I got my GS!

[Eklipse]

I finally got it! It's so beautiful, my baby...

Riding it is great, such a thrill. It's much different than riding in my cage.

I think I'm in love, it's the yellow 04 model. I can't take pictures now because it's dark outside, but I'll post some up later.

I'm really happy to finally be a member of the GStwin community!

[Laura]

Congratulations!! Have fun and be safe.

[Eklipse]

Just got back from my first ride. That was different. I went down some back roads and stuff with little traffic.

Things I now love:

Animals (especially dogs)
Bugs
Trying to turn around in the middle of a narrow street and having to set your bike down on the ground.
Stalling when pulling into traffic. Twice. In a row.
Funny smells.
Getting lost.
Dogs.
How not-bright my low beams are.
Riding at night with low-beams.
Locking my rear tire and getting that super-cool feeling tail wobble. And taking a second to figure out wtf is going on.
Forgetting to turn my signal off.
Thinking about how wonderful it's going to be to ride in traffic.

I did enjoy the ride though. It was very different, though. And I thought I was going to die when I had to set my bike down. I didn't scratch anything though except some miniscule not-even-noticable scratches on the mirror and turn signal. But my fairings are ok! They don't have frame sliders for it. Boo.

But it was great!

[b1k3r 3li+3]

remeber, don't sweat the technique!!  :lol:

[scratch]

SCHWEET!

[Ed_in_Az]

Congratulations! And remember, it only gets better!  

[freakaccident]

They don't have frame sliders for it

Make some!  I don't know how you would do it as I can't see whats under the fairing but I would bet they would have to be pretty long.  Might be worth the $$ to get some custom done at a bike shop.  It looks like holes might have to be drilled though.  

[PAC]

Animals (especially dogs)

Unleashed dogs suck.  I've had two incidents where i've almost run over a dog or low-sided it because of it.  The best strategy i've heard is to slow down as you see the dog, the dog will adjust his "intercept course" for you speed, as he approaches, quickly speed up and he'll be left behind you.  I've found this works about three times before the dog figures it out.

Bugs

I always wear my full-face helmet, as I can't even imagine the horror of a big june-bug at 75mph hitting my forhead.  It's like getting hit with an egg.  Saftey aside, it's the best reason to wear a helmet, IMHO.

Trying to turn around in the middle of a narrow street and having to set your bike down on the ground.

From the MSF class, keep your head up and always look where you're going, never at the pavement.  But glad to hear that you're ok and didn't scratch up that brand new fairing!

Locking my rear tire and getting that super-cool feeling tail wobble. And taking a second to figure out wtf is going on.

Just DON'T let off the rear brake when you realize it's locked up, you could easily high-side the bike.  I barely even touch the rear brakes on my bike, as it seems incredibly easy to lock up, at least far easier than on my last bike - a cruiser.  Maybe it's a yellow 2004 GS500F thing

Forgetting to turn my signal off.

I've tried to make it a habit to always press the cancel when I upshift from 1st to 2nd.  It seems to work for me, as I had a big problem with that too.

Cool to see another member with a yellow '04 like me!     If you're in the states, and just starting out riding, I'd highly recommend a MSF class.  They're a lot of fun and teach you a lot about riding and being safe.  Congrats!

[70 Cam Guy]

I remember getting used to all the exhaust.  I have a new appreciation for ULEV Honda's  :lol:

I nearly learned the hard way to keep my visor down.  I had it half open going through down town traffic at about 20mph.  Out of nowhere a giant freaking wasp comes and ricochets off my visor.  I hate to think what that thing would have done to my poor poor face.  I bet it would look pretty funny to see from a car though.  Some poor sap pull over as quickly as possible, jump off the bike, throw off the helmet, and run around like a madman  :lol:

If the new '04's have an H4 bulb, I'll throw out a plug for the Sylvania Silverstar bulb.  Its DOT legal but is really bright.  The light is very white and crisp.  It works well in the rain too if that's relevent to you.

Good luck out there.  Remember to breath and hopefully smile but that doesn't usually happen until the 2nd or 3rd month    :mrgreen:

[Eklipse]

Hehe. So you can fit silverstars on the '04 without any modifications? I have silverstars in my car and I love them. I was thinking about whether or not I could fit them in my bike earlier...