So happy I kept her!

[Atesz792]

Hey everyone!

This spring I bought a Yamaha TDM 900 as an 'upgrade'.
I read so many posts on this forum about people selling their GS and regretting it in short order that I decided she has to keep her garage space.
So happy I did.
TPS recall had not been done by any of the PO's of my TDM and now it's not much more than annoying paperweight (even after some TDC). Appointment almost a month from now, and riding season is only about half the year in my area.
Still loving my faithful little GS!

[Ted]

My neighbour has a Yamaha TDM that he hasn't been able to start in years. Nice looking bike, but...

And I periodically (make that regularly in Canadian winters) snoop around for bigger and better bikes, but then I remember what makes this little twin so great: it's paid for, cheap insurance, gets 80 mpg (Imperial gallons), factory clip-ons, handles great, stops fine, I can break any speed limit in short order, progressive springs made a night and day difference, hopefully a Katana shock will improve things even more, it looks like a motorcycle too, with round headlight. I know I would be disappointed if I got rid of it for a Sportster and had my fillings shaken out, or maybe a Honda VFR that I would promptly drop and shatter all that plastic.

I think I'll keep her.

[Bluesmudge]

Yeah, I've had a Vstrom 1000, CT110, Super Sherpa 250, DR400, DR650, NX650. All good bikes, but right now it's just the Sherpa and the GS500 in my garage.

GS500 was my first bike and I'm so glad I never sold it. I've found that with modification itcovers 90% of my motorcycle needs.

Never sell the GS500!

[ajensen]

I commute whenever I can and take longer rides on occasion. I've been riding since 1962 (first bike a new BSA Bantam 125). I do not know how many motorcycles I have owned, but my 2006 GS500f makes me smile as much as any of the others. Cheap, reliable, fun up in the mountains--I wish she were a little lighter, but I wish the same thing for myself.

[Atesz792]

As a matter of fact I have to give her a bit of throttle along with full choke when starting, or carefully find the 'sweet spot' with the choke lever - each time a little different.
What could possibly cause this? Dirty air filter maybe? It was replaced around 6k miles ago, along with valve adjustment etc.
(Don't worry oil change has been done since.)

[The Buddha]

Looks like your floats may have drifted a shade high.
How are hot starts ?
Either way, check the floats. Secondly, clean the carb (do both every 2 yr if ridden regularly, else more often)
Cool.
Buddha.

[MichaelM3]

Recently my wife pointed out a bike I might be interested in buying. On the basis that she originally bought my 2007 GS500 that now has 112,000ks on it - I've learned to trust her judgement. I bought a new bike.

My 'new' bike is a 2013 Honda NC700S with just 850ks on the clock. Yep, it's a old new bike. I've just had the proper 'first service' done, which is in reality just an oil change according to the owner's manual. However, I've changed all of the fluids -  oil, brakes, and coolant - and looked over the electrics. The battery is 'old' but appears to be happy.

Friends and family have asked what I'm going to do with the Suzuki? Obvious answer - keep it! It owes me nothing and costs little to keep registered, insured and running.