Brand New Rider - 2006 GS500F First Bike

[StevenDavisPhoto]

Hey Everyone,

Just sayin hi. My name's Steve. I just got a 2006 GS500F. It's my first bike and I'm lovin it. Got about 45 miles on it so far from 2 days of practice riding around my neighborhood. Gettin' pretty confident. I've never owned a stick shift, so I'm new to shifting, but it's become more and more something I don't have to think about. Haven't got over 55mph or 3rd gear, but havin' fun! The bike is gonna need a new rear tire and rear brakes soon, but other than that it's in really nice condition...

Here' what the previous owner said in an email today...

I have not done the valve adjustments.   I have just done the oil, oil filter and air filter change (less than20 Miles ago and less than 3 weeks ago).  The air filter should last the life of the bike with occasional cleaning.

You should have the brakes (fluid changed, pads checked and replaced if necessary etc.) and the rear tire done.  The front tire seemed good to me but it's up to you if you want to change both at the same time. 

I cleaned and lubed the chain a couple of weeks ago but that should be done often. You can get the lube at any motorcycle shop or auto parts store.  Just make sure it is safe for o-ring chains.  The best way to clean a chain is with kerosene.

You may want to consider tensioning the chain a little as I had it a little less than stock due to my extensive hi-way riding.  The sparks were replaced around 8k so should be good, but they are cooler running than stock, again due to the hi-way riding. I gave you new stock sparks in the folder. 

As you know the battery is brand new.

-Steve

[wakdady]

Welcome Steve, you'll notice a marked difference between this forum and BARF, not as much flaming, lol.

I wouldn't worry too much about that rear brake, you wont be using it that hard anyway, mainly low speed stuff.

Do take care of that valve adjustment though, at least to get a baseline of where you're at.  I hear these bikes are pretty reliable if you do the preventative maintenance when it needs done.

[StevenDavisPhoto]

thanks. yeah, the barf guys can get a little crazy sometimes, and thats putting it nicely. kinda immature in my opinion, but whatever.

[ojstinson]

Why don't you tell us how many miles are on the bike, that's more important info than the year.

[mister]

Steve,

Instead of taking 3rd gear so high, try changing up to 4th around 5,500rpm. Cause really, you can cruise quite well at 55 in 5th gear!

Michael

[StevenDavisPhoto]

Steve,

Instead of taking 3rd gear so high, try changing up to 4th around 5,500rpm. Cause really, you can cruise quite well at 55 in 5th gear!

Michael

this was only for like 1-2 seconds. i was cruising at around 40-45. thanks

[ojstinson]

Thank you!

[elader]

Hi Steve, the GS500F is my first ride too. After 3000 miles I am feeling more confident too. I have been a manual tranny car driver for many years, so that came pretty easy for me.  I would encourage you to keep from getting 'too confident' until you have way more than 45 miles    Once you are on the road, every car out there is intent on killing you.

Welcome to the forum.

Eric

Hey Everyone,

Just sayin hi. My name's Steve. I just got a 2006 GS500F. It's my first bike and I'm lovin it. Got about 45 miles on it so far from 2 days of practice riding around my neighborhood. Gettin' pretty confident. I've never owned a stick shift, so I'm new to shifting, but it's become more and more something I don't have to think about. Haven't got over 55mph or 3rd gear, but havin' fun! The bike is gonna need a new rear tire and rear brakes soon, but other than that it's in really nice condition...

Here' what the previous owner said in an email today...


-Steve

[StevenDavisPhoto]

Thanks for acknowledging my question Steve------have a nice day.

oh sorry, missed it. the bike has about 13,700 miles right now.

[StevenDavisPhoto]

I would encourage you to keep from getting 'too confident' until you have way more than 45 miles    Once you are on the road, every car out there is intent on killing you.

will do. i feel confident enough to get out on the road, but still pretty freaked out about cars trying to kill me.

[adidasguy]

Anytime you feel "freaked out" then don't ride there. Ride where you feel comfortable and you'll enjoy it more and build your confidence. There is nothing embarrassing about not wanting to ride in certain situations. If you haven't done so, take the motorcycle safety class. Its worth it.
Always ride within your safety margin. Join your local Suzuki Owners Club. I found them to be a great help in building confidence and learned a lot by going on short group rides.

[StevenDavisPhoto]

Anytime you feel "freaked out" then don't ride there. Ride where you feel comfortable and you'll enjoy it more and build your confidence. There is nothing embarrassing about not wanting to ride in certain situations. If you haven't done so, take the motorcycle safety class. Its worth it.
Always ride within your safety margin. Join your local Suzuki Owners Club. I found them to be a great help in building confidence and learned a lot by going on short group rides.

well, im not really freaked out, just cautious about cars around me. i've only ridden 45 miles around cars and most of that was residential streets. getting onto the main roads with multiple lanes and stop lights is a whole nother world. something im comfortable with, but also very cautious.

[Twism86]

Excellent photos BTW. I love Mossbrae falls and would love to visit that place one day.

[StevenDavisPhoto]

Excellent photos BTW. I love Mossbrae falls and would love to visit that place one day.

thanks. it's by far my most popular shot.

[romulux]

Hey Everyone,

Just sayin hi. My name's Steve. I just got a 2006 GS500F. It's my first bike and I'm lovin it. Got about 45 miles on it so far from 2 days of practice riding around my neighborhood. Gettin' pretty confident. I've never owned a stick shift, so I'm new to shifting, but it's become more and more something I don't have to think about. Haven't got over 55mph or 3rd gear, but havin' fun! The bike is gonna need a new rear tire and rear brakes soon, but other than that it's in really nice condition...

Here' what the previous owner said in an email today...

Buy and wear full gear if you don't already.  You're probably going to crash; it doesn't have to end in hospitalization.

Take a MSF BRC safety course if you haven't already.  Before you ride the street much.

After you take the safety course, practice threshold braking, low speed maneuvering, and read Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough.

Or ignore all that if you please; just accept that it will catch up to you.

Be safe & have fun.  People are not out to get you, they just won't see you.  It's your job to get out of the way.

[StevenDavisPhoto]

Buy and wear full gear if you don't already.  You're probably going to crash; it doesn't have to end in hospitalization.

Take a MSF BRC safety course if you haven't already.  Before you ride the street much.

After you take the safety course, practice threshold braking, low speed maneuvering, and read Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough.

i own a shoe rf-1100 helmet, a dainese perforated leather jacket, A* gloves, A* boots, and kevlar jeans with knee pads, and i ride ATGATT...

i took the MSF...

i practice and i have the book u mentioned...

[romulux]

Buy and wear full gear if you don't already.  You're probably going to crash; it doesn't have to end in hospitalization.

Take a MSF BRC safety course if you haven't already.  Before you ride the street much.

After you take the safety course, practice threshold braking, low speed maneuvering, and read Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough.

i own a shoe rf-1100 helmet, a dainese perforated leather jacket, A* gloves, A* boots, and kevlar jeans with knee pads, and i ride ATGATT...

i took the MSF...

i practice and i have the book u mentioned...

Awesome!

[elader]

Hey Steve,

Nice landscapes. I should know, I am a really bad landscape photographer, but a reasonably good event photographer!

Are you on fredmiranda?

Eric

[StevenDavisPhoto]

Hey Steve,

Nice landscapes. I should know, I am a really bad landscape photographer, but a reasonably good event photographer!

Are you on fredmiranda?

Eric

thanks. not sure what that is though i'm on flickr, facebook, and twitter, and thats way too much to maintain alone.

[Twism86]

deviantart.com is also a good photo site. Here is my brothers work: http://keith-d.deviantart.com/