I bought a 02 off of one of the people on this site!
I have been looking at bikes and which one to get, taadaa settled on the GS 500......I bet some of you out there can come up with a few reasons why!
I have very little seat time and even less in the total operation of motorcycles but I have been reading and looking for a MSF course that fits in my schedule and isn't full. :x
I know it is important so I am just doing very little basic stuff on my own until then.
Ah yes and for Pablo.....I will need to do the Fenderectomy!
Since I have all new equipment the drimmel might have to wait a few months....so looks like a honkin fender till then!
Finally, hey I had a Clymer thrown into the deal....just for anyone that was going to mention it!
Cheers! :cheers:
Quote from: powrful1Ah yes and for Pablo.....I will need to do the Fenderectomy!
Since I have all new equipment the drimmel might have to wait a few months....so looks like a honkin fender till then!
Cheers! :cheers:
What, you can't get a hack saw? Probably better cut with a hack saw or a utility knife. It's that easy...no excuse to ride around with that flap hanging behind you.
Congrats on the new bike...make sure you follow the break-in procedure since you still have 600 miles before full break-in. In case you don't have the owners manual (different than the Clymers) make sure you don't rev past 5K until you get to 600 miles on odo...have 600 mile service done by dealer (best they do this one, you can do the rest of them if so inclined) and keep it under 6K rpm until you reach 1000 miles on odo. Don't lug bike and don't ride extended periods at same rpm...keep it variable. If you do lots of street riding you should be fine.
And as always...check out my site for lots of info, as well as the home page here for maintenance and other useful info.
Welcome!
Not sure whereabouts you reside in the country, but I'm going to share a little secret that I learned about the MSF here in Seattle. It was last November when I was trying to get in a class, and discovered they were booked all the way til the end of their calendar (they only book up to like 4 months in advance).
I decided to start calling almost daily at 9AM when their phones open up to try and snag a spot from a cancellation. Within like 2 weeks I scored a cancellation and setup the appointment for the coming weekend. I got off the phone stoked. However, they called me back about 5 minutes later to say they made a mistake and had already given the spot away right before I called but had failed to put it in the computer or some such.
The lady from the Evergreen Safety Council felt awful and decided to let me in on this little secret: They reserve 2 spots in every class for dealerships that donate money and bikes. Most of the time those dealerships don't use the spots, so they open them up to callers on Monday morning at 9AM.
Sure enough the following monday morning I got through at 9AM and scored the second spot for that weekend. I think a number of people are aware of this in the area, it still worked out well for me. I don't know if this is the way it works every where either.
Good luck.
Congrats on the new bike! :cheers:
Get in to an MSF course, it will really help! Also Buell offers a learning course like the MSF but on Buell Blasts.
Quote from: pantablomake sure you don't rev past 5K until you get to 600 miles on odo...have 600 mile service done by dealer (best they do this one, you can do the rest of them if so inclined) and keep it under 6K rpm until you reach 1000 miles on odo.
According to my '01 manual (p. 25) it's:
0-
500 mi < 5000 RPM
500-1000 mi <
8000 RPM
1000+ mi < 10000 RPM
However on p. 37 it tells me that initial maintenance should be at 600 miles or 2 months, whichever comes first.
Yeah thanks for the info Pablo....I do know about the break in limits, but nice to see you thought to say something. :)
I did read on page 25
500 below 5000
500-1000 below 8000
over 1000 below 10000 lol
on page 37 it says 600.
I think I am going to go in at 500.
Thanks for the tip Shep, I think I will try that....I am not saying I can't get into a MSF for a while might seem like a god send to some....the first class I have found around here that isn't full is at the end of July.
Problem is it is across the state....nothing really close around here.....except for nice industrial type empty roads.
Oh and the DMV.....I am considering just getting my license through them and then going through the MSF at the end of July.
Do they make motorcycle learners permits in the mean time???
Quote from: powrful1...read on page 25
500 below 5000
500-1000 below 8000
over 1000 below 10000 lol
on page 37 it says 600.
My bad. This is correct, only the service is at 600 miles. After 500 miles you're clear to 8K rpms.
Quote from: powrful1...Do they make motorcycle learners permits in the mean time???
Don't know about your state (where are you at?) but in CA you walk into the DMV, take a written motorcycle test (and half the auto test) and after passing you have a learners permit good for one year. One guy in my MSF course had been riding for 3 years on a permit-just kept applying for a new one every year but at 21yo had to take MSF. Cost $15 to take it 3 times. Limits are:no passengers, no freeway, no night-time riding.
Another way to get into MSF course (but not applicable to you since it's so far away) is to show up that day and they put you on the waiting list in case anyone doesn't show up to class. If so, you get in. Heard of lots of people getting in like that. In my class there were 5 that got in that way. And a year before, I had signed up for the class only to bail that morning-surely someone got my spot.
I got my Motorcycle Learners Permit today.
It cost me 4 bux, but a big limitation is I can't ride without a licensed rider near. I know a couple of people around here, but talk about a hassle.
I am seriously considering just getting the license first, then MSF beginner class.
What do yall think?
Quote from: powrful1
I am seriously considering just getting the license first, then MSF beginner class.
What do yall think?
I got my license without taking a MSF course, although I had my dad to tell me what I needed to do on the bike to pass the test. I just went to an empty parking lot and practiced until I got it right. In fact, I still have yet to take a MSF course. I wouldn't recommend that for anyone else though. I'll eventually take one myself, but I am always extra careful and attentive when riding my bike.
I would say that if you were going to try to get your license first, definitely find someone that has theirs and practice the test. Second, make sure you keep and eye out for everything (esp. cars because they tend to not see you on a bike). Make sure intersections are clear before turning too. I've seen too many motorcycle accidents where the rider is turning left and some car doesn't see them and WHACK!! No fun believe me. Lastly, what part of kansas are you in and where is that MSF course offered? I live in manhattan right now.
John L.
PS- I did the fenderectomy with a ruler, pen, and a utility knife. It's really easy, its just too bad I had the bike for over a year before I did it. Don't be like me, find a knife and hack that sucker off asap.
Welcome, Powrful1! :cheers:
MSF course in KS are in:
Topeka, Dodge City, Somewhere around Wichita, and Independence, MO
There are a few different companies/schools that offer them, but nothing soon.
Other problem.....if you want to call it that, I just got a job offer I am planning on taking :lol:
Funny thing is I live right near the DMV and I have gone and practiced the cones on their turf. I have done the quick stop, turns, starts and stops all there when they weren't around.
I actually feel fairly confident.....I just know you can always learn something useful from classes, especially tricks of the trade that makes things easier than doing them the hard way.
Two updates.
First, I decided to go and try and take the road test today.
They do it on a point system where if you get more than 10 you fail.
Since I had been practicing the course I got a 4.
Second, I decided to run up the the local lake to get up to 500 miles.
As soon as I rolled it, off to 8000.....my gosh talk about a unconquered territory.
I was cruising up to 8000rpms and was over 90mph.
I hit 8 then brought it back down to a respectable speed until I get a little more time under my belt.
I didn't think I could be in love with anything as much as my fiance....oops in case she reads this sometime....."almost as much"!!!
8) 8) 8)
Quote from: powrful1First, I decided to go and try and take the road test today. They do it on a point system where if you get more than 10 you fail. Since I had been practicing the course I got a 4.
Cngratulations on passing!
Quote from: powrful1As soon as I rolled it, off to 8000.....my gosh talk about a unconquered territory.
Yeah, it's nice...just wait till you start bouncing off the 11K limit!
Quote from: pantabloQuote from: powrful1As soon as I rolled it, off to 8000.....my gosh talk about a unconquered territory.
Yeah, it's nice...just wait till you start bouncing off the 11K limit!
I just crossed 500 mi today. Took it up to 8000 RPM.
Wow!! :o :o What a difference! I hit 35 in first! It's like I've been riding around at idle up until now.
It's going to take a lot less time to get to 1000 mi. I can't wait to have the rest of the range available.
I was worried that I had gotten used to the 5000 RPM shift point and would forget to use the whole range.
Not a problem!The buffeting gets sort of strong around 95 MPH. err Not that I would go that fast. :)
Casimir,
Did you buy your bike in town new or used? I have been looking for a GS500 around town for about two months now and can't seem to find one. AJ Foyt on I-45 N has two left over 2001 models new but they want $3500 out the door for one of them and I don't know if I want to spend that much. The will not seem to take any off that price for depreciation and such because they claim they will be losing money. I'll keep up the search.
I bought mine new from Stubbs (on Telephone) in January. There was one at AJ Foyt when I was looking and a used 2001 that had a minor drop (dinged tank) at Sam's Motorcycles downtown.
I found a couple others used that were totally trashed. I decided i wanted to do that myself.
You might ask in the For Sale area, I know there was one for sale in D/FW.