WELCOME!!!

Okay... Couple more noob questions. I've searched for all these but haven't found exact answers, so I'm asking here. Sorry in advance, for the redundancy. As a reminder, it's a 2007 gs500f

Gear
What's the difference between textile and mesh? Is one better for all-season than the other?
As you can see, I'm in NJ. We have hot summers, cold winters and all the other stuff in-between. Ideally, I'd like something that I can use year round as far as pants and jacket. Something that I could put layers under in the winter and also something I could just wear a t-shirt under, in the warm/hot weather.

Winterizing
I'm picking the bike up tomorrow. Yay! I'm very non-mechanical but willing to put forth the effort in trying to maintain what I can with this bike. I will be picking up at least one of the recommended DIY manuals mentioned in these pages. The bike will be kept in my basement that has no heating. While it will be protected from the precipitation and wind, it won't be protected from the cold. I've seen a few different takes on how often you should run the bike if you're not winterizing but still not sure what's the best. I wouldn't mind starting her up in the dead of winter, once every 2 weeks and taking a ride in 10° weather for a 1/2 hour or so, if that will keep the bike up to snuff. Is this okay? Is it better to winterize it? Seems that winterizing takes more work.

Stickers
I've seen plenty on how to remove the safety stickers and feel confident that I'll be able to take care of these. I'm not much for the flashy, stock sticker setups. In fact, I usually end up debadging my cars. I haven't taken a close look yet at the stickers on this, so I don't know if there's clear coat over them or what. Does anyone here have experience in removing these? I'm not sure yet, but I think I might like the look of clean fairings and tank.


Thanks to all in advance!
I'm really enjoying the site.

Welcome!

Textile=mesh=textile, or mesh could mean that it's a mesh that allows air to flow through (think those black mesh shirts of the '80's (Red Said Fred "I'm too sexy" video...)), in which case mesh is not going to provide as much sliding protection.

If you really are looking for an all-season jacket, a textile with zippered vents would be most ideal; the zippers allow for controlled ventilation; open for when it's hot, closed for when it's cold.  Unfortuneately, no one makes a textile jacket with verticle zippers like those on the FirstGear Scout IV (the Denali, Bravado and Bouncer textiles come close), or Fielsheer's Supersport IV (<- the best)...oh, wait, Fieldsheer makes the Supersport TX with the verticle zippers!  Someone is finally listening to me!  And, it's 600denier!

Winterizing: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=312.0

Also, you could search "storage" on this site for even more info on winterizing.

Quote from: scratch on November 13, 2008, 09:57:04 AM
Winterizing: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=312.0

Thanks! I've actually read that thread and will definitely use it as a guide if I decide to winterize. I think what I'm looking for right now though is more of IF I should or not. I guess more opinions on this:

Quote from: cobalt135 on November 22, 2005, 11:28:40 PM
If your gonna start AND ride it up to full operating temp once every two weeks I would say don't winterize.  If your not willing to do that I would fully winterize it and NOT run it until your ready to start riding again.  Just starting it and letting it idle for a while is not real good for the motor.  Most wear is during a "cold" startup and then you have to worry about the condensation and such and rusty cylinders/rings etc.

From this thread:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=22671.0

Quote from: poostik on November 13, 2008, 10:15:03 AM

Quote from: scratch on November 13, 2008, 09:57:04 AM
Winterizing: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=312.0

Thanks! I've actually read that thread and will definitely use it as a guide if I decide to winterize. I think what I'm looking for right now though is more of IF I should or not. I guess more opinions on this:

Quote from: cobalt135 on November 22, 2005, 11:28:40 PM
If your gonna start AND ride it up to full operating temp once every two weeks I would say don't winterize.  If your not willing to do that I would fully winterize it and NOT run it until your ready to start riding again.  Just starting it and letting it idle for a while is not real good for the motor.  Most wear is during a "cold" startup and then you have to worry about the condensation and such and rusty cylinders/rings etc.

From this thread:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=22671.0

If you don't plan on riding over the winter, just winterize the bike. It takes less than an hour and almost guarantees trouble-free startup in the spring! Winterizing is definitely easier than startup and run to temperature every two weeks

gear:
if you just one one jacket for year-round use, i'd vote for textile with vents. they usually come with a liner so you can remove that for summer and put it in for colder weather.
honestly, i have both a leather mesh jacket and a textile. i'm still using my mesh jacket and the weather is getting a bit cold out (i'm right over in ny so same weather as you basically). you can layer up under the mesh, but to be honest, that cold wind is still gonna get to ya!

winterizing:
well it's my first winter with my gs, but my rebel started up fine right after winterization. if you're not gonna ride through winter, just winterize it. feel free to check in on your bike during the winter though! 

stickers:
wd40 + hot air gun (or your wife's blowdryer). http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/tech/remove_stickers_from_paint/index.html

stay safe.

Quote from: scratch on November 13, 2008, 09:57:04 AM
Textile=mesh=textile, or mesh could mean that it's a mesh that allows air to flow through (think those black mesh shirts of the '80's (Red Said Fred "I'm too sexy" video...)), in which case mesh is not going to provide as much sliding protection.

Mesh would refer to the construction, like those shirts, textile would refer to the material. You can get textile jackets that are very meshlike or ones that are a much more solid type material. Most textile jackets have removable liners, the one i have is a mesh jacket which is fantastic in summer, feels like it's not there, then it has a waterproof liner which also helps at blocking wind if it's moderately cool and then it also has the winter liner to add under that for when it's cold. Also has removable body armour and a hydration pack that goes in the back with routing for the hose over the left shoulder. Final feature is it has belt like straps around the waste and arms that allow you to adjust it according to whatever layers you have underneath it. Keep a look out for jackets with these sorts of features and you'll have a good all purpose jacket.

Quote from: sblack on November 13, 2008, 03:34:27 PM
Mesh would refer to the construction, like those shirts, textile would refer to the material. You can get textile jackets that are very meshlike or ones that are a much more solid type material. Most textile jackets have removable liners, the one i have is a mesh jacket which is fantastic in summer, feels like it's not there, then it has a waterproof liner which also helps at blocking wind if it's moderately cool and then it also has the winter liner to add under that for when it's cold. Also has removable body armour and a hydration pack that goes in the back with routing for the hose over the left shoulder. Final feature is it has belt like straps around the waste and arms that allow you to adjust it according to whatever layers you have underneath it. Keep a look out for jackets with these sorts of features and you'll have a good all purpose jacket.

Thanks!
What's the jacket you have? It sounds just peachy.

Will this Clymer book be fine for service/maint/repair for a 2007? Is there a newer one?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0892878339/ref=nosim/gstwincom

Okay, the question is wheather or not to winterize.

Here's a question that will hopefully help you make a decision:

Which would you rather do: winterize the bike and do all that work once and get it over and done with,

or,

Since you're storing the bike in the basement, I can only imagine the effort it must take to get it down there (or back up).  Is it worth it to you to make whatever effort to get the bike out of the basement and ride it?  Every two weeks?

And, here would be the question that I would ask myself (purely hypothetical): Am I sure that the bike is going to start after two weeks in my basement?

Hope this helps.  

Quote from: scratch on November 13, 2008, 06:16:30 PM
Okay, the question is wheather or not to winterize.

Here's a question that will hopefully help you make a decision:

Which would you rather do: winterize the bike and do all that work once and get it over and done with,

or,

Since you're storing the bike in the basement, I can only imagine the effort it must take to get it down there (or back up).  Is it worth it to you to make whatever effort to get the bike out of the basement and ride it?  Every two weeks?

And, here would be the question that I would ask myself (purely hypothetical): Am I sure that the bike is going to start after two weeks in my basement?

Hope this helps.  

It does help. . .
I have entry to my basement from the outside, on the bottom floor. I live in a very hilly area and the basement is really only half a basement... hard to explain, but I can roll the bike right into/out of the basement door from the driveway. No effort.

I'm not sure at all if it will start after 2 weeks in there cause I don't know bikes at all. It's not temperature controlled but our oil burner is down there as is our washer and dryer. It gets freakin cold down there but I don't know how bad that is for bikes.

I don't think I'd mind taking it out ever 2 weeks even if it's cold out.

Quote from: poostik on November 13, 2008, 04:24:32 PM
Thanks!
What's the jacket you have? It sounds just peachy.

It's from an Aussie company that I believe is no longer in business called Blue Dingo but my brother has a DriRider jacket with all the same features and I'm sure that you'll find plenty of other brands with the same.

Quote from: sblack on November 13, 2008, 07:06:14 PM
It's from an Aussie company that I believe is no longer in business called Blue Dingo but my brother has a DriRider jacket with all the same features and I'm sure that you'll find plenty of other brands with the same.

Thanks. I'm researchin away.

Quote from: 905mike on November 14, 2008, 08:46:54 AM

Quote from: poostik on November 14, 2008, 07:52:52 AM
IN for answers.
I pick mine up in an hour! Same year.

good 4 u ... post up some pix one u get her!

woot!
Not very exciting for you guys, I'm sure. Totally stock. I'm excited.
Quick pic from my point and shoot:

Well I like it.
Congrats bro.

thank you, thank you

Man, it figures. I pick the bike up today and it's wet, misty and drizzly out. I took it out around town anyway between the drizzle periods.

I can't wait to actually go for a ride like all day. Of course it's going to rain all day tomorrow. Sunday looks like it's going to be sunny but it's supposed to be windy and 45°. I don't mind the cold but I'm a little wary of the wind.

Anyway, I had fun out there. I took off the ugly safety stickers.

And I pretty much forgot to turn my blinker off after almost every turn. That's probably a bad thing. I hope I can get myself out of that habit soon.

I have tried to make a habit of canceling the turn signal at the first upshift after the turn.  Works for others, I have heard, too.

Welcome!

Joe Rocket makes several textlie jackets that have a thick quilted winter liner, which I never wear in SoCal and forgot I even had one, and also there are exterior panels to zip off to make a light mesh jacket, plus there are vents, and the arms have adjustable snaps to snug up or loosen arm size. Plus zip cuffs and pockets. I have an older one, I think it's a Ballistic, that has shoulder, elbow and forearm armor and back armor, and kidney padding, plus an adjustable waist. I got my hubby a Joe Rocket Rasp jacket for his b-day in March but they are not making them anymore, might find one as old stock. They are similar, more urban streetfighter design and a ton of cool molded rubber over the armored parts, and a snugger fit. I was out in the heat today and it was too smoky to ride much up on the ridges because of the terrible fires, but even though it was warm out, the full jackets and pants we wear were ok. Pants and jackets zip together at the back too.

Gear is important, but I doubt even a thick leather jacket would keep you warm in winter, you're gonna want some of that new thin long underwear skiers wear, under another couple layers.

Gorgeous bike, you will love it, they are sweet, they all have a name, yours will tell you when it's ready.   

If you dont ride like a retard, The bt45 tires that come stock handle the rain just fine from my experiance.  Plenty of little grooves to disperse water.  I ride even in the rain, doesnt stop me, just slows me down. Theres really nothign quite like riding in the rain.  Kind of invigorating. If you wear the right gear, and your bike wears the right tires, you can ride through anything.  I tell you what though.  I have a frank thomas xt-1 jacket and pants.  They zip together.  And they have liners you can zip in.  They are pretty nice for the weather.  Ive rode in a down pour with no rain gear.(I dont have any) And my jacket was wet on the outside, but i was dry.  amazing.  Its not a very good summer jacket though.  Hot as hell.  Its definetly more of a late summer/fall/winter/spring/early summer.  ANy ways.  Theres my unorganized two cents.  Have fun. be safe. 

Thanks for all the gear suggestions. I'll be shopping around and trying some on before buying.

It's finally not raining today, but it's windy. I'll be out there, taking it easy.

Kick. Ass.

First day of "real" riding. Experienced some suburbs, a few miles of 2 lane highway and a few of a 4 lane highway. It was really windy and I was skurred when the gusts blew me to the sides. Man. Total concentration. In total, I rode about 50 miles. Kinda short I guess, but a lot for me.

I need gear. I was warm enough all over except for my hands. I need to get some real winter riding gloves.

Anyway. Tons of fun. I need more.