Hi,

I bought a '99 GS500E yesterday and it was just fun to ride it. This is my first bike in US, infact first 500cc ever. I have a couple of question as i am just a beginner in biking.

1. While I was riding the bike I could easily feel the jerks at lower gears when I accelerate. Especially in first and second gear, it starts off slow and suddenly jerks to high speed. It is not a smooth acceleration. Any one know what could be the problem and how to rectify it?

2. Is it advisable to get it serviced and oil changed as I am not sure when was it last done? Also any suggestion for a service mechanic in san diego (La Jolla)

3. Is there any place I can find a free service manual?

4. How do I know if the tires need replacement. If I just use the back break the bike skids, is that a sign for 'I need new tires';

It tough to be a newbie in anything, you feel like you dont know anything and wonder if you would ever know everything . Do help me out.

Nikhil

about 10 people will say take the MSF course.....motorcycle safety foundation

not positive what you mean by jerk....notice at certain RPM? speed?

oil is good, make sure you have some..... wouldn't hurt to change it
oil level is very important....as thes bikes sometimes use a little bit of oil 
look at the wiki pedia thing from sanjay

tires....cracked or dry rotted?
          tread?
if it has bridgestone excedras....they are hard as a rock and most do not like them
use more front brake....front should do at least 75 % of the stopping

welcome,  this is a nut house....you have been warned.

Welcome   Congrats on the new bike(well new to you)

1. not sure of the answer but im sure someone else will chime in.

2. I would recomend getting it looked at by a friend or someone else who rides and they can let you know what needs to be done. Oil should be changed the filter also, check the air filter and replace if dirty, check the brake pads and lines usualy you should replace the lines every four years but most people just upgrade to SS lines, clean and lube the chain if dirty, I may have missed somethings but I cant think of them right now.

3. you can go to the dealer and pick one up but it wont be free, or you can get one from here ( http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0892878339/gstwincom)some of the money goes to help keep this site running and i think its only 20$.

4. dont use just the back break you will lock up your rear. My bike does that when i stop to hard when wearing my work boots. no biggie I just dont use my rear anymore unless I really have to. You can also check the tread depth with a guage they sell at most auto part stores and when you get a service book check it for the specs on when to replace the tires.

Also you can check this page out for the service intervals for your GS.
Good Luck

Welcome Nikhil. Good choice on the GS500

There should be no jerking as long as you are smoothly rolling on the throttle. It could be anything from user error to an old throttle cable to a carburettor jet being clogged.

I recommend taking to get serviced along with the jerking issue. Take a look at http://www.suzukicycles.com/DealerLocator/Default.aspx to find a dealer near you to service it.

You should be able to get the manual from the dealer as well.

You should be using both the front brake and back brake at the same time to stop. If you just use the back brake and the bike skids, you are jamming too hard on the brake! If the tires have barely any tread on them or look worn, have them replaced.

I also recommend taking the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) course. You will learn a lot and it's a good way to get your motorcycle license. Check this site for a location/time in your area: http://www.msf-usa.org/

when i was first going on my bike, when I was letting off the Clutch to fast, and not rolling enough Throttle, i got the jerking motion not sure if thats your problem or not but good luck!

Thanks a lot guys for the pointers and the links. I will take it to the dealer and get it services. Btw I have been riding a bike in my country for about 4 years, but in america it has been only a month so should I go for a basic MSF course or the Experienced one?

Also regarding the jerk, its nothing to do with the clutch, neither with the gear, there is a jerk in the RPM of the bike. This is when I am on a constant gear trying to accelerate.

Regards,
Nikhil

WELCOME !!! 

As far as the jerking it could be your chain is out of adjustment, carb adjustment/cleaning, throtle cable or something else A quick check of all of those would help narrow it down  I would reccomend getting a clymer service manual and searching/asking on here before going to the dealer, most minor service can be done by you at home without many tools  and it will save you a ton of $$$  i would deff change the oil being that you got it used. It is fairly easy and there is a great post step by step on this site. http://www.gstwin.com/oil_change.htm

Everyone here will deff reccomend the MSF course, in some states like here in PA its FREE!!! and in most others it is very inexpensive and worth every penny! DO IT 

And again ... WELCOME !!!

Quote from: nikux on April 22, 2007, 06:16:38 PM
Btw I have been riding a bike in my country for about 4 years, but in america it has been only a month so should I go for a basic MSF course or the Experienced one?

You need to take the Basic Rider course to get your motorcycle license from the class.