Hey Everyone,
Just sayin hi. My name's Steve. I just got a 2006 GS500F. It's my first bike and I'm lovin it. Got about 45 miles on it so far from 2 days of practice riding around my neighborhood. Gettin' pretty confident. I've never owned a stick shift, so I'm new to shifting, but it's become more and more something I don't have to think about. Haven't got over 55mph or 3rd gear, but havin' fun! The bike is gonna need a new rear tire and rear brakes soon, but other than that it's in really nice condition...
Here' what the previous owner said in an email today...
QuoteI have not done the valve adjustments. I have just done the oil, oil filter and air filter change (less than20 Miles ago and less than 3 weeks ago). The air filter should last the life of the bike with occasional cleaning.
You should have the brakes (fluid changed, pads checked and replaced if necessary etc.) and the rear tire done. The front tire seemed good to me but it's up to you if you want to change both at the same time.
I cleaned and lubed the chain a couple of weeks ago but that should be done often. You can get the lube at any motorcycle shop or auto parts store. Just make sure it is safe for o-ring chains. The best way to clean a chain is with kerosene.
You may want to consider tensioning the chain a little as I had it a little less than stock due to my extensive hi-way riding. The sparks were replaced around 8k so should be good, but they are cooler running than stock, again due to the hi-way riding. I gave you new stock sparks in the folder.
As you know the battery is brand new.
-Steve
Welcome Steve, you'll notice a marked difference between this forum and BARF, not as much flaming, lol.
I wouldn't worry too much about that rear brake, you wont be using it that hard anyway, mainly low speed stuff.
Do take care of that valve adjustment though, at least to get a baseline of where you're at. I hear these bikes are pretty reliable if you do the preventative maintenance when it needs done.
thanks. yeah, the barf guys can get a little crazy sometimes, and thats putting it nicely. kinda immature in my opinion, but whatever.
Why don't you tell us how many miles are on the bike, that's more important info than the year.
Steve,
Instead of taking 3rd gear so high, try changing up to 4th around 5,500rpm. Cause really, you can cruise quite well at 55 in 5th gear!
Michael
Quote from: mister on August 12, 2010, 02:49:55 AM
Steve,
Instead of taking 3rd gear so high, try changing up to 4th around 5,500rpm. Cause really, you can cruise quite well at 55 in 5th gear!
Michael
this was only for like 1-2 seconds. i was cruising at around 40-45. thanks :)
Thank you!
Hi Steve, the GS500F is my first ride too. After 3000 miles I am feeling more confident too. I have been a manual tranny car driver for many years, so that came pretty easy for me. I would encourage you to keep from getting 'too confident' until you have way more than 45 miles ;) Once you are on the road, every car out there is intent on killing you.
Welcome to the forum.
Eric
Quote from: StevenDavisPhoto on August 11, 2010, 08:19:43 PM
Hey Everyone,
Just sayin hi. My name's Steve. I just got a 2006 GS500F. It's my first bike and I'm lovin it. Got about 45 miles on it so far from 2 days of practice riding around my neighborhood. Gettin' pretty confident. I've never owned a stick shift, so I'm new to shifting, but it's become more and more something I don't have to think about. Haven't got over 55mph or 3rd gear, but havin' fun! The bike is gonna need a new rear tire and rear brakes soon, but other than that it's in really nice condition...
Here' what the previous owner said in an email today...
-Steve
Quote from: ojstinson on August 12, 2010, 10:19:49 AM
Thanks for acknowledging my question Steve------have a nice day.
oh sorry, missed it. the bike has about 13,700 miles right now.
Quote from: elader on August 12, 2010, 10:24:55 AMI would encourage you to keep from getting 'too confident' until you have way more than 45 miles ;) Once you are on the road, every car out there is intent on killing you.
will do. i feel confident enough to get out on the road, but still pretty freaked out about cars trying to kill me. :P
Anytime you feel "freaked out" then don't ride there. Ride where you feel comfortable and you'll enjoy it more and build your confidence. There is nothing embarrassing about not wanting to ride in certain situations. If you haven't done so, take the motorcycle safety class. Its worth it.
Always ride within your safety margin. Join your local Suzuki Owners Club. I found them to be a great help in building confidence and learned a lot by going on short group rides.
Quote from: adidasguy on August 12, 2010, 11:27:27 AM
Anytime you feel "freaked out" then don't ride there. Ride where you feel comfortable and you'll enjoy it more and build your confidence. There is nothing embarrassing about not wanting to ride in certain situations. If you haven't done so, take the motorcycle safety class. Its worth it.
Always ride within your safety margin. Join your local Suzuki Owners Club. I found them to be a great help in building confidence and learned a lot by going on short group rides.
well, im not really freaked out, just cautious about cars around me. i've only ridden 45 miles around cars and most of that was residential streets. getting onto the main roads with multiple lanes and stop lights is a whole nother world. something im comfortable with, but also very cautious.
Excellent photos BTW. I love Mossbrae falls and would love to visit that place one day.
Quote from: Twism86 on August 12, 2010, 11:54:05 AM
Excellent photos BTW. I love Mossbrae falls and would love to visit that place one day.
thanks. it's by far my most popular shot.
Quote from: StevenDavisPhoto on August 11, 2010, 08:19:43 PM
Hey Everyone,
Just sayin hi. My name's Steve. I just got a 2006 GS500F. It's my first bike and I'm lovin it. Got about 45 miles on it so far from 2 days of practice riding around my neighborhood. Gettin' pretty confident. I've never owned a stick shift, so I'm new to shifting, but it's become more and more something I don't have to think about. Haven't got over 55mph or 3rd gear, but havin' fun! The bike is gonna need a new rear tire and rear brakes soon, but other than that it's in really nice condition...
Here' what the previous owner said in an email today...
Buy and wear full gear if you don't already. You're probably going to crash; it doesn't have to end in hospitalization.
Take a MSF BRC safety course if you haven't already. Before you ride the street much.
After you take the safety course, practice threshold braking, low speed maneuvering, and read Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough.
Or ignore all that if you please; just accept that it will catch up to you.
Be safe & have fun. People are not out to get you, they just won't see you. It's your job to get out of the way.
Quote from: romulux on August 12, 2010, 04:39:09 PM
Buy and wear full gear if you don't already. You're probably going to crash; it doesn't have to end in hospitalization.
Take a MSF BRC safety course if you haven't already. Before you ride the street much.
After you take the safety course, practice threshold braking, low speed maneuvering, and read Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough.
i own a shoe rf-1100 helmet, a dainese perforated leather jacket, A* gloves, A* boots, and kevlar jeans with knee pads, and i ride ATGATT...
i took the MSF...
i practice and i have the book u mentioned...
;)
Quote from: StevenDavisPhoto on August 12, 2010, 04:41:00 PM
Quote from: romulux on August 12, 2010, 04:39:09 PM
Buy and wear full gear if you don't already. You're probably going to crash; it doesn't have to end in hospitalization.
Take a MSF BRC safety course if you haven't already. Before you ride the street much.
After you take the safety course, practice threshold braking, low speed maneuvering, and read Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough.
i own a shoe rf-1100 helmet, a dainese perforated leather jacket, A* gloves, A* boots, and kevlar jeans with knee pads, and i ride ATGATT...
i took the MSF...
i practice and i have the book u mentioned...
;)
:thumb:
Awesome!
Hey Steve,
Nice landscapes. I should know, I am a really bad landscape photographer, but a reasonably good event photographer! :-)
Are you on fredmiranda?
Eric
Quote from: elader on August 12, 2010, 04:53:26 PM
Hey Steve,
Nice landscapes. I should know, I am a really bad landscape photographer, but a reasonably good event photographer! :-)
Are you on fredmiranda?
Eric
thanks. not sure what that is though :) i'm on flickr, facebook, and twitter, and thats way too much to maintain alone.
deviantart.com is also a good photo site. Here is my brothers work: http://keith-d.deviantart.com/
Steve, welcome to the community of biking. I am also a recent newbie riding a 2007F. Where did you get your kevlar jeans with knee pads?
not sure where he got his but i have a pair of draggin jeans
http://www.dragginjeans.com/ (http://www.dragginjeans.com/)
they sell the pads as an option
Wish you long and safe riding "career". Over confidence kills. Speed kills. Cagers kill. You are INVISIBLE and must ride knowing you are invisible; not invincible!
prs
What is a cager?
Quote from: plewis51 on August 13, 2010, 06:33:59 AM
Steve, welcome to the community of biking. I am also a recent newbie riding a 2007F. Where did you get your kevlar jeans with knee pads?
thanks. got em at cycle gear for about $100. they're called red routes.
also, does anyone else think the stock seat isnt that comfy? any way to remedy this? is there a comfier seat for longer rides i can switch to?
corbin makes aftermarket seats, not sure if it fits the F though.
some people reupholster their stock seat.
it all depends on what your price range is.
there was a thread recently about redoing the seat.. not sure now though.
Cager = Car Driver. Cage = car = metal cage.
Seats... are you sure it's the seat making you not comfy? In what way are you uncomfortable?
I can do a 300+ mile day without drama - I don't ride it in one hit, but won't really go more than two hours at a stint before have a break.
Tricks I've found help are...
Wear soft cotton boxers - any kind of Brief and the Line cuts in to you.
Adjust your feet - toes on pegs, arch on pegs, heel on pegs - and flex your feet (up/down) accordingly.
Look around. Exercises your neck.
A previous bike had an uncomfy seat which was also giving me an achy back. I threw on an airhawk seat cushion and it fixed all seat/back issues.
Michael
Quote from: mister on August 13, 2010, 12:49:39 PMAdjust your feet - toes on pegs, arch on pegs, heel on pegs - and flex your feet
thanks. i usually ride heels on the pegs, with the toes off to the side of the shift/brake. is that ok? i heard you're supposed to use the balls of ur feet on the pegs, but that feels really weird.
Quote from: StevenDavisPhoto on August 13, 2010, 12:53:23 PM
Quote from: mister on August 13, 2010, 12:49:39 PMAdjust your feet - toes on pegs, arch on pegs, heel on pegs - and flex your feet
thanks. i usually ride heels on the pegs, with the toes off to the side of the shift/brake. is that ok? i heard you're supposed to use the balls of ur feet on the pegs, but that feels really weird.
If you have the balls of the feet on the pegs, then make as if you are standing on tip-toe, you'll see how this gives a little movement to an otherwise unmoving leg/calf. With heels on, lift your toe up for movement in the other direction. For really odd feeling, get your leg onto the passenger pegs and see how that feels. That's odd alright.
Normal - what is normal - would be the heel of your boot just behind the peg so it cannot slide forward. So almost like, but not quite, on your arch, so the side of the Heel of the boot can butt up against the heel plates on the bike. Balls for riding through the twisties - or sit as per normal and ride through more relaxed. :icon_mrgreen:
Michael
Welcome to the forum and the best motorcycle there is! :D
As for seat comfort, here are some thoughts. I still consider myself a newbie ( 2+ years and 11,000+ miles).
My first rides were about 50 miles and nearly killed me. The I got to doing 90, then 100, now 200+ with little problem. This is mostly conditioning. When I stared out, a Barcalounger on wheels would have felt uncomfortable.
A big key, especially here in the South, is what you wear under the riding suit. In a word, NO COTTON :mad:. Cotton gets wet and chafes :mad:. The worst ride I had lately was about 200 miles in 90 degree heat wearing cotton briefs :sad:. Get shorts form Under Armor or the like which are 100% polyester. The key is to keep dry. :)
I too am looking to do some seat mods and am torn between Greatdaytoride.com and Sargent. Spencer at Greatdaytoride does a fairly standard upgrade which fits under the stock cover for $100. Sargent will do whatever you want but he minimum will be about $300. Almost no one makes a ready made after market seat for GS500F. Corbin shows one on their web site but is is for the 500E. They are not interchangeable due to a change in tank design.
Any way, get out and ride and
keep the shiny side up,
Chuck
Welcome!
When you feel up to it come join us on the Doc Wong rides (in the Training forum on BARF)! They are free and are the best way to learn proper riding techniques in a safe manner. It starts in Redwood City at 9am, once a month, and we teach a different topic each month (and then repeat them next year). Doc updates the schedule each month. My GS is out of commission at the moment, but I'm hoping to ride my Virago in the beginners group.
Quote from: StevenDavisPhoto on August 13, 2010, 10:36:51 AM
also, does anyone else think the stock seat isnt that comfy? any way to remedy this? is there a comfier seat for longer rides i can switch to?
I don't think it's that comfy, but it's actually not terrible.
Last weekend I rode 1150 miles between Friday night and Sunday afternoon.
My ass was not what was sore. I need some bar risers.
Welcome, Steve! Have no fear; we can be just as immature as BARFers. Just wait until winter when half the moto population is stuck inside and going stir-crazy...fortunately, we don't have that problem so much in California! But when that cold, white stuff starts falling elsewhere.... oh boy! :woohoo:
:cheers:
QuoteFor really odd feeling, get your leg onto the passenger pegs and see how that feels. That's odd alright.
Michael
I've done this, and it helps actually.