I just bought a 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 with 2000 miles on it, which is the first real rocket I've owned in 30+ years of biking. I'd already decided to keep my 04 GS500F. Riding the GS after three days on the Z1000 reminded me of what a great bike the GS is -- if you can't have fun on this thing, you aren't a motorcyclist. The dealer who sold me the Z1000, who is 55 like me and has run 200+ mph at Bonneville (Charlie Poy), said the same thing. Yes, the Z1000 has 120+ hp and will do things the GS won't, but it irks me to see the GS described as a "beginner's bike" or a "rookie bike," or for people to think they have outgrown it after two months. It's a "user friendly" bike, but this doesn't mean it's a toy or a bike that an experienced motorcyclist can't have a blast on.
QuoteIt's a "user friendly" bike, but this doesn't mean it's a toy or a bike that an experienced motorcyclist can't have a blast on.
Amen, Preach it bro.
Quote from: Runner....if you can't have fun on this thing, you aren't a motorcyclist...
yeah! I agree. How anyone could they they have outgrown the GS after 2 years letalone 2 months is beyond me. :dunno: Depends on what you wanna do with it I suppose...
Congrats on the new bike... when I was getting into biking back in 2003,
I looked at the Z and went "That is what I want!!!!"... then I had a talk with
a coworker and learned why a liter bike and 0 years of experience don't
mix....
Yup, the GS500 is a purty nice bike... just came back from a trip this
weekend from Tucson to Vegas, and things like the 300 mile range on
the GS really make the bike versatile.
Quote from: jjr_vw... and things like the 300 mile range on
the GS really make the bike versatile.
You get 300 miles to a tank? What magic gas are you using - I'd like to buy some. I only get 145-150 miles out of a tank if I never go above 65, never run past 7k rpm, and don't eat red meat on Fridays.
If i just had more power on the freeway I'd never consider getting another bike. Around town, I have plenyt of "oomph", but the gs feels like its struggeling to keep up at freeway speeds.
I love me wee GS. It meets all my practicle need without a doubt and most of my personal needs aswell. I'm quite sure I'm going to be keeping it long term instead of using it as a beginner bike but sometimes I really yearn for a big V-twin... Too bad all the SV's are FI.
I think the more I ride the GS, the less I want a bigger bike for the street. My 0 experience thought was that I'd keep it for a while, then trade for bigger. Now I think I'd rather keep it and get something bigger for the occasional testosterone run/track day.
Quote from: JazzzzzYou get 300 miles to a tank? What magic gas are you using - I'd like to buy some. I only get 145-150 miles out of a tank if I never go above 65, never run past 7k rpm, and don't eat red meat on Fridays.
The F's have larger tanks. I've only run to Res once, and that was after a short fill, dealer service, and forgetting to immediately reset the trip odo at the pump...I was somewhere over 180mi when it sputtered. I regularly run to 220mi or so and get fuel just because I feel like I should, although I always end up putting in right around 3.5 gallons.
Quote from: themaffeobut the gs feels like its struggeling to keep up at freeway speeds.
Which speeds are those? I still have plenty of accelleration room until well past 85-90 on the speedo (80-ish if the 10% rule holds true). That keeps me running along highway traffic just fine. Certainly got me around the tanker truck that wanted to occupy my space this morning. :o I'm sure he didn't see me (even though I was in his mirrors...I hadn't been dawdling there), because after I accellerated out past him he pulled back into his lane...I have a feeling my presence might have shaken him up more than he did me.
Quote from: NarcissusI love me wee GS. It meets all my practical needs, without a doubt, and most of my personal needs as well. I'm quite sure I'm going to be keeping it long term instead of using it as a beginner bike but sometimes I really yearn for a big V-twin... Too bad all the SV's are FI.
I love FI. That would make the GS perfect. I've never had an issue with FI.
The only thing that can go off on an FI setup that isn't far easier to work with than carbs is the brain - and that is either bad from the outset, or it will last forever. Carbs are a pain, and less efficient - IMO. Heck, E30s and Miatas (early FI) are the race cars of choice around here, and the one thing you just don't have to worry about is the ECU going off.
Still, sub-perfect is still pretty darn good. I liked my SV lotslotslots, but I don't
miss it like I do my 500F.
Quote from: BadgerQuote from: themaffeobut the gs feels like its struggeling to keep up at freeway speeds.
Which speeds are those?
when my spedo is at 80-90 (so i'm doing 75/80) i'm running at around 7k in sixth - which is about as high as I want to "cruise". I would *like* to have a whole other gear above that, cus I'm still gettting passed at those speeds.
Besides, for soem reason the bike doesn't seem to have as much power up at the upper end of sixth, and I don't want to have to readline it every time i pass a car.
If i could do 100 in 5th, i'd be happy with that bike. (Kinda like my mustang, I think i've used it's top gear like 10 times)
Quote from: RoadstergalI love FI. That would make the GS perfect.
Oh how I dream of not having a five-minute warm-up time on the cold mornings...
Then go up a sprocket - look at Redline's post. Although - I don't get the reluctance to go to redline. Everything under redline is fair game. The manufacturers put it well within the limits of the engine, so just go there. A regularly redlined engine is a happy engine. Unless your bike is off, it's making more power up there.
Quote from: RoadstergalAlthough - I don't get the reluctance to go to redline. Everything under redline is fair game. The manufacturers put it well within the limits of the engine, so just go there.
K. thnx for the tip. Wasn't really sure if the engine was cool with being held at 8/9k for extended periods of time... since i know absolutly 0 about mechanics...
Quote from: themaffeoQuote from: BadgerQuote from: themaffeobut the gs feels like its struggeling to keep up at freeway speeds.
Which speeds are those?
when my spedo is at 80-90 (so i'm doing 75/80) i'm running at around 7k in sixth - which is about as high as I want to "cruise". I would *like* to have a whole other gear above that, cus I'm still gettting passed at those speeds.
Besides, for soem reason the bike doesn't seem to have as much power up at the upper end of sixth, and I don't want to have to readline it every time i pass a car.
If i could do 100 in 5th, i'd be happy with that bike. (Kinda like my mustang, I think i've used it's top gear like 10 times)
I feel the same. I'm used to my V8 car and torque of it, so it just doesn't feel quite right to have to go so high in the rev range on the freeways to pass. Also maybe it's cali and everybody drives at 80 so I really have to twist the throttle hard to get moving at those higher freeway speeds.
Also after taking it to the strip the bike really seems to die after the 1/8. The first 1/8 it fairly quick, but I was only picking up 10-13 miles in the second half of the 1/4 mile.
I like redlining my bike. Dunno why. It's just satisfying. I 'll usually drop it two gears or more to wind it up and pass. Just be careful when you do it in 1st gear. If you redline in first gear and dump the clutch when going to second you'll have the front wheel pop up on you.
Quote from: RoadstergalAlthough - I don't get the reluctance to go to redline. Everything under redline is fair game. The manufacturers put it well within the limits of the engine, so just go there. A regularly redlined engine is a happy engine. Unless your bike is off, it's making more power up there.
+1 :thumb:
Anytime you've been idling around for a whlie, you should run up through the powerband...clears things out. Not to mention it lets the engine know that you mean business... :)
The GS doesn't have a redline or rev limiter. When a GS hits its "redline" its the valves floating and bouncing off the pistons. Not a good thing.
GSs like being ridden hard, but bouncing the tach needle is a good way to kill an engine.
Quote from: Badger
Quote from: JazzzzzYou get 300 miles to a tank? What magic gas are you using - I'd like to buy some. I only get 145-150 miles out of a tank if I never go above 65, never run past 7k rpm, and don't eat red meat on Fridays.
The F's have larger tanks. I've only run to Res once, and that was after a short fill, dealer service, and forgetting to immediately reset the trip odo at the pump...I was somewhere over 180mi when it sputtered. I regularly run to 220mi or so and get fuel just because I feel like I should, although I always end up putting in right around 3.5 gallons.
its not only the F thats got a larger tank. The 2001+ model gs500's also had the bigger tank. I used to get the same mileage on my '01 including running it hard in the canyons. the F is basically a 2001-2003 naked model with fairings (and an oil cooler).
Quote from: JamesGThe GS doesn't have a redline or rev limiter. When a GS hits its "redline" its the valves floating and bouncing off the pistons. Not a good thing.
GSs like being ridden hard, but bouncing the tach needle is a good way to kill an engine.
Thus:
Quote from: RoadstergalEverything under redline is fair game.
That doesn't mean mindlessly going WOT in 1st gear until the engine falls apart.
Quote from: pantabloits not only the F thats got a larger tank. The 2001+ model gs500's also had the bigger tank.
Good point...but that still doesn't include what Jazzzzz has:
Quote'91 GS w/ the same mods everyone else has :dunno:
Quote from: RoadstergalThen go up a sprocket - look at Redline's post. ...
Ooo. Did I hear myself miss-spelled? ;)
My post titled, "
Adding a Tooth -- Going Up to a 17T Front Sprocket" has just rolled off the first page (into potenial obscurity). Have a look and comment.
I hear from others that getting a taller rear wheel has a similar effect. Anyone care to confirm or deny -- if so, post away and bring my post back to the front page!! :thumb:
Quote from: RedShiftOoo. Did I hear myself miss-spelled? ;)
I AM getting old. :(
Quote from: RoadstergalQuote from: RedShiftOoo. Did I hear myself miss-spelled? ;)
I AM getting old. :(
Hey cheer up. :) I'd rather be getting old than the alternative. I'm sure you do too. :thumb:
Quote from: AlphaFire X5I like redlining my bike. Dunno why. It's just satisfying. I 'll usually drop it two gears or more to wind it up and pass. Just be careful when you do it in 1st gear. If you redline in first gear and dump the clutch when going to second you'll have the front wheel pop up on you.
Why redline it, max power is at about 9k and then starts to drop at about 10k so you don't gain anything by reving it higher.
Quote from: ukchickenloverWhy redline it, max power is at about 9k and then starts to drop at about 10k so you don't gain anything by reving it higher.
But you're farther into the power band when you upshift if you rev it higher.