Still gsJack

gsJack · September 17, 2003, 07:47:44 AM

Although I fixed up my 97 GS500E after my 7-19 mishap so I could continue to ride it, I decided to accept my insurance companies offer on tataling it out. My 97 GS is now theirs.

Never could have gotten as much out of it if I tried to sell it with 77,500 miles on the clock. Would have needed a new ride by the end of next season anyway.

I bought a slightly used 2002 GS500 last Friday with only about 4400 miles on the clock. :lol: Very happy with the new GS. Much more flexible and smoother than old one. Not nearly as cold blooded as the 97 was. Since I prefer naked bikes, it was probably last chance to get an almost new one as the new 04's are covered with plastic.

scratch · September 17, 2003, 07:52:34 AM

Right on! 77,000 miles! WOW! How're you feelin'? Congradulations on the new(er) bike!

JohNLA · September 17, 2003, 08:11:55 AM

Sweet

The 02 is a wonderfull year for the GS but I am little biased.
You want to race I just broke 6000 miles yesterday. Just kidding, I am racking up lots of miles in my new courier job.

Kerry · September 17, 2003, 09:19:50 AM

Awesome, gsJack!

As I've said before, you're my "long-haul hero". I'm only up to 28,000 miles on my '99, and my '96 only has 10,000 or so, but I'm working on it. My 6-miles-each-way commute doesn't contribute much toward racking up the miles, but I'm glad it's not any longer. Save the miles for the open road, right?

But you've given me an idea: why not trade out one of my pre-'01s for an '01 or '02? My '96 has never had quite the oomph of my '99 (which is why I don't take her on many of my LONGer rides), so maybe I should put her on the block. That is, after I get the carburetors cleaned and reinstalled....

Cris · September 17, 2003, 04:53:32 PM

Good news!

dmp221 · September 17, 2003, 05:52:22 PM

Welcome back, Jack...you've been missed!

elektron · September 17, 2003, 05:58:34 PM

sweet.. mine will have that many miles soon enough.. if i don't total it before then. already got 17,800 and i bought my 2001 a month and a year ago. taking it down into mexico this winter too.. i can't believe how cool california is. spent 3 days near san jose in july. som damn kickass mountain roads in that part of the country.. nice campsites too

makes me wondoer how much more of this chicago, il flatland i can take before just moving to cali.

*edit*

this is what motorcycles look like in the winter in my neck of the woods.
http://users.halo.nu/~elektron/gallery/motorcycles/suzuki_dr350s_snow_1

Rema1000 · September 17, 2003, 06:33:13 PM

Quote from: gsJackit was probably last chance to get an almost new one as the new 04's are covered with plastic.

I bet it would be possible to buy a 2004 and sell the fairing for most of the $600 difference in price over the 2003 model. Anybody here who has tried to import a TCP fairing might be willing to shell-out $400 or more. The main thing I like about the 2004 plastic is the integrated fairing. Since Suzi put it on, I suspect that it's had more wind tunnel testing than you could get if you bought a Nat'l Cycle fairing and bolted it on. And, while I like riding naked, I had my Suzuki factory 1/4 fairing on the other day when I got caught in the rain, and oh what a difference that made.

JohNLA · September 17, 2003, 07:21:51 PM

Quote from: Rema1000
Quote from: gsJackit was probably last chance to get an almost new one as the new 04's are covered with plastic.

I bet it would be possible to buy a 2004 and sell the fairing for most of the $600 difference in price over the 2003 model. Anybody here who has tried to import a TCP fairing might be willing to shell-out $400 or more. The main thing I like about the 2004 plastic is the integrated fairing. Since Suzi put it on, I suspect that it's had more wind tunnel testing than you could get if you bought a Nat'l Cycle fairing and bolted it on. And, while I like riding naked, I had my Suzuki factory 1/4 fairing on the other day when I got caught in the rain, and oh what a difference that made.

They don't build factory fairings for looks or aero dynamics. They build them to be pleasing to the eye and to sell. Your national wind screen will probably offer way more protection than tha new OEM fairing.

September 17, 2003, 07:38:36 PM

Good stuff Jack!

Congrats on the bike!

Stay Safe

JasonB · September 17, 2003, 08:20:17 PM

If anyone gets a 2004 I'll trade naked parts for the fairing parts!

pantablo · September 17, 2003, 09:30:45 PM

Quote from: JasonBIf anyone gets a 2004 I'll trade naked parts for the fairing parts!

<cough> me too...

Jack-good to see you're back at it...now you truly look like the center pic of your wheelie on a '02!

p-

gsJack · September 19, 2003, 07:37:09 AM

Thanks all for the replies, and a little update to add on the bikes.

I'm going to to keep the 97 GS500 by buying it back from my insurance company for the $200 salvage price and will receive a salvage title. It will have to be re-fixed up and inspected by the State Police before it can be put back into service. I removed the $250 in new parts that I put on to use it for awhile while deciding what to do. Not sure at this point if I'll put it back in service or keep it for a parts bike. The tires and wheels alone are worth the $200 to me.

Put about 600 miles on the 2002 GS this week and everything is A-OK with it. With only 4400 (5k now) miles it is like brand new to me. The GenMar risers and Progressive springs from the 97 were on it within 24 hours of course. :lol: :lol: Also added the new Spitfire windshield I just bought for the 97 to replace the smashed one and transfered my home made luggage rack by simply bolting rack and grab handle on new bike. Still gotta put on the case guards and pegs I removed from the 97.

And last, but not least; the FORCED FENDERECTOMY :x :guns: I would have never bothered with this but the bike came with it. Kinda like the looks

but wonder if it will make much difference next time I'm rolling down the interstate at 80 mph in heavy rain.

scratch · September 19, 2003, 08:05:24 AM

Here, here! Here's to European mudguards!

pantablo · September 19, 2003, 09:40:50 AM

Quote from: gsJackKinda like the looks but wonder if it will make much difference next time I'm rolling down the interstate at 80 mph in heavy rain.

if you're riding in heavy rain you probably won't notice a little back splash that might come off the rear wheel...

snapper · September 19, 2003, 12:28:59 PM

GSJack! Welcome BACK!

Glad to hear you are back on the road again making us youngsters look like slackers. You rock!

bbanjo · September 19, 2003, 03:55:39 PM

Very glad to hear that you're on the mend Jack. Those pesky clav breaks really get in the way for a bit.

I'm doing my best to 'rod my '02, hope you love yours.

JasonB · September 19, 2003, 05:08:10 PM

I cant tell the difference with the rain thing, I am covered head to toe and dont feel the rain anyway front or back.

RedShift · September 20, 2003, 06:09:05 PM

Wow, Jack. 77,500 Miles on a 97'GS500!! I don't even have that on my 98 Chevy Venture, and it gets the weekend & family trips.

Realizing there's at least four months of Winter in Ohio, how does one rack up that kind of odo-time. You must ride your bike everywhere!!!

As Kerry says, you're one to be admired... Welcome back to the GS crowd.

Roy...

Rich500 · September 22, 2003, 10:19:38 PM

All I have to say is that GSjack is one hell of a guy. He really does make us younger punks on our hopped up GS's look like slackers. I am worried about how many km's are on my 2002, and its only got 6500! Nice work Jack! Nice work...

News:

Still gsJack

gsJack

gsJack