New GS owner here...

[Stephen072774]

Just thought I'd chime in.  Bought a 2001 GS with 1700 miles last weekend.  Already has F1 can, belly flaring and head light flaring.  Needs a fenderectimy pretty bad.  I am looking forward to fooling around with this bike, I have been riding a 1980 Honda CM200T for the last year.  

I can't seem to start it as easy as the previous owner, I guess I need to get the hang of it.(I know its cold)(might also be bad gas)  And one more question, Hows the best way to get it on the center stand?  Seems almost like a 2 man job!

Great site btw, I've been lurking almost a year and learning about the GS.

Stephen

[vtlion]

Hows the best way to get it on the center stand?

check out this thread from a while back...

http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6073&highlight=center+centre+stand+technique

I can't seem to start it as easy as the previous owner

GS's are jetted pretty lean.. needs full choke and a well-charged battery to get 'em crankin... you'll get the hang of it soon enough  

Welcome to the board!!!!  

[yamahonkawazuki]

way i stand mine, is push down on stand w/ left foot, while right foot is to the rear (semi-wide stance) left hand under side plastic grabbing sub-frame rail, right hand grabbing grab handle at rear, whilst lifting w/ both hands,pushing down w/ left foot, (on centerstand pedal,)and simultaneously lifting and pulling to the rear. easy when you get the hang of it, kind of a p.i.t.a. when first attempted :x

[pantablo]

Just thought I'd chime in.  Bought a 2001 GS with 1700 miles last weekend.

Great site btw, I've been lurking almost a year and learning about the GS.

Stephen

congrats! good choice (I also have a 2001). Tell me, how much did you pay? I want to know because I'm going to be selling mine in a few months and was curious what the market was like...

Centerstand trick I learned was [same as above except] to also face directly across the bike, not angled or facing forward...makes a difference.

[Rema1000]

I have been riding a 1980 Honda CM200T for the last year.

The pre-Honda Rebel!  Candy green, candy red or candy blue?


Bad gas it may be... or gas that has gummed-up due to being parked for a while.  You might want to drain the gas and start with some new stuff.  The easy way is through the float bowls (there's a tap and a screw there to drain), which would spare the carbs, but that could still gum-up the in-tank mesh "filter".  I'd probably go the "easy drain" route, and drain it from the floats into a clear Coke bottle.  Do it in front of the seller, so that you can browbeat him if it comes-out all rusty.  Anyways, if that doesn't fix the problem, the tank is easy-enough to pull and clean.

If THAT doesn't fix it, then you might clean the carbs, but I'd get in some riding time first... have fun and get to know the bike a bit before you !@# with it, so that you can judge whether you did a good job on the carbs.  And so that you can actually enjoy the new bike a bit.

[RagnaR]

Centre stand... Just make sure when you put centre stand down with your foot( I use right foot) rock the bike towards you and away. You will feel when both legs of the centre stand are on the ground.

Push down hard with your foot on the centre stand and use your hand under the grab rail (seat) as a guide.

Beleive it or not you do most of the work with your foot by pushing down...

[Stephen072774]

Thanks for the welcome guys.  Pantablo, I paid $2600 for the bike, I felt like it was a good deal because of the low miles and how clean the bike is.  I also know that the middle of winter is a good time to find a deal.  

Rema1000, the CM200 is red but its hardly 'candy' anymore.  Its been a good bike to learn on, but top speed is a about 65mph down a hill   I'm looking forward to riding a bike that has a little more power.

Thanks for the advice.
Stephen

[South East Rocket]

You'll love the GS!! so much fun around curves, a little under powered.  But that just means that when you get a super sport you'll be a better rider...

[yamahonkawazuki]

sorry, i didnt elaborate,( facing across bike), like pablo said

[Maniac]

Man guys, that centerstand trick works like a CHARM!

I struggled with my B4 for a good fifteen minutes before straining my back and just leaving it on the sidestand. Today I walked out, gripped the left handlebar with my left hand, frame rail with the right, and put my full weight on the centerstand. Pulled up and the bike practically -lept- onto the stand! Hell, I almost fell over backwards it came up so fast!  :mrgreen:

Kick-ass!  You guys deserve some beers (but I'm poor, so this is all you get)!

         

[dmp221]

Center Stand:  what Pablo (and others) said, plus, BEND THE KNEES not the back...I grab the rear passenger peg assembly with my right hand and step down hard on the centerstand plate while just straightening the legs...the bike will rise and move back as the stand slips underneath.  EASY.  As a security blanket, try this with a wall,  or a helper on the other side of the bike til it feels natural, so you won't be worried about losing balance and dumping her.

Price of '01..Pablo, my latest Motorcycle Consumer News lists the resale of the '01 (my year as well) at 2650, mas o menos depending on the individual bike.  Good luck.

[Maniac]

Yep, thats exactly how it happened.