WHO are you and where are you from?

[DynamoBT]

I am a 55 woman from NH, just about to take the BRC next weekend.  I am in the process of buying a '96 GS500E for my first bike.  I found this forum through BeginnerBikers.org.  I'm glad to see that you emphasize saftey here the way they do on the BBO.  I expect to spend more on gear than I will on the bike.  I'm lucky in that my car mechanic is into customizing and reparing bikes as well as cars.  He will do whatever is necessary to get my bike up to snuff.  I hope to be able to learn basic maintainance stuff from him. 

I did lots of research before deciding on the GS500 as my first bike.  I'm a naked standard enthusiast all the way.    I'm short but my height is in my legs.  A standard bike was a must.    I'm looking forward to getting to know you all and eventually recounting successful practice and my first real ride. 

Marilyn

[GeeP]

Welcome!

You have some excellent riding roads up there in NH.  The GS shines on technical roads.   

Oh, don't take *everything* we say here seriously.  We're like a big dysfunctional happy family.   

[RedShift]

...and that goes for GeeP as well.   

Glad to have another friend of the GS500, Marilyn.  BeginnerBikers.org was created after the BeginnerBikes.com web site disintegrated around Christmas 2004.  Safe riding was strongly mentioned there as well.

You get all kinds of folks here, many are novice riders that choose the GS500 to hone their skills with a bike that provides fun in measured ways.  There's not much you can't do with a GS500 (commuting is popular, but touring has frequently been done), and a wide variety of people fit on it, from vertically challenged to the vertically gifted (I'm 6'4", 36" inseam), young to "mature".

The GS500 is a "bike for all reasons".  Ask any questions, no matter how simple, in the General Discussions area.  Someone is always willing to answer -- just sift out the riff-raff.

Welcome aboard.

Roy...

[pandy]

+1 to everything GeeP and RedShift said above! 

And welcome from another "under-tall" rider! 

[bucks1605]

It's how people will spend $10,000+ on a bike and then have either crappy helmet/safety gear or none at all.  I can't count the number of people I've seen riding GSX-R's in a t-shirt, no gloves, and tennis shoes. 

Like you say, everyone assumes their own level of risk and reward.

Or like I saw the other day, no shirt and shorts was all the guy was wearing.

[hvilu]

Hello!

My name is Simon, and I come from Slovenia. I am 23 years old electrotechnical student (power engeneering). I have 5 exams to go. I am an old biker ; I used to own a '94 yamaha TZR 125. It was a lotta fun. Now I want to buy something about 500 cc big, so maybe even a GS 500. I wanna find out what this motorcycle is all about.

[pandy]

Welcome! 

[97dime]

Hi,
  My name is Gary.  I just bought a 2004 GS500F about two weeks ago.   I think I got a good deal.  $3050 with 3700 miles.  Great condition.  Looks like the bike on the home page(color and all but mine has aftermaket turnsignals).  Anyway I work at an auto body shop.  I have a five year old daughter.  Bought the bike after much debate.  Was going to put that $3000 into my truck (97 s-10, hence my name) most likely air ride, but the guys at work convinced me to buy a bike.  Glad i did it.  I love it.  This is my first bike so I'm still learning. 

[jordan172005]

Hi ! My name is Jordan and I'm 18 and live in the US state of Ohio. I have a 1994 Suzuki GS500E That is red. This has been wrecked but isn't too bad just needs 2 dents popped out of the tank and a brake lever which is on the way. I got this bike for about $1000 and so far had to buy...

Fuel lines - $5
Front Brake Lever - $16
Carburetor cleaner - $2
2x O-rings for the needle valve seats - $1

the bike sat for about 3-4yrs after the guy wrecked it and it only has 2500miles now. It runs great but I'm going to try my hand at the carb synchronizing for that little bit of extra power that might be there.

[kcsavage]

I'm Kyle from Waldorf MD, USA... Just a little south of Washington DC... Just bought my bike a week ago and am loving it 

[pandy]

Welcome! 

[Jay_wolf]

Hey Everyone

Im Jay , Im From Merry Old England, 6ft3 , 13 1/2 Stone , And Loved Bikes Since i Got A Pedal Bike

I Had A Tzr 125 . Kymco Zing 125 , And A Cbr 125

Then I Found My Baby, My Gs Will Be One Off When Shes Done

Work In A CLothes Shop , soon to be a motorbike courior
Have No Gf , My Gs Is My Only Girl , And shes Been Expensive To Buy Lil Pressie For

Any Uk Riders From South England, Pm!

Wolfy

[Drakis]

Hello

My name is João, i live in Portugal, Lisbon area.
I have a blue 2001 GS500, bought new in 2003.
It's all stock, except for the spark plugs (NGK DPR8EVX-9).
It has done 46000km and hope to do much much more!!!

[MikeNW]

OK, here goes...
Mike
presently living in Kingman, AZ by default.  From 1984 to 2000 in San Diego area, which is heavenly.  I WILL GO BACK SOMEDAY!
Age 52
born in OH (1954-1984)  30 winters there was hell on earth.

Bought first MC when I was 41 and divorced.  1979 Harley because I JUST HAD TO HAVE A HARLEY!  Of course, it was a pile of junk and a wallet-drainer.  Mercifully, I sold it after completely restoring it including powder coating all of the tinwork, and completely rebuilding engine and tranny.  You want money shop-vac'd from your wallet, buy any Harley.  The only difference between a new Harley and an old one, is that the new one isn't junk YET. 

Second bike bought in 1999, a 97 Shadow Spirit, have been all over the country on it.  A wonderful machine.  Rock-solid.  Those things just run and run.  Still have it.

Third bike, 2005 Concours, bought in 2004.  I couldn't believe it has a 10,500 redline, so I bought it.  Great tourer but a clumsy Klutz at low speeds.  Crashed in Nov. 2006, broken hand and $850 damage to bike.  Rebuilt and still have it.  "Drop a gear and disappear!"  Or, "105 horsepower- GOOD-BYE"

Now, looking at 2006 GS500F at local Suzook-Kawi dealer (good people), the bike is black and white which doesn't make me want to buy it, but they might deal.  The GS seems to be a more sensible machine, as I ride solo exclusively since my crash. 

I enjoy reading posts on this forum.  I am also on Concours.org and Hondashadow.net, and I must say, there are much weirder people on this forum!     Ride on!

[scratch]

Weird is good...

Welcome!

[pandy]

I must say, there are much weirder people on this forum!     Ride on!

Thank you! 

And welcome, all!! 

[hutch699]

Heya!
My name is Danny, from Alabama, USA.
Got my GS500F this weekend...and loving it!

[skiggitty]

Heya!
My name is Danny, from Alabama, USA.
Got my GS500F this weekend...and loving it!

Heyas Danny... welcome!  Alabama here also.

[hutch699]

Heya!
Montgomery here!

[WireDawg]

Names chuck and i'm stuck. From Northern California and now stuck at Barksdale AFB, LA. I'm a Wire Dawg for the Air Force and trying to find my first GS.

chuck