Hey all,

I just got off the phone w/ my gf and she was explaining to me how this guy from her work wants to get into biking and she said that the bike iIhad was a good entry one. Now what you must understand is she doesn't like bikes, or anything like that so for her to be saying this is huge, haha. I never thought she was listening to my babble when it comes to cars/bikes.

Anyways, this guy went on to tell her that I didn't own a "G something 500" (as gf described it) but I owned a crotch rocket GSXR600 and I went stupid fast. (not something I want my gf thinking, she worries..) so after he explaining that it wasn't true and she knew I didn't have that he went on to explain why he wants a Katana 650 (that's right, he said 650 ) then went further to explain how it was a underrated bike that could beat the new GSXRs..

I had to laugh, but my gf wasn't. The one time she was rigth about my bike this guy said she didn't know what she was talking about, so she got annoyed. And called to confrim she was right when she got off work.

Anyways as well as telling this story and being happy my gf is learning a bit about bikes, I was wondering if this is common everywhere or just around Toronto? (not many Canadians ride, so I wasn't surprised ppl don't know each bike)

I commonly get guys on superbikes spraining their necks to get a second look at my bike.  The look of dissapointment when they see it's a GS is quite funny to me.

-Turd.

Yeah, the GS does get snubbed sometimes. Alot more when it was naked. HD drivers didn't like it because it was Japanese, and sport bike guys snickered at a little 500 twin.

On the other hand (and sometimes the same perp), I've also run into newbies who buy Katanas because it "looked" fast and modern to their uneducated eye, and thier ego insists its the best thing since the invention of the wheel. And if they survive thier first purchase decision, they are usually the type that graduates straight to a Hayabusa or literbike  as over-compensation.

what...ever 

the gs gets snubbed lots. most guys think the gsxr 600 is a good first bike...their idiots and your g/f should be happy to be with such a smart guy instead of such a doorknob as the guy she was talking to.

Tell her that from now on, she should only talk to people more intelligent than she is; that will limit her conversations with idiots like the know-nothing clown she works with.

It really depends on who you're talking to...  I always expect people to try to pick on my "little" bike, but most of the time they envy me for having one...

Case 1:  The moto shop guy...  I've talked to three moto shop guys that went into a blissful world of nostalgia when I told them I had a GS500...  "OH!!!  I used to race one" or "That was my first bike too!!!"

Case 2:  My friends...  Although nearly all of them make fun of the "Webber Grill" on the back, several of them incessantly ask me "So, when are you going to upgrade to a bigger bike."  I reply, "Probably not for a long time...  Why?"  Then they try to convince me to get a bigger bike for a while before finally admitting that they want my GS500...

Case 3:  The guy at my local Thai place...  He asked me what I rode...  " said, "Just a little one...  A GS500."  Then he looked like this:      He said, "That's HUUUUUUUUUGE!!!!  In Thailand, most people ride 50s."


So, there ya' go...  You just have to find the right people.   One of my MSF instructors started on a GS500 too...   

when i first got my GS and people would ask what i got i would say "oh just a little GS500, just a starter bike till i can learn and move up"...for some reason i was embarrased to have something so small.

now...i just say that i have a GS500 and leave it at that.  if they ask me why i only have a 500 i do tell them that its my first bike and i didnt want something that would kill me the first time out.

all in all its an awesome bike and im lucky to have it.  i was just caught up in what people thought about me instead of me just being me.  its so much easier when im just me 

Hi there,
Well, you have to feel for those who don't understand.
Bigger isn't always better.
That's why this is a great country.
Others are free to be as wrong and stupid as they want to be and we still talk to them.
Ride and enjoy whatever you want to ride and enjoy.
Best wishes,
Todd

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