Noob here. Been lurking for the past 2 weeks or so. I've read a lot of the stickies.

My story is, I've always wanted a bike, but never gotten one. I've been on vacation a few places where I've rented mopeds (i know, pretty ghey, right?) and each time you could never get me off of em. I'd make up any excuse to take it out. "Oh, we need (insert random grocery here)? I'll get it" /me heads out to "the hog".

Not sure about the age of the peeps here, but I turn 36 this month. I hope didn't embarrass myself in front of a bunch of young whippersnappers. I know I'm getting into it pretty late, but it's better than never, right?

A few weeks ago, I completed the rider's course they offer close to me, run by some folks certified by the MSF. http://www.rider-ed.com/v4/ I took this course as a recommendation from a lot of people but would've taken it regardless. I did not want to get into riding, blind. I haven't had a speeding ticket in over 10 years (i got those out of the way early in my driving career) and have never *knock on wood* been in an accident.
So far, my only riding experience has been the riding done at the course, a day with a Ninja 250 as well as a ride on a Kawasaki Vulcan 500. I always thought I wanted a cruiser for my first bike, figuring I'd just want to take it around on back and country roads to get experience. My plan was to get an old 70's or 80's Honda CB 500. But while riding the bikes mentioned, I experienced some turbulence at higher speeds (got up to 60-65). I did that on a country road close to me. I've gotten a few opinions about the turbulence that varied a little, but I trusted the following comments that changed my mind on what to get for a first bike.
- "the 250 is too small to be going that fast and feel stable"
- "cruisers are open. it's just going to be like that"
I don't know many people that ride, so test riding other's bikes isn't much of an option. I still have no urge to be on a highway, but if I have to, I'd perfer to not feel like a sail while being out there.

I would've liked to go a little older (read: cheaper), but after some shopping around, this seemed to be the best choice for what is available around me. 2007 GS500F
http://dealer.sold.com/moredetails.html?93793456&sitecode=cycexchdatalink
(I was able to get it out the door for 4100).

I'm working out the insurance now and hope to be picking it up this weekend.

I've got tons of noob questions that I'm sure you'll all be dying to answer and help me out with

I know that this seems like a trivial first question to ask on the boards but I've had most of the more important ones answered already. Under the Modifications page, shortening the signal stalks . . .  are the front signals the same as the rear? Can you do this the front as well? The stock length is pretty god awful looking.

Anyway, sorry for the long, first post. Just tried to give you guys a feel. I'm super psyched to ride. It sucks that I'm getting a bike right before the winter hits. Be prepared for a lot more questions. Maybe, if you're lucky, I'll be one of the guys that joins, asks a few questions and never posts again

Welcome to the forum! It's always nice to have new members 

Nice to greet ya.  Hey, what were your negociation tactic to get that thing OTD for $4100.00?  2007 over stock? 41 one hundred dollar bills flopped on the dealers desk?

welcome! 

the turn signals are the same size for front and rear (well, atleast on my 04). i don't see why you shouldn't be able to shorten them for the front ones as well. i think it'll just be annoying drilling under the front fairing unless you remove the fairing and drill. then again i think that'll be a lot of work just for lights. lights are cheap, you can find cheap, nicer looking ones all over ebay.

and even though winter is around the corner doesn't mean you have to stop riding! 

stay safe! cheers!

Quote from: heygawgaw on November 11, 2008, 10:11:00 AMHey, what were your negociation tactic to get that thing OTD for $4100.00?

Not quite sure. It was listed for $4199.00 and has just over 1000 miles on it. I told them my limit was $4k and I'm paying cash. I stink at negotiating. If it were someone else, I think they would've gone even lower. I did find another, same year, less miles but dropped on one side for $3500. It was in a bad part of NJ (Newark, if any of you are familiar with it). I didn't feel safe going to meet someone in Newark with a pocketfull of cash. lol.

Quote from: drincruz on November 11, 2008, 10:47:20 AM
the turn signals are the same size for front and rear (well, atleast on my 04). i don't see why you shouldn't be able to shorten them for the front ones as well. i think it'll just be annoying drilling under the front fairing unless you remove the fairing and drill. then again i think that'll be a lot of work just for lights. lights are cheap, you can find cheap, nicer looking ones all over ebay.

and even though winter is around the corner doesn't mean you have to stop riding! 

stay safe! cheers!

I didn't realize I'd have to drill under the fairing for the front signals. I also didn't realize that I could replace the fronts with some aftermarkets that didn't require some kind of contruction. I don't mind paying for less work I guess I'll wait til i get the bike and see what I'm getting myself into.

Thanks again all.

Quote from: poostik on November 11, 2008, 11:35:22 AM

Quote from: heygawgaw on November 11, 2008, 10:11:00 AMHey, what were your negociation tactic to get that thing OTD for $4100.00?

Not quite sure. It was listed for $4199.00 and has just over 1000 miles on it. I told them my limit was $4k and I'm paying cash. I stink at negotiating. If it were someone else, I think they would've gone even lower. I did find another, same year, less miles but dropped on one side for $3500. It was in a bad part of NJ (Newark, if any of you are familiar with it). I didn't feel safe going to meet someone in Newark with a pocketfull of cash. lol.

i know the area. i used to live a town over. so don't worry i know that pocketfull of cash + guy who looks out of town = easy scam. 

Quote from: poostik on November 11, 2008, 11:35:22 AM

Quote from: drincruz on November 11, 2008, 10:47:20 AM
the turn signals are the same size for front and rear (well, atleast on my 04). i don't see why you shouldn't be able to shorten them for the front ones as well. i think it'll just be annoying drilling under the front fairing unless you remove the fairing and drill. then again i think that'll be a lot of work just for lights. lights are cheap, you can find cheap, nicer looking ones all over ebay.

and even though winter is around the corner doesn't mean you have to stop riding! 

stay safe! cheers!

I didn't realize I'd have to drill under the fairing for the front signals. I also didn't realize that I could replace the fronts with some aftermarkets that didn't require some kind of contruction. I don't mind paying for less work I guess I'll wait til i get the bike and see what I'm getting myself into.

Thanks again all.

well, you're not really drilling the fairing per se. but the way the mod is for shortening the turn signals is that you'll be cutting off the bolt ends and then drilling 2 smaller screws into what's left of the stalk. so when you're mounting the turn signals again you'd be drilling under (maybe behind is a better word?) the fairing.

stay safe.

Welcome.

  WELCOME 

You made a good choice w/ the GS You should get many years of happy use out of it. The GS is a great bike to start with. I started with mine at age 29  Now Im 32 and I still have it  I plan on getting a cruiser next year But I will keep the GS for sure... youll see.. There is no comparison, you just can let them go 

I concur, the GS is an outstanding bike in every respect.  just get some better fork springs and a stiffer shock in the rear, and you'll hold onto yours for a LONG time.

Oh yeah, just check the oil before you ride each time, ALL aircooled engines burn oil.  If you're gentle on yours, the amount it burns will be very little to no oil at all consumed, hard riding results in more use.

Quote from: bobthebiker on November 11, 2008, 03:53:50 PM
I concur, the GS is an outstanding bike in every respect.  just get some better fork springs and a stiffer shock in the rear, and you'll hold onto yours for a LONG time.

Oh yeah, just check the oil before you ride each time, ALL aircooled engines burn oil.  If you're gentle on yours, the amount it burns will be very little to no oil at all consumed, hard riding results in more use.

and know the right way-

center stand or you straddling it, on level ground...
unscrew, wipe, replace DO NOT SCREW IN, check, add if needed, screw in.

simple as that. welcome !

All noted.
Thanks a lot.

I'm really excited to ride. As far as riding hard . . . I don't plan on it. At least not yet. I'm hoping to stay safe and enjoy the ride.

I just won my helmet bid on ebay so I can return this helmet I've been borrowing. I should have her this weekend. Is it ghey if I name it? haha

that depends, naming the helmet or the bike?  because I've named MANY of my 9 bikes. frankenstein,  you f$%ing piece of $H@T,  grandpa, etc.    never named a helmet though.

haha
yeah, i meant the bike.
i was only kidding though (not really)

Willkommen zu nuthaus

Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on November 11, 2008, 09:44:51 PM
Willkommen zu nuthaus

ja.  sprechen sie deutche?

Mopeds are fun as hell. Im still debating between getting a moped or a scooter as a second vehicle.

It's definitely not too late.  I bought my first bike (Ninja 500) earlier this spring--when I was 31.  I would have loved to have taken the MSF course.  Instead, I took the DIY course--wrecked bike numeral uno within a week, and a couple weeks later I had my GS.  Overall, I love riding.  It's just great to get out!     Mind you though, some turbulence--especially that caused by crosswinds, will just take some getting used to.   Your bike is light and rides on (stock) skinny tires.  It'll get pushed around a little.   Enjoy your state routes, and enjoy the board.  Be safe, assume you're invisible, and take your time getting used to things!   

Mix wind with semi trucks and heavy fast moving traffic, and you have some real turbulance that forces your body around a bit. a tad uncomfortable, but not a big deal.  And welcome. 

Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on November 11, 2008, 09:44:51 PM
Willkommen zu nuthaus

Ahh, danke!
Wie gehts?

Quote from: respite on November 11, 2008, 11:23:59 PM
Mopeds are fun as hell. Im still debating between getting a moped or a scooter as a second vehicle.

Yes. Me too. There is a sweet moped shop/espresso bar over in Silverlake that makes me want a moped every time I go there. The only reason I don't already have one is that they are sold out for the rest of this year. Their supplier can't manufacture them fast enough and they sold out. Once they're back in stock, I'm going to seriously consider getting one. They look like so much fun and 100+ mpg sounds cool as well.