Garage fire, gory GS500 picture

[EdChen]

Well, this past Saturday morning around 2am, some drunk guys were messing around with aerosol cans and fire by our dumpster, until it got out of control and the edge of the detached garage roof caught fire. Once that caught, the entire garage was quickly engulfed. My poor GS500 and my wife's Civic were totaled, plus most of my hand tools. I was out of town camping when it happened, so my Element was spared. Here are some pictures a neighbor took: https://www.flickr.com/photos/99830556@N04/sets/72157667990255436

I had liability only on the bike, so no money for me, but I think I got its worth. It was a 2001 that I purchased in 2005. I've been riding it for 11 years now. It's been a great bike, and has only left me somewhat stranded when I was way overdue for a valve check (and even then, I just let it cool down and I limped home). I had the original previous owner Wal-Mart battery in it for 10 years (just put a new battery in this year). I put in Race Tech straight rate springs, an R6 rear shock and SS brake lines just last year. I've had '89 bars on it for several years as well. It got new Bridgestone tires all around and 150 rear tire on a Kat wheel.



I commute on my bike, and with the nice weather, and distaste for taking public transportation (bad motion sickness on buses and subways), I was in a hurry to get a new bike. I've wanted a Ducati Monster for years, and as of Sunday morning, I was set on getting one. I did a day of research and got a little scared away from the maintenance and reliability. I had a few wants in my search, I preferred something naked, fuel injected, Japanese, classic round headlight (instead of the newer plastic 'beak' headlights), and in a perfect world, a single sided swingarm (purely cosmetic). I ended up compromising and found a good 2001 SV650 for a third the price I would have paid for a Monster or Triumph Speed Triple. Still carbureted, double swing arm, but runs great. I brought her home last night (you can see the boarded up garage behind):



It's sad to see it gone, but I look forward to riding the new bike. Thank you all for the many years of support! I'm sure I'll lurk back here occasionally, and be posting on the svriders forum. I believe there are quite a few members that went from their GS500 to an SV.

Ed

[Torstein]

Dang, that fire sucks! Glad you got another bike though, the sv650's are sweet. I definitely think that if/when I get rid of my 500, a SV650 would be first on my list of bikes.

[Daeouse]

Glad there was a happy ending, but so sad to see a bike go in this way. 

[lucas]

Resized, my 4.5 inch screen makes these photos look like I'm looking through a microscope.

[lucas]

Let's have a moment of silence for a fallen twinner.

Now I'm going to rev the balls off my motorcycle in tribute.

[fetor56]

Sorry to see your bike go this way.....what happened with the drunk guys?

[EdChen]

Oh, some neighbors heard them swear when they noticed the garage roof caught fire and they ran off. I'm doubtful they'll be caught, but it looks like the insurance company is going to investigate.

[Tekime]

Wow... that's horrible. Glad no people/pets were hurt. I'm cracking a fresh beer right now, from my special reserve, in honor of the fallen GS. RIP buddy.

This now seems maybe worse since it was a couple drunks that killed it... but, well, too late.

Nice call on the SV650. How does the power feel coming from a GS?

[rscottlow]

I had liability only on the bike, so no money for me, but I think I got its worth.

Any chance of your homeowners/renters policy paying you out for the bike?

[The Buddha]

That will buff right out. Then throw on some flat black paint on the parts that aren't that way, and you have the standard Craigslist fare.
Yours is even more authentic.
Cool.Buddha.

[Jimbeano]

I can see the craiglist ad now, Just needs a wash and some TLC, tires stick great, completely custom calls are coming in fast dont miss out on this great deal $1,500

[Daeouse]

I can see the craiglist ad now, Just needs a wash and some TLC, tires stick great, completely custom calls are coming in fast dont miss out on this great deal $1,500

Don't forget: "paint slightly blistered from being in the 'sun'."

[EdChen]

And a "non-smoker" owner.

[EdChen]

I had liability only on the bike, so no money for me, but I think I got its worth.

Any chance of your homeowners/renters policy paying you out for the bike?

I asked, they don't cover any vehicles. Even the set of snow tires stored in the garage won't be covered under the homeowner's insurance. The auto insurance isn't covering the snow tires either, since they weren't on the car (but I believe that's policy/coverage dependent, my coverage doesn't include accessories or anything).

Wow... that's horrible. Glad no people/pets were hurt. I'm cracking a fresh beer right now, from my special reserve, in honor of the fallen GS. RIP buddy.

This now seems maybe worse since it was a couple drunks that killed it... but, well, too late.

Nice call on the SV650. How does the power feel coming from a GS?

The SV feels super torquey, it's much harder to lug. There have been a few instances where I would have downshifted in the GS500, but didn't need to on the SV as it just powered through at 2,000rpm. I am pleasantly surprised at how easy to ride it is, the low and wide powerband really reduces the amount of shifting. I've noticed in lower gears (1-3) that when I release the throttle, the engine brakes very strongly and is a little jerky.  I still need to do some minor maintenance tightening the chain and adjusting the throttle, so some of that might might help.

The front end seems a little twitchy on the SV as well, I expected it to feel less twitchy compared to the GS since I had the GS slightly raised in the rear with the larger tire and R6 shock. The SV definitely needs the fork oil replaced though, very bouncy up front, I'm guessing it's never been replaced.

[rscottlow]

I had liability only on the bike, so no money for me, but I think I got its worth.

Any chance of your homeowners/renters policy paying you out for the bike?

I asked, they don't cover any vehicles. Even the set of snow tires stored in the garage won't be covered under the homeowner's insurance. The auto insurance isn't covering the snow tires either, since they weren't on the car (but I believe that's policy/coverage dependent, my coverage doesn't include accessories or anything).

That's a bummer, man. But the SV is nice...I'm glad you're enjoying it!

[i8ball]

i got a sv650s also its an 03 Fi model i have full fairings for her. They are torquey as hell, and my friend who is a motorcycle mechanic told me to watch out if you do wheelies on them cause the sv650 are know to burn out the front piston during wheelies. i dont wheelie anymore but figure i throw the little knowledge i have over to you.