New guy here. Gonna try and make this short. I went to trade in my 09 gs500f the other day and ended up having the salesman talk me into keeping it. I went there to upgrade, thought I wanted something bigger (and still do). But this guy says he would bet that I haven't even come close to using my bike to its potential. Says I should keep it and push it to its limits etc... No my question is what limits to push it to? Reading on here and other forums I hear it's not good for wheelies or stunts, cornering or really long distances.
Thanks in advance for reply's.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/320d637b-8fc7-6c2b.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/320d637b-8ffb-8804.jpg)
How long have you had it? What were you going to 'upgrade' to?
I've had it since summer 2010, but only rode a few times 2011. I was looking at the sport touring bikes. I hear they are the best of both worlds.
Quote from: Juanchi281 on July 13, 2012, 02:15:16 PM
I hear it's not good for wheelies or stunts, cornering or really long distances.
People stunt, race and tour on the GS500. It may not be the best at anything, but with a few mods depending on what you want to use the bike for, you can do any of these things rather well. The only thing the GS will never do is go over 110 mph or accelerate like a supersport. Some people like the feel of a bigger engine, but the GS can do everything you need it to on a public road.
What are you trying to get out of a different bike? Comfort? Speed? Technology?
well a gs will always be a gs but there are things you can do to make it better suit your needs whatever they might be. if you're a sport tour guy and not an aspiring racer then i dont see why you would really want to push the bike to its limits. honestly for just touring around a bigger bike wpuld probally be more enjoyable.
Wow, that's a rare salesman there! You haven't put on many miles I suppose. Read some of burning1's posts and watch his youtube videos about racing his basically stock GS500. There is the limit.
Doesn't corner well? What?
Doesn't wheelie well? (ok, it doesn't do it willingly unless you change sprockets) Mine will do a wheelie whenever I want it to, with stock sprockets and a 150/70 rear tire.
Long distance? I'm over 40, I have clipons and up-and-back rearsets, and would do a 400 mile day right now if I had the chance!
Stunts... No bike does stunts well without serious modification.
Quote from: Juanchi281 on July 13, 2012, 02:15:16 PM
..my question is what limits to push it to?
Reading on here and other forums I hear it's not good for wheelies or stunts, cornering or really long distances.
In order:
-Push it to your limit
(Legally), most probably you will reach your limit BEFORE the bike's.
-Never tried to wheelie/stunt it. Dont intend to, so cant help there.
-Corners fine for me, even with stock springs front and rear :dunno_black:
-As for long distances..well, what do you call long distance? I can happily do 100miles at a time - never had to do more - and the bike does fine, holds 70-80 constantly, even 2 up.
How many miles have you done on the bike since you bought it?
Whats the most you've done in one go?
Juanchi281
I've done MANY 300 mile days on my GS500 and have put 34,000 miles on it since buying it. I don't know what the limits of the bike are, certainly the bike can do much more than I am willing to do with it on public roads. And I find the bike comfortable enough for me - 6'2". Normally riding between 60 and 90 minutes between stops though have done two hour stints without too much drama.
Cornering? You have one and say you have ridden it but I need to ask... have you actually gone for a ride through the twisties on this bike of yours or not? The GS500 is well known for diving into corners at will. But all you say is, "you've Hear it cannot corner / you Hear it is not comfy".
Wheelies? Seriously? Who gives a stuff about wheelies?
Stunting? Again, who cares about that?
Look. If wheelies and stunting are the things that are important to you for whatever peer pressure reason, or showing off cause you think it looks cool, then the GS500 is certainly not the bike for you. Neither is this forum really.
But you say you want a Sport Tourer. They don't wheelie either or stunt well and are heavier in corners. So what is your actual gripe with the GS500?
The salesman probably talked you out of His bike cause he saw how inexperienced you were and didn't want you test riding anything he had cause you'd probably crash it; or figured he didn't want your GS as a trade; or you gave him a vibe that he took as your inability to get finance so it would be a waste of his time selling a bike to you; or who knows.
I know many a salesmen down here will NOT take people on test rides of new R1s and the like. Cause most of those who want to test ride a NEW R1 are just joy riding time wasters who just want to tell their mates they rode a New one.
Please be specific and tell us, what bike were you looking to buy instead?
Michael
Wow! I appreciate all the reply's. My question was really just asking how to get the most out of my gs. I really don't wanna stunt. Cornering would be nice though.( those were examples) Yes I have very low miles on it. And peer ridicule may have a lot to due with wanting to upgrade. Not sure exactly what I wanted, just something bigger. The place I went is the same place I got my gs from and the salesman was just a cool guy. Said I should get more out of before/if I get rid of it. So to rephrase my question. How do you get the most out of your gs500. ( Ex. a guy at the Y just gave me a website motorcycleroads.us said I can find some fun places to ride on there)
Done the iron butt on the GS500 (1000 miles in less than 24 hours). Got the certificate to prove it.
Put over 8000 miles on it in a year and a half. March 1, 2011 if had 0.2 mile on it from the dealer in Findlay, OH. It's my daily runner to and from the office. I'd take it to Alaska. Big tank, good economy, and when I feel like flogging the throttle, I won't kill myself like a liter bike.
I've had GSXRs, Vulcans, GZ250s, etc. Still my favorite bike in the 13 years I have been riding.
Now, if they don't bring it back to the USA when I need a new one, I'd probably get a V-Strom 650 as my next ride...but I have a while before that happens. Or maybe a Thruxton as a mid-life crisis. Who knows...but for now, I love it!
Quote from: Juanchi281 on July 13, 2012, 06:34:55 PM
Wow! I appreciate all the reply's. My question was really just asking how to get the most out of my gs. I really don't wanna stunt. Cornering would be nice though.( those were examples) Yes I have very low miles on it. And peer ridicule may have a lot to due with wanting to upgrade. Not sure exactly what I wanted, just something bigger. The place I went is the same place I got my gs from and the salesman was just a cool guy. Said I should get more out of before/if I get rid of it. So to rephrase my question. How do you get the most out of your gs500. ( Ex. a guy at the Y just gave me a website motorcycleroads.us said I can find some fun places to ride on there)
upgrading just to impress your bros probably isnt the best reason too do so. Unless you're rocking a turbo busa with nos, there will always be some dude with a faster bike talking crap. If you just want to rail corners then just find yourself a nice twisty road, get your but off the seat, and go to town. For corner carving I like a lower set of handle bars for a more aggressive riding position and maybe a 14t sprocket for a little bit more drive out of the corner. Honestly, the bike will do just fine stock. What you need is seat time so you will know what features you're looking for in your next bike.
How do you get the most out of your bike?
- Ride it
- Become a better rider - take some beginner to advanced riding courses
- Ride it some more
- Find some rural road with sweepers and twists and ride them.
- Stay away from squids and their belittling talk of smaller capacity bikes (just a different version of who has a bigger chicken)
- Read up on better riding techniques and implement them
- Grab a copy of Ride Like a Pro V (Jerry Palladino) and Twist of The Wrist II (Keith Code). Watch them, put it into action, watch them again, action, repeat
- Ride it
Is that what you are asking, or do you Mean you want More Power out of the GS500?
Michael
its not the wizard its the wand
Quote from: Speedyg on July 14, 2012, 06:01:14 PM
its not the wizard its the wand
That's what my wife has been telling me for years!
YESsss!!! Last 4 reply's, this is more of what I was looking for. Inspiring information. Thank you!!
Went to a lot today and tried some figure 8's like I've seen on YouTube. Didn't get as low as he but, gonna keep at it.
Quote from: Juanchi281 on July 14, 2012, 06:26:10 PM
Went to a lot today and tried some figure 8's like I've seen on YouTube. Didn't get as low as he but, gonna keep at it.
Awesome! :thumb:
i put a corvette engine on my GS......
hows that for a mod?
Been a GS owner and rider since May of 2011.
29 yrs old when I bought it, is my first bike.
Since then, I've ridden almost 10K miles.
would be almost 15K++ if I didnt have so many problems ><
The bike is as good as its rider is.
As this year I've started riding with ALOTTT of local riders and groups.
When there isnt a TON of ppl... 15+, then they just LOVE the twisties!
Other then just One Ninja 250, I have the smallest engine out of everyone.
Heck, I actually have the thinnest rear tire too, no idea about the front.
which atm are just cheap Kendas.
but when I "Want" to, I can keep up with everyone absolutely fine.
I actually end up being in the front 4 if theres a large group of like 8 to 12 ppl.
I think the smallest CC engine out of everyone else is a Yamaha YZF R6.
Everything else is mostly from a GSXR 650, all the way up to the main leader that has a BMW 1000cc sport bike that I forget what Exactly it is.
These bike can literally smoke me on accel in a freakin HEARTBEAT!
but I can keep up with them any other time.
So it all depends on the rider.
My ONLY complaint about the GS500.
Is being 6ft2 and 240 pounds.... for my size and weight... it has NO balls!
or not enough for me! hahaha
I have 2008 bone stock gs 500f had it for two months and think its the most perfect bike. The gs in my opinion is the best all around bike, I rode to place in Ontario called the forks of credit with a zx10r today and the gs did great keeping up in the corners just not so much out of them lol. I don't know where you herd these things about the gs but its a great bike. It could use a little more ummphh but thats nothing a lunchbox filter, jardine pipe and re-jetting wont fix. Then get some springs and a r6 rear shock and your golden. As for stunting i am also interested in this sport as for i have been into extreme sports my intire life it can be done with the gs not without mods i would assume i have tried wheelies on the stock gs did not work so well for me lol, but it can be done youtube gs 500 stunting. I guess just get out and master the gs and learn how amazing it is. Master the gs before you try to master a new bike.
Howdy Juanchi!
I logged 5-6 thousand miles on my GS before Buying a Triumph speed four which is essentially a 600 supersport
For commuting, I much prefer the GS with slight suspension upgrades(springs for comfort). Great gas mileage and a more relaxing riding position.
For canyon/twisty riding I prefer the GS with sticky tires, a fork brace, and pretty stiff springs front and back. It is not as quick out of turns but it is extremely fun IN the corners.
For cruising with my girl on back I prefer the Triumph. Better power, looks, and brakes.
That's pretty much how I use mine and I love it. I gotta say, the Triumph gets ridden much less than the GS. Strange but true. :cookoo:
Quote from: Juanchi281 on July 13, 2012, 06:34:55 PM
Yes I have very low miles on it. And peer ridicule may have a lot to due with wanting to upgrade. Not sure exactly what I wanted, just something bigger. The place I went is the same place I got my gs from and the salesman was just a cool guy. Said I should get more out of before/if I get rid of it. So to rephrase my question. How do you get the most out of your gs500.
You need to find some new friends, and/or tell them to worry about riding their own bikes.
You don't note your location. If you're in an area with a track, I'd suggest some track days as the next point in your training.