NWDave]

The 500 doesn't make too much power on the lower band, enough to when I'm riding the 500 I rev it up before pulling away from a stop.  But it shouldn't be as bad as you have described, I would recommend starting with carbs.  Put some seafoam in the tank, let it do it's thing, that is work it's way through the carbs. 

Most of these problems are tracked down to valve tolerances being out of spec or issues with the carberators.  Doing a valve job (unless you just did one recently) would be a good idea.  You can find all the info you need on the GS Wiki, under the maintaince section.  Kerry's video is a good watch, abit dry but is a very good step by step.  Sync'ing the carbs would also be a good place to go afterwards.  Just my two cents, others with years more experence will chime in.

[quiktaco]

Thanks for the quick reply.  I know that it doesn't have tons of power in low RPM's, but you're right, to the degree that it is happening to me it's got to be something else.  I just bought the bike a month ago, so I haven't gotten around to adjusting the valves yet.  That's probably a really good idea for the next thing to do.  I did use seafoam already and it seemed to help in other areas, but I've still got this problem.  I'm going to be rejetting it soon also to get rid of the leanness from stock.  I'll get the carbs synced and float heights spot on when I do all that.  Anyone else with other ideas of what it might be?

[NWDave]

Is your bike piped?

[quiktaco]

no, it's going to have a lunchbox air filter and that's it.

[trumpetguy]

Adjust the valves -- after I did mine I noticed much better low-end performance.

[TR]

I suggest you to check the plugs, my bike performed similar and it was running too rich. At least you can discard richness or confirm leaness. Also a clogged breathing hose might be the problem, specially the one that comes from between the carbs.