new bike

[GS500Fmode]

i figured i would start a new thread instead of cluttering the other one up.

the good: 1997 kawasaki ZX6R
the only bad. needs fairing bolts, a mirror bracket, and a mirror.

this all started on my other thread. but i think im going to separate with my gs. (i cant justify paying insurance TWICE, when i know ill be on the sixxer) lets be honest here ppl. the suzuki is a great starter bike... and maybe an intown commuter. but for anything else ive used it for its just been lacking... (being chased by a truck, for one, and it KEEPING up with me)

Me personally there is much better to be had out there. no one here can say the GS suspension is the stuff. i personally dont think the gs is comfortable, but that could just be me? it IS  very punishing to ride on the freeway for 2 plus hours. the vibes are killer, not to mention the wind hitting the upper torso is brutal and tiring. (even worse when its 40 degrees *F  outside)

some of my comments may seem harsh, but coming from riding a 450cc dirt bike, the gs was a slouch. i grew up on 2 wheels. did all the fancy, fun, dangerous stuff for a summer or two. then i blew my bike motor. (broke the cam retaining caps?) i sold it for parts, and waited a year or two. the 125cc dirtbike i learned on was the equivalent of learning on liter bike, but remove 150lbs or weight. the 125 would pull it up in 6th gear. sure its not all about power.. i think the ZedX6 handles just as well, if not better.. (on my first test drive i was maybe a half inch from dragging my knee) it felt so natural on the Z. whereas the gs is down right scary to drag.  i am by no means saying the Z is perfect or of idol quality lol. its just not all that its made up to be.

call me a hater. go ahead   
i did enjoy the gs. its just not for me. and if im wrong on anything above. do fill me in. i can take heat, and back it up

[adidasguy]

No problem at all. You pick a bike that fits your needs. No hard feelings at all.
People wonder why I keep buying GS500's. Because I happen to love them and have fun personalizing them.
Don't be a stranger!

[Cosimo_Zaretti]

I don't think anyone ever said the GS was the be all and end all of motorcycling, it's just a cheap all round package that's easy to learn to ride on, and is equally at home getting you to work as it is on country runs.  If you want a serious knee draggin sportsbike, you probably don't want a GS500, and I don't think anyone disputes that.

The ZX6 looks like fun, although I haven't ridden one myself.  It probably won't be your last bike either, there'll always be something you're going to want more.

[ragecage23]

I also know of a small amount of people that don't want anything more than a 500cc...glad to see you get to move up. Can't wait till it's my turn. Keep the sticky side down my friend.

[bman]

sorry not sure how this post got here

[tt_four]

I don't think anyone ever said the GS was the be all and end all of motorcycling,

Stick around a while, it's been said a number of time haha.

... (being chased by a truck, for one, and it KEEPING up with me)

The worst part about having that 250(and the GS) I had wasn't the fact that cars could keep up with my 250, but the fact that they THOUGHT they were somehow keeping up with a real sportbike. Don't need them getting an inflated ego, haha. I guess it'll even out when they go around telling their friends they can keep up with sportbikes, and one of their friends with a bike asks them to prove it.

[gsJack]

My next bike may be a CBR:

http://www.cycleworld.com/video/video_articles/2011/kawasaki_ninja_250r_vs._honda_cbr250r_-_video

Ninja 250r vs Ducati 1098:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCOKibgqaO4

I had too much fun chasing the "big boys" thru the mountains on my gs to give it up completely.

[GS500Fmode]

i didnt wanna be harsh in how i said all that. i do love thee gs ! dont get me wrong. i live out in the county. (big time, cant even get cable or decent interwebz.. (im running my laptop on a verizon usb aircard. most of my time is spent on back roads or 2 lane highways, that are all 55mph or more. then those lead up to the good ole interstate. my work is in town, but its a stones throw from the said interstate. (which had i gone home that way, i wouldnt have been almost run down)

this is going out on a limb but, should suzuki ever re-design the gs. this is what i think would make it the bomb. keep the same light weightness, and add the parallel twin (FI too)  from say a ninja 650r.. drop the bars just a smidge. and gently stiffen the suspension. i know the new motor would raise the cost slightly, but i think it would improve the overall usability of it.

i ride a ton 2 up  and while the 15t sprocket did help, i just found that i was really having to hammer the bike just to be normal.

idk, i thought it would be a tough one giving up on the gs, and so far its not really been that hard? im sure ill find some things i miss about it.

the knee dragging thing didnt really go alog with with what i was saying, as im not looking for that, (although, everyone wants that title ) for me i just need something more practical for me.

ill still stick around, im not sure how long the G will tho. you guys are one awesome community i will say that! one of the best forums ive ever been on! who knows... i may acquire another gs someday 

[atvwarrior]

I have owned my gs 500 for about a month and I didn't buy it to race anybody and thats a good thing cause I don't like losing . I more less bought it for its gas mileage and looks . Its only 20 degrees here and I have still been out riding around , And its not to bad beside the icy spots . I just rode down to my moms store and I took all back roads because I only have a permit and there was a creek that flooded across the road and froze that was tricky . But I do agree with every thing you are saying , this is my first bike and I'll get my licence with it and ride it till next year then look for something with a little more pep .

[XLAR8]

go on give back that nick and get out of our forum lol


yeah iam not sure what iam going to do when i get off my restrictions

[tt_four]

yeah iam not sure what iam going to do when i get off my restrictions

[atvwarrior]

Maybe that followed by this

[GS500Fmode]

Soooo. I finally made it back home. 4 hour trip. Including a 10 mile off road trail. Btw the Gs would be great with dual sport tires. Lol. I must say. This ninja is a blast to ride. Adrenaline rush going 5mph or 130 mph. Not as Light as the Gs. But still quite flickable. I can say. If you are new to riding. I DON'T RECOMMEND A 600cc or larger. 650sv's are excluded bc they are a 2cyl. 8-14k happens in a nano second. Below 6k it's smooth and predictable. Above 7k it gets very sharp In the response but if you are gentle u can chill all day at 10k rpm.

I love it!

[redhawkdancing]

Congrats on the new ride! I'm looking at another one myself. I'm not to concerned with trucks being able to keep up with me, I'm more concerned about being able to get away from them when they are acting stupid or don't see me. 

How is the insurance on the sixxer? The quotes I recieved on the F4I were over triple what I'm paying for the GS. I'm looking for a Honda 919 and 599 now, but Triumph is having a demo day here this spring, so who knows. 

[GS500Fmode]

the insurance only went up 25 dollars per year.
i took it out again today, and man its so much fun. so easy to ride, and on the freeway it was a joy to not have to labor the engine so much.