hello everyone

[VegasRider]

Hello I am a new rider or soon to be after my msf course this month, living in las Vegas where the weather is perfect right now. I am currently in the process of buying a 2009 gs500f. My local Suzuki dealership had one with only 3000 miles in pristine conditions with some minor add ons for 4200 plus taxes. I talked him down to 3600 plus taxes with a jacket thrown in.  For the condition the bike was kept in and the friendliness of the dealer I feel confident about the upcoming purchase. I am aware that I could get a great steal on Craigslist but I have had my fair share of bad experiences with shady people on there. I pick up the bike next week but had some questions. Is riding my bike from the dealership home a bad idea for a new rider? What are some things to expect from the gs500 as a new rider? And any advice overall?

[omio]

Welcome!!!

I will give you my experience, when I bought my first bike after my MSF course 5 years ago I debated the same question about riding it home from the dealership.  I told myself it was only 10 miles of backroads that were relatively not busy.  In the end the dealership recommended that I use their free delivery service and I am glad that I did.  My first ride on the new bike was extremely exciting, but yet pretty scary.  I am glad I was able to do it on the neighborhood streets close by my house.  My suggestion is to have it delivered or haul it home and begin riding where you feel the most comfortable.

When I bought my GS500 3 years ago I rode it home from the dealership and I did ok, but there were still some moments that got a bit dicey.  I was going from my first bike Honda VLX (cruiser) to the GS500.  The riding position was the hardest to get used to.

Good luck!!!

[adidasguy]

Have it delivered.

New rider + new bike = certain disaster

Your MSF course probably had a 250 - not the same as a 500. Different weight, different balance, different riding position, different center of gravity.......

Ride around your block and neighborhood for a week or more and SLOWLY venture out of your comfort zone.

Err on the side of caution. Don't get cocky with a new bike. If anyone calls you a wuss for being cautions - just tell them that you're still living and you haven't crashed your bike.

Don't be like this guy! (not sure why the you-tube embed doesn't show up right)
http://youtu.be/Q9zNUPDmnz4

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q9zNUPDmnz4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<object width="480" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q9zNUPDmnz4?version=3&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q9zNUPDmnz4?version=3&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>

[4strings]

A couple months out of MSF, I rode my gs about 50 miles back from illinois to wisconsin.  I had two seasons of moped riding before this.  My buddy that brought me down led me back.  The only rule was no freeway and I was good.  The whole way back my heart was racing and it was awesome.  Happy riding.

[VegasRider]

Yea I think trucking it home is the best option. Thanks for the advice. I'll post some pics when I get it and ill definitely keep it safe for a couple of weeks around my block.

[adidasguy]

[Twisted]

Hey and welcome to the forums.

I pick up the bike next week but had some questions. Is riding my bike from the dealership home a bad idea for a new rider? What are some things to expect from the gs500 as a new rider? And any advice overall?

I am gonna disagree and say ride the bike home. But only if you have done the course and can ride confidently. No need to be scared of your bike. Respect it but don't fear it. Have someone who rides as well ride with to accompany you if it makes you feel better. The dealership should have a carpark so cut a few laps on the bike there to get a feel for it. The thing you will find about the GS is it is a very easy bike to ride and excellent for learning on. Just make sure you have some decent gear before you get on. Also be very careful wheeling the bike around when you get home. This will be the most likely time you will drop it. Takes a lil while to get used to balancing the bike when off it. All in all enjoy your bike and stay safe. 

[adidasguy]

And get a set of R&G crash sliders. If a GS500F falls over, it will most likely punch the turn signals through the fairing. The crash sliders will take the weight and protect the fairing.

Probably the bike falling over is more common than you'd think. Most likely when learning to put it on the center stand. Read the past forums. There are a few different ways to do it that are easier than mentioned in the owner's manual (unless you're hulk hogan)

Enjoy!

[slipperymongoose]

I totally agree with what twisted said specially the riding gear don't skimp out get the good sturdy stuff, and be careful wheeling and putting it on it's stands,  first time I tried to put my bike on the centre stand it overbalanced and I ended up having to lower it down on it's side I very nearly lost grip and dropped it.