new to the gs world

[c.will]

Hey all, I'm new to the site and new to the GS and pretty much still new to riding. My first bike was a 96 kawi zx6r. That was a couple years ago and I didn't have it long before I had to sell it. Anyways, I'm back on two wheels (almost lol). My wallet can't handle these gas prices. I've already learned a lot from looking around the forum/wiki and can't wait to start maxing out my credit card on this project.

A lil bout me. My name's Caleb. Currently staying in Ft Sill, OK, home of buffalo and wind (rare is the day we don't see a 20mph breeze).

Picked up this 94 from a guy in OKC for 900 bucks. Has less then 5000 miles on it according to the odo. I believe it considering the shape its in. Didn't run when I got it but a quick carb cleaning got it started right up. Still working out some issues with the carbs but its just bout ready to ride.

[wildarmz]

Great deal. Only 5k miles on a 94...wow. Looks to be in very good shape 

[tt_four]

Looks like a great bike! You can tell how close spring is, this forum has been flooded with new guys that just bought GSs. this is like the 6th one this week haha.

Hope you enjoy it!

[Ken in Regina]

I love your new ride. But your logic kind of escapes me. At 4 bucks a gallon that $900 would buy you 225 gallons of gas. Add your plates and insurance and any mods you do and you've probably blown a year's worth of fuel for an average vehicle before you ever turn a wheel on the GS. And you'll probably still drive your cage a lot anyway. I'm not sure how this all helps your wallet? 

But you've got yourself a cherry there and it will put lots of smiles on your face. That's worth money. 

...ken...

[jacob_ns]

I love your new ride. But your logic kind of escapes me. At 4 bucks a gallon that $900 would buy you 225 gallons of gas. Add your plates and insurance and any mods you do and you've probably blown a year's worth of fuel for an average vehicle before you ever turn a wheel on the GS. And you'll probably still drive your cage a lot anyway. I'm not sure how this all helps your wallet? 

But you've got yourself a cherry there and it will put lots of smiles on your face. That's worth money. 

...ken...

Not sure of his situation but I was looking to buy a cheap car for transportation back and forth to work but chose a bike for a)inexpensive purchase price b)good fuel economy so it worked out in my favour. To buy a reliable compact with equivalent fuel efficiency would have cost me significantly more than I paid for my bike. Plus I have a super-awesome-to-drive motorcycle and not some no-name compact car that looks and drives like a turd on 13" tires.

[Ken in Regina]

Yeah, but did you get rid of your four wheel vehicle???

If you did not and if you still drive it, your logic makes no financial sense at all. Now you still have all the costs of owning and driving the cage PLUS the costs to buy, operate and maintain the bike. If you keep and drive the cage, it's almost impossible to make any financial case for buying a motorcycle as a way to save money. Just sayin'.

I'm not saying not to buy a bike. Heck, I own two!  Just be honest about why you bought it ... They're way fun!!    

...ken..

[jacob_ns]

Yeah, but did you get rid of your four wheel vehicle???

If you did not and if you still drive it, your logic makes no financial sense at all. Now you still have all the costs of owning and driving the cage PLUS the costs to buy, operate and maintain the bike. If you keep and drive the cage, it's almost impossible to make any financial case for buying a motorcycle as a way to save money. Just sayin'.

I'm not saying not to buy a bike. Heck, I own two!  Just be honest about why you bought it ... They're way fun!!    

...ken..

We have one car which my wife uses to commute to work and I have the bike to commute to work. We work in opposite directions and different hours. Sure, a bike might not be cheaper than taking the bus but it's independent transportation that's cheaper than a car. It is financially beneficial in our situation.

[Ken in Regina]

Your situation makes sense. It's a [second] car replacement. So in that case it's the cheaper vehicle purchase option.

Most folks do not get a bike as a replacement. They get it in addition to. That wins on Fun Factor but loses on Economical or Ecological arguments.

I tried to sell the "save on gas" argument to my wife the first time I wanted to buy after I got married. My wife quite innocently asked me how much I would save. So I did the numbers and discovered that they don't work unless the bike replaces another vehicle. Since then I've been completely honest with both of us and told her I want a new bike because I want a new bike. And she just asks if we can afford it.

...ken...

[c.will]

well I guess in the grand scheme of things, buying the bike wasn't the best choice financially. I used my tax money and needed a second vehicle that got better miles then my jeep (about 12mpg round town on 33" tires and stock gearing). Plus you're absolutely right they're way more fun then some econobox geo metro or honda civic

already got some ideas for mods. I have this syndrome where every vehicle I own has to be changed in some way lol