Hi Guys!

Total newbie here.  I'm getting a new (to me) 95 GS500E on Saturday (that's tomorrow, the 19th!), and have a couple of quick questions, if anyone has a moment to answer.

I'm pretty set on this bike, and have a good feeling about the transaction.  I've seen pictures, it's being driven a half-hour voluntarily to me, the lady seems legit, and it's a superb deal -- I don't want to tip over the karma jar by getting too nit-picky. Never been dropped, 6000 miles... a couple rust spots on the exhaust, but that's about it.  Are there any deal breakers I should look for this side of missing both tires or total engine block melt-downs?  What problems beside the well known GS500 issues (exhaust rust, soft fork) can a guy spot with a quick examination?

To be honest, I don't know a darn thing about bikes, but I want to look good when the girl drops off the bike.  I'm not going to be able to test drive it, but I want her to know she's placing her friend into good hands, and maybe avoid inheriting a lemon at the same time.  What should I do?  Kick the tires?  Or just laugh, say "put it over here," and sign the check?

I'm going to have the bike in storage over the winter (to get my papers and take the MSF course) so I'll have plenty more questions for you soon.  But this is an emergency!

Thanks

I just bought my first bike too (a 2002 GS) and I found the following tutorial/checklist awesome.  Before looking at the bikes I checked out I printed out this guide, read through the whole thing, and highlighted the parts I was most interested in. i.e.  highlighted the exact parts where it tells you what to check.  It might take an hour of inspection, but I think its worth it.

http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html

Have her start it up. Make sure it starts up nicely and idles level. Make sure the tires are in good condition. Make sure the throttle works smoothly, make sure the engine revs cleanly when you give it throttle (give it time to warm up, if necessary). Make sure the brakes work by squeezing the levers. They should offer resistance almost as soon as you start squeezing. They should not touch the bars. Make sure there is no rust in the tank. Make sure everything looks good. No cracks, scrapes, tears in the seat. You get the idea.

you guys are quick!  thanks.    Good stuff... I'll respond more later on today.

Oh, I forgot to mention, I'm going to be putting this bike into storage right away too, and I won't have much access to it over the winter... gotta do this  now.  How do you prep a bike that will be lonely in a cold midwestern garage for four months?  I take it I should drain the tank (somehow) and maybe unhook the battery...  any ideas?  Do I need tools?  I know, I know... "way to treat your new bike!"  The best I could do on short notice.

From searching for "winter storage" and selecting Find All Words I got this:

http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11371&highlight=winter+storage

It gives you a step by step how to. It should be in the owner's manual as well.

Don't drain the fuel tank...fill it.  You don't want water to get in there or checking for rust now will be a wasted effort.  Also add some fuel stabilizer.  You do want to drain the carbs (there's a drain plug).  Change the oil.  Take the battery out of the bike.  Lube the chain.  Wash and wax it lovingly.  Put it up on the centerstand.  All of the relevant instructions can be found on this site in previous postings...search and ye shall be rewarded.  You'll find everyone's opinions on what you should do.

I wouldn't just disconnect the battery...it would be a real nasty surprise to take the bike out of storage and find all manner of angry battery goo all over your new-to-you bike.  Store it seperately from the motorcycle.  Ideally you want to keep it on a battery tender so that it doesn't lose charge or go all wonky on you and is ready to go come spring.

Welcome and congradulations!

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=4354.msg34764#msg34764

Put the bike on the centerstand and have someone put all the weight on the rear seat so the front tire lifts off the ground.

Move the handlebars left to right.....there should  be no "notches" but a smooth operation from left to right.

If you do feel a bump or notch (usually right when the wheel is straight) you need new streering head bearings. This is usually because of an impact. Sometimes it's because of excessive wheelies. The tiny bearings 'dent' into the race (the race is the round channel the bearings seat into)

It's a big job at about $100 in parts if you do it yourself + a weekend of labor.

awesome... that checklist helps a bunch.

is fuel stabilizer/conditioner something you can buy at the corner gas station?  And what's a good oil to use?

Ya gotta understand... the only vehicle I've had till now is a bicycle.  heh.

Fuel stabilizer you should be able to get a local gas station, but some prefer Stabil, or STP fuel stabilizer, available at a local car parts store, like Kragens, Pep Boys, Autozone; check your phone book.

http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=136045#136045

Quote from: niteshadeAnd what's a good oil to use?

For this one, you should probably search.  You'll find tons of opinions on the subject, and you can choose the advice you'd like to take.  It's been discussed about a bazillion times.  You can pay a whole lot for "motorcycle formulated" super-spiffy synthetic oil or go with el-cheapo 10W-40...different folks have preferences both ways.

Hey Niteshade...

I live in Milwaukee....my wife and I are coming down to Chi Town December 16th for shopping on the Mag Mile and for dinner at Ditka's.

We should get together, hoist a few and swap GS Stories!

GSMetal

Quote from: niteshadeYa gotta understand... the only vehicle I've had till now is a bicycle.  heh.

Make sure you read the GS500 FAQ too:

http://gstwin.variders.com

thanks for all the good tips.  I really appreciate it.  What a gem of a forum!

gsmetal, that would be nice... look me up when you come down.  At least get a beer.  I won't have many GS stories to swap, however... haven't even ridden once yet!

does anyone have any recommendations on bike locks?  Is a bicycle ULock good enough around the front tire?  Any better ideas?  I'm gonna have this baby in a friend's garage, two hundred and fifty miles away for four months.  I am a little, shall we say, concerned.

those posts at clarity.net/~adam are really amazingly detailed... like reading a textbook.  And the GSTwin FAQ is pretty neat too.  Good stuff... looks like I picked the right bike.  Big community out there.

I have a Krytonite (sp) lock - not the small one that locks on your disc but the big mambo cable lock that goes through the frame.

I was in Indiananopolis years back on a trip and used the lock in a parking garage to lock my XT600 to my trailer. The next morning you could tell someone had been working to A: Pick the lock and B: Saw through it. But the lock held - and still works!


Here's the link.

http://www.kryptonitelock.com/inetisscripts/abtinetis.exe/PublicArticleDetails@public?artid=2726&atf=products_item&pgrp=20

Hi guys!

got the bike!  in the light of a ford contour, behold...


woot!  

w00t!!!! Congratz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    

Welcome to the club

I  :kiss: my GS

Looks like an e-pay photo to me.   :lol:  :mrgreen:

If you haven't done it already, take the MSF course.  Then go practice, practice, practice, especially maximum effort braking and swerves.

Buy good gear, i.e. jacket, pants, gloves, helmet, and boots.  Remember that most "accidents" involve cagers "not seeing you", so pick bright colors.  Be on the lookout for cagers, they're all out to kill you.  Be conservative on two wheels, but carry a big stick.

Other than that, welcome to the club!  

Now go get a Dremel and do a fenderectomy before I come up there and do it for you!   :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  

Quote from: niteshadeHi guys!

got the bike!  in the light of a ford contour, behold...

Looks like someone needs a fenderectomy!  :lol: