Realized just how slow my bike is...

[Danny500]

So I was riding home from work last night around 7pm and hopped onto Rt2W out of Fitchburg, MA. Coming up through the light on Rt2 I caught up with 2 bikes; one a mid 90's B-mer all bagged out and some sort of crotch rocket (never got close enough to see what it was) but the tail light looked like an old Honda CBR600RR.

So I'm cruising at 70mph when I catch them, and they start weaving through traffic. So, like an idiot, I follow because honestly there were only a few cars there. So we all get to a straight away coming through Westminister and the B-mer backs down to hang with traffic, so I step it up to 95-97mph to catch the crotch rocket.

So now I'm dead topped out and this guy is maybe 3 car lengths ahead of me, when he looks back at me the next thing I see is him downshift and disappear. I on the open stretch of road (me topped out near 100mph) he pulled away from me and covered 1/2 mile in about 10-15 seconds... I just watched his little tail light fly up the road and up and over the hill and that was the last I saw of him.

I couldn't believe it. So I just kinda calmed down and put-putted back to 65 with my ego a tad bruised but slightly elated by the display of sheer power that some bikes possess. Having never been on anything bigger than an 883 Sportster and gone no faster than 105 on 2 wheels it's kinda tickling in a way... 

I'm always impressed by little things I guess.

Dan

[Mdow]

yes but his life span is an inverse realation to his bikes speed

[Danny500]

yes but his life span is an inverse realation to his bikes speed

That's true.. but it was a clear night with no other cars on the road other than what we just passed and it was just cool to be blown away like that... But yeah, he's a future vegetable probably.

Dan

[Jlittle]

Ive had a few experiences like that it really depressing, but like Mdow said speed will kill.  Saw it happen on my way to work 2 months ago with a guy on a Hayabusa fly into a back of a truck about 100 yards in front of me.  He was fly(i was doing 85 to keep up with traffic)by me and weaved through a few cars and .... Eh it made me sick to my stomach, i havn't been on my GS since the day after, not that i wont get back on it i just stopped riding it for like a week then decided to do some upgrades.  But after seeing that accident and all the blood and his mangled body eck i couldnt ride a few days.

[Kasumi]

Wave em' on by. I have no problem with people riding fast (well not fast 'spirited') so long as its safe and controlled because lets face it, some roads are held back by the national speed limit when actually theyre pretty darn safe and you can go a bit quicker. I don't condone 120mph weaving through traffic and being reckless, but 80mph sweepers im cool with.

The thing is when people ride fast or even you see a boy racer ahead, the urge to put their papermashe bodykitted lowered arse in place just becomes overwhelming. You have to overcome that because thats where accidents happen. Ive seen too many bikers be tailgated by a boy racer looking for a race then they decide screw it that little halfords boy and they nail it and obviously leave him for dust, then become dust because they did this in the middle of a busy town and just piled streight into a car pulling out of a junction. Times and places people, if its not right or not safe to go abit quicker, don't do it. Not even to keep up.

Note: this effect is most seen in group riding.

[Roadstergal]

Any monkey can twist the throttle and go fast in a straight line.

[Y2K6GS500F]

Yeah, but let's see the CBR or BMW get 60 miles per gallon like the GS. Our insurance is WAY cheaper too! 

[NEWGS500F]

I got smoked like this a while back...an R1 flew past me and I was doing 90 - he was doing well over 120-130....as he ripped past me.

To be honest, my GS is gonna be with me for the next couple of years or so at least so, I'm happy with it.  However, maybe in a couple of years, I'll investigate a 600, most likely a GSXR K6 or something similar.  Depends on money and such like but, for now, I am perfectly happy knowing mostly the only things that can show up my GS is other 2 wheeled brothers...........most cars, I can say ta ta too when needed 

[gaspy]

yes but his life span is an inverse realation to his bikes speed

That's true.. but it was a clear night with no other cars on the road other than what we just passed and it was just cool to be blown away like that... But yeah, he's a future vegetable probably.

This time of year it's pitch dark at 7 pm in the Northeast. "omigod A DEER" You could be a vegetable, too!

My gf and I took a trip in a family car to Providence, RI to visit her folks last fall. We passed Mystic, CT at around 10 pm, cruising at the 65 mph speed limit on I-95. We were alone except for a few cars within half a mile or so behind us on the long stretch of unlit, sweeping, two-lane section of highway along the coast. A massive buck stumbled onto the left shoulder as we rapidly approached from the right lane. We couldn't see it until we were very close and there wasn't enough distance to come to a stop. My gf hit the brakes, swerved onto the right shoulder, and in my head I imagined the deer leaping onto our hood or the windshield and taking us out. Unbelievably, the deer didn't react to us as we passed, probably having slowed quickly to 40 or 30 mph. The thing was enormous and must've been old or sick. I looked back as we gathered ourselves, hearts pounding, and saw its silhouette in the headlights behind us as it ambled across the highway. Next time we might not be so lucky! and worse, I might be on the GS. I hope that lesson stays with me forever.

[The Buddha]

OK so how many stickers do you have on your bike. Each one adds 5hp ... and atleast 5 knots.
Cool.
Buddha.

[TonyKZ1]

Yep, I have this feeling every now and then. But I just let them pass me on by as I'm usually doing 55-60 on the rural 2 lane roads that I commute on. And then see them getting pulled over by the State Patrol...
Tony

[Roadstergal]

I'll investigate a 600, most likely a GSXR K6 or something similar

My investigations revealed that bikes that are made for the track aren't terribly comfortable or practical on the street.

If you ever feel bad about your GS500, try a track day.  You'll find how few people really know how to ride, and how it feels to pass someone on a 'faster' bike who twists the throttle on the straight and can't turn.

You'll also find out that some people are just plain fast no matter what they're on, and might end up admiring skill sets more than bikes...

[jrains89]

have you guys noticed how underpowered the gs500 is compared to other 500cc bikes, like for say the ninja 500?

[the mole]

You ever adjusted the valves? PITA job compared to my old BMW, but at least there's only 4 of them. Try doing 16 on a 4 cylinder crotch rocket!
The GS is a good practical and economical means of transport, and fun as well. Fast enough for me, but if you want more there's lots of choice out there!

[fred]

The GS is plenty fast getting me to work and school and is still fast enough to have a bit of fun on the rare weekend when I don't have a bunch of other things to get done... I don't think it was ever meant to be the fastest bike around. It was meant to be a cheap and easy to maintain bike that would get you from a to b while having a bit of fun and I think it does a pretty good job at that.

[905mike]

The GS is plenty fast getting me to work and school and is still fast enough to have a bit of fun on the rare weekend when I don't have a bunch of other things to get done... I don't think it was ever meant to be the fastest bike around. It was meant to be a cheap and easy to maintain bike that would get you from a to b while having a bit of fun and I think it does a pretty good job at that.

luv my GS500E. practical. comfortable. easy to maintain. easy on gas. easy on insurance. goes as fast as I want it to go. really no complaints.
for commuting, it is quicker than any cage out there ... that's all I need.

[respite]

I never try to keep up with anyone going that fast. The only time i ever notice my bike is slow is when i ride with a friend on the highway who takes off at the on-ramps and will vary from 65-85 depending on traffic.

[ohgood]

you damned kids get offa my lawn !

and pick up yer gum wrappers !

original poster - tame your oats, coax your wild hair into some turns, a track day, or a parking lot test of nerves. fast is lame, everybody got THAT memo !

[sledge]

have you guys noticed how underpowered the gs500 is compared to other 500cc bikes, like for say the ninja 500?

WTF do you expect from an engine thats 30+ years old?? 

Ever heard the term "You cant polish a turd?"......well its B/S. Suzuki have been doing it for the last 15 years.

[Danny500]

See, the thing is... the GS500 is just enough to get you red in the face, fogging up your facemask, and about to piddle yourself on a day-to-day basis. I find that when I'm being a hooligan, the GS keeps up with me and is very tolerant of what I do to it.

I'm sure I'll need a new clutch a little sooner than most, but I know I can do that work myself. Tune ups, valve adjustments, carb tweaks... all done in an afternoon and are normally FUN to me on this bike.

In no means did I mean to 'bash' the GS.. I just wanted to share that for what I think is a top-notch bike I got blown away by the sheer speed of someone else.

Honestly, I'd love to take my bike to a track day... I'm probably going next May up to NewHampshire with TonysTrackDays.com . It's about an hour and a half from my house and they have classroom sessions and everything.

I think the only thing I'd like in another bike is a better version of this bike... maybe an SV or something... but tweaking my bike here and there has worked out great for me... I don't EVER NEED to go 130... I've gone 100 here and there and that's fast enough for me and almost too fast for the GS.

I'll probably do the KnN, Jets, and Vance&Hines and call it a day... Maybe upgrade the front springs.. but after that... I'd see no reason to purchase another bike.

Like I said, I'm not bashing the bike... just thought I'd share a blown-away story .

Dan