Hi have been sneaking around the forum for a few weeks and made a few posts – figure it's time to introduce myself and my GS! Aged 35, I have recently got my learners license at the beginning of January and, being a fairly big person (196cm/120kg) most of the little 250cc learner bikes just would not cut it – the GS was one bigger and more torque learner-approved bikes so it was only a matter of finding the right one...
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh253/teknoblast/GS500F/IMG_0611a.jpg)
I picked up my 2004 GS500F for a decent price – a few little scuffs but in relatively good condition. Had recently been serviced and have Pirelli Demons fitted late last year.
Many of the cars I have owned previously (Soarer Twin Turbo, Skyline GTS-T, etc) were all heavily modified so it was only a matter of time before I got started on the bike. I understand its never going to beat a GSX-R with the little 500cc twin, but I'd like to make the most of it before I get my full license and upgrade to something bigger & faster.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh253/teknoblast/GS500F/IMG_0608a.jpg)
Being a big believer in the theory "Loud Pipes Save Lives" I fitted a Screaming Demon slip-on with the baffle removed – it sounds bassy awesome and has smoothed out/improved power delivery throughout the rev range (I cannot recommend this muffler enough – sounds and quality is amazing)... however it does feel like its leaning out at the top end. I already have a K&N lunchbox arriving later this month from the US so this, along with a carby rebuilt & rejet should give the bike more punch.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh253/teknoblast/GS500F/IMG_0610a.jpg)
My biggest grip with this bike is that it looks like a 2004 model until you see the speedo & tacho gauges. The all other 2004 model Suzuki's have awesome gauges but the GS is still stuck in 1989! I have a Koso RX-2N speedo coming from the States to solve this problem! (Will provide pics and write-up on install)
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh253/teknoblast/GS500F/IMG_0612a.jpg)
(Having no fuel sender on the GS, the Koso's fuel gauge would normally go to waste... so I am thinking of hooking up a factory gear position switch with a combination of resistors and turning the Fuel Gauge Bar Indicator into a Gear Position Bar Indicator)
So that's it so far – the GS seems an appropriately sized and appropriately powered bike for me to learn on. I took the bike for a blast up the Old Road on Australia Day (see pic below of you are not from Sydney!) and it was a joy to ride. Looking forward to the National Park and Putty Road in the near future! More adventures to come...
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh253/teknoblast/GS500F/old-road.jpg)
Welcome to the forum. One suggestion, don't worry about the Old Road, Putty or the Nasho. They're a magnet for numpties and bronze (coppers). Find some out of the way places to ride, you'll enjoy the ride a lot more.
Thanks Bubba - although there were no idiots on the Old Road when I was riding it last month, I can imagine it would attract the wrong elements and the :police:
But, apart from those 3, I cant think of any other roads with so many switchbacks... except Eastern Creek!
Welcome to the forum Mate :cool: you will love the GS 500 even more & more you ride her :) I know because I have come back to the GS 500 after riding a Bandit 1200s & DL 650 & a DR600. I know I just should have keep my first GS 500 :icon_twisted:
Welcome, Unsane.
When (if) you upgrade, you don't necessarily Need to get rid of the GS. Keep it for 'round town and the upgraded bike for weekend stuff. Best of both worlds that way :thumb:
Michael
Quote from: mister on February 14, 2011, 01:33:57 AM
Welcome, Unsane.
When (if) you upgrade, you don't necessarily Need to get rid of the GS. Keep it for 'round town and the upgraded bike for weekend stuff. Best of both worlds that way :thumb:
Michael
That's what I did, but now the GS is going as I've bought a Husky SMS630 for around town duties.
Unsane, ride to janolan caves. The Goulburn to Oberon road is brilliant. Do the Putty, but then head across and do The Bylong Valley Way. There's plety of great roads around, you just have to be prepared to spend a day riding. If you plan a ride, go on it no matter what the weather is like. Pro tip, you see less bronze on a rainy day.
Quote from: bubba zanetti on February 14, 2011, 02:35:08 PM
Unsane, ride to janolan caves. The Goulburn to Oberon road is brilliant. Do the Putty, but then head across and do The Bylong Valley Way. There's plety of great roads around, you just have to be prepared to spend a day riding. If you plan a ride, go on it no matter what the weather is like. Pro tip, you see less bronze on a rainy day.
Well we are off to Jenolan Caves this coming weekend Bubba - have been down there a few times hiking and if the bus ride back is anything to go by, its gonna be a good ride!
Have been busy with the bike so far... Screamin Demon mid-pipe and muffler, engine replacement and full service a few weeks ago due to the death rattles, Koso Digital Dash - just finished installing a K&N Lunchbox and rejetting the carbies this afternoon (20/65/145) and its running extremely well. Damn these things growl with a high-flow airfilter... its almost louder than the exhaust!
I bought some replacement rotors (wave) last week on eBay and they have arrived already - I cannot reccomend Racingboy1982 enough :thumb: http://myworld.ebay.com.au/racingboy1982 (http://myworld.ebay.com.au/racingboy1982) :thumb: what a champ these things arrived in 3 days! EBC pads were ordered at the same time but they are yet to arrive... as is the missing bolt from the T-rex sliders. >:( grrr
Might take some pics and vids when all the missing parts arrive!
You'll have a ball doing that road. Just make sure that you slow down to 50 in the 50 zones, the coppers do sit there.