New Member (Pics Added)

[mattman71]

Greetings all!

I am a new rider at 41 years old.  I always wanted a bike, but always listened to the neighbors, family, and other naysayers that told me that I would die.  Screw them!  I took the MSF course last October and loved it.  Needless to say, the search for a motorcycle of my own was soon to follow.

I found this website when I was doing a little research the day before going to look at my first bike.  This was back in November, and I am just getting around to an intro post.  I ended up buying the 2004 GS500f with 6000 miles on the odometer for about $1800.  The previous owner put on a Jardin full exhaust, a K&N drop in filter, new brakes, and new Pirelli Demon tires before selling. Bonus! It really is in great shape.

As a result of my daily GStwins.com reading addiction, my first post was a donation to this wonderful resource. (Thanks for the stickers, Pandy!)  Since then I have also added the following mods:

• Mirror Extenders: http://burkhartcycle.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8_18&products_id=24

• Cortech Saddlebags and Tail bag

• NGK Iridium Plugs

• Buddha Jet Kit

Not being particularly mechanically inclined around motors, even with the help provided by this site, I took the bike to a local shop today to have the Jet kit installed.  The mechanic tuning the bike told me that the entire process including the adjustments (washers and screw turns) were exactly as Buddha had prescribed with the kit.  Thanks Srinath!  I rode it home a few minutes ago and was in disbelief how it performed compared to it's previous lean condition.  It's like an entirely different bike!  No choke required to start, both acceleration and deceleration are as smooth as can be, and that annoying popping sound is completely gone upon deceleration.

Thanks again for all of the help on these pages.  I bought a great bike, and you guys have made it better with your reviews, posts, and recommendations.

[codajastal]

Welcome to the group and dont forget to post photos. we all love photos here.

[wildcat333]

POST PICS for the love of god, kthanks.

[Twisted]

Welcome to the forum 

[cbrfxr67]

  something is missing in this thread,........hmmmmm.  Oh and welcome!

Great pics!!

[SS Adrenaline]

Welcome here, nice pics.  What were the size of the jets installed?

[mattman71]

Welcome here, nice pics.  What were the size of the jets installed?

Buddha hooked me up with 135 mains and 20 pilots. 3 screw turns and 1 washer and it runs great.  I did leave in the restrictor in the K&N drop-in as per his instructions.