First bike ever: '96 GS500E, 8000 Miles, with new chain, tires, battery,seat, and no problems I could find outside a couple of small dings (I looked hard, too). Previous owner says he has solved fuel starvation problem the bike once had. I'm going to get a full list from him regarding any additions/modifications and then probably come right back here for advice! I'll be keeping it garaged while I take MSF over the next two weeks, but I'm very excited. Thanks to those who answered my question about freeway driving a couple weeks back; your input and the helpfulness of this forum made this an easy choice!
Welcome. The GS is a great first bike.
id say get used to the bike, maybe run it around teh block to get practice. but yes welcome aboard. much info to be had here. and many parts if need be. and much advice if something is amiss. ( and a few post-whores as well) :oops:
Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on August 23, 2008, 11:37:31 PM
id say get used to the bike, maybe run it around teh block to get practice. but yes welcome aboard. much info to be had here. and many parts if need be. and much advice if something is amiss. ( and a few post-whores as well) :oops:
I have a week between MSF riding sessions, so I'll probably start parking lot practice after the first one. Realistically, I probably won't be able to help myself.
Did you buy your gear too?
Quote from: beRto on August 24, 2008, 07:45:02 AM
Did you buy your gear too?
Helmet, gloves and jacket, plus I have some steel-toes that should see me through the course (high-ankle). I'll grab some overpants and proper boots soon, but I'm not too worried about burning off my jeans going 15 in a parking lot.
Quote from: DriveALW on August 24, 2008, 10:22:45 AM
Quote from: beRto on August 24, 2008, 07:45:02 AM
Did you buy your gear too?
Helmet, gloves and jacket, plus I have some steel-toes that should see me through the course (high-ankle). I'll grab some overpants and proper boots soon, but I'm not too worried about burning off my jeans going 15 in a parking lot.
The jeans should be fine during the MSF course, but once you start riding on public streets and highways definitely invest in a pair of proper riding pants. I went down Thursday evening and the gear I had and was wearing (helmet, gloves, jacket, boots) saved my skin. However, I was only wearing a pair of jeans for lower protection and as a result I've got a good bit of rash around my left knee, a roughly quarter-sized hole almost down to the bone over my kneecap, and the resulting swelling and severe bruising from attempting to thrust my knee through highway pavement at 40-50mph. If I had been wearing armored riding pants I probably would've walked away.