Hello everyone (Pic heavy) My bike/Mods/stuff

[bikegirl88]

Nothing wrong with wanting a bigger bike.  Many of us have purchased the GS500 as a first bike to develop and refine our skills.  I have not been able to maximize the potential of my GS yet (and I may never do it) but I intend in changing bikes next season all the same.  For me it is largely having something different every few years.

My next bike is targeted to be the DUC 696 however I also like the 600cc SS bikes that are available and will consider these over the winter.  If my husband changes bikes next year perhaps I will claim his 07 ZX14...jk.

Regardless, if you have the means to change your bike, and it is matched with your skill and level headedness, then why not do it.

For me, for the rest of this season, my GS500 will remain this girls best friend!

[O.C.D.]

My next bike is targeted to be the DUC 696

Exactly what I am doing, maybe an 1100.  But Duc is in the future!!!!  Who cares about the maintenance, lol.

[Skeets]

My next bike is targeted to be the DUC 696

Exactly what I am doing, maybe an 1100.  But Duc is in the future!!!!  Who cares about the maintenance, lol.

I was getting a free Ducati 929, all I had to do was pay for shipping from Germany to here. I think it would have been a little too powerful for my first bike 

[tt_four]

.......The GS is more than capable enough upto the speed limit in the traffic light grand prix against most cars, is very economical, easy to work on and is fine in the twisty stuff.........

Well first of all, it wasn't that long ago that I was 18 and had a motorcycle, and trying to convince him that something is capable, economical, and easy to work on, is gonna go no where. He wants a 600 because the girls are gonna think it looks cool, and that's not just Skeets, that's every 17 year old ever. Now that I'm a little older I'm fine with riding around on a gs500, or even my wife's 50cc moped, but when I was a teenager you don't want to settle for "good enough". There's no way to change his mind, and I don't intend to, 100hp feels amazing. Even if 40 is plenty on back roads, I spend plenty of time on straight roads too.

I think it's the same mentality that makes me realize that if I bought another 600, I'd probably speed around and ride like a jerk, but I'm probably going to buy a 1000cc bike, and just knowing the power is there is gonna keep me riding a bit calmer. Just that mental thing of knowing what I have, and not needing to prove that it's fast. I can't verify that until I get a bigger bike though.

and also....

.....Initially it was only meant to be a 12 month stop-gap until I could get a Suzuki GSX1400........

that comment was AWESOME. HAHA, you're not playing around. I've never heard anyone say they bought a GS500 in prep for a 1400.

I've also got my eyes on a zrx1200!

[Skeets]

.......The GS is more than capable enough upto the speed limit in the traffic light grand prix against most cars, is very economical, easy to work on and is fine in the twisty stuff.........

Well first of all, it wasn't that long ago that I was 18 and had a motorcycle, and trying to convince him that something is capable, economical, and easy to work on, is gonna go no where. He wants a 600 because the girls are gonna think it looks cool, and that's not just Skeets, that's every 17 year old ever. Now that I'm a little older I'm fine with riding around on a gs500, or even my wife's 50cc moped, but when I was a teenager you don't want to settle for "good enough". There's no way to change his mind, and I don't intend to, 100hp feels amazing. Even if 40 is plenty on back roads, I spend plenty of time on straight roads too.

I think it's the same mentality that makes me realize that if I bought another 600, I'd probably speed around and ride like a jerk, but I'm probably going to buy a 1000cc bike, and just knowing the power is there is gonna keep me riding a bit calmer. Just that mental thing of knowing what I have, and not needing to prove that it's fast. I can't verify that until I get a bigger bike though.

You speak the truth   

[jeremy_nash]

I upgraded my gs500 to an 86 ninja 1000.  yeah the 130hp was awesome, but going from $107 a year to $35 a month sucked.  the 33 mpg sucked more, and was alot more scary.  instant torque sounds like a good idea, but I ride year round and it was dangerously scary.  I was relieved when I took it back off the road.

[Skeets]

I upgraded my gs500 to an 86 ninja 1000.  yeah the 130hp was awesome, but going from $107 a year to $35 a month sucked.  the 33 mpg sucked more, and was alot more scary.  instant torque sounds like a good idea, but I ride year round and it was dangerously scary.  I was relieved when I took it back off the road.

My gs500f is $670 a year full coverage and an Kawasaki ninja ZZR600 is about $800 for full coverage. My gs500 gets 40mpg anyways, I dunno why.

[tripleb]

i hope you have a lot of stuff to sell since you will need a fortune to pay for the insurance on a 600 at your age.

[tt_four]

When I was that old and had my triumph, my entire income went towards the bike, but I was young, so who cares. The bike, insurance, gas, riding gear, tickets, tires, shiny parts.... It never ends. That bike was considered a "standard", so my insurance was about 1/4th of what it would've been had I bought the tt600, which was the same exact bike with the exception of the front fairing. Suckers!

I'd really like to find a bike demo somewhere so I can get a chance to ride a bigger bike or two before I settle on what I really want, but at the moment the bike will mostly be used for joy rides, or trips to the store 20 minutes away, so I'll either be on multi lane roads with stop lights every so often, or else taking back roads somewhat nicely, so I think it'll be alright. A 1000cc sport bike would definitely scare me beyond belief assuming I tried to ride it like a sportbike, but I plan to strip it, streetfighter it, and give it some riser bars, so i think the power would be a bit more managable. I've only been on a big bike once, it was an old cbr900rr in a parking lot. I just gave it some gas smoothly in 1st and the front wheel just ever so gently floated right off the ground. It was pretty crazy.

[Skeets]

When I first got my gs500f my insurance was $1300 a year! It got cut in half Thanks progressive! Well I'm really debating on selling my bike and getting a car now. It's going to be winter here and it really sucked last year trying to ride in the ice and snow.

I mean I can always get a bike when I'm older and what not. It's just really hard to let go of motorcycling because I have so many great memories!!

[Bluesmudge]

It's not only that I want a bigger bike for the engine, it's that I don't like how my Gs looks cosmetically because it's my first bike if that makes sense? It's about $1000 to fix all the cracks and what not. Or a new to me bike. How do I say....I just like the looks of the bigger bikes  

I can understand liking the look of the bigger bikes, but $1000 to fix your bike cosmetically is about $800 too much. I replaced the entire right side of my bike with brand new plastics for $50 shipped off ebay. Got a few cans of paint for under $20 and flush mounts like mine are $20 shipped on ebay (see previous page for what it looks like now). Throw on some clip ons for an extra $100 if you want for a sportier look/ride and you are good to go. Plus its nice to have a bike that you don't have to worry about cosmetically because its already a little quirky.

If you want to save on insurance, put your bike in your parent's name and have it on their insurance...much cheaper

[lilwoody]

Now your last statement sounds like a very good idea. This shows your maturity, there will be plenty of time for bikes after you get a education and establish yourself. There is another option you have shorted yourself on, fix the bike yourself. If it's all cosmetic that's no big deal.
40 mpg there is something bad wrong with the bike or you're shifting at 9k all the time. I consistently get 55 to 65 depending on what type of riding and how hard I'm riding it. I just did a 200 mile trip with my son on friday and got 52 mpg on the 100 miles to meet him cruising 75 to 85 (6500 to 7500 rpm) and 59 on the way back cruising at 65 to 75 (5500 to 6500). What I have found is the GS gets great mileage if you keep it under 5500 you will get 60 plus. Cruise it at 55 (4500 rpm) and expect 65 or better.
I will be happy with this little bike for quite some time I will do a couple more mods to make it more comfortable (seat, gel pad and memory foam) and I'm thinking about highway bars (oh the sacrilege) when it is time for another it will be the BMW F800ST but then again I'm old and after I get my last son through college I'll have money again.

[Skeets]

I tried putting my bike on my dads insurance and it was more than what I'm paying now because he has a DUI.

Cosmetically I've been looking for plastics all over ebay and on various websites alike. Haven't found any that are better than mine. My brother said that I could fix my fairings with a little bondo and sanded with some paint and it'd look good as new.

It's just really hard right now to decide to keep the bike or get a car. I really love my bike, and I love riding...but it's not practical for the winter riding. Decisions Decisions. This is really hard.

[tt_four]

What you could really look into doing, if you don't want to give up bikes yet, is pace yourself since you're still 17 and have more than enough time to get a fast bike, and look around on craigslist or wherever for a really cheap bike to have with your car. A quick browse and I found this one..... http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/1280598684.html


That one says it's blowing fuses, but still, you can find bikes like that, even less cruiserish for the same price or cheaper. Plus all that one would need is a flat seat and some clubman bars and it would look awesome, get just as much attention as a sportbike(plus you could say "yeah, it used to be a lame cruiser, but I fixed it up), and would be sooooo much cheaper. I'm gonna keep an eye out for a cheap 100-150cc bike in that same style just for quick rides around town.

[94suzuki500]

my insurance is 266 for a whole year...and it was like 315 a year when i was 16...and thats for a zx6r now.

[Skeets]

my insurance is 266 for a whole year...and it was like 315 a year when i was 16...and thats for a zx6r now.

Full insurance? Or liability?

Unfortunately, I have to have full coverage, my dad doesn't believe in anything else....Even though I paid for the bike and for the insurance. I told him I should just get Comprehensive and liability but he doesn't think so.

[redhenracing2]

Alright take it from a fellow 17 year old. 600 is too much with that little under your belt. I STARTED on a cbr 600. When I realized it would do 140 with a passenger without breaking a sweat, I traded it for my gs a week later. FAR too much power, too early. You WILL hurt yourself, especially seeing as you have a tendency to drop things. I cant say that i dont wish I had it again now that I have a good 20,000 miles or so under my belt, but i love my gs to death. Ill keep rollin it til it don't roll no more. And they CAN look good, I get compliments on mine all the time. And chicks love it. Theres no need to go over the 100mph that this bike is fully capable of, even with a passenger. 100 is plenty to impress a girl or your friends, if that's what you just have to do(though it seems kinda squidly to me, I think you're in it for the wrong reasons. Ride becausee you love it, not to impress people.) Just my two cents, maybe youll take it to heart from someone your age. BTW- Insurance was as much per month as this gs is over a year. Consider that. Anyways . . . . since we are posting pics

The day that I got it--





And as it sits right now--







just thought I would share. When I first got it I thought it looked ghey but now its pretty badass if I may say so myself. I have invested a total of maybe . . . . lets see . . . (calculator) . . . $45 in all. 20 for the headlights, 12 for the barend mirror, and 10 in 'banner red' krylon spray paint. I already had the pipe(and it was only like 12 bucks on ebay, was meant for my prelude), the l.e.d.'s, and the steel for the 12 bar, along with all the other little bits that have been changed.

I guess the point is that I love this bike. They are great machines and CAN look good as any other sportbike with little invested. Don't dis them.

[Alphamazing]

What in the god damn hell is wrong with you? Someone needs to punch you in the middle of your face.

[redhenracing2]

What in the god damn hell is wrong with you? Someone needs to punch you in the middle of your face.

[O.C.D.]

Um, it was obviously directed at your fart tipped GS500.  I am not a mean person, but that needs to go. 

As for insurance, I pay $160 a year with a very long driving record.  That is with full coverage as well.  But Progressive gives me an age and a marriage discount.  So that may be it.