Post 300 Mile New Rider Update

[royced57]

Over the last couple of weeks, I've put a little over 300 miles on my '93 GS500E.

After getting some good feedback on this forum about old drive chains and their tendency to break and cause lots of trouble, I took the bike to a local repair shop recommended by my MSF instructors.  They replace the chain, sprockets (stock) as well as front and rear brake pads.  Wow!  What a difference the new chain made - much smoother ride with none of the oscillating whap-whap-whap when the rear sproc went from a loose section to a tight one.  The brakes feel good - no longer "grabby".

The top speed I've reached so far is just shy of 70mph on two lane highway.  I've not taken it out on the local Interstate.  I235 through Des Moines is a madhouse full of drivers (young women especially) who seem to think that the laws of physics simply do not apply to them.  And who the hell are they talking to on their cell phones anyway...?

Initial thoughts about the GS - Overall, I'm very, very pleased.  I've got about $1,500 into the bike - and that includes a mesh, armored jacket and riding gloves I got from the previous owner and all work/parts so far.  Between 4,000 and around 6,000 RPM, she's a dream.  However, and I knew this going into the deal... low end torque seems a tad wimpy.  If I'm not pretty aggressive at rolling up throttle a from a full stop at an intersection, the engine does not like it.

Before I got the bike, I bought  Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well and I've found a nice, curvy section of road north of town to a little twisty practice.  The GS is just plain fun to ride on 2 lane blacktop.  It's almost like I'm not controlling the bike... like I'm just giving it "suggestions".  Anyway... great fun.

No close calls yet... but now I finally understand the whole "Start Seeing Motorcycles" thing.  I literally had a woman in a minivan on a city street start to cut me off - again it wasn't a close call and I had the brakes covered and was ready to react.  She looked at me and mouthed "I didn't see you."   Well... duh... no kidding.  And that mean's precisely... what?

Thanks once again to all who responded to my earlier posts.  I stop by every day and read all of the new content.

As of now, the only mods I'm looking at is a "Fenderectomy" and a F-16 or F18 Windscreen.  Does anyone have any recommendations or cautions on these.  Any suggestions for other products around the same price would be appreciated.

Later.

Royce

[pandymai]

good to see youre still around =P

i bought a ducati fairing from another member a few months back. still havent put it on yet.

im sure if you keep looking around you'll find what you want for the price you want. good luck!

[royced57]

Did the "Fenderectomy" this afternoon.  Gotta say, it looks hot!

[bill14224]

  The mirrors and signals need to be replaced too.  Then it'll look way cool, like mine!