Graduated to introduction status

[R3d]

I finally got a motorcycle!  I've been sort of lurking here for a while, and I've got to say the atmosphere of this forum is part of why I wanted a GS.  So... can I officially say I'm a member here now?    

Actually, I'm feeling some buyer's remorse and I haven't even picked up the bike yet.  So feel free to reassure me that I have made a good choice!  I'm totally new to motorcycles - I've only been a passenger on one a few times...  Any suggestions, hints, tips, etc are welcome.  I do plan to take the safety course asap.

Thanks!

[Steve-C]

Welcome!
I'm also new here, but have had my GS for 7 months.  Its a great bike and you won't be dissapointed.

Tips would include:
Make sure you have full protective gear, and take it easy when you first get the bike.  Its not the most powerful in the world but has enough power to catch you out!

Safe riding

Steve

[JLKasper]

...So... can I officially say I'm a member here now?   ..  

Actually, I'm feeling some buyer's remorse and I haven't even picked up the bike yet.  So feel free to reassure me that I have made a good choice!  Thanks!...

Welcome; an introduction is the only membership requirement, besides paypaling $5 to every current member who replies to your messages (j/k ).

The only way you'll feel buyer's remorse is if you dump the bike the first day.  I'd make reservations for that safety course a priority.  Enjoy!

[vegasda9]

Hey! Also new here...just got a GS500F on Fathers Day...advice I can give you as a new rider....

TAKE A MSF SAFETY COURSE!

It's been about 12yrs since i've ridden a motorcycle and i can tell you, getting the basics explained and demonstrated  during the MSF course has helped me immensely in my confidence as a new rider.

Take it slow and welcome to the club!

[tmckay]

Welcome!

echo the "Take the MSF" course.  My GS sat in my shed for 2 months while I waited for the course.  I changed the oil and sat on it, but did not attempt to ride it.

I also dumped the bike in sand practicing tight u-turns my first day back from MSF  :x  :lol: A few weeks later my wife knocked it over with the minivan and pinned the front wheel to the ground and the rear wheel in the air :x :lol:  (I parked too close, she said).   Since then, no problems.

1) The buyer's remorse will fade.  It is a GREAT bike.
2) Ride every chance you get, but progress slowly.  You'll be fine.
3) Have some good respect for the GS.  It will be more powerful and have much better brakes and handling than the MSF bikes you learn on.  That is why I dumped it.
4) If you do have a minor crash, don't fret.  Everything is repairable and your damage probably won't be that expensive.
5) Spend your money up front on really good riding gear instead of mods to the bike

My two cents,

Trev

[scratch]

Welcome!

From an experienced rider's perspective this is a great bike and the MSF was the best thing to ever happen to me.

[mwdbruno]

Man I love that riding season is in full swing!!!

Welcome to all of the new members.  To echo what everyone else has said, no regrets!!!  The GS is a very capable bike and you'll love it.  

Again Welcome All  

[manofthefield]

I've been sort of lurking here for a while, and I've got to say the atmosphere of this forum is part of why I wanted a GS.  

I was the same, I was watching this forum some for almost a year  and I'm pretty sure it was a large part of why I chose this bike.  Buyers remorse... that will go away as soon as you take your first couple rides.  My thoughts after the first few rides: 'I love this thing' and 'What a great purchase'

[jake42]

I watched this site for almost a year before I bought my GS last year.  It's a great bike all the way around.  Take the MSF course. I had been riding for years before i took it and still learned alot of techniques that i try and practice on every ride like looking through the turn.

welcome

jake

[Keloran]

Hee hee. I didn't find out about this site until after I bought my bike.  :mrgreen: I've had my lil GS for a month now and I just love riding it when I get the chance.

-Kel

[R3d]

Thanks for all the great replies!  Yep, working on getting some decent gear together now.  I'm really not sure about mods, I kinda like the stock GS.  

There really have been heaps of new forum members - that's awesome!  This site and the people here are so helpful.  I'm sure I'll be asking questions once I have my bike.

[pantablo]

... reassure me that I have made a good choice!  I'm totally new to motorcycles

First bike? Great choice. BEST choice. Best way to learn IMO. Wise move on your part-including the MSF and good gear. Might I suggest a little light reading in Keith Code's "Twist of the Wrist II" and Nick Ienatsch's "Sport Riding Techniques". Both extremely informative about what goes on with a bike and how your input influences the bike...and how to go fast, safely...

Good gear, lots of miles and you'l be in good shape. I rode my 2001 for 16 months and 9,000 miles before selling and upgrading...

I'm really not sure about mods, I kinda like the stock GS

That will go away with the remorse (check out my site) ...

welcome!

[jakers the 1]

Well I must say great choice! Choice bike! Choice site! Good plan on MSF AND gear! Hope you're on it soon and enjoying the miles. I've had my bike 2 months, really riding(without licensed rider in sight(after MSF)for a month now,   Put 2,200  on it already, man is this bike fuuuuuuuuunnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  
BE SAFE
RIDE RIGHT
HAVE FUN

[R3d]

Pantablo, thanks for the book references, I was just about to go searching for posts cause I couldn't remember the names.  I like to Look at mods people have done, but I'm not much of a customizing gal, I guess.  Although, I might want to try tweaking the lights some since I've seen several posts on how dim the stock stuff is.

I've ordered a Fieldsheer textile jacket and have been trying to find some gloves/pants online.  Either today or tomorrow I'll have to check out the one or two m/c shops nearby to try on helmets.  My combat boots will have to suffice for awhile since I'm terribly poor now!  Um... and of course, I'll have to pick up the bike soon.

On another note... I work the graveyard shift on a university campus and am wondering how I can keep my bike safe from drunken students.  I'm tempted to try parking it in the hallway and moving it to the parking lot before people start coming to work.  How easily would a GS fit through a door?? haha

[ollie357]

I'd just put a cover over it, and lock the cover too, 'specially if its an expensive dowco.

[johncam4]

i have more buyers remorse when i spend more than $8 when i eat out.  Motorcycles are my favorite and i cant wait till i can buy more of them

[johncam4]

i got excited and bought my 95 gs when i had the chance...only to come back and then find out how great of a little bike it is....

[Rema1000]

I sometimes wish for a different bike, but really, that "better" bike doesn't exist.  For example, my neighbor has a nice bimmmer... I'd love it if BMW would sell a 400lb air-head 500cc boxer twin... for $6k.   Or maybe if Suzuki would sell a fuel-injected VStrom 400 ... for $5k.  Yep, it's just not gonna happen.

Also, some people regret that they didn't buy a faster bike.  Whenever you make a bone-head move on the road ask yourself:  how would that have played-out if the bike were twice as fast and four times as touchy?  When you have ridden for a full month without ever thinking "!@#$ I shouldn't have done that!", then you can start thinking about a fast sportbike.  But I can pretty-much guarantee that you won't see that month this year (or next).

About the only regret that I'd agree with, is if you might have wanted a 250 Ninja.  Especially if you're 5-foot-8 or shorter, that is another excellent bike to start on, a hoot to ride, and a bargain to buy new.  But you absolutely can't go wrong with the GS, so no regrets!  Take the MSF, then go riding!

[juno]

Guess I'll say "Hi" too.

I have been reading this site for about 3 months and got a 2002 GS 500 about 5 weeks ago.  It had 5200 miles on it and I got it over a new and a used Ninja 500 (can I beleive i was even questionong the choice?  Sheeesh!!)  

Anyway, I had always been more interested in a bonneville, and figured to start with a Suzuki Savage, but then I saw the new GS500F and it somehow....spoke to me.  I mean , i never had any interest in sports bikes AT ALL.

Anyway--I found a used 02 in Saturn Black (gotta dig the black and silver metalic sparkle paint!!!) for 3500otd and did it.  Did I pay too much?  Maybe.  But I have NO REGRETS at all.  This bike rocks!!  The perfect thing to start with, obsess over, upgrade,,,and hang on to forever!

This site played a big part in my choice as I was debating over the Ninja 500. There really isn't as much support for that bike, and, for me, it didn;t feel as comfortable either.  Anyway---I just think the GS is way cooler stylistically, especially the 01, 02 models.

Damn---I'm 37 and raving on about something like my damn jazzmaster.  

Thanks guys for alll the valuable info.  I figured out how to properly check oil level and get the damn thing up on the center stand today thanks to the search functionm on this site.  

About me:
37, guy, currently digging the raveonettes, BRMC, Belle & Sebastian, Anything Box the faint and.......

Perpetually digging: The Jesus and Mary Chain the Cure, siouxsie, echo,
smiths, Link wray, elvis, Gene Vincent, and triumph thunderbirds and bonnevilles.

Well, that's probably too much.  

Thanks for the great site about a great bike.  I could not be happier.

[juno]

Rema 1000:

I agree 100%