what do you do when you start feeling...

[burning1]

From what I've heard, reliability has improved significantly. I've certainly seen a large number of high mileage examples of the Monster available for sale in the Bay Area.

[DoD#i]

When I get bored, I start looking for a sidehack rig - perhaps a nice BMW /2 or the like - then I notice that they cost as much as my truck. Then I get less bored. One day I'll probably find the bargain (and then it will end up costing me twice as much as my truck by the time it's de-bargain-ified.)

[Suzuki Stevo]

When I get bored I grab the V-Strom 650...if I am really bored I take my GSX650F out for a spin. I love taking the GS500F over mountain passes...I treat mine like a lightweight touring bike 

[tt_four]

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.

What kinda tickets are you getting for $400?! I've gotten multiple tickets, a couple were more than double the speed limit, and I still don't think they were any more than $150-175. Even in that case it would even out with a track day, but only if I want to go fast once every few months  I can go fast on a daily basis and still only take a chance of getting a ticket. I'm pro-track days for people who want the experience, but it's really not completely practical unless you know what you're doing.

The problem I have with getting other bikes is that I change my mind with what I want so often. For a while I wanted a z1000, then a gsxr750, then maybe a 636r, then a Buell. Every couple of months I seemed to shift. I think when I'm ready for another bike I'm just gonna take whatever comes along as a good deal at the time. There's enough good bikes out there that you have to really really know what you want to plan ahead. It's especially tough because I don't think anyone even makes a bike that is exactly what I want out of one, so which bike I want depends on what kind of riding I've done the most lately.

[romulux]

The problem I have with getting other bikes is that I change my mind with what I want so often. For a while I wanted a z1000, then a gsxr750, then maybe a 636r, then a Buell. Every couple of months I seemed to shift. I think when I'm ready for another bike I'm just gonna take whatever comes along as a good deal at the time. There's enough good bikes out there that you have to really really know what you want to plan ahead. It's especially tough because I don't think anyone even makes a bike that is exactly what I want out of one, so which bike I want depends on what kind of riding I've done the most lately.

You're right.  I want tons of bikes.  The only thing I'm sure about is that my next one will be a Ural with a sidecar.

I'd also love:

- Honda PC800 for commuting
- Suzi DRZ400 with offroad & supermoto wheels for having a stupid amount of fun
- BMW F800GS for go-anywhere long distance adventuring
- Sachs Madass 125 for scooting around the city
- an old Moto Guzzi cause they're awesome

and just about anything else.

[JEREMY JOCK]

I'm with tt_four on this one. I change my mind all the time. I sold my GS to buy something faster. I used to live in more of a rural area, lots of back roads to blast and speed on. So this past spring I sold my GS to buy a Speed Triple 955i. But, I've moved to Pittsburgh, and there's a lot more city riding and traffic. The S3 isn't too much fun in that nonsense, and I really don't get to "use" the bike as much as I'd like. I commute every day, about 5 miles through heavy traffic.

So now I'm on a supermoto kick. Small, quick, and easily maneuverable. And better gas mileage. That's one thing I miss about the GS.

I would suggest to really evaluating what type of riding you do, what you really need (not just want) a bike for.

[tt_four]

Jeremy what kinda gas mileage is that thing getting? My xb9 gets about 50-52mpg, but I remember my speed four getting low 40s, can't remember the exact number though. Someday I'll fill up the tank and go for a ride where I'm really pushing it and see if the number changes. I think I got 50mph on the GS too.

I'd also love:

- BMW F800GS for go-anywhere long distance adventuring
- Sachs Madass 125 for scooting around the city

I had a bmw f650gs once for a service loaner. That thing was a turd. A little more power adn some abandoned roads I could see it being ok.

those madass 125s look like fun. I have a 70cc 2 stroke moped that doesn't currently run, but it's fun to ride around the city. Wheelies like nobody's business and only weighs 100lbs. It's nice because I don't feel like a motorcyclist sinner if I ride it in a t shirt and tennis shoes. I doubt I'm going to have the motivation to get it running well before next spring though. I'm hoping to clean up the GS all fall/winter so I can sell it in spring, and my buell will hopefully be how I want it by spring as well, so that should leave some time for me to tinker with the moped.

[burning1]

Out here in California, a typical speeding (15 over the limit) or red-light ticket costs around $400. Insurance costs a $60+ a month premium per ticket, given the level of insurance I buy. With all the $50,000+ cars driving around out here, I don't feel comfortable with a minimum liability insurance policy.

Racing changes your perspective on fast. I'm not the fastest guy on the race track... Hell, Brian Barlow is about 5 seconds a lap faster riding a Ninja 250. Despite that, I get my GS around a top tier race track like Sears Point faster than most track-day only riders can go on a literbike.

[mister]

kml.krk

If you were More Comfortable on the bike, would you still feel that you are Bored with it?

If you had less emotion involved (say, for Example Only, from peers who ride Bigger bikes) would you be less picky/annoyed at the little things?

*I* find the GS to be quite comfortable - I'm 6'2 - even on lo-o-o-ong rides of over 300 miles and two hours in the saddle at a time. But my bike is stock - handlebars, exhaust, air filter, front cog. A previous bike gave me back aches and a sore butt. I put on an airhawk seat cushion and all Physical Issues went away. Whether the cushion made a slight posture change or prevented vibration coming up through the seat and into my back I cannot say. Just that is worked.

So if your seat and handlebar issues were resolved, would you still want to Upgrade?

If so, in what ways is the GS then not satisfying your needs?

It's plenty fast enough. You can easily come in to any twisties with enough speed to throw you off. So it's not really speed, is it? Is it, you feel (cause you are used to it) that it lacks acceleration between bends? I notice the 15 tooth front cog and it makes me wonder if that is it?

It's been said "people buy on emotion and justify it with logic" which is why I mentioned the emotion thing above. That is, emotionally you Want something else - for whatever emotional reason, be it peer pressure, comment from girlfriend, etc. Logic comes to your aid by making you annoyed with all the little things.

I'm not trying to dis your reasons. If I was uncomfortable, had buzz and unusable mirrors, I'd want to get rid of the bike too. Then again, I wouldn't have bought a bike with those issues in the first place. Just curious, if those things were resolved, if the seat was ok for you, the mirrors able to be seen out of and the handlebars fine, would you still feel you need to upgrade? If the FZ6 had the same power/performance specs as the GS would you feel you still want it?

No matter what you ride, you Have to be comfortable on it. Foregoing comfort for ego boosting and imagined kudos from people whose opinions don't really matter is dangerous.

If it's about comfort, then make the GS comfortable if it's not too costly.

If it's about Power I'd then ask, why do you feel you need the extra power?

I ride with a woman who used to ride a CB400. She said she needed a bike with more power and got a CBF1000. And still she cannot keep up with me in the twisties and doesn't go roaring off in the straights. So what was the point of more power? It's there IF she needs it. All the other times, she rides her own ride regardless of others or what others might think of her. And while some might think she's boring to follow, she won't come off, will she?

I think, regardless of what we write here, you'll do what you want to in the long run anyway. And also, that in 20 years time when you are more mature you'll wonder why you felt the need for ever more faster bikes. Cause no matter what bike you have, there is always an upgrade to be had and you'll get bored with something and want the new faster bling machine.

Michael

[tykho]

*I* find the GS to be quite comfortable - I'm 6'2 - even on lo-o-o-ong rides of over 300 miles and two hours in the saddle at a time. But my bike is stock - handlebars, exhaust, air filter, front cog. A previous bike gave me back aches and a sore butt. I put on an airhawk seat cushion and all Physical Issues went away. Whether the cushion made a slight posture change or prevented vibration coming up through the seat and into my back I cannot say. Just that is worked.

Really? I'm 6'2 and I find the GS kind of a pain in the ass after 2 hours. My CBR was the most comfortable ride I've had, and I haven't distance ridden a SV650 yet but it feels just perfect sitting on it at the dealer. I guess everyone is different though.

[Twism86]

You gotta have fun when you ride, and I think the GS is a very FUN bike.

As i mentioned before, im on the fence about how long i will keep my plucky little GS. After a ride through some twistys up a mountain yesterday i realized how fun this bike is to to lean over and ride! I also realized im no where near ready for something that is bigger and more difficult to handle. I made a few mistakes that a more powerful and heavier bike would not have forgiven me and all i would have is a scratched up fancy bike and road rash to show for it.

So right now, i think that giving this bike a "full tune" with firmer front suspension, a kat shock, sticky tires and a nice exhaust/ intake combo will more then likely create a bike that is still fun and easy to ride with a bit more balls so to speak  . Throw in good pads and SS lines and i think she will stop on a dime too  

Tom

[kml.krk]

Mister, you asked many questions and made me think heavily, I like it. I am 'junior 'programmer for living so I like thinking  

I will try to answer most of your questions:

kml.krk
If you were More Comfortable on the bike, would you still feel that you are Bored with it?

- I have been thinking about that today, before I even saw your post, and I think I came to conclusion that I would NOT be bored as much, that is why I am researching options to reduce vibrations in handlebar and mirrors. I think I will try split lead shot to reduce handlebar vibrations. In addition I will try to make the seat more comfy if it doesn't cos too much

kml.krk
If you had less emotion involved (say, for Example Only, from peers who ride Bigger bikes) would you be less picky/annoyed at the little things?

- there is no emotion involved. No one ever said to me that my bike is: slow/ugly/stupid/boring or whatever else. No one ever tried to make mme buy bigger bike or make me regret buying GS500.

Buying GS500 was my decision. I bought it 4 years ago at age 20, because I wanted to learn riding, and not get in trouble. I had opportunity to buy 2005 CBR600 for just a $1000 more but I chose GS500 anyways!!!

Even though I am only 24 I think of myself as very mature person. I got married at age 19  

kml.krk
*I* find the GS to be quite comfortable - I'm 6'2 - even on lo-o-o-ong rides of over 300 miles and two hours in the saddle at a time. But my bike is stock - handlebars, exhaust, air filter, front cog. A previous bike gave me back aches and a sore butt. I put on an airhawk seat cushion and all Physical Issues went away. Whether the cushion made a slight posture change or prevented vibration coming up through the seat and into my back I cannot say. Just that is worked.
So if your seat and handlebar issues were resolved, would you still want to Upgrade?

I thought it was comfortable until recently. I went for a couple of long rides (150 and 280 miles) and during those trips my back was killing me, and I had a rash on my @ss...... The rash was probably caused by frequent changes in position to relieve back pain.

kml.krk
It's plenty fast enough. You can easily come in to any twisties with enough speed to throw you off. So it's not really speed, is it? Is it, you feel (cause you are used to it) that it lacks acceleration between bends? I notice the 15 tooth front cog and it makes me wonder if that is it?

GS is fast enough, 120 indicated is even more than plenty. I have never done more that 100 anyways. So I really am not looking for more speed. It is about comfort again. When I was riding back home from my last trip (280 miles) I just felt that riding 65-75MPH indicated (speed limit was 65) was quite exhausting: vibration, seat, suspension...
The suspension is yet another issue. I changed rear to R6 and it's great, but front is still poor even though I have progressive springs installed and fresh 15W oil. It is neither stiff for aggressive riding nor soft for smoothness and pleasure riding.

kml.krk
I'm not trying to dis your reasons. If I was uncomfortable, had buzz and unusable mirrors, I'd want to get rid of the bike too. Then again, I wouldn't have bought a bike with those issues in the first place. Just curious, if those things were resolved, if the seat was ok for you, the mirrors able to be seen out of and the handlebars fine, would you still feel you need to upgrade? If the FZ6 had the same power/performance specs as the GS would you feel you still want it?

- First part of your question is answered above. Second part is the question I like most - that one made me think. And the answer is I am not sure. Maybe yes, because I commute during the winter too, and fiddling with the choke was driving me nuts over past winter, and FZ6 is fuel injected, plus there is this lovely sound of inline 4, but I will get to that later.

kml.krk
If it's about comfort, then make the GS comfortable if it's not too costly.

If it's about Power I'd then ask, why do you feel you need the extra power?

- I am trying to make it more comfy. Just need to figure out how much it will cost to get the seat fitted wit gel pad and re-upholstered.
- I don't think it's about power. However sometimes I feel that it would be nice to have more torque and learn wheelie for example. Not to show off, I don't do that. But just for myself, to see if I can do it. I used to wheelie on a bicycle, it was fun   But it is definitely NOT why I would like to upgrade.

No going back to that sound I mentioned. It is the only emotion I can think of that comes into play here. Ever since I can remember I loved the sound of inline 4 engines. They are like a music to my ear   I never really liked parallel twin's sound, and that's why I decided to upgrade my muffler to Leo Vince. It helped making my GS not sound like a scooter. Not that there is anything wrong with scooters. I used to have very cool moped. 50cc, 1975 French made Motobecane. That thing didn't have electric start or even kicker. I would have to pedal to get it started Fun times...

I hope I answered all of your questions.
Thanks again for your great post!
Kamil

[tt_four]

It's plenty fast enough. You can easily come in to any twisties with enough speed to throw you off.

Sometimes acceleration is fun. 

[SAFE-T]

There is also the opposite problem: too much power.

Although there may be times where you might say you can never have enough, most of the time there is a limit to what you truly need, or should I say what you can truly use regularly.

Case in point ~ tonight I went for a ride with a friend who has a 2009 Yamaha R1. Consider that it is the least powerful of the current crop of 1000cc superbikes at 180bhp. It gets to 200km/h as easy as the GS gets to 80km/h ~ no kidding. Accelerates hard enough past 10,000 rpm (13,500 max in standard trim) to push your helmet against your face. Nearly as smooth as a Goldwing, too.

All of which is fine and good and makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Except for it gets less than 30mpg no matter what speed you go ~ 100 miles and you are out of gas. Even at night when the temperature is only about 65 degrees outside, the motor throws off enough heat at highway speed to be uncomfortable. I can't even imagine this thing in slow-moving traffic in 85+ weather ~ Yamaha could market it as a birth control device for men.

So the point is it's only really worth it when you're laying flat on the tank on your way to 200 miles per hour. It was terrific fun, but if you gave me one tomorrow I'd have to sell it and buy something else. 

[Twism86]

Litre bike were made and intended for one thing and one thing only. Racing. They have just just been adapted for street use but are still raw, hot, uncomfortable and just plain useless for cruising around. They are fun and will but a big smile on your face like you said, but nothing i would want to spend a hell of a lot of time on if it wasnt the track.

[zach93]

speaking of vibrations and pain on long rides does anyones upper back lower neck feel like crap after about 200 miles? that and handlebar buzz gets me, and i wish i had better acceleration at interstate speeds my dads 800lb harley can take off better. i think living in somewhat country area is what gets me on the interstate if your not movin 75-80 you better get the f outta the way here or you get this  and my daily ride is 95% interstate and sometimes you need the acceleration when soccer mom starts stealing your lane then only thing i got helping me there is a freaking loud airhorn i just added and before people bash me for wishing faster thats not the case just wishing more comfort (aka less buzz in handlebars and mirrors) and peace of mind knowing at higher speeds if i NEED not want more its there.

[tt_four]

The only thing I'm sure about is that my next one will be a Ural with a sidecar.

There was an old Ural with a sidecar at bike night last night. I was gonna take a picture of it for you but I think the guy was sitting by it and I didn't want to be creepy.

---------------------------

I used to want a liter bike. Well, I should say I used to want a 1000cc inline 4. my xb9 is 984ccs but it's a very street friendly motor that gets 50mpg and doesn't even want to lift the front wheel off the ground with the lowered suspension it came with. To be honest the thought of getting a 1000cc I4 scares me a bit even after 40k+ miles of riding experience. I love fast bikes but I think 750 is the biggest I would ever want to go for a bike that I actually ride on twisty roads. I don't like the idea of having to make sure my front wheel stays on the ground when I accelerate half way through a turn.

On the other hand, low end RPMs are a whole different story. If I rode nothing but back roads and twisties all day long I'd never give buying anything bigger than a 600 a second thought, but if you like to ride like I do by keeping your RPMs as low as possible but still keep up with traffic and have fun on back roads I think a 1000cc bike sound reasonable. Even new 600s with 120hp will sputter and choke if you come out of a turn 1 gear too high. The convenience of a liter bike is your ability to put it in 3rd gear and just leave it. It'll pull you out of a corner whether you're at 3k rpm or 11k rpm. If you do a lot of time on the highway it also gives you the convenience of real acceleration in 6th gear when you're at 4k rpm, as opposed to a 600 where you still usually downshift a gear or two if you really want to move. It's definitely a matter of riding style. I still like to ride fast but have no desire to rev a motor to 9k rpm to do it. I can keep up with 600s on my bike on back roads and I'm only riding at 4-4.5k rpm, which you can't do on smaller bikes.

[Twism86]

Its also a matter of what type of powerband you prefer. I dont like riding in the high end of my rpms for a long time, so an I4 is not something im interested in.

[tt_four]

In general I'm not either, but that's why I think some people prefer the 1000cc i-4s. There isn't a great selection of sportbikes that aren't I-4s, so you can but the 1000cc bikes and just cruise in the lower rpms. Unfortunately that's where the most technology/development goes, so that's where a lot of consumers go.

[kml.krk]

[...]~ Yamaha could market it as a birth control device for men[...]

Good one  

I fixed the rattling noise!! It WAS the windshield. The bike already feels more comfortable. Seriously. It is amazing how much this sound annoyed me without me even realizing that. In addition that awful rattling noise was making me more aware of vibration that is going through my bike.
No I will just add some lead shot to the handlebar to eliminate vibrations even more, and try to modify the seat.

if you have more opinions about the upgrade dilemma, please keep them coming. It's great to read them and see others point of view.
KML