New Member with a GS500F

[dennisgb]

Hi I'm a new member here. Awesome forum.

I just bought a 2009 GS500F for my girlfriend to learn on...I plan on riding it too. I have a bunch of motorcycles but most were just too big and intimidating for her so I was looking for a nice bike for her that could run around town and still cruise on the highway. Also wanted the upright riding position that the GS500F has.

I found this bike locally (1/4 mile from me), and it is absolutely perfect condition. Has only 93 miles on it. Showroom clean. The guy rode it once and then didn't want to ride anymore. He thru in 2 really nice Bell helmets and a brand new Gortech jacket. $2500...I think that was a fabulous deal for a near new bike.

What do you guys think?

[codajastal]

Absolutely fantastic bike you have there.
Welcome to the forum

[jdoorn14]

Looks nice. Since it obviously wasn't ridden, you should check over all the routine maintenance items (brake fluid, brake lines, cracking rubber) as some need to be done due to elapsed time rather than mileage. But if you've got other bikes, I assume you've got it well in hand.

Additional info that's good to read: http://wiki.gstwins.com


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[robfriedenberger]

That's an awesome bike, do some searching around for gsjack and see how long these bikes last! Keep oil in it and you'll have it for a while!


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[jdoorn14]

Oh yeah....welcome!


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[dennisgb]

Looks nice. Since it obviously wasn't ridden, you should check over all the routine maintenance items (brake fluid, brake lines, cracking rubber) as some need to be done due to elapsed time rather than mileage. But if you've got other bikes, I assume you've got it well in hand.

Yes I have been going over it with a fine tooth comb. All the rubber looks good. No rust on anything...it was in temp controlled storage. The PO ran it once a month. Oil looks clean but will change it anyway. Brake fluid looks good. Since it is a 2009 and it looks like he bought it from dealer in 2011...it was checked before delivery 3 years ago...if it had been older then I would be more concerned. Everything on this bike looks new. There isn't a scratch or a nick on it anywhere.

[dennisgb]

That's an awesome bike, do some searching around for gsjack and see how long these bikes last! Keep oil in it and you'll have it for a while!

Thanks, I did a lot of research and originally was looking at the Honda Hornet, because I like the upright riding position and the girlfriend had a Yamaha 650 special years ago so thought it would feel more like that for her. I was also looking at the Suzuki SV650, but this bike showed up and did the research and saw how reliable they are and sort of the best of all worlds in a fairly light nimble motorcycle. As an "all arounder" the reviews for the GS500 are very good. Smaller bikes run out of life fairly quickly once the rider is comfortable because of a lack of power. The GS500 should keep her happy longer, and from what I have read it could be a bike we keep for the versatility alone.

[yamahonkawazuki]

Looks nice. Since it obviously wasn't ridden, you should check over all the routine maintenance items (brake fluid, brake lines, cracking rubber) as some need to be done due to elapsed time rather than mileage. But if you've got other bikes, I assume you've got it well in hand.

Yes I have been going over it with a fine tooth comb. All the rubber looks good. No rust on anything...it was in temp controlled storage. The PO ran it once a month. Oil looks clean but will change it anyway. Brake fluid looks good. Since it is a 2009 and it looks like he bought it from dealer in 2011...it was checked before delivery 3 years ago...if it had been older then I would be more concerned. Everything on this bike looks new. There isn't a scratch or a nick on it anywhere.

Any dry rot cracks on the tires. gsjack knows all things long term. tires mainly., even if no dry rot, id replace. 3 years is pushing it imho. if anything, can keep them as spares for a bit.

[dennisgb]

Any dry rot cracks on the tires. gsjack knows all things long term. tires mainly., even if no dry rot, id replace. 3 years is pushing it imho. if anything, can keep them as spares for a bit.

Yes, tires are date stamped and we usually replace them before 3 years (they actually are 5 years old). There is no dry rot...no cracking in the treads, but that was on my list to do just for peace of mind. Hard to ditch them with under 100 miles on them but it is the right thing to do.

[Shinji]

Welcome to the group!

I also ride a 09' GS500F! It is my first bike and IMO as a new rider (Riding for a month now) is a amazing starter bike! So kudos on the choice and fantastic price!

Check the gauges for any issues though, my tripmeter doesn't work on mine, or else my 111miles in a minute is a record!

So, welcome once again to the GS family!

P.s. I have been riding with the stock tires that were on them for almost over a month now, at some pretty decent speeds and turns if that helps, just not in the budget to change tires

[dennisgb]

Welcome to the group!

I also ride a 09' GS500F! It is my first bike and IMO as a new rider (Riding for a month now) is a amazing starter bike! So kudos on the choice and fantastic price!

Check the gauges for any issues though, my tripmeter doesn't work on mine, or else my 111miles in a minute is a record!

So, welcome once again to the GS family!

P.s. I have been riding with the stock tires that were on them for almost over a month now, at some pretty decent speeds and turns if that helps, just not in the budget to change tires

That's a bummer that the trip meter doesn't work. I use them to figure out how much fuel I have left on bikes without a fuel gauge. The one on this bike is working. If it were me I would be looking for a used speedo on Ebay

[Shinji]

Yeah I want to, It was driven from New Jersey to Maryland and that was over 300 miles on 1 tank! So I am not to much worried about it in the mean time lol. Although it's on my list, just not high.

You'll find that this is a great community for anything GS500. A lot of helpful active members.

Had a chance to take the GS out yet?

[dennisgb]

Yeah I want to, It was driven from New Jersey to Maryland and that was over 300 miles on 1 tank! So I am not to much worried about it in the mean time lol. Although it's on my list, just not high.

You'll find that this is a great community for anything GS500. A lot of helpful active members.

Had a chance to take the GS out yet?

It seems this is a great place with lots of info. I'm on a couple of other forums and it is so helpful to understand the quirks and special things about a given bike. I appreciate the welcome from everyone and hope I can contribute also. I have been working on cars and bikes my whole life and have my own shop. I mostly restore older classic bikes now.

I rode the bike a little bit when I picked it up but didn't have a helmet and was trailering it back. By the time I got home it was starting to rain so won't get to ride it until tomorrow. It runs very nice and smooth for a parallel twin. A bit different than my Norton 850 with 360 degree firing...but nice sound although a little muted with the stock pipe. I have a brand new Vance & Hines SS pipe that is for a Ninja 500 that looks like it will fit right on the GS500 although I will have to cut the pipe because it looks like it welded. I also want to put a little higher bars on it to get more upright...I'm an old guy with a bad back so leaning forward is tough on me...and the girlfriend wants it more upright too. Likely will look at jetting too, especially if I do the exhaust.

[GS4me]

Very nice.  Looks Brand New and how can you beat the price?"  Great Deal.

[dennisgb]

Very nice.  Looks Brand New and how can you beat the price?"  Great Deal.

Yes, it was one of those times when you just act and don't think about it. I had been looking for a while so had some idea of value (although $2500 for anything decent is a good price). When I saw it listed I called the guy right away and set-up a time to look at it (within a few hours of when the ad was put up). Then I did some quick research on the GS500 and prices because this wasn't one of the bikes I was looking at previously. When I got there, it was a no brainer. Just too much bike and in too nice of shape to not buy it. One of those deals where you know you can't lose. Doesn't happen too often.

[jacob92icu]

Dude, did you have a gun pointed at his head or something? ? You stole that bike from him haha. Great pick up!  That thing looks like it came right off the showroom floor. Also, I'll probably get beat up with this statement, but your tires should be fine man. Just ride them for the rest of this season and replace them at the end if you really want to. I would check for flat spots though, if it sat in one spot for that long. Forgive me if it has been asked, but where are you from? I am very tired and cant read the whole thread in my current state haha.

[robfriedenberger]

I think if it was my bike and I would only be riding it.....I would ride the tires......If some one else was riding it I would replace the tires, dry rot can cause blow outs. 

Proceed at your own risk, I know what risk I take every day I ride and I'm ok with that.

[brickerenator]

Dennis,

The bike looks real sweet, good find.

Helmets do have a shelf life too. If the PO bought the bike in 09 or 10, the helmets might be out of date. After 3-5 years the internal foam begins to lose its strength.

[dennisgb]

Dude, did you have a gun pointed at his head or something? ? You stole that bike from him haha. Great pick up!  That thing looks like it came right off the showroom floor. Also, I'll probably get beat up with this statement, but your tires should be fine man. Just ride them for the rest of this season and replace them at the end if you really want to. I would check for flat spots though, if it sat in one spot for that long. Forgive me if it has been asked, but where are you from? I am very tired and cant read the whole thread in my current state haha.

No guns, just a very lucky find. It happens sometimes. I enjoy wrenching on bikes and keep my eyes open. When you find someone who doesn't want to ride they are motivated sellers...time to buy. I'm in the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Put it in my profile but doesn't show up when you post.

[Gorilla]

Amazing deal!