Some observations/questions after my first week with the GS:

How do foks orient their mirrors?  I've got things set up so I see just past my shoulders, which means I need to lean my head over a touch to see what's looming behind me.  I'm wondering if it would be better to have at least one showing more of what's alongside me.  I've found that for whatever reason I always use the right mirror to check my 6.

Throttle response:  it could be because I'm still in the break-in and trying to not stress the engine, but it seems a bit sluggish below 5k rpm.  Could also be becuase I'm used to a bit more get-up-and-go.  Is there more "sprightly" accelleration to be found in the higher rpm range?  

Okay...whose idea was it to make the turn signal indicator the same color as the neutral indicator?  They couldn't have made one of them amber, could they?  Turning into a parking lot, I saw the flashing in my peripheral vision and thought it was rythmically dropping out of gear.  Made me hesitant to let out the clutch...when I did, I was in the wrong gear (*clunk*).

I've taken to stopping at all yellow lights, mostly for practice braking and stop/starts.  When the light goes yellow I make sure no one is behind me and then get on the brakes aggressively (without locking or squealing).  You can get these things stopped in a hurry when you want to.  

I was hoping to ride to work either yesterday or today...picked up a laptop backpack and rode around with it for a while to check comfort, but the weather hasn't been cooperating.  Maybe Monday.  Important safety note:  secure any dangling straps on the pack prior to departure...otherwise it feels like a hoard of angry lilliputians dancing on your back periodially slapping you with little nylon buggy whips.  Does anyone know of a backpack designed for motorcycle use that has a padded laptop compartment?

Quote from: Badger
Okay...whose idea was it to make the turn signal indicator the same color as the neutral indicator?  They couldn't have made one of them amber, could they?  Turning into a parking lot, I saw the flashing in my peripheral vision and thought it was rythmically dropping out of gear.  Made me hesitant to let out the clutch...when I did, I was in the wrong gear (*clunk*).
<snip>

Yea I thought so too ... I believe I have the answer though ... the guy that made the T/S the same color as the neutral light is ... Drum roll .... The same moron that invented the crap pocket and the black spark plug ...  :lol:  ...
BTW on the 89-00 bikes it was yellow for t/s, red for oil, blue for high beam, and green for neutral ... in 01 the geniuses decided that yellow was too $$$ and put green ... heck why not make them all green ... idiots ...
Cool.
Srinath.

Hi Badger,

It sounds like you're having a lot of fun with your GS.  My mirrors might be from another year, but they have a nice long stalk so they actually work well.  I oriented them so I can see my 6 o'clock in both mirrors.  And my height and riding posture makes it so I see my upper arms just in the inside of each mirror.  My field of view is pretty good compared to other motorcycles.

6k+ is a good place to find those sprites.

My turn signal light is amber  

When I used to ride with a laptop, I used my REI backpack with sternum and waist belts buckled.  I really don't like having anything on my back when I ride, so if I have to carry a laptop again, I'll use a magnetic tank bag.  Maybe someone with a Timbuk2 can chime in.

Cheers,
* * * John

Re: the bag thing
I go back and forth from my GS to the human-powered bike, and I carry a Chrome Metropolis with a laptop sleeve in it on both.  It's a messenger bag, cavernous, with PVC truck tarp liner for waterproofing, and space for laptop/extra clothes/tools/lunch or six-pack/dinner-fixings/bottle of wine, depending on where you're headed.
It is hands down the best bag I've ever owned, and I have had a lot of bags.
Made in America, guaranteed forever, cool seatbelt buckle on the strap.  I cannot rave enough about it.  
It's not the cheapest bag, but it's the best I've found.

My 2000 has a green t/s light.

QuoteI really don't like having anything on my back when I ride, so if I have to carry a laptop again, I'll use a magnetic tank bag.

Considered that, but I need to carry a lot of loose crap...my thought on a tank bag was that it would have to fit my normal Port case, since I can't see how I could keep the wealth of stuff I need to tote around organized, and I'm loathe to have my laptop bouncing around unsecured.

Quote from: BadgerConsidered that, but I need to carry a lot of loose crap...my thought on a tank bag was that it would have to fit my normal Port case, since I can't see how I could keep the wealth of stuff I need to tote around organized, and I'm loathe to have my laptop bouncing around unsecured.

Pack like this:



:lol:

Get a laptop backpack with straps to keep the laptop in place.  Then bungee it to the bike.  In an accident, a laptop in a backpack is bad for the laptop and potentially really bad for you, too.  It'll fare much better on the back of the bike, and it'll stay out of your spine, too.

Quote from: BadgerHow do foks orient their mirrors?

I have mine set up like car mirrors, meaning I can see the lanes next to me so I can merge easier...  When I want to see behind me I have to lean my head over and look past the reflection of my shoulders.  I figure it's more important to quickly know what's next to you than what's behind you.  If I need to change lanes FAST I can mostly use the mirror...  I still do a quick head check most times.

Quote from: BadgerIs there more "sprightly" accelleration to be found in the higher rpm range?

Yeah... Peak horse is around...  9-10?  On mine anyway.

Quote from: BadgerOkay...whose idea was it to make the turn signal indicator the same color as the neutral indicator?

HA HA!!  I thought the same thing!!  Damn idiots!  They used to make them yellow...  In fact, my cover flew off one day and I replaced it with a yellow one.  MUCH better than that stupid green one.

Line up your mirrors so you can see six-o-clock in both of them. Never forget that your blind spot is only just over the shoulder, four-o-clock and eight-o-clock. Before making any deviation of turn make a quick glance to the appropriate side. In UK they call this the "life-saver" which tends to get your attention seeing as it's your life. Always remember that the motorcyclist generally has most fun but is most vulnerable in a traffic situation. If you have to shuffle around a bit to look in your mirrors and check angles that's fine. A perceptive driver behind you will read the body language and be prepared for you to make some kind of move. A lot of drivers won't catch on but thats how it is we have to think for them as well.

Even after checking mirrors and signalling, LIFESAVER!

The sluggishness at 5k is a characteristic of the break-in period but drop a gear and she will respond, once the break-in is done things get a lot better.

I call it a "head check," and ja, I do it before changing lanes or making any kind of move to either side.  Signal, head check, go.

You can't drop a gear until after breakin.   :mrgreen:  Once you are allowed to rev it, she scoots.

Yup, that's right. Sorry did not make myself clear, don't drop the gear just be less keen to get into sixth, use the full 5k with 3-4-5 .....

QuoteLine up your mirrors so you can see six-o-clock in both of them. Never forget that your blind spot is only just over the shoulder

That's what I've got now...I was wondering if people think it's redundant to see directly to the rear in both mirrors, or if it would be more effective to see more of the area behind and to the side (preferably in the high speed lane side...the left side over here in the states) to keep track of overtaking traffic.

Quotemake a quick glance to the appropriate side

Head check.  Right.  I'm pretty religious about this, even in my car...but I'm also a mirror fanatic.  I like to keep track of where everybody is all the time.  I -don't- like surprises, and Boston motorists are renowned for their, ummm, aggressive technique.

QuoteThe sluggishness at 5k is a characteristic of the break-in period but drop a gear and she will respond, once the break-in is done things get a lot better.

Good news.  I'll look forward to that first oil change.  Seems that 4-5k is just about where it stops sounding like a pissed off lawnmower.  

QuoteGet a laptop backpack with straps to keep the laptop in place. Then bungee it to the bike. In an accident, a laptop in a backpack is bad for the laptop and potentially really bad for you, too. It'll fare much better on the back of the bike, and it'll stay out of your spine, too.

Definitely considered this...I'm going to futz around with it on the bike once it stops raining to see how solidly I can get it configured.  On the other hand...an upside to wearing the backpack is that the waist strap sort of feels like a seatbelt.  It's curiously comforting.

Quote from: BadgerSeems that 4-5k is just about where it stops sounding like a pissed off lawnmower.  

Giant sewing machine...  

Quote from: BadgerSome observations/questions after my first week with the GS:

How do foks orient their mirrors?  I've got things set up so I see just past my shoulders, which means I need to lean my head over a touch to see what's looming behind me.  I'm wondering if it would be better to have at least one showing more of what's alongside me.  I've found that for whatever reason I always use the right mirror to check my 6.

I think I'm the only one, but I like the little stick-on convex mirrors to expand my view. Once you are used to them you can check a wide view behind you very quickly.

Still do the head check though!