my buddy and I had just purchased a new gs500F's last week. We are picking them up this saturday on a truck - one blue one yellow, mine's the blue one :) . Neither of us have permits yet, we're in mid 20's.
I've read the forum for the past week and learned a great deal about bikes what to do and what not to do.
I'll probably stare at the bike for a while letting it sink in that I have one..my first one.
I just wanted to say thanks for the people who cared enough to post information that is good for the community. Either that or you have nothing better to do :mrgreen:
Thanks!
Welcome to GStwin!
Congradualtions on the new bike! Enjoy!
Have you taken the MSF course? Best thing that ever happened to me!
Quote from: chinox22xmy buddy and I had just purchased a new gs500F last week. We are picking them up this saturday on a truck. Neither of us have permits yet, we're in mid 20's.
I've read the forum for the past week and learned a great deal about bikes what to do and what not to do.
I'll probably stare at the bike for a while letting it sink in that I have one..my first one.
I just wanted to say thanks for the people who cared enough to post information that is good for the community. Either that you have nothing better to do :mrgreen:
Thanks!
What... You did what what to the what now???
Buy a GS.... Oh no... You know we dont condone such behaviour...
:lol: :lol:
Enjoy... Staring at it is quite good.
Cool.
Srinath.
Let the ribbing begin! You know which side the clutch is, right(no it's not on the right)? :) Just kidding! :)
Welcome again!
(I couldn't resist)
I used to stare at my first bike, too...alot. And, just about every other one, too.
Someone want to set the standards for oogling?
uhh.. it has a clutch? i thought these things are automatic??? :o
Yeah they come automatic standard! :lol:
I've been reading about the front springs on the gs500. does the 2004 version still have this problem? If so, does anyone know where to get some progressive springs for the '04?
thanks!
anyone? anyone??? :?
We're not completely sure yet, because some of us, who have older GS's, haven't been able to get our hands on someone's newer F. Actually, I think The_good_guy may have, but then there's the weight of the fairing issue, too. The fork springs may be different just to compensate.
You can still order some springs and tell us any differences you find. Other GSer's have the good pricing and places-to-go info; or do a search.
Quote from: scratchWe're not completely sure yet, because some of us, who have older GS's, haven't been able to get our hands on someone's newer F. Actually, I think The_good_guy may have, but then there's the weight of the fairing issue, too. The fork springs may be different just to compensate.
You can still order some springs and tell us any differences you find. Other GSer's have the good pricing and places-to-go info; or do a search.
i've used the search function. went to the websites online but none of them have springs that say they are for the 04' version. most of them stop at 02'. I don't want to buy something that may not work or worse yet, make the suspension worse.
i'll have to keep looking i suppose.
Hey man you don't need new springs, you havn't even taken delivery of the bike yet :lol: Modding the bike before you get it... You'll fit in fine around here. :cheers: :thumb:
Quote from: chinox22xQuote from: scratchWe're not completely sure yet, because some of us, who have older GS's, haven't been able to get our hands on someone's newer F. Actually, I think The_good_guy may have, but then there's the weight of the fairing issue, too. The fork springs may be different just to compensate.
You can still order some springs and tell us any differences you find. Other GSer's have the good pricing and places-to-go info; or do a search.
i've used the search function. went to the websites online but none of them have springs that say they are for the 04' version. most of them stop at 02'. I don't want to buy something that may not work or worse yet, make the suspension worse.
i'll have to keep looking i suppose.
actually i already have some things to do the first day i get the bike. i'm gonna be a copy cat and do what others have done to the back fender...cut it off! already bought a k&n filter as well.
its just a toy :mrgreen:
welcome....some of us wouldn't suggest the K&N pod filter on a bike that hasn't been broken in yet
did you get the k&n that is in the stock airbox?
Quote from: GRUwelcome....some of us wouldn't suggest the K&N pod filter on a bike that hasn't been broken in yet
did you get the k&n that is in the stock airbox?
oh i wasn't planning on replacing it the first day. but you're right, i'll wait till its broken in. is the breaking in process for a bike the same for a car? meaning u don't go above 50mph before 600miles?
Yes, agreed. Definitely don't mod it until it's broken in at least. You want to be able to take advantage of the Warranty should anything happen. Unless, you're going to race it, then don't even bother breaking it in or insuring it. Save the money for tires.
Welcome to the forum!
I myself just got my GS500F in BLUE (the best color :) ) about 2 weeks ago. I took an MSF course though before I bought mine. Believe me, it makes all the difference when you take the course....a lot of eye openers! Anyway, you will stare at it and not even want to sit on it because you'll be just so damn overwhelmed by the way it looks! What can I say, it's my first bike too and I'm absolutely in LOVE! Anyway, practice, practice, practice and be careful out there....wear your gear and keep visible to those idiot people that don't care to watch out for us riders!
someone care to explain the breaking in process for a new bike? :mrgreen:
http://mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
i don't know about the GS but i think you should ride it under 5000rpm for the first 6000 miles and then under 6000 rpm for the 1000 miles
but many suggest riding it under a lot of pressure (change gears and rpm a lot)
put it in a high gear twist the throttle all the way but don't go over 7000 rpm, and then slow down and do the same
i have never broken in a bike so i don't know the results but my racer frinds from windsor have been beating on their sportbikes and havent had any problems....theire dyno charts proove that more hp
I'd follow the manufacturer's suggested break-in til the 600mile first tune-up, then go have fun! I beleive the suggested limits are not to exceed 5000rpm (in any gear) for the first 600 miles. But, remember, to get a good break-in, where the engine will seat the rings properly, for long-lasting engine life and years of fast fun, always warm-up the motor before riding (1-2 minutes) and vary the engine speed while riding.
After the 600 mile tune-up, have a blast. It's still under warranty.
Edit: One of the things that I have noticed, when I have broken in my bikes, is that after 300 (150 on my 250) miles I would accelerate quickly off the line to get (train) the bike to accelerate quickly. Makes for a quick, responsive bike.
i just got the new '04 one as well... mine's black/silver :)
well anyways, this is what my dealer told me about breaking the bike in:
(i'm in Canada so everything's in Kms, just divide by 1.6 or multiply by 0.6 to get miles approximately)
0kms - 200kms -> don't go above 5000rpms
201kms - 900kms -> still don't go above 5000rpms most of the time, but every 1/2 hr or so, rev it up to 6500-7000 rpms for a few seconds.
901kms - 1000kms -> bring it in for the first service.
after the first service u're good to go and do whatever u want :thumb:
I like the above break-in! :kiss:
Also, breaking the 5000rpm barrier once in while won't hurt and helps to vary the rpm's that the engine is experiencing.
(I redlined mine once in neutral before taking it in for the first service)
(on purpose)
I'm gonna take a wild guess and say Suzuki didnt change anything in the forks from the previous model. The progressive springs from a 89-00 are the same for the 01-02 and will likely be the same for the 04.
Go ahead and do that first mod-the fender...everything else can wait till you enjoy the bike more.
Dont ever lug the engine-keep it spinning as high as you can (within the break-in procedures). Once in a while over limits is fine. Change the oil a couple times before the 600 mile service and ride it harder than the recommended....I'd do that anyway...but then again, when I broke my gs in I did it the manual's way. Stick with that.
welcome.
check my site for a great fender chop (license relocation page) and lots of other useful info.
I just got my F back from the dealer with my first mod, 15t Counter sprocket. I can finally use 5 & 6 without bogging the engine down and worry about downshifting so much around the curves. I also noticed I didn't lose any top end speed, still tops out around 110 but gets there a lot quicker. still gets no where near red line in 6th though.
Quote from: jare16... still tops out around 110 ... still gets no where near red line in 6th though.
there are lots of variations on that top speed. I personally have seen 125mph in 6th (maybe 5th?), stock gearing with the tach hitting 10,500rpm on my 2001 gs500...JohNLA remembers me blowing past him on that straight, tucked in behind the little flyscreen I had...ah, the good old days.
.
.
.
Today I tested my bikes redline-running onto the freeway I stomped on it and with the digital speedo flicking through numbers the last number I saw before the shift light at 15,500 rpm kicked in was 75mph...then I shifted to 2nd...
:thumb:
Hi:
Progressive fork springs are a good idea. I bought mine from Chaparral
(www.800-841-2960.com) which very cleverly is also their phone #.
About a year ago I paid 46.99. Product # is 377-1128. Springs, along with a rejet, and maybe down the road a new can, are the best bang-for-the-buck mods you can make. I believe on the F you get decent Bridgestone BT-45's, so you're good to go.
Ride safe. Have fun.
Don
Quote from: pantabloI'm gonna take a wild guess and say Suzuki didnt change anything in the forks from the previous model. The progressive springs from a 89-00 are the same for the 01-02 and will likely be the same for the 04.
Dont ever lug the engine-keep it spinning as high as you can (within the break-in procedures). Once in a while over limits is fine. Change the oil a couple times before the 600 mile service and ride it harder than the recommended....I'd do that anyway...but then again, when I broke my gs in I did it the manual's way. Stick with that.
welcome.
check my site for a great fender chop (license relocation page) and lots of other useful info.
hmm...with the added fairing, wouldn't they change the springs for the added weight? then again manuf. usually go the cheap route. I guess i'll just have to test it out and see if it has the problem older models have.
ok, in fear of sounding like an idiot <- too late ; what do u mean don't ever 'lug' the engine?
what oil do i use when i change the oil? <- even more idiotic :roll:
thanks guys!
For break-in use cheap mineral oil of the specified viscosity, no synthetic. if you can't get 10W40, 20W40 is fine as well.
Remember during break-in you want some parts to wear (the piston rings, notably, and the cylinders to some degree)
ok..i caved in an spent 56$ shipped for some progressive springs from chaparral - thanks penta for your mod page, i think i'll follow those intructions :lol: . this bike is costing me a fortune in the last 5 days and i haven't even touched it yet :dunno:
helmet - 230$
gloves - 50$
boots - 130$
fork springs - 56$
looking good while sitting at a stop sign for at least two minutes to make sure noone is around due to the fear of stalling - priceless :thumb:
-Chino
Ha Ha :lol: :lol: :lol:
He called You "Penta" Pablo.... :lol: :lol: :lol:
Cool.
Srinath.
Petee Pablo? :?
Yes Petee Pablo...
Correct.
Cool.
Srinath.
pantablo.
pablo.
who's pete?
:thumb:
tomorrow is the day i get my bike! all the stuff i ordered already came in..lol
damn..i gotta get my permit..bleh
Quote from: pantabloToday I tested my bikes redline-running onto the freeway I stomped on it and with the digital speedo flicking through numbers the last number I saw before the shift light at 15,500 rpm kicked in was 75mph...then I shifted to 2nd...
:thumb:
Oh yeah, that's safe. ;) Sounds like fun. :thumb: I'll assume you were being careful. I'm at least careful, if not entirely safe. So, be careful. :cheers:
I just got my GS500E today. It's a 1994 (although the guy i bought it from thought it was a 1993) in purple. It's the bike in my little avatar icon ;-}
So I strapped it down in the back of the rental truck, and drove it home. Unfortunately, when i went to unload it, the ramp I was using the get it out of the truck broke.. and the rear wheel dropped a couple inches to the ground - and the front dropped like a foot and a half. It seemed fine... Anything I should check before I take it out tomorrow?
Man i already love this bike.
got the bikes today. we love them and they are beautiful. i've already cut my fender. my buddy doesn't wanna touch his so i'll let him do whatever he wants.
I have a question....
does anyone know of a website that shows how to install bar end mirrors? these mirrors are kinda ugly...
what do u guys recommend and what site to buy them from?
I would suggest doing a search for "bar end mirrors" messages on the forum here. As for the stock fork springs, mine felt like mush and would bottom over speed bumps. If your '04s are mushy the progressives will fix it. You might also want to search on "progressive springs" for additional hints. I lowered the oil level as per the instructions included with the springs. Some have left it alone. Enjoy your new bike. It's good you already have a riding buddy. :cheers:
Was working on the bike to remove some stickers and even out the fenderectomy i did.
It was foolish to try to handle a 450lb bike on my own. I pulled from behind to take it off the stand thinking I could handle it.
U know what happened next, the bike tilted to the right and I was powerless to hold it up. I was a little surprised as It didn't crash down. I suppose my adrenaline was pumping and I was able to actually lay it down gently.
A couple of minor scratches, nothing noticeable. No way in a normal day that I could carry that much weight on my back.
Second day of having the bike and its already scratched...argh!
Quote from: Scott_DCI just got my GS500E today. It's a 1994 (although the guy i bought it from thought it was a 1993) in purple. It's the bike in my little avatar icon ;-}
So I strapped it down in the back of the rental truck, and drove it home. Unfortunately, when i went to unload it, the ramp I was using the get it out of the truck broke.. and the rear wheel dropped a couple inches to the ground - and the front dropped like a foot and a half. It seemed fine... Anything I should check before I take it out tomorrow?
Man i already love this bike.
Dropping it a foot... ha ha.... Hit a little pot hole at 60 and you stress the thing 10 times more.
Purple... That's the new king of colors... check with Scratch and get yourself a custom title "Sofa King Gayass" or some like that.
Cool.
Srinath.
BTW Progressives 1128 are the same springs for my eliminator 1000. OK so get this, that bike weighs 600 lbs and has the same springs... OK OK its not supposed to go around corners or brake, but that's a lot of weight even not adding my pork on it... so I believe the GS will do just fine wiht the 1128's fairing or not. If not... Peetey Pablo will have to edit his site.
Cool.
Srinath.