I am new to this kinda stuff so any help would be greatly appreciated. I am looking into buy a bike. I am really interested in the GS500F. I have never owned a bike and from what I was told this bike is a good first bike. What kind of maintainence should I expect to have to do? How many MPG does this bike get? If anyone can give me some information about what I should look for when I go buy it, I would be very grateful. Also, would this model bike be a bad bike to buy used? If not what should I look for and what questions should I ask? Thanks for help.

In my opinion, it is best to buy used.  Because you're a new rider, you WILL drop her.  When it's used, you won't really care about a small scratch, but when it's new, you'll be kicking yourself all the way to wherever...


Also, have you taken the MSF course yet?  If not, sign up ASAP

Oh, and Welcome!

Where can I take this MSF course and how much is it? Do I have to have the bike first?

Where are you located?  Each state has different prices.  If you're lucky enough, your state will be free.  I live in MA and I paid $255 for the beginers course, but it was well worth it.  I'd pay $1000 for the same class.

http://www.msf-usa.org/ is where you can get info on you state's locations.

You do not have to have a bike.  All you have to have is a lerner's permit.  They let you make your mistakes on THEIR bikes.

What kind of stuff do they cover in this course? Will my insurance go down if I take it?

Quote from: annguyen1981 on August 30, 2006, 06:26:32 PM
In my opinion, it is best to buy used.  Because you're a new rider, you WILL drop her. 

Ok.. I know they say "there are those who have gone down and those that will" But... I dont think all new riders are destin to drop their bike just cause they are new. This was my seccond year and 8,000 miles later I haven droped yet  

Lets not say "you will drop her" 

About your insurance, I guess it depends on your state.  In MA, I get a 10% discount.

In terms of the class itself...  They teach you the basics or riding the motorcycle, and also some techniques on how to avoid accidents (swerving, emergency stopping, etc...).

But IMO, the most important thng they do for you is teach you the CORRECT way to ride an mc.  No bad habits.

Quote from: scottpA_GS on August 30, 2006, 07:38:16 PM
Ok.. I know they say "there are those who have gone down and those that will" But... I dont think all new riders are destin to drop their bike just cause they are new. This was my seccond year and 8,000 miles later I haven droped yet  

Lets not say "you will drop her" 

I also haven't dropped her yet.  I've been riding for one year, with 6500 miles.  And no a pothole doesn't count as being dropped.

Quote from: jpmire on August 30, 2006, 07:37:02 PM
What kind of stuff do they cover in this course? Will my insurance go down if I take it?

Yea... most think you get a "discount" for taking the course but my agent says that thats just BS... insurance is based more on your credit score than your driving record, classes or anything else.

The MSF is still a great idea weather you get a premium break or not 

Anyone care to show proof of the MSF insurance discount?

As for as MPG goes how much can I expect? I am trying to convince my fiancee that it will save us money at the pump because my big truck cost about $60 and I fill up 2-3 times a month. So...... I know "good luck on that one"! Anyway what kind of maintainence is required and is most of it self-serviceable? Thanks for the help guys.

~50 mpg - more if you watch yourself ... or are always going downhill ... 
Cool.
Srinath.

about 55 - 60mpg is average I would say. Deff better than any car you can buy for the same price as a GS   

with my mods below and ridin with tha 600s i get about 43-47 mpg and just road cruisin in 6th gear was 59.89mpg the last time i checked it and average street ridin is 46-54mpg but thats mostly it// o yeah this is a great bike and i have really enjoyed it being my 2nd bike plus many mods r starting to come out for it so it is a great choice--top speed on the odometer reaches 120 of 130 though but n e way i would definately buy the bike again if i had to do it over

Quote from: scottpA_GS on August 30, 2006, 07:46:57 PM
Yea... most think you get a "discount" for taking the course but my agent says that thats just BS... insurance is based more on your credit score than your driving record, classes or anything else.

I see you're pretty adament(sp??) about this credit rating affecting your insurance, huh?  Have you heard yourself say this out loud?  Why would be financial status affect my auto/mc insurance?!?!?!?  They have absolutely NO relation to each other.

About the discount....  Many threads ago, it has already been stated that living in a certain STATE(s) will get you a discount.

You want proof???  Here's you f-ing proof - directly from an insurance web site.
http://www.mcinsurance.net/discounts.htm

According to the website, they insure people in Connecticut - Rhode Island - Maine - New Hampshire - Colorado - Utah.

So there!!!  Stop with the "there is no such thing as an MSF insurance discount"

GS is a great bike, they are almost bullet proof when it comes to engine life.  You will still see alot of early 90's out there rolling along  .  That being said buying used or new depends on you.

If you plan on keeping the bike for a long time buy new.  I know it's hard to say weather or not you will keep a bike a long time but be honest with yourself.  Buying new then trying to sell it a year or two later you will take a nice hit to the wallet in depreciation value.

On the other hand buying used then riding it for a year to two then selling it to buy a new bike.  You will probally be able to sell it for almost what you paid for it, maybe more depending what kind of deal you got.

Here is the maintanence plan http://www.gstwin.com/maintenance_info.htm  .   If you get a haynes or claymer manual you will be able to do all the maintenance yourself.  Really it's not hard.  Alot of people here do all their own maintence.

MPG.  I get about 50mpg average.   Alot of that will depend on how you ride, if your kind of spirted rider you will get less, and if you grany ride you will get more.

MSF course An posted the link already, no bike needed they supply the bike and sometimes even a helmet.  Personally I'd bring my own helmet tho.  Some states if you pass the MSF then you don't have to take the DMV test for your moto license and you WILL get an insurance drop.

Buying a used bike.  Hopefully take someone with you that know's about bike's, post up where you live maybe a member close to you would be willing to go with you to look at a few.

and finally welcome to the board alot of useful info here stay safe and have fun.   

Yeah the GS is a pretty good first bike. It's capable of crusing at 80mph all day and still getting 55 MPG. Maintenance items include checking the valve clearances every 3,500 miles (I went 9,000 miles before checking them and they were still fine) which is easy to do yourself, except that if it needs to be adjusted it requires a special tool, but you can order it for about $20. Everything else is pretty standard and minimal. It seems like the engine is often the last thing to die on these bikes, the finish quality on the frame, fasteners, and components is low so watch out for rust on older models, especially in the tank. Forks are another weak point, the springs are too soft and the seals go out relatively frequently, but this isn't too difficult to remedy. The bike, even the brand new ones, are basicly an unchanged design since 1989, so they are very simple and used parts are easy to find and cheap (search ebay). I do all the maintenance myself and anyone with any mechanical knowlege and a repair manual shouldn't have any trouble doing all the work themselves. Plus this forum is a great resource for advice.

One last thing is in regards to reliability, it of course depends on how well cared for the bike is, but I haven't been too anal and I've had my bike for about 13 months and put 11,500 miles on it and It hasn't broken down or left me stranded once. It's a 1999 model that had 9,500miles on it when I bought it and now has 21,500miles. Most reliable vehicle I've ever had.

Quote from: annguyen1981 on August 30, 2006, 08:52:33 PM

Quote from: scottpA_GS on August 30, 2006, 07:46:57 PM
.

You want proof???  Here's you f-ing proof - directly from an insurance web site.
http://www.mcinsurance.net/discounts.htm

According to the website, they insure people in Connecticut - Rhode Island - Maine - New Hampshire - Colorado - Utah.

So there!!!  Stop with the "there is no such thing as an MSF insurance discount"

I never said there is no such thing

Calm down

Quote from: annguyen1981 on August 30, 2006, 08:52:33 PMI see you're pretty adament(sp??) about this credit rating affecting your insurance, huh?  Have you heard yourself say this out loud?  Why would be financial status affect my auto/mc insurance?!?!?!?  They have absolutely NO relation to each other.

http://affinity.progressive.com/auto_insurance_center/101/credit.asp

http://www.insurance.com/Article.aspx/My_Credit_Affects_My_Car_Insurance_Rate/artid/32

 

Quote from: scottpA_GS on August 30, 2006, 07:46:57 PM

Quote from: jpmire on August 30, 2006, 07:37:02 PM
What kind of stuff do they cover in this course? Will my insurance go down if I take it?

Yea... most think you get a "discount" for taking the course but my agent says that thats just BS... insurance is based more on your credit score than your driving record, classes or anything else.

The MSF is still a great idea weather you get a premium break or not 

Anyone care to show proof of the MSF insurance discount?

Can't really "proove" it, but I just got my rebate from my ins.company last Thursday and took the MSF in mid-July....  mabey different states have their own rules, but we do get a discount here in Canada, even for cage drivers who take driving school.  I did find that not all companies give the discount, State Farm here in Canada, at least the office I spoke to offered none and to top it off they only took in 3 new bike accounts per month... so you have to go on a waiting list and all...  if you ask me. 

Yea... that is very strange