Noob here. Been lurking for the past 2 weeks or so. I've read a lot of the stickies.
My story is, I've always wanted a bike, but never gotten one. I've been on vacation a few places where I've rented mopeds (i know, pretty ghey, right?) and each time you could never get me off of em. I'd make up any excuse to take it out. "Oh, we need (insert random grocery here)? I'll get it" /me heads out to "the hog".
Not sure about the age of the peeps here, but I turn 36 this month. I hope didn't embarrass myself in front of a bunch of young whippersnappers. I know I'm getting into it pretty late, but it's better than never, right?
A few weeks ago, I completed the rider's course they offer close to me, run by some folks certified by the MSF. http://www.rider-ed.com/v4/ I took this course as a recommendation from a lot of people but would've taken it regardless. I did not want to get into riding, blind. I haven't had a speeding ticket in over 10 years (i got those out of the way early in my driving career) and have never *knock on wood* been in an accident.
So far, my only riding experience has been the riding done at the course, a day with a Ninja 250 as well as a ride on a Kawasaki Vulcan 500. I always thought I wanted a cruiser for my first bike, figuring I'd just want to take it around on back and country roads to get experience. My plan was to get an old 70's or 80's Honda CB 500. But while riding the bikes mentioned, I experienced some turbulence at higher speeds (got up to 60-65). I did that on a country road close to me. I've gotten a few opinions about the turbulence that varied a little, but I trusted the following comments that changed my mind on what to get for a first bike.
- "the 250 is too small to be going that fast and feel stable"
- "cruisers are open. it's just going to be like that"
I don't know many people that ride, so test riding other's bikes isn't much of an option. I still have no urge to be on a highway, but if I have to, I'd perfer to not feel like a sail while being out there.
I would've liked to go a little older (read: cheaper), but after some shopping around, this seemed to be the best choice for what is available around me. 2007 GS500F
http://dealer.sold.com/moredetails.html?93793456&sitecode=cycexchdatalink
(I was able to get it out the door for 4100).
I'm working out the insurance now and hope to be picking it up this weekend.
I've got tons of noob questions that I'm sure you'll all be dying to answer and help me out with :)
I know that this seems like a trivial first question to ask on the boards but I've had most of the more important ones answered already. Under the Modifications page, shortening the signal stalks . . . are the front signals the same as the rear? Can you do this the front as well? The stock length is pretty god awful looking.
Anyway, sorry for the long, first post. Just tried to give you guys a feel. I'm super psyched to ride. It sucks that I'm getting a bike right before the winter hits. Be prepared for a lot more questions. Maybe, if you're lucky, I'll be one of the guys that joins, asks a few questions and never posts again ;)
Welcome to the forum! It's always nice to have new members :) :cheers:
Nice to greet ya. Hey, what were your negociation tactic to get that thing OTD for $4100.00? 2007 over stock? 41 one hundred dollar bills flopped on the dealers desk?
welcome! :cheers:
the turn signals are the same size for front and rear (well, atleast on my 04). i don't see why you shouldn't be able to shorten them for the front ones as well. i think it'll just be annoying drilling under the front fairing unless you remove the fairing and drill. then again i think that'll be a lot of work just for lights. lights are cheap, you can find cheap, nicer looking ones all over ebay.
and even though winter is around the corner doesn't mean you have to stop riding! :wink:
stay safe! cheers!
Quote from: heygawgaw on November 11, 2008, 10:11:00 AMHey, what were your negociation tactic to get that thing OTD for $4100.00?
Not quite sure. It was listed for $4199.00 and has just over 1000 miles on it. I told them my limit was $4k and I'm paying cash. I stink at negotiating. If it were someone else, I think they would've gone even lower. I did find another, same year, less miles but dropped on one side for $3500. It was in a bad part of NJ (Newark, if any of you are familiar with it). I didn't feel safe going to meet someone in Newark with a pocketfull of cash. lol.
Quote from: drincruz on November 11, 2008, 10:47:20 AM
the turn signals are the same size for front and rear (well, atleast on my 04). i don't see why you shouldn't be able to shorten them for the front ones as well. i think it'll just be annoying drilling under the front fairing unless you remove the fairing and drill. then again i think that'll be a lot of work just for lights. lights are cheap, you can find cheap, nicer looking ones all over ebay.
and even though winter is around the corner doesn't mean you have to stop riding! :wink:
stay safe! cheers!
I didn't realize I'd have to drill under the fairing for the front signals. I also didn't realize that I could replace the fronts with some aftermarkets that didn't require some kind of contruction. I don't mind paying for less work :) I guess I'll wait til i get the bike and see what I'm getting myself into.
Thanks again all.
Quote from: poostik on November 11, 2008, 11:35:22 AM
Quote from: heygawgaw on November 11, 2008, 10:11:00 AMHey, what were your negociation tactic to get that thing OTD for $4100.00?
Not quite sure. It was listed for $4199.00 and has just over 1000 miles on it. I told them my limit was $4k and I'm paying cash. I stink at negotiating. If it were someone else, I think they would've gone even lower. I did find another, same year, less miles but dropped on one side for $3500. It was in a bad part of NJ (Newark, if any of you are familiar with it). I didn't feel safe going to meet someone in Newark with a pocketfull of cash. lol.
i know the area. i used to live a town over. so don't worry i know that pocketfull of cash + guy who looks out of town = easy scam. :laugh:
Quote from: poostik on November 11, 2008, 11:35:22 AM
Quote from: drincruz on November 11, 2008, 10:47:20 AM
the turn signals are the same size for front and rear (well, atleast on my 04). i don't see why you shouldn't be able to shorten them for the front ones as well. i think it'll just be annoying drilling under the front fairing unless you remove the fairing and drill. then again i think that'll be a lot of work just for lights. lights are cheap, you can find cheap, nicer looking ones all over ebay.
and even though winter is around the corner doesn't mean you have to stop riding! :wink:
stay safe! cheers!
I didn't realize I'd have to drill under the fairing for the front signals. I also didn't realize that I could replace the fronts with some aftermarkets that didn't require some kind of contruction. I don't mind paying for less work :) I guess I'll wait til i get the bike and see what I'm getting myself into.
Thanks again all.
well, you're not really drilling the fairing per se. but the way the mod is for shortening the turn signals is that you'll be cutting off the bolt ends and then drilling 2 smaller screws into what's left of the stalk. so when you're mounting the turn signals again you'd be drilling under (maybe behind is a better word?) the fairing.
stay safe.
Welcome.
:cheers: WELCOME :cheers:
You made a good choice w/ the GS You should get many years of happy use out of it. The GS is a great bike to start with. I started with mine at age 29 :icon_mrgreen: Now Im 32 and I still have it :icon_mrgreen: I plan on getting a cruiser next year But I will keep the GS for sure... youll see.. There is no comparison, you just can let them go :icon_mrgreen:
I concur, the GS is an outstanding bike in every respect. just get some better fork springs and a stiffer shock in the rear, and you'll hold onto yours for a LONG time.
Oh yeah, just check the oil before you ride each time, ALL aircooled engines burn oil. If you're gentle on yours, the amount it burns will be very little to no oil at all consumed, hard riding results in more use.
Quote from: bobthebiker on November 11, 2008, 03:53:50 PM
I concur, the GS is an outstanding bike in every respect. just get some better fork springs and a stiffer shock in the rear, and you'll hold onto yours for a LONG time.
Oh yeah, just check the oil before you ride each time, ALL aircooled engines burn oil. If you're gentle on yours, the amount it burns will be very little to no oil at all consumed, hard riding results in more use.
and know the right way-
center stand or you straddling it, on level ground...
unscrew, wipe, replace DO NOT SCREW IN, check, add if needed, screw in.
simple as that. :) welcome !
All noted.
Thanks a lot.
I'm really excited to ride. As far as riding hard . . . I don't plan on it. At least not yet. I'm hoping to stay safe and enjoy the ride.
I just won my helmet bid on ebay so I can return this helmet I've been borrowing. I should have her this weekend. Is it ghey if I name it? haha
that depends, naming the helmet or the bike? because I've named MANY of my 9 bikes. frankenstein, you f$%ing piece of $H@T, grandpa, etc. never named a helmet though.
haha
yeah, i meant the bike.
i was only kidding though (not really)
Willkommen zu nuthaus
Mopeds are fun as hell. Im still debating between getting a moped or a scooter as a second vehicle.
It's definitely not too late. I bought my first bike (Ninja 500) earlier this spring--when I was 31. I would have loved to have taken the MSF course. Instead, I took the DIY course--wrecked bike numeral uno within a week, and a couple weeks later I had my GS. Overall, I love riding. It's just great to get out! :thumb: Mind you though, some turbulence--especially that caused by crosswinds, will just take some getting used to. Your bike is light and rides on (stock) skinny tires. It'll get pushed around a little. Enjoy your state routes, and enjoy the board. Be safe, assume you're invisible, and take your time getting used to things! :cheers:
Mix wind with semi trucks and heavy fast moving traffic, and you have some real turbulance that forces your body around a bit. a tad uncomfortable, but not a big deal. And welcome.
Quote from: respite on November 11, 2008, 11:23:59 PM
Mopeds are fun as hell. Im still debating between getting a moped or a scooter as a second vehicle.
Yes. Me too. There is a sweet moped shop/espresso bar over in Silverlake that makes me want a moped every time I go there. The only reason I don't already have one is that they are sold out for the rest of this year. Their supplier can't manufacture them fast enough and they sold out. Once they're back in stock, I'm going to seriously consider getting one. They look like so much fun and 100+ mpg sounds cool as well.
WELCOME!!!
Okay... Couple more noob questions. I've searched for all these but haven't found exact answers, so I'm asking here. Sorry in advance, for the redundancy. As a reminder, it's a 2007 gs500f
Gear
What's the difference between textile and mesh? Is one better for all-season than the other?
As you can see, I'm in NJ. We have hot summers, cold winters and all the other stuff in-between. Ideally, I'd like something that I can use year round as far as pants and jacket. Something that I could put layers under in the winter and also something I could just wear a t-shirt under, in the warm/hot weather.
Winterizing
I'm picking the bike up tomorrow. Yay! I'm very non-mechanical but willing to put forth the effort in trying to maintain what I can with this bike. I will be picking up at least one of the recommended DIY manuals mentioned in these pages. The bike will be kept in my basement that has no heating. While it will be protected from the precipitation and wind, it won't be protected from the cold. I've seen a few different takes on how often you should run the bike if you're not winterizing but still not sure what's the best. I wouldn't mind starting her up in the dead of winter, once every 2 weeks and taking a ride in 10° weather for a 1/2 hour or so, if that will keep the bike up to snuff. Is this okay? Is it better to winterize it? Seems that winterizing takes more work.
Stickers
I've seen plenty on how to remove the safety stickers and feel confident that I'll be able to take care of these. I'm not much for the flashy, stock sticker setups. In fact, I usually end up debadging my cars. I haven't taken a close look yet at the stickers on this, so I don't know if there's clear coat over them or what. Does anyone here have experience in removing these? I'm not sure yet, but I think I might like the look of clean fairings and tank.
Thanks to all in advance!
I'm really enjoying the site.
Welcome!
Textile=mesh=textile, or mesh could mean that it's a mesh that allows air to flow through (think those black mesh shirts of the '80's (Red Said Fred "I'm too sexy" video...)), in which case mesh is not going to provide as much sliding protection.
If you really are looking for an all-season jacket, a textile with zippered vents would be most ideal; the zippers allow for controlled ventilation; open for when it's hot, closed for when it's cold. Unfortuneately, no one makes a textile jacket with verticle zippers like those on the FirstGear Scout IV (the Denali, Bravado and Bouncer textiles come close), or Fielsheer's Supersport IV (<- the best)...oh, wait, Fieldsheer makes the Supersport TX with the verticle zippers! Someone is finally listening to me! And, it's 600denier!
Winterizing: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=312.0
Also, you could search "storage" on this site for even more info on winterizing.
Quote from: scratch on November 13, 2008, 09:57:04 AM
Winterizing: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=312.0
Thanks! I've actually read that thread and will definitely use it as a guide if I decide to winterize. I think what I'm looking for right now though is more of IF I should or not. I guess more opinions on this:
Quote from: cobalt135 on November 22, 2005, 11:28:40 PM
If your gonna start AND ride it up to full operating temp once every two weeks I would say don't winterize. If your not willing to do that I would fully winterize it and NOT run it until your ready to start riding again. Just starting it and letting it idle for a while is not real good for the motor. Most wear is during a "cold" startup and then you have to worry about the condensation and such and rusty cylinders/rings etc.
From this thread:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=22671.0
Quote from: poostik on November 13, 2008, 10:15:03 AM
Quote from: scratch on November 13, 2008, 09:57:04 AM
Winterizing: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=312.0
Thanks! I've actually read that thread and will definitely use it as a guide if I decide to winterize. I think what I'm looking for right now though is more of IF I should or not. I guess more opinions on this:
Quote from: cobalt135 on November 22, 2005, 11:28:40 PM
If your gonna start AND ride it up to full operating temp once every two weeks I would say don't winterize. If your not willing to do that I would fully winterize it and NOT run it until your ready to start riding again. Just starting it and letting it idle for a while is not real good for the motor. Most wear is during a "cold" startup and then you have to worry about the condensation and such and rusty cylinders/rings etc.
From this thread:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=22671.0
If you don't plan on riding over the winter, just winterize the bike. It takes less than an hour and almost guarantees trouble-free startup in the spring! Winterizing is definitely easier than startup and run to temperature every two weeks :cheers:
gear:
if you just one one jacket for year-round use, i'd vote for textile with vents. they usually come with a liner so you can remove that for summer and put it in for colder weather.
honestly, i have both a leather mesh jacket and a textile. i'm still using my mesh jacket and the weather is getting a bit cold out (i'm right over in ny so same weather as you basically). you can layer up under the mesh, but to be honest, that cold wind is still gonna get to ya!
winterizing:
well it's my first winter with my gs, but my rebel started up fine right after winterization. if you're not gonna ride through winter, just winterize it. feel free to check in on your bike during the winter though! :thumb:
stickers:
wd40 + hot air gun (or your wife's blowdryer). http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/tech/remove_stickers_from_paint/index.html (http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/tech/remove_stickers_from_paint/index.html)
stay safe.
Quote from: scratch on November 13, 2008, 09:57:04 AM
Textile=mesh=textile, or mesh could mean that it's a mesh that allows air to flow through (think those black mesh shirts of the '80's (Red Said Fred "I'm too sexy" video...)), in which case mesh is not going to provide as much sliding protection.
Mesh would refer to the construction, like those shirts, textile would refer to the material. You can get textile jackets that are very meshlike or ones that are a much more solid type material. Most textile jackets have removable liners, the one i have is a mesh jacket which is fantastic in summer, feels like it's not there, then it has a waterproof liner which also helps at blocking wind if it's moderately cool and then it also has the winter liner to add under that for when it's cold. Also has removable body armour and a hydration pack that goes in the back with routing for the hose over the left shoulder. Final feature is it has belt like straps around the waste and arms that allow you to adjust it according to whatever layers you have underneath it. Keep a look out for jackets with these sorts of features and you'll have a good all purpose jacket.
Quote from: sblack on November 13, 2008, 03:34:27 PM
Mesh would refer to the construction, like those shirts, textile would refer to the material. You can get textile jackets that are very meshlike or ones that are a much more solid type material. Most textile jackets have removable liners, the one i have is a mesh jacket which is fantastic in summer, feels like it's not there, then it has a waterproof liner which also helps at blocking wind if it's moderately cool and then it also has the winter liner to add under that for when it's cold. Also has removable body armour and a hydration pack that goes in the back with routing for the hose over the left shoulder. Final feature is it has belt like straps around the waste and arms that allow you to adjust it according to whatever layers you have underneath it. Keep a look out for jackets with these sorts of features and you'll have a good all purpose jacket.
Thanks!
What's the jacket you have? It sounds just peachy.
Will this Clymer book be fine for service/maint/repair for a 2007? Is there a newer one?
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0892878339/ref=nosim/gstwincom
Okay, the question is wheather or not to winterize.
Here's a question that will hopefully help you make a decision:
Which would you rather do: winterize the bike and do all that work once and get it over and done with,
or,
Since you're storing the bike in the basement, I can only imagine the effort it must take to get it down there (or back up). Is it worth it to you to make whatever effort to get the bike out of the basement and ride it? Every two weeks?
And, here would be the question that I would ask myself (purely hypothetical): Am I sure that the bike is going to start after two weeks in my basement?
Hope this helps. :)
Quote from: scratch on November 13, 2008, 06:16:30 PM
Okay, the question is wheather or not to winterize.
Here's a question that will hopefully help you make a decision:
Which would you rather do: winterize the bike and do all that work once and get it over and done with,
or,
Since you're storing the bike in the basement, I can only imagine the effort it must take to get it down there (or back up). Is it worth it to you to make whatever effort to get the bike out of the basement and ride it? Every two weeks?
And, here would be the question that I would ask myself (purely hypothetical): Am I sure that the bike is going to start after two weeks in my basement?
Hope this helps. :)
It does help. . .
I have entry to my basement from the outside, on the bottom floor. I live in a very hilly area and the basement is really only half a basement... hard to explain, but I can roll the bike right into/out of the basement door from the driveway. No effort.
I'm not sure at all if it will start after 2 weeks in there cause I don't know bikes at all. It's not temperature controlled but our oil burner is down there as is our washer and dryer. It gets freakin cold down there but I don't know how bad that is for bikes.
I don't think I'd mind taking it out ever 2 weeks even if it's cold out.
Quote from: poostik on November 13, 2008, 04:24:32 PM
Thanks!
What's the jacket you have? It sounds just peachy.
It's from an Aussie company that I believe is no longer in business called Blue Dingo but my brother has a DriRider jacket with all the same features and I'm sure that you'll find plenty of other brands with the same.
Quote from: sblack on November 13, 2008, 07:06:14 PM
It's from an Aussie company that I believe is no longer in business called Blue Dingo but my brother has a DriRider jacket with all the same features and I'm sure that you'll find plenty of other brands with the same.
Thanks. I'm researchin away.
Quote from: 905mike on November 14, 2008, 08:46:54 AM
Quote from: poostik on November 14, 2008, 07:52:52 AM
IN for answers.
I pick mine up in an hour! :D Same year.
good 4 u ... post up some pix one u get her!
woot!
Not very exciting for you guys, I'm sure. Totally stock. I'm excited.
Quick pic from my point and shoot:
(http://www.poostik.com/intrepid/2007_GS500F.jpg)
Well I like it.
Congrats bro.
thank you, thank you
Man, it figures. I pick the bike up today and it's wet, misty and drizzly out. I took it out around town anyway between the drizzle periods.
I can't wait to actually go for a ride like all day. Of course it's going to rain all day tomorrow. Sunday looks like it's going to be sunny but it's supposed to be windy and 45°. I don't mind the cold but I'm a little wary of the wind.
Anyway, I had fun out there. I took off the ugly safety stickers.
And I pretty much forgot to turn my blinker off after almost every turn. That's probably a bad thing. I hope I can get myself out of that habit soon.
I have tried to make a habit of canceling the turn signal at the first upshift after the turn. Works for others, I have heard, too.
Welcome!
Joe Rocket makes several textlie jackets that have a thick quilted winter liner, which I never wear in SoCal and forgot I even had one, and also there are exterior panels to zip off to make a light mesh jacket, plus there are vents, and the arms have adjustable snaps to snug up or loosen arm size. Plus zip cuffs and pockets. I have an older one, I think it's a Ballistic, that has shoulder, elbow and forearm armor and back armor, and kidney padding, plus an adjustable waist. I got my hubby a Joe Rocket Rasp jacket for his b-day in March but they are not making them anymore, might find one as old stock. They are similar, more urban streetfighter design and a ton of cool molded rubber over the armored parts, and a snugger fit. I was out in the heat today and it was too smoky to ride much up on the ridges because of the terrible fires, but even though it was warm out, the full jackets and pants we wear were ok. Pants and jackets zip together at the back too.
Gear is important, but I doubt even a thick leather jacket would keep you warm in winter, you're gonna want some of that new thin long underwear skiers wear, under another couple layers.
Gorgeous bike, you will love it, they are sweet, they all have a name, yours will tell you when it's ready. :icon_lol:
If you dont ride like a retard, The bt45 tires that come stock handle the rain just fine from my experiance. Plenty of little grooves to disperse water. I ride even in the rain, doesnt stop me, just slows me down. Theres really nothign quite like riding in the rain. Kind of invigorating. If you wear the right gear, and your bike wears the right tires, you can ride through anything. I tell you what though. I have a frank thomas xt-1 jacket and pants. They zip together. And they have liners you can zip in. They are pretty nice for the weather. Ive rode in a down pour with no rain gear.(I dont have any) And my jacket was wet on the outside, but i was dry. amazing. Its not a very good summer jacket though. Hot as hell. Its definetly more of a late summer/fall/winter/spring/early summer. ANy ways. Theres my unorganized two cents. Have fun. be safe.
Thanks for all the gear suggestions. I'll be shopping around and trying some on before buying.
It's finally not raining today, but it's windy. I'll be out there, taking it easy.
Kick. Ass.
First day of "real" riding. Experienced some suburbs, a few miles of 2 lane highway and a few of a 4 lane highway. It was really windy and I was skurred when the gusts blew me to the sides. Man. Total concentration. In total, I rode about 50 miles. Kinda short I guess, but a lot for me.
I need gear. I was warm enough all over except for my hands. I need to get some real winter riding gloves.
Anyway. Tons of fun. I need more.
The gs is light. The f model has more sail effect from the wind. Ride in more wind. Youll get to where compensation is a natural thing. Stay relaxed, loosen the hips, and let the bike move under you a bit. Congrats on your ride. THeres tons more to come.
Quote from: shiznizbiz on November 16, 2008, 06:25:03 PM
The gs is light. The f model has more sail effect from the wind. Ride in more wind. Youll get to where compensation is a natural thing. Stay relaxed, loosen the hips, and let the bike move under you a bit. Congrats on your ride. THeres tons more to come.
"sail effect" = i'm going to feel more like a sail because of it?
I thought having the F (I didn't choose it because of this) would make me a little more stable on the highway as well as in some turbulent wind.
Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely loosen up if that's what I need to do. I was very tense and kept pace with the people in the slow lane. I don't think I got over 65 at all. Man, When those gusts picked up and moved me about a foot or two to the right, I was very tense.
heh.
i guess that makes sense.
crosswind + full fairings = me being blown all over the god damned place
:icon_mrgreen:
In a cross wind, with the fairing, theres more surface area for the wind to hit. Acting like a sail, pushing you in that direction.
Also, Turbulance is from rough air. Next time your on the highway, Find a large van or box truck or semi, and ride closer to his ass.(be very effin careful, this is for science only) Youll notice the rough air from the moment you enter it. Its feels very different from a head wind with no traffic. You'll learn. Just relax. Its normal.
Quote from: poostik on November 16, 2008, 06:12:15 PM
Kick. Ass.
First day of "real" riding. Experienced some suburbs, a few miles of 2 lane highway and a few of a 4 lane highway. It was really windy and I was skurred when the gusts blew me to the sides. Man. Total concentration. In total, I rode about 50 miles. Kinda short I guess, but a lot for me.
I need gear. I was warm enough all over except for my hands. I need to get some real winter riding gloves.
Anyway. Tons of fun. I need more.
awesome! windy...yea! tell me about it. i was out yesterday too (and oddly enough in jersey). you just gotta ride into the wind and try and keep your head down to catch the least wind resistance.
have fun & stay safe. :)