what do you do when you start feeling...

[DaytonaDave]

The GS belongs to the wife and is lowered front and rear. It would take an act of God to get the front wheel off the deck. Therefore it has no issues keeping the oil flowing to critical parts.

[kml.krk]

thanks for replies guys, I especially liked replies by: Bill, ohgood, black and silver twin and tt_four.

I don't know where some other guys got impression that I want FASTER bike. That's totally not what I need, I am not a wacko squid, who had GS for past 2 moths and wants more power.

I have owned my GS since 2006, I wear full gear even if it's 100/100 outside.
I have done few mods to my bike, but I just don't want to invest more money into it, although I will seriously consider re-upholstering my seat to increase the comfort level. Thanks for link Bill.

GS absolutely can do 100 miles per hour, but I have been there just once or twice, other that that I do not ride faster than 80MPH indicated, and this is in places where 65MPH is the limit! So I am not about breaking the law either.

It is just that riding at that 60-80 MPH, INDICATED, for longer periods of time is not comfortable in my opinion.
I can't even see other cars clearly in the mirrors because of engine buzz.

Anyways, thanks again for your replies, all good and bad, and if you have anything else to add, I am all ears.

KML

PS. Bill, can I ask you how much did you pay for re-doing your seat? I really would like to do it if it's not very expensive.

[burning1]

For what it's worth...

I race my GS. It doesn't see any street duty.

On the street, I prefer big powerful bikes. The GT makes about 160 horsepower. It weighs >600lbs, and will power wheelie in 1st. Power is fun, once you're ready for it.

[kml.krk]

^^^^^
that actually makes perfect sense, cause it's much more satisfying to ride slow bike fast than the other way around.

how much money does it cost for 1 session on a racetrack?

[burning1]

Usually you pay by the day rather than by the session, although some tracks will let you practice for a half day instead of paying for a full day.

Depending on the track, the season, and the level of demand, the cost for track time can be as low as $150 (buttonwillow in the off season) to as high as $400 (Laguna Seca.) Other expenses drive the cost up; hotels, transportation, food & tires (might be a good idea to install some sticky rubber.)

I try to keep costs down, in order to maximize my track time. I'll sleep at the track, either in a friend's camper or in a tent with an air matress, and try to sign up for multi-day events.

[Aedin]

I have no idea.. I'm a Harley lover. yet the law says im not allowed to ride 1 for another 2.5 yrs. i know i can get harley look-a-likes, but it just wouldnt do it for me. i want the real thing lol..

I guess if i was you, i would go re look at the bikes that you want to upgrade to take em for a test ride and see how you feel. if you feel more enjoyment out of a new one and it gets the blood pumping and seems to be what you are looking for, of course buy it.
Listen to your heart lol, sounds corny but, you will know if you should or shouldnt upgrade, you will feel it.


hope this helps.

[offcamber]

I been craving a little more low end torque and a better seat as well....I'm riding my second GS...took Kawasaki Versys for a ride the other day....The GSs days may be numbered...

[Shaddow]

I'm fairly new to the bike world. Only being a rider for two years. In that time I've owned two other bikes other then the GS. (I tend to swap my cars fairly frequently looking for variety so why be different when it comes to bikes.) I am into heavily modding cars. One thing I learnt early on, you never mod and expect to make your money back. You mod for either the love of changing things, making things better, creature comforts or performance. I see no reason not to apply that to bikes either. I put on flush mount indicators cause the stalks look ugh! (English just failed me). I put mirror extensions on cause I prefer to be able to see well around me. I have a bag rack and now some sketchy plans for side boxes for convenience of ridding to work everyday and not using a back pack, being able to stop at the shops to pick stuff up on the way home to save the wife going out in the car and I like long trips. I did these things for me to make me happy not cause I will increase or maintain the value of the bike. If modding no longer excites you or its out weighed by cost (still means it no longer excites you otherwise you would find the dosh), or the ride no longer gives you that enjoyment buzz, its time to find something new.

I've owned *cough* 28 road registered cars in my short 15 years of driving. Of that I've kept one car almost nine years (and still have it sitting in the shed halfway through a rebuild, heart transplant, brakes transplant well lets just say allot of work). The others have lasted on average 1.5 years. Yes that means I normally own at least two cars at anyone time. And currently that is true. I change cars cause I enjoy learning a new machine, got bored modifying what I have, someone would love the car more, I found something better, or I killed it beyond repaired. (Warning Datsun Stanzas fold up when repeatedly jumped over sand dunes, as do RA60 Celicas.)

I think what I'm saying is and I'm not sure anymore, do what makes YOU happy and makes YOU enjoy riding.

[romulux]

I been craving a little more low end torque and a better seat as well....I'm riding my second GS...took Kawasaki Versys for a ride the other day....The GSs days may be numbered...

The Versys, SV650, and VStrom are all outstanding steps up.

[grahamlocklin]

For me upgrading from a GS500 had little to do with comfort. I'm a person with the frame of mind "its just pain, it will pass and I'll deal with it later".

However, I did upgrade.
Reasons:
    Breaking power!!!! (two people on the bike and the GS felt like I was trying to break on wet pavement)
    Accessories (Power outlet, luggage options, lights etc)
    Maximum load capacity (people and gear loaded on the bike ~420lbs max)
    Carbs

I upgraded to a VStrom DL650.
Compared?
    A pile more power
    LUGGAGE!!!! I have tail and side luggage now.
    12v plug +++ other electrical room.
    dual headlight, much better at night (not that the GS doesn't have a good lights)
    Fuel injected, when I hit the gas the bike just goes, no delay, no long warmup


Do I still love to ride the GS? HELLO yes! I took it out yesterday for about 100km (on the way to the bike shop).

Would I sell my 07 GS? Nope. (unless I had to). Its only worth 2500$ to 3000$ Canadian these days. For that small amount of cash I'll sit on it and use it as a spare. I figure I can store it (properly) for 5... 10... 15 years no problem except maybe replacing fluids and tires.

If you can manage it, keep the GS. If you sell it you will likely miss it over the years and dream of getting your old bike back.

With what ever you do.... enjoy your ride and ride safe. Good luck.

[tt_four]

The GS belongs to the wife and is lowered front and rear. It would take an act of God to get the front wheel off the deck. Therefore it has no issues keeping the oil flowing to critical parts.

haha, I agree with Dave, saying a bike isn't as reliable just because you have the option to starve the motor of oil because it has enough power to do wheelies isn't really a fair arguement.

My new bike makes 70ft/lbs of torque but it's lowered and it's still a pain to get the front wheel off the ground. I'm working on resolving that suspension issue though. I also don't ride this bike any faster than I rode the GS, it's just nice to not worry about what RPM you're riding at all the time, and to leave a redlight without forcing it. I do on occassion get bored and give the throttle a good twist, but that doesn't mean that having a faster bike means you want to go fast all the time. The biggest plus for me was the upgraded components. It's nice to have a bike that's just put together well. Nice controls, nice seat, good suspension, even nice frame welds, it all helps. Going over 4.5k rpm without my hands going numb.... luxuries.

Aedin: Harley will still sell you that "Real thing" you're looking for regardless of your license class status. Their "real thing" is just the image they sell, their bikes are pretty standard so I wouldn't be too conscerned with what it is actually attached to the bottom of the seat you're sitting on.  

I'm also interested in some stuff for track days. Not something I'd want to do on a regular basis, but someday when I have a truck it wouldn't be bad to drive my bike out to one. I've always been unsure about all the requirements though. I've heard some people say you need a functioning belly pan, everything on your bike has to be safety wired, you need to wear full leathers. All of that turns into a hassle when you're a city kid who rides a naked bike wearing jeans around town. Eventually I plan on getting a second bike, which will probably be a 600/750 with full fairings just for something to have more fun on, and I could see myself taking the time to modify that bike so it's track ready, but eh. It would be much easier if I could just show up as is, sign a waiver, and go ride around the track. Do any tracks rent out leathers for the day, or is that something you need to own as well?

[mass-hole]

This is a great thread! I just bought my bike about a month and a half ago and it is my first bike. I know I am by no means a good rider and I respect the fact that I could easily get myself into trouble even with a GS. I bought this bike because I wanted a good beginner bike that I could learn to ride on and so far it has been fantastic and I feel I made a good decision. I do find myself wondering how quickly I will want to upgrade to a bigger bike. Because of this I have been trying to decide how much time, money and effort I am willing to invest into making this bike the bike that I would want it to be. I would love to say that I will keep it forever or try to teach my girlfriend to ride on it, but I just don't know how it would work out or if I would need the money to buy a new bike. So then it comes down to, should I by an intake and pipe, should I bother painting the tank, etc.

Jay

[elader]

Same thing here - new rider, wanted a safe, proven bike. Not interested in a low rider. Have driven 2500 miles in the last 6 weeks. I imagine I will get a Sport cruiser next spring. Give up the GS? Why? The insurance is $140 a year, maintenance is minimal. its fun to tool around on. Will I want to ride a 1200 all the time? Nah, I will still love tooling around on the GS500. Maybe even get a cute little 250 to go with the 1200.

I am doing some safety things - windshield, flashing tail and headlight, installing a fuse block for my GPS, but that's about it.

This is a great thread! I just bought my bike about a month and a half ago and it is my first bike. I know I am by no means a good rider and I respect the fact that I could easily get myself into trouble even with a GS. I bought this bike because I wanted a good beginner bike that I could learn to ride on and so far it has been fantastic and I feel I made a good decision. I do find myself wondering how quickly I will want to upgrade to a bigger bike. Because of this I have been trying to decide how much time, money and effort I am willing to invest into making this bike the bike that I would want it to be. I would love to say that I will keep it forever or try to teach my girlfriend to ride on it, but I just don't know how it would work out or if I would need the money to buy a new bike. So then it comes down to, should I by an intake and pipe, should I bother painting the tank, etc.

Jay

[SAFE-T]

Wife has an '07GS500F we bought with 980km on it.

We put on a throttle sleeve from an SV650 (shorter throw), Sport Touring windshield from DB's factory seconds store, an SW-Motech rear rack with E370 39L Givi Monolock topcase, and an 18tooth AFAM front sprocket.

Bike gets around 70mpg and cruises comfortably at 65mph showing 4500rpm on the tach.

Could still use better graphics, different mirrors and/or integrated turn signals, lower profile bars or clipons.

Someone in Germany put a Honda NC30 single-sided swingarm on his after much experimentation, which I find interesting but not so much that I would want to put the necessary time and money into.


I'd say next bike on the totem pole would be an '03+ SV650 or maybe a Ducati Monster 620/800. Oddly enough she fit pretty good on a lowered GSXR1300 Hayabusa we saw at a local shop, but it would probably be too bulky for her to manoeuvre at lower speeds.

Personally, I really like the older Yamaha R6's but unfortunately they are hard to find in good condition or at a decent price. Honda's CBR600 motors have always been pretty coarse, the newest Ninja's are pretty weak in the mid-range but the older Kawasaki ZX6R/ZZR600 can often be found for a bargain price, and butter smooth like the ZX11D and ZX12R. The Yamaha YZF600R is interesting and I would love to have one in Cocktail Blue but it's so old and rare and parts are expensive ($800+ for a fuel pump in my old '97 YZF750R  ), which leaves the Yamaha YZF600R2 although it is kinda homely from certain angles. None of these are low-enough in stock form for my wife to ride 

This spring I rode a 2010 Suzuki GSXR750, Yamaha FZ8, Yamaha FJR, Suzuki C50T Boulevard, C90T Boulevard, Suzuki DL650V-Strom in bike demos. Only one that really impressed was the V-Strom; all the others were good but lacking in one area or another for my riding style.         

[tykho]

I was sitting on a SV650SF at the dealer today, I think that may just be my next bike, but I'll wait at least another year I suppose. I think it's probably the next logical step from the GS, still a twin which is ideal unless you're on the highway all the time, fuel injected, which is awesome since I ride year round, and a more aggressive riding position. Only thing I wish it was a little more like a GSXR on is the brakes and maybe the suspension.

[burning1]

If you want a twin that has brakes and suspension closer to a GSX-R, I would take a look a look at the Ducati Monster.

[kml.krk]

I am happy to see more responses. I really appreciate your opinions.

I also wish that track days were easier, and cheaper. closer to $150 is OK, but if you consider other costs(getting bike to and from the racetrack etc) it turns out to be quite expensive day of fun.

I really wish I could keep my GS but I am pretty sure it will not be an option. I will definitely do more research before getting new bike, and I will try to test ride few.
I am quite sure that I will not upgrade for at least another year or even more, so by that time I will hopefully have much more experience, and therefore upgrade will be easier.

[burning1]

I had the same opinion for a while ago, but eventually I started thinking about the costs associated with riding fast on the street...

$400 for the ticket... $200 a month for insurance. In retrospect, it would have been much cheaper just to stick to the track.

[redhawkdancing]

If you want a twin that has brakes and suspension closer to a GSX-R, I would take a look a look at the Ducati Monster.

Isn't Ducati just a money pit though? not normally a suggestion you would find on this forum!   

[Twism86]

If you want a twin that has brakes and suspension closer to a GSX-R, I would take a look a look at the Ducati Monster.

Isn't Ducati just a money pit though? not normally a suggestion you would find on this forum!   

They arent like Jap bikes in the way that you can let them sit forever and they will just turn on and go. They need lots of TLC, which = $$$.