Hi all,

I used to frequent this site several years ago. You folks were a major part of my decision to bus a used gs500 when I started to ride at the dender age of 41! I learned alot from the bike and from this group. (particulary suspension setup) Last summer I sold the gs and got a ZRX1100. Quite a difference! I still love the standard bike posture.

Anyway, when people ask what to ride, I always suggest the gs not only because of the bike but because of the people who frequent the site and how they are willing to help newbies!

great news! congratulations on moving up. Nice new ride. Its always nice to hear back from the old crew...Were you around when the old board was up or when this php board was in its infancy?

Enjoy the zrex!...you must already know about zrxoa.com?

Happy new year!

Cool   Where abouts in Upstate NY are you? I always steer people I talk to into buying a GS when I hear they are interested in learning to ride. I have yet to be successful in talking someone into on, though. Hmph.

First anwser------The old board. My bike may still be in the archived hall of fame. It seemed to be down today

Second Anwser---------Naples NY. the south side of Canandaigua Lake,

Great roads and elevation changes around here. Just watch out for the gravel!

Quote from: kfoster... Last summer I sold the gs and got a ZRX1100. Quite a difference! I still love the standard bike posture. ..

As recorded in an earlier post (What Would/Did It Take to Switch Bikes?), I'm curious as to your motivation to switch?  Why such a big jump?

Quote from: kfoster... You folks were a major part of my decision to bus a used gs500 when I started to ride at the dender age of 41! I learned alot from the bike and from this group. ...

... I should add that I started riding at a more mature 46.  This site has been a great help in understanding what makes the GS500 tick and keep on ticking.  Agree with you that this is a great resource -- people and content.  

As recorded in an earlier post (What Would/Did It Take to Switch Bikes?), I'm curious as to your motivation to switch?  Why such a big jump?[/quote]

Good Question!

I was riding longer distances and was still enjoying it. However my butt was not. I was also interested in having a bike with more torque. After 5 years, I realized that this motorcycle thing was not just a phase. I spent quite a bit of time researching because I did not want to spend big bucks. My top limit was $5000. I sold the 94 gs for (I think $1300)  

I ruled out cruisers and race replicas for the most part

The short list of my interests was:

Triumph Speed Triple (sexy-fast- maybe too dangerous)
Bandit 1200 About right (the 600 if a great deal came along)
Yamaha fz1 (too expensive in most cases)
Older Honda VFR if I could find one I wanted
Suzuki SV650 (a bit small for long distances and older back!) Great bike however!
Suzuki Katana 750 (almost won a pristine example on ebay)
Kawasaki ZRX1100 - Saw a couple and got very interested. Why you ask?
Standard riding position (very comfortable)
Great looks! (duplicat eof 1980's Eddie Lawson Replica)
lots of storage
Big superbike motor tuned for torque (dump it in 5th and just ride if you want to) Pulls from under 2,500 rpm in 5th just fine.
Adjustable suspension - pre-load and rebound/compression damping at both ends. comfort is much greater, handles very well too!
Amazing internet group - over 6000 members in ZRXOA.org. The group is very willing to help and has been doing rallys all over the country for several years.

Lastly - by far the most bike for the $

I picked up a 1999 1100 with 3200 miles - Corbin seat, Works performance aftermarked rear shocks, custom fork brace, Kerker carbon fiber bolt-on exhaust for $4,300. The bike is pristine. It was an ebay auction for a local bike. The owner ended up being someone with mutual friends so I knew that it was going to be fairly represented.

the post is a bit long but that is the story!

Hope it helps.