Hi guys,

I'm just getting into bikes... Going to take the msf course in the next week or three and I can't stop thinking about riding, haha. Also been deciding on what bike to get as my first, leaning towards a used GS500. I don't know all that much about motorcycles, but hopefully I'll start to remedy that soon. Anyways just wanted to post, if anyone has any advice or anything feel free to throw it my way! 

Quote from: igerstein on March 25, 2008, 04:01:18 PM
Hi guys,

I'm just getting into bikes... Going to take the msf course in the next week or three and I can't stop thinking about riding, haha. Also been deciding on what bike to get as my first, leaning towards a used GS500. I don't know all that much about motorcycles, but hopefully I'll start to remedy that soon. Anyways just wanted to post, if anyone has any advice or anything feel free to throw it my way! 

heads up, all the time, scan scan scan, slow down, and watch your mirrors.

if you're not paranoid, don't ride.

welcome ! we wanna hear from ya for years, not months, so take it easy and hang out a while

This is a good place for you to be, my friend.

Best advice i can come up with (at these hours anyway XD)
ATGATT!!!

For all us newbies, ATGATT= All The Gear All The Time

great idea to start with the safety course , but just remember to stay aware of whats around you and practice in a parking lot(empty) doing slow speed manovers!

Eyes UP, at the horizon all the time.

Look where you want to go.

Bring plenty of water and snacks to the course.

Buy good gear, wear it all the time.

Keep your head on a swivel at ALL times.

Practice practice practice!

Buy a Clymer's manual or download Prafeston's OEM manual.

Let us know approximately where you are.  When you find a bike, consider taking a GS'er with you to have a look at it.  Someone who knows the GS can spot issues others would miss.  An excuse for a ride and a decent lunch is usually all it takes.   


Welcome to the board and the world of motorcycles!

Hi and welcome!

What they all said. 

If you have a bicycle, go ride that in tight slow circles and figure 8s and stuff until you get your bike and even after, practicing looking where you're going, keeping your head up, being smooth, all in all polishing up your balancing and turning skills, and your awareness. It all transfers to the moto. I drive my car with a lot more care now too.   

Quote from: Teek on March 25, 2008, 08:02:40 PM
Hi and welcome!

I drive my car with a lot more care now too.   

that is so true!!!

Welcome to the wonderful and addicting world of motorcycles!  I am also a fairly new rider (6 months or so) and every time I get on my bike I am reminded of why I bought it!  All these guys give great advice, I've learned loads!  Just stick around and you'll be amazed at the wealth of info here at gstwin.

-Lucas

P.S.  If you are looking at GSs might I suggest you get one of the older naked versions.  I bought an '04 and have dropped it a couple times and scratched up the fairings.  Recently I took the plastics off to prevent any further damage 

I live just outside of Boston. I've been looking on craigslist and such, is there somewhere else I should be keeping an eye out for a bike? I'd actually prefer to get one of the naked ones, as I like that look better (man, that black one in the for sale section is nice!!).

I've been wondering (and this may be a stupid question, but I'll ask it anyways), if I find a bike before I take the msf course, how do I get it home? I don't know anybody who has their license who could give me a hand getting it home... What would be the best approach? Even if I've taken the msf course, I probably (definitely) won't feel comfortable driving it home right away (Boston drivers are absolute jerks).

Quote from: igerstein on March 26, 2008, 12:23:10 PM
I live just outside of Boston. I've been looking on craigslist and such, is there somewhere else I should be keeping an eye out for a bike? I'd actually prefer to get one of the naked ones, as I like that look better (man, that black one in the for sale section is nice!!).

I've been wondering (and this may be a stupid question, but I'll ask it anyways), if I find a bike before I take the msf course, how do I get it home? I don't know anybody who has their license who could give me a hand getting it home... What would be the best approach? Even if I've taken the msf course, I probably (definitely) won't feel comfortable driving it home right away (Boston drivers are absolute jerks).

Welcome to the forums; glad you found your way here...

There are at least a few active GSTwinners in Boston; post in the "Meet and Greet" forum to let them know where you are, and that you'd like some help in finding a good GS. Mention that you would need help transporting whichever motorcycle you buy back to your house. Many of us have been in that situation previously, which is one of the main reasons why I've owned a pickup truck for almost as long as I've been riding.

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?board=5.0

IOW, don't waste your time trying to reinvent the wheel, or trying to solve problems others have already learned how to overcome. You joined this forum for a lot of different reasons; meeting fellow riders, most of whom are bound to have more experience than you currently do, should be one of them. SO, with that being said, keep posting and lurking here, then make an effort to connect with others in the greater Boston area, and start learning from them. You can learn a LOT about motorcycling before you ever even learn how to start the engine, if you're willing to listen and think. Judging from what you've posted here so far, that shouldn't be a problem for you.

Food for thought, OK? There is at least one GS500E listed for sale on boston.craigslist.org, but it is closer to Haverhill than Boston, and you might not want to drive that far just to see a motorcycle you don't know much about. The GS isn't PERFECT; one of the problem areas that buyers need to check carefully when preparing to buy a GS are the notorious "crap pockets", which are part of the gas tank. If you don't know what to look for when choosing a GS, you could end up replacing the gas tank before you ever get to actually ride the thing. Don't expect a seller to TELL you about the problems with any motorcycle you look at; some really don't know much about motorcycles, and many will lie to you in order to make the sale. "Caveat emptor" is ALWAYS in effect; if you make friends with other GSTwinners around Boston, they should be able to teach you what to avoid. Personally, I NEVER tell anyone to actually spend money and buy a particular motorcycle, because that is NOT my decision to make, but I NEVER hesitate to tell someone NOT to buy a motorcycle, because I can see the problems they don't yet know enough to watch for.

Take a few minutes to read through some of the "Meet and Greet posts, then put one together and make some new friends. They can help you find good deals on protective gear, explain all about crap pockets, and with a little time and patience, maybe even help you bring your own GS home.

Good luck; if you can't wait to learn about crap pockets, just search the forums, and soon you'll know more than you do right now, which is always a good thing.