Bought my 05GS500 in sept/october last year as a first bike, put about 11000km commuting daily city/hwy in the rain mostly over the winter, wanted to get an 06GSXR600 but got a sweet deal on a GSXR1000 so...I jumped.
Never touched another bike than my GS500 before so I didn't really know what to expect. Was altogether excited but felt stupid for having chosen such a powerful bike as 2nd bike after only 6 months of riding experience.
Bought the bike brand new from a dealer in OH on Ebay, had the bike shipped to Seattle (I live in Vancouver, BC)
Last friday after work hopped on the shuttle that goes from Vancouver airport to Seattle airport 200 miles south with my helmet but forgot my raingear.
Got to Seattle at around 9PM, in the rain, took a cab to the Forwardair warehouse nearby.
At the warehouse about to close, they had a beat up container laying in a corner
Was so excited I could almost hear my heart beating :o
Again, I felt so stupid for having chosen that bike: I had to drive 200 miles back to Vancouver in the rain, darkness, on a 165hp bike with brand new tires. I almost gave up....but opened the container and there was my baby, spotless silver/black 06 GSXR1000 with less than 1mile on the odo :flipoff:
It was almost surreal, I was alone outside the warehouse in an empty parking lot in the rain, facing my shining new Gixxer, no idea what it was going to be like.
Fired up the bike, awesome deep sounding noise, sat on it, made sure I was familiar with the location of the all the controls, bent forward (it's a sportbike :icon_mrgreen:), released extremely slowly the clutch expecting to loose control immediately :laugh: (it was raining) but instead the bike started to move with utter smoothness and no vibrations. Insanely smoothly to be honest. A real pussycat :thumb:
Same with the brakes, very progressive and as easy to control as the throttle.
Stopped at the gas station to fill it up before heading to Vancouver on the I5
Hopped on highway, in a blink of an eye I was at 75mph, no drama, nothing, I felt like I was not moving, engine was barely running at above idle speed in 6 th gear. Totally awesome. Same think with passing cars on the congested I5 downtown Seattle, 1 or 2 degrees on the throttle, you go from 75mph to 85mph almost instantaneously but very smoothly.
Made my way to Vancouver, in complete admiration for the bike. A couple of times, I hit 100 mph (so not to go above 6000rpm, break in period), the bike is totally rock solid.
It's now been a week, I've got about 500 miles, mix of city/hwy riding.
That bike has a double face, it turns into a powerful monster if that's what you want or pussycat if you feel like it. You choose with your right hand what animal you feel like dealing with. Going fast is so easy but be ready to lean VERY quickly in turns, as the bike accelerate so fast out of corners, things can quickly get out of control if you're not 100% focused on what you do.
Overall, I'm very happy with my choice, I don't regret choosing a liter bike at all, throttle control is really what it's about. It's a lot easier in the city as shifting is almost optional, taking off at green light is a lot of fun, almost impossible to stall. The riding position is quite comfortable and (here is the poser) you do get your share of attention when riding it :flipoff:
I commute to work daily with it, including in the rain and I'm already totally used to it.
Downsides so far, it's a gas guzzler compared to the GS500, it requires premium gas and the engine stopped running twice with no reasons when idling in traffic.
Apologies for my English but I'm French LOL
Now that's my kind of upgrade!!! :thumb:
riding it for the first time would have been bad enough, but at night and in the rain! Are you insane!
I would have taken it to the nearest petrol station (probably walked it there :laugh: ) and waited till morning. Just sitting admiring it!
Anways, great to hear that mate :thumb:
I was ready to do it, but after riding to the nearest gas sation, I felt "able" to ride the beast home. I seriously considered spending the night in a hotel but the forecast for the weather was worse for the next day. Kee in mind, I ride in the rain 50% of the time, so I'm used to it.
Another thing, here rain is more like a drizzle, nothing as bad as what you get in Aus.
I'm not crazy :laugh:
I uploaded 3 pics of the bike in the gallery, I get so excited talking about it :laugh: it's like being a kid at Christmas :thumb:
I don't blame you. Its a dead set awsome bike!
How much did it cost you?
less than USD10K :o
What the!
How?????
I want one! :)
How big is that rear tyre compared to the GS :laugh:
How does it handle around slow , fast, and tight bends.
How is it on bumpy roads?
Its so beautifulllll. . . . . :bowdown: :cheers:
That is a great looking bike. I hadn't seen it in black. Very cool. Congrats and happy riding.
mmm i bet its plush ... :) i'v been riding with two other guys almost every time i go riding (94 900rr and a 06 zx10) and me and the guy on the CBR have to work our bikes to get around a corner good clean and fast .. the guy with the zx10 ... the bike dose all the work for him :| but i have not got to seen this :P i'm normaly leading .. on my 500! :P i like the twistes and i normaly out do most of them just cuz my bikes so light .. but any stright away . i'm a gonner
Quote from: galahs on May 27, 2006, 07:49:13 AM
What the!
How?????
I want one! :)
How big is that rear tyre compared to the GS :laugh:
How does it handle around slow , fast, and tight bends.
How is it on bumpy roads?
Just uploaded a pic of the Suzie sisters that'll give you an idea on the rear tire :laugh:
Around tight bends, quite a bit of work as the bike is very stable so you have to push it harder, lean more while making sure you have ABSOLUTE control of your right hand so not to be catapulted out of the solar system :icon_twisted:.
At the same time the standard settings of the front suspension is very soft so the steering seems a bit twitchy due to my weight. I was recommended a preload increase for the front end.
Faster turns like freeway on ramps are piece of cake, rock solid, no drama, it's like steering on rails.
Ride is very comfortable with the standard suspension setting.
Speed bumps are much better dampened than on the GS500, while high speed control is awesome. 160 kmh is like not moving.
Make sure you have it pointed where you want to go before you pull that trigger. You have the fastest bike out there, watch out. The 150 mph roll on is awesome.
:bowdown:
sweet bike...enjoy :thumb:
(http://www.gstwins.com/photogallery/albums/userpics/13983/normal_IMG_0443.JPG)
You don't realise how much bigger the 1000 is till you see a pic like that. I mean in tyre width as well as bike height and width. The GS is a baby!
Whats the go with having equal sized chicken strips on both bikes :laugh:
you mean my gs isn't a powerful monster?
:dunno_white:
Sure it is :bs:
Thnaks for guys for all the compliments Xena is getting :laugh:, she was named Xena by my insurance agent LOL.
It is a sweet bike, I can't stop looking at it and I just realized I have close to 1000km already in a week so my first service need to be scheduled ASAP.
I had a good time yesterday as a guy driving an M3 was obviously anxious to show how powerful is car was to everyone and was basically teasing me by driving exactly at my speed. I did a quick acceleration (no WOT :nono: I'm too scared :laugh:) in 2nd gear and within a couple seconds I was above 100mph already at the end of the (wide)bridge where we were driving on. That bike is insane. Funny how you literally feels like the traffic behind you has stopped.
I'm thinking of having a big sticker made similar to a famous brand of computer chip but it would say "devil inside"or something like that :laugh: :laugh:
According to the suzuki site there's only a .8 difference in seat height. hmmm.....is it just me or does that look like a lot more than .8 inch?
I can't believe the how-dare-you-get-a-litre-bike-you're-gonna-die crowd hasn't shown up yet. ;)
The GS looks like an infant compared to the 1000.
Dave :cheers:
Awesome bike man, :thumb:
Congrats on the new bike mate - it is awesome. You have also made me feel a little better as I am looking at getting a new GSX-R750 some time next year and like you I have only ever ridden the GS. Everyone is calling me stupid for wanting to do this and they are probably right. Like you I feel that if I take it slowly and don't ride above my ability/skill level, I should be fine. I also plan to take some advanced riding courses as well, and then take her to the track when I am confident enough in my ability.
For now it is the GS which is a great bike and I will always have a soft spot for it.
After having read many forums, I was also convinced that going from the GS500 to the 1000 was too much. But I also spoke to some very experienced people working in the motorcycle industry (and one racing) and they all said that as long as you have good throttle control, and are able to treat the bike with respect (as to the power), there was no valid reason not to get a liter bike if I could afford one. As simple as that.
I do think that starting on a Gixxer 1K is very stupid tough.
Keep in mind I have only 8 months of riding experience (after going to riding school) but I rode over 11000 km, rode everyday to work regardless of the weather. Most of the time, riding was in the rain so I learned to be very smooth. I don't consider myself a 100% newbie.
Going to riding school and getting a beginner bike is the way to go at first but then you're free to do what you're comfortable with I think.
going from a gs to a gsxr1000 your ears must be loving you... lawnmower to the sexy supersport tone that makes people in cages jump and enter an instant mid-life crisis :bowdown:
I don't think the GS500 is a lawnmower at all :nono:
People who dont know bikes find the GS500 really cool, they actually like the way it sounds as well.
Only bike snobs will sneer at you because you actually made a smart choice and got a GS500.
I love technology and have an engineering background so I like advanced and /or performance stuff hence my choice for the Gixxer.
Now enjoy your GS500 as much as you can because once you've tried a Gixxer or a modern sportbike you will NOT enjoy riding your GS500 anymore.
The day after I bought the Gixxer, I had to bring the GS500 home from the border where I had it parked overnight and it felt so weird! I got used to the Gixxer so quickly I couldn't belive it.
The GS500 felt like the engine was spinning in vain making lots of noise and vibration in the process :laugh:
Same with the suspension and its vague steering I had come to hate. Being behind the huge and tall handlebars was funny too.
Overall, I will always recommend the GS500 as a first bike, and will always respect whoever choose to start with it. After all, I believe it is beacuse I started on the GS500 that I learned fairtly quickly the basics, I wasn't afraid to go fast to improve my cornering techniques beacuse of the limited power. With the GS500, you have to compensate for what the bike cannot do, shift a lot more, and as a result I think you become a better rider more quickly than on other bikes.
Oh no! Now that he has a Gixxer he's dishing out on our GS's!
Lets get him fellas! :2guns:
(I guess I would too if I had a GSXR1000 :thumb:)
Quote from: galahs on May 28, 2006, 09:12:57 PM
Oh no! Now that he has a Gixxer he's dishing out on our GS's!
Lets get him fellas! :2guns:
(I guess I would too if I had a GSXR1000 :thumb:)
maybe we can catch him if we rejet our bikes! :laugh:
HAHA :laugh:
Let's not forget I still have a GS500 in the garage :thumb:
do bikes get stolen like cars get stolen in british columbia?
how long would that thing last if you parked it in surrey?
I LOVE this pic! :icon_mrgreen: Congrats on the new bike! Keep the shiny side up! :cheers:
...and the chickenstrip side down!! :kiss3: :icon_mrgreen:
Quote from: galahs on May 28, 2006, 04:33:39 AM
(http://www.gstwins.com/photogallery/albums/userpics/13983/normal_IMG_0443.JPG)
hey is the bike really heavy compared to the gs? and how bad is insurance on one of those bikes?
Quote from: My Name Is Dave on May 28, 2006, 04:52:41 PM
I can't believe the how-dare-you-get-a-litre-bike-you're-gonna-die crowd hasn't shown up yet. ;)
The GS looks like an infant compared to the 1000.
Dave :cheers:
I really hate people like that. For example today i went to a bike dealer in my local town to ask about what sort of bike will be good to be restricted but i wont be dissapointed with when the restrictions up (living in UK on silly UK license). They said there are a few 600's but they don't really suggest getting a 600, they suggest getting a 500. But im not really into naked bikes and the gs500f's ive seen so far were in poor condition, the other 500's all seem to be naked models. So after getting back feeling slightly depressed i had a quick spin on some quiet roads by us on my dads 600 thundercat. And to be honest, sure the power is insanely better and its a fair bit heavier, when its on the move i don't see any problem with upgrading onto a big bike. So long as you remeber to keep control over the bike and not open it right up. When it comes to a stop you have to approach slow until you get used to the weight, but i can flat foot both sides and move the bike as easily as my dad can. Despite my mother telling me it was too heavy for me - she says i couldnt pick it up if it fell over. My response was - how many people find it easy to pick up their bikes when they fall over. Even my dad struggles. So after my little spin ive decided i can cope with a 600. Looking for a restrictor kit now. Ive asked my dad to ride with me for a few weeks together, as much as possible for those just incase moments. Ive been riding big bikes on an empty airfield by us for over a year now, just not on the road much.
I obviously wouldn't suggest diving streight on a big bike with no experience, but ive been through 50cc, 125cc already.
Quote from: mike_mike on May 28, 2006, 09:34:55 PM
maybe we can catch him if we rejet our bikes! :laugh:
and pass him if we add a K&N lunch box,
and drive off into the horizon with a slip on!
I'm still stuck on the price.
$10,000 US!!!
that's $13,200 Australian!!!!!
They're nearly $30,000 AUS over her!
How, what, where and why!!!!
I'll sign up for one now too!
Quote from: nick_villan on May 29, 2006, 12:29:46 AM
hey is the bike really heavy compared to the gs? and how bad is insurance on one of those bikes?
The Gixxer is actually quite a bit lighter than the GS (more modern materials and technology used). Check Suzuki's website.
For the 2006 Australian Models Dry Weaights are:
GSX1300 = 217 kg
GSXR1000 = 166 kg
GSXR750 = 163 kg
SV650 = 165 kg
GSXR600 = 163 kg
GSR600 = 183 kg
GS500F = 180 kg
GS500 = 174 kg
You have a bike called a Thundercat over there? That's it, you guys win!
Dave
thundercat=yzf600r (not r6) just ike the cbr1000rr is called 'fireblade' in europe...they prefer names to numbers.or the US prefers numbers to names...
congratulations on the 1k gsxr. take good care of that baby. odd choice for a commuter though...
Whereas American auto manufacturers are more fond of names, while the Euros are more inclined to use numbers.
Idano... I eventually plan to go with a GSXR750. Better mileage than a 1000, more power than a 600.
Sweet bike!
I rode the SV1000 at a demo day a few weeks back. I was pretty nervous about trying it but found it to be really comfortable and not too much to handle. I chickened out of riding the GSXR1300 though.
I'd really like to try a GSXR600 or 750 just to see what it's like. Don't think I'd ever get one because of the insurance and the wrist pain though.
what wrist pain? is that an assumption on your part? mine dont hurt at all on my 600rr. did you ride the sv1000s or the naked. if the S, it has the same ergos as the gsxr...
Yea its a yamaha thundercat aka the yzf600r. Its a pretty bike all in all (not too keen on the front though). Plus i think the rear shock is abit soft, havn't checked to see if its adjustable though.
Wrist pain. Nah. Some tingling sometimes in the "committed riding position." But no wrist pain. You just have to remember to use your back and legs to support your weight. Keep light pressure on the bars.
Sweet bike dood. I think sometimes the dealers are right. If you control the throttle hand, you can control a bike bike. End of story.
I got sore wrists after a shrit stint on a CBR250RR.
But I put it down dor not being used to the aggressive riding position, and that I'm 6'1. Abit too big for the bike.
I got sore wrists the first time I rode my gs with the SM bars fitted. had to get used to not supporting my weight on my hands.
Quote from: pantablo on May 30, 2006, 10:12:59 PM
I got sore wrists the first time I rode my gs with the SM bars fitted. had to get used to not supporting my weight on my hands.
Yeah. I realized how much weight I had been putting on the bars today. I didn't realize it before. Any tips on how MUCH weight should be on the bars? Almost none? Just enough to be able to move the bars?
y'all put weight on the bars? I support myself with my legs and lower back... I thought ya weren't sposed to lean on the bars.
Quote from: Queso on May 30, 2006, 10:28:07 PM
y'all put weight on the bars? I support myself with my legs and lower back... I thought ya weren't sposed to lean on the bars.
You're not, but for me I didn't realize how MUCH weight I had been putting on the bars. Or maybe my memory is crap. Or something.
For the riding position, the gixxer is most likely one of the most upright sportbikes, very comfy, the seat is narrower than the GS500, the bike is fairly slim too for a liter bike.
I noticed really quickly that putting too much weight on your wrists degrades the handling of the bike very quickly, you loose precision and smoothness in curves.
It is much more pronounced than on the GS500.
The Gixxer is much more sensitive to your errors, and having a relaxed grip and keeping your abs flexed is the way to go.
For the throttle, I said earlier that it's all in how well you control your throttle, but I'd like to elaborate and say that it's how well you control you throttle AND your clutch.
Again today, I saw someone stuck in traffic in front of me who wasn't very smooth with its clutch on a 06Gixxer600 and it wasn't pretty :laugh:
Another thing, the Gixxer is very light, It looks heavy and muscular but it's very light and flickable. It *feels* lighter than the GS500, especially when you twist that throttle :icon_twisted:
Sweet bike, and arguably the best litre bike available right now.
I'm really curious though. How do you ride? I was pretty agressive with GS, and I'm the same way with my CBR. I haven't been scraping pegs with it yet like the GS (although I hope to soon at my first track day), but I've done a reasonable job working the twisties with the new bike and wearing the tires nearly to the edge. Do you do the same with the gix? Did you do the same to GS? If I lived in BC, I probably wouldn't own a car. Oh wait, I have kids.. so I guess maybe that's not true. Damn you minivan, damn you to hell!
no speed demon at all, I strive for smoothness and I occasionally did get aggresive with the GS500 but I don't like trashing the bike at all. I also value safety at all times and I've yet to find roads that I consider safe enough to let myself go .I'm always thinking about road debris, animals etc..
I'm seriously considering getting a used track bike but there is no way I'm gonna trash my Gixxer :)
The 1K is too powerful for the track anyway and like many more experienced riders/racers have told me, they/I would be scared to fully exploit the 165hp.
So far, I've just been exploring straight line accelerations up to a little over 110 mph with the Gixxer, so to get a feel for it. Keep in mind I've got to go easy as the bike is brand new.
Quote from: sys49152 on June 01, 2006, 08:01:18 PM
...I haven't been scraping pegs with it yet like the GS (although I hope to soon at my first track day)...
you can just make out the peg feeler on the inside in the photo below. you can get damn low before you touch pegs. dont think of that as a measure of anything except poor form (and in the case of the gs, poor suspension). try NOT to touch pegs.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/pantablo/pablo-bill1.jpg)
Quote from: Nutella_BC on June 01, 2006, 08:33:22 PM
...
So far, I've just been exploring straight line accelerations up to a little over 110 mph with the Gixxer...
so you're only getting into 2nd gear then....LOL...
So, how did you get this bike for so little cash?
Quoteso you're only getting into 2nd gear then....LOL...
I wouldn't really need the 2nd gear actually :laugh:
Engine too new, I've got to take it easy.
Cool pic BTW ...and also as to your comment about commuting with the 1K, it's all about torque, shifting is optional and I've got instant power to always be ahead of cars, changing lane etc.
QuoteSo, how did you get this bike for so little cash?
Ebay my friend :flipoff:
but its about 1/2 the price of what we pay down here in Australia!!!!
Hey guys, just wanted to drop by to say hi. :cheers:
The gixxer just passed 20.000km or about 12500 miles.
I still love it as much as the first day :-)
BUT BUT check the second pic: welcome to gixxer 1K world :laugh:
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i176/nutella_photo/IMG_1576.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i176/nutella_photo/IMG_1678.jpg)
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
funny, my mentor has an 06 gsxr1000 and a late 80's gsxr1100 and says the 1000, even with a power commander and a few other mods, just doesn't have the power in the right places to ride around town or in traffic. he hates it and is probably getting rid of it.
Quote from: ledfingers on April 09, 2007, 03:30:55 AM
funny, my mentor has an 06 gsxr1000 and a late 80's gsxr1100 and says the 1000, even with a power commander and a few other mods, just doesn't have the power in the right places to ride around town or in traffic. he hates it and is probably getting rid of it.
Very strange, the Gixxer is substantially faster than other liter bike in town because it has so much torque. The R1 or CBR1000 feel gutless in comparison.
But the gearing is very long, at very low speed I wish I'd have something shorter than 1st gear. It can be easily corrected by changing the sprockets. Hard to hate the GSXR1000, it must be the best sportbike around. I've ridden many other bikes and the Gixxer is just better. The only other bike I'd go for is the 1098 but it's not as good as the Gixxer 1K either.