Sold the GS. I miss her already :(

[510]

So, I sold my '05 gsf a few days ago and used the money to get a '03 r6. I have to say: even though the gs is regarded as a starter bike, and even it's not nearly as fast as a modern bike, there are many qualities that the gs500 has that none of these "supersports" can come close to offering.

On the r6, there really is no perfectly comfortable position to sit. If I scootch forward too much, I hold up most of my weight using the footpegs, and if I scoot back, then I either have to knee the tank really really hard, or strain my wrists. The low seat and high bars of the GS seem like sitting on the couch in comparison.

Thanks to the one piece seat of the GS, I could carry just about anything using a cargo net. I once fit a week's worth of groceries in that with no problems at all. This does not work at all with a two piece seat.

Before I sold it, the GS was getting 50-55 mpg. The r6 drinks up 3 whole gallons for 120 miles. This is premium gas we're talking about. I just couldn't believe my eyes when the gas light came on when the tripmeter was only at 120.

Finally, at a certain point, the r6 becomes quite a liability. In my part of town, bike thieves make off with dozens of sportbikes a month. Unless you keep every part of the bike chained to a post at all times, they'll steal it before you can even turn around. This is actually causing me to lose sleep at night, believe it or not. Piece of mind is something that you just can't buy.

Now, I'm sitting here, wondering if I made a $2000 mistake 

[laserred97gt]

You did.  I'll trade you bikes and give you $2000.

[georgel]

I had a 07 r6 I miss it but I still like the gs500. I got 45 miles to agallon of gas and I would think you should get about the same?

[ajaxgs]

i do agree as well   the GS will always have a place in my heart 

[yooblonder]

I could carry just about anything using a cargo net. I once fit a week's worth of groceries in that with no problems at all.

Guess you don't have a wife and two kids to feed???  I don't think I'd feel safe with lots of loose things in a cargo net - a tank bag or back bag does the trick.

[1 wheel peel]

     You could always try to trade your R6 for an FZ6, then you would have a more upright seating position and the R6 engine. 

[ohgood]

     You could always try to trade your R6 for an FZ6, then you would have a more upright seating position and the R6 engine. 

man ya, the fz6 and fz1 are fantastic machines !

i've only ridden the fz6 lately, but man what a nice ride.

[bombadillo]

fz6 will be my next bike if an amazing f4i doesn't pop up first.

[blue05twin]

Should have gotten a gsxr-600, uses regular gas, gets about 130 per tank, thats when the light starts to flash anyway.  And I like the riding postion better. Only part of me that gets sore is my butt.   I had to pick up some chinese take out one night had 1 back on the rear seat with a cargo net holding it place and had the 2nd bag partly in my tank bag, wouldn't fit all the way in lol.  That was in intersting ride home.

Do you live in an apartment?  I have a friend of mine lives on the first floor brings his bike in every night through the patio door  .    Or get alot of chains and install some anchor mounts.

Just kidding about you should have gotten a gsxr.

About wondering if you made a mistake, do you enjoy the bike?  Have fun riding it? If yes then no you didn't make a mistake.  I understand you are worried about people stealing your bike, theives are going for an easy steal if you have even some minor anti theif stuff on your bike chances are they will go and look for a different bike to steal.

About the riding postions, have you tried adjusting your rearsets?  Sounds silly but that really does help with your leg and lower body postioning.  Or you could even install stomp pads that will help you with your knee squeezing.  As far as cago room goes. . well that will never be good but you could try rear cargo bags, tank pads or a back pack.

And one last thing if you don't like the bike, sell it and get another one.

[Jay_wolf]

Alot of Companys sell New top yokes that can take Risers just for that reason to get rid of that GP style position , and then change the rearsets etc

i think i just have a curved spine , because clip on's feel really good