Fat guy on a little bike....

[bassmechanicsz]

NJ does have twisties it is just a matter of riding to those areas.  I don't know which part of NJ you live in but I can think of plenty decent twisty roads from North Jersey all the way to south Jersey.  It is just a matter of riding the back roads and letting yourself get lost to find these roads.  And no they aren't just a constant 10 mile run of twisties, they do have some straights in between but they do have decent twisty areas.

As for group riding i have never really done what you would call an official group ride and i am starting my 3rd season of riding now,  but i will occasionaly ride with a 2 other bikes.  I usually ride in the 3rd position (last) and will sometimes lose them off the line but I always just ride my pace and will always catch up without any problem.

[jfinstrom]

NJ does have twisties

Which exit? j/k 

[Electrojake]

NJ does have twisties it is just a matter of riding to those areas.  I don't know which part of NJ you live in but I can think of plenty decent twisty roads from North Jersey all the way to south Jersey. 

Your right, there are some beautiful county roads here in Jersey,
Click this link: www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/NorthEast/NJ/NJ_index.htm
Or this link: www.openroadjourney.com/loadroute.asp?rid=2697
But perhaps it's the traffic that takes the fun out of the ride.
I too have had a few "unintended adventures" while exploring New Jersey's South and South West areas. It was kinda' fun in my early days of riding but I guess I'm starting to yearn for a prototypical West Coast Canyon adventure.
(which being a flat-lander with no mountainous skills would probably be the death of me)

By The Way. . .
A GPS section on the forum for trading favorite routes might be interesting. Yes/no?

As for which exits. . .
In New Jersey you are judged almost entirely by your exit.
My list doesn't paint a pretty picture:
Exit 12 (1956-1974)
Exit 8A (1981-present)
Exit 120 (GSP) very briefly
-Ej-

[CheetoPet]

Nice to hear of other large guys on their GS500s.  I clock in at 6'6" & 160 pounds on a good day.

[kml.krk]

Yeah you have a couple options for shocks, the katana is one, the other is the red 06-07 R6 shock that has a bit of adjustment in the settings. You can also put stiffer springs and heavier fork oil in the forks.

yellow works too.

[jfinstrom]

on the group ride thing....

I am a commuter and put 60 miles a day on the bike 5 days a week. That said I have never felt my riding improve after a daily round trip. In a group ride no matter the ride I always notice improvement. I think group rides take you out of your comfort zone and force you to ride in a manner you would not if left to your own vices. I like riding with groups for this reason but at the same time I would also like to sit back and enjoy the ride rather than being 100% focused on the mechanics of the ride, keeping up, or simply surviving. My thought is I need to get a second larger bike for group runs and keep the GS as a toy and for commuting then in a few years when my son is 16 he can take it over... I have beefed up the front springs. I think the next two mods I will do is the 15T front sprocket and the GSXR shock. I am guessing from reading it will be the best $40 I spend..

[Electrojake]

That post on page one from mister (Mike) opened my eyes to a number of group ride issues. I'm beginning to understand that it's almost a sport in itself.
And the comments by jfinstrom would suggest that a group ride should be a hand-full. I guess if it's mundane then your skill-set never improves. Interesting outlook. Perhaps I'm too preoccupied striving for comfort to expand my skills. Interesting concept indeed.
And finally. . .

Nice to hear of other large guys on their GS500s.  
I clock in at 6'6" & 160 pounds on a good day.

This brings it back to an earlier question. . .
How do you big guys cope with having your legs folded in the exact same position for hours?
At 6'3" its the only comfort issue that I have not been able to conquer on the GS (yet).
In spite of their clunky stereotype those cruiser bikes sure look mighty comfortable.
I guess highway pegs on an "F" unit are out of the question. 
Gasp!

[jfinstrom]

My height is in my torso I have a 32" inseam. I do okay as long as I stretch. I have jumped on in colder weather and had to stop before I made it out of the parking lot from cramping but normally no issue. again quick leg stretches. I have a pre-ride ritual and it takes me 5-10 minutes in the morning to just get going but weather it is habit or superstition it all works and I account for this time in my riding.

For me:
Gear up in the house
Walk to bike
Unlock cable lock
set choke
put in neutral
Start er up
stretch legs
say a prayer
get on bike
turn off choke
drive in to the jungle....

[bill14224]

As much as I like this bike if I were 6'4" and 320 there's no way in hell I'd ride it.  My other bike would be much better for you. (XS 750)  Stop suffering and get yourself another bike.  The GS 500 isn't the only cheap bike out there, not by a long shot.  You could sell the GS then put the $ into a new old bigger bike and come-out even, you may even make a few bucks.  One of my co-workers just picked-up a 1984 Honda 700 Sabre that runs fine for $900.  I paid similar $ for my XS 750.

[CheetoPet]

This brings it back to an earlier question. . .
How do you big guys cope with having your legs folded in the exact same position for hours?
At 6'3" its the only comfort issue that I have not been able to conquer on the GS (yet).

I've got about 2 hours before my body starts complaining.  All the range I need for now, when it becomes an issue I'll probably start looking at a bigger bike.

[mister]

on the group ride thing....

I am a commuter and put 60 miles a day on the bike 5 days a week. That said I have never felt my riding improve after a daily round trip. In a group ride no matter the ride I always notice improvement. I think group rides take you out of your comfort zone and force you to ride in a manner you would not if left to your own vices. I like riding with groups for this reason but at the same time I would also like to sit back and enjoy the ride rather than being 100% focused on the mechanics of the ride, keeping up, or simply surviving.

As I said, in OUR group rides, everyone rides their own ride. No-one is Forced to Keep Up or focus on ride mechanics. The ride leader sets the front pace in the straights. If you feel it is too fast, let him/them go and ride your own pace. In the twisties, ride your own pace. It's all about enjoying the ride, not riding at a pace you feel uncomfortable with.

The reason you learn more in a group ride is, you are riding on unfamiliar roads and are, as a result of the unfamiliarity, forced to concentrate more to get the right lines etc. As that takes you through a greater variety of curve tightness and lean angle, you are experiencing a great variety of what the bike can do. Hence, you learn more.

Like all things, when they are totally new, we need to focus on them more. As we gain experience they become more automatic. The general techniques of formation, corner marking, etc., all become 2nd nature after a few times out in a group. PLUS, for new roads even the presence of one other rider with you becomes a welcome safety factor or breakdown assistance. Plus, someone to chit chat with at stops - which sees you take the stop that little bit longer and get a needed ride rest so you are less fatigued.

EJ,

Striving for comfort is a good thing. If you are not comfortable you won't enjoy it, and will do it less and less until you stop all together. This is why people buy Goldwings with suspension that's adjustable on the ride, heated grips and seats, air vents, radio, etc. So they can still ride, but in as much luxury as is possible.

Following on this... we don't ride any longer than two hours without a rest break. It's a good time to stretch the legs - and do some body stretches too. Get some fluid into you so you do not inadvertently dehydrate just due to air rushing by you. Have a light snack. Tank up so we always have maximum range - just in case. Toilet. Head cool down. And so on.

For comfort while riding, I suggest... boxers as your underwear - no seam line to cut into you after a while. While riding and Before you feel discomfort, change the position of your feet on the pegs - arch, ball, heel, arch but toes pointing down, and feet on pillion pegs if you can manage (practice while bike on center stand first). Make slight alterations to your seating position - a little back, a little to either side. Stretch one leg forward for a while, then the other leg. Bend your knees out instead of tight to the tank - in out in out, or just out for a few seconds as a stretch. All BEFORE you start getting too uncomfortable and cramping.

For longer rides, take some paracetamol as an added muscle relaxant. Just to help keep tightness at bay - which could lead to muscle fatigue and cramping or headaches.

Practice. The first time you spend two hours in the saddle you'll Really feel it. Do it again the following week and it will be easier. The following week again, will be easier still. Even build up to it with four small 30 minute jaunts with ten minutes break between each. Then make it 45 minutes each leg. Then one hour each leg. And throw in a 30 minute break and stop for lunch.

Michael

[Mike.Gail]

A few people have mentioned replacing the front springs, and as my E needs a complete redo on the front (springs, seals, and oil) Being a touch heavy (5-10, 270-ish) I'd like to put a beefier front end on it, be that springs or the whole assembly. The problem I run into is that I can't find where to get parts or what will fit.

Any suggestions?

[GSnoober]

A few people have mentioned replacing the front springs, and as my E needs a complete redo on the front (springs, seals, and oil) Being a touch heavy (5-10, 270-ish) I'd like to put a beefier front end on it, be that springs or the whole assembly. The problem I run into is that I can't find where to get parts or what will fit.

Any suggestions?

Not that I condone threadjacking, but most or all of the answers are in the Wiki:

http://wiki.gstwins.com

[nascarkeith]

I understand where you are coming from man.  I am 6'3 295 but I love my GS.  I have dropped the front sprocket 2 teeth, added a K&N filter, and put washers on the carb and it pulls me around just fine.  I put some new pegs on mostly for looks but they are not as thick as the stockers so they help with leg room a little.  I would like a bigger bike but the GS is paid for so I'm going to keep riding it as long as it will pull my big but around.

[Electrojake]

An outstanding barrage of information here. I had to chuckle; That was a clever warm-up list posted by Jfin. Well done.
As for the group ride posts by Mike. . .
There was so much good info there to comment on in one post, and your YouTube stuff was great. Thanks for the link.

As for big guys and cramped legs on a GS500. . .
I would have to agree that being in good physical shape makes things better when riding the bike. When I feel good I ride better.
I myself have a pretty strict daily workout routine.
It involves the following:  
Wake up tired & aggravated, grab a coffee & 2 greasy donuts, go to work, get more aggravation, then salt & grease for lunch , then more work & aggravation.
Go home, do chores, drink beer, slop down some left-over Chinese food, get 5 or 6 hours of restless sleep, then repeat.
(I may be off topic but my aorta is right on the money, seriously)
And finally. . .
I am impressed to see so many big guys riding GS500's.
I had no idea.
This thread has been a real eye-opener.
-Ej-

[Asym]

I think I'm on the same workout as electrojake, he gets more beauty sleep though. I haven't had the time for the gym since i bought a stupid house, think I'm back up to over 250@6'. I ride with bigger cruisers usually, main riding buddy is on a VTX 1800. I keep up most of the time unless they decide to go full out, none of them keep up with me cornering.
First thing I did when I got the bike was upgrade the suspension. The front end on the GS for anyone over the size of a small child is scary, bottoming out and nose diving on any braking. The back is slightly better but needs to be changed also so its not as bouncy.