Newbie W/GS500F Needs Help

[Barrie]

I have had In-Line Two, Three, and Four cyclinder motorcycles over the past 36 years. I always found them very smooth and relatively good engine torque over a large range.

I just got the a 2009 GS500F and am having trouble getting used it. At idle it vibrates. On slow start off, it feels like it is going to stall. It never does, but. Once over 3000 RPM, it purrs like a kitten and is very responsive. When riding now, I make sure my revs are above 3000 and everything is fine. If I drop below 3000, in any gear, and try to accelerate, the bike will chug.

Is all the above normal? I had heard that V-Twins very very torquey in all rev ranges.

I am happy with the bike, I just want to know if I have a keeper. Please Advise.

[scratch]

It's normal, but do check your oil, and keep that level up.  And, it's a parallel twin, not a v-twin.  Keep the rpm's up.

[rayshon]

yeah it's supposed to be at above 3k, i never let it fall lower unless i'm in first

also, i've never really taken my bike above 7k...it just gets so loud and vibraty! D: although that's normal but still

[scratch]

Did you buy used?

How many miles on it?

It might need a valve adjustment.

And, then the carbs synchronized.

[mister]

Hey Barrie, welcome to the forum, got a pic of your bike for us to see?

Regarding your questions...

You'll find the GS doesn't like trying to do anything under 3k unless it's 1st gear. 4k and up will be fine in all gears, although 6th would prefer 4.5k and up.

For putting around town, change up gears around 5 to 5.5k as a minimum.

This will be enough to get you started until you get used to your bike, used to the engine sound difference under different speeds, gears and loads, etc.

Michael

[Barrie]

Thanks for the prompt and Positive responses.  I feel better now.  The bike looks new and only had about 2000 miles on it when I bought it.  I couldn't pass it up.  I have put about 1000 miles on it and Love It!  It smooths out and really pulls above 3000.  It hugs the road and is a real good fit for my slight 5"7" frame.  I found the windshield to be nonfunctional and, after doing some research, especially here,  have ordered a Zerogravity Sport Touring windshield.  I can't wait to try it out.

[Ourea]

[POST HAS BEEN REMOVED BY USER]

[missk8t]

This thread has been awesome. I was shifting at 4 and wondering why it just didn't seem smooth. I'll now shift higher Thanks guys!

[Dr.McNinja]

In regards to shifting I shift very high. Typically between 7-8.5 on the street. I don't do it to be heard. I'm a subscriber to the belief that drivers who will look for motorcyclists always will, and nothing you can do short of getting an air horn and taping the button down will help the ones who aren't looking look for you (even with that, they'll still be too preoccupied to look).


I prefer to carry my gears out as far as I can reasonably carry them for multiple reasons.

• It will not hurt the bike if the RPMs are kept below red line
• It allows me to stay within my power band. The power band gives me optimal throttle response in any situation, and a twist of the wrist and hard lean is all I need to get out of the way of the Mormon Assault Vehicle merging across 8 lanes of traffic to hit me.

My "cruising" engine speed is between 5k and 6k. I tend to keep the bike at 5.5k on the highway, because riding in the last 4k RPM is annoying after awhile. If I'm in traffic though, I ALWAYS stay in my power band. You should try it. You'll find your bike is far more responsive and doesn't "chug" at all.