Hello, I'm a newbie! I just put down a deposit on a 2005 GS500F with about 6000 miles in mint shape!
I am also taking the Beginner Riders Class in November BEFORE I pick up the new GS.  Any tips?
I bought some gloves.  Helmet, jacket, and boots are next. I sold my Porsche for this, so I'm totally psyched! 

-Jeremy
2005 GS500F
Glen Ridge, NJ USA

Congrats and welcome 

Quote from: flynlo on September 30, 2008, 08:07:08 PM
Hello, I'm a newbie! I just put down a deposit on a 2005 GS500F with about 6000 miles in mint shape!
I am also taking the Beginner Riders Class in November BEFORE I pick up the new GS.  Any tips?
I bought some gloves.  Helmet, jacket, and boots are next. I sold my Porsche for this, so I'm totally psyched! 

-Jeremy
2005 GS500F
Glen Ridge, NJ USA

Congrats.    ...I think.  What type of Porche did you sell?  944, or something that was just a little older? 

Join the fun! You will fin all sorts of helpful info here. Spend some time reading the FAQ section and searching posts for info on mods as well as maintenance you can do yourself, and buy a clymer for that year(s) GS500 so when you need it you have it and this site for help.

Good stuff. dont skimp on the gears. gs are fun to ride.  of course i never really had any other bike..  if this is your first time on bike..
hmm.. what i remember as pointers for you.
wind at hwy speed is daunting but as you ride more you will get used to it.
learn and get comfortable with counter steering as soon as possible.
mod the crap out of your bike.. its just plain fun and gets you excited about riding.
dont forget to check oil at all times... no matter if its a somewhat new bike. every time you ride off you should make a habit to check.
and tire pressure..thought to be honest this is harder.. this is more of a preach as i have a hard time doing this myself.
get a nautilus horn you will love it.


thats about it for pointers coming from a somewhat new guy on motorcycle.  

HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WELCOME WELCOME!
i just got my GS like 2 weeks ago... so im semi new to the group as well...
i used to have an R1 but i decided to sell it and buy my fiance and i both a bike since there was no way we were both ridin on that R1 @ the same time lol.
anyways, the GS is a great bike. i have an '06, and i took my rider class a year ago @ the harley davidson dealer, (even though i dont care for harley's.)
it was a veryyyyy informative course, and they teach so many great safety tips and stuff.
im sure youll enjoy your class as well!
post some pix of your bike so we can all check it outttt.


-Michele
<333

good luck on the course and welcome. the gs is lots of fun.

Quote from: flynlo on September 30, 2008, 08:07:08 PM
Hello, I'm a newbie! I just put down a deposit on a 2005 GS500F with about 6000 miles in mint shape!
I am also taking the Beginner Riders Class in November BEFORE I pick up the new GS.  Any tips?
I bought some gloves.  Helmet, jacket, and boots are next. I sold my Porsche for this, so I'm totally psyched! 

-Jeremy
2005 GS500F
Glen Ridge, NJ USA

Welcome

Hmm, you'll prolly want some heated grips Mr. New Jersey and some good boots. Gear is a fantastic thing to spend money on. Imagine walking around without skin. Yuck !

Hope your gs is as much fun to you as mine is to me. Keep an eye on your tire pressures, adjust the chain with the string method (http://www.yamahafz1oa.com/sportryderswheelalignmentmethod.shtml) and take your time getting up to speed. Speed kills !

The gs -loves- twisties and commuting. Give her a chance to shine in the turns and you'll need nothing more.

WATCH THE SIDE STREETS AND NEVER ASSUME GREEN MEANS "SAFE" !

Welcome!

Quote from: flynlo on September 30, 2008, 08:07:08 PMI am also taking the Beginner Riders Class in November BEFORE I pick up the new GS.  Any tips?
I bought some gloves.  Helmet, jacket, and boots are next. I sold my Porsche for this, so I'm totally psyched! 

The BRC is a good place to start.  Once you've taken it and gotten a few miles under your belt, try more rider training - the ERC, novice track schools, etc.  If there is an MSF dirt course in your area that supplies bikes, that's a good use of money, too.

Don't skimp on the gear.  Any part of your skin that is not covered is the part that you wouldn't mind walking away without.

As far as boots go - after breaking my ankle after a spill on the track (in a very slow corner) despite wearing what seemed like sturdy moto boots, I developed a little test for a boot's ability to keep my ankle intact.  You might try it...

Try to bend your foot until your ankle is on the floor, keeping your leg straight upright, in the moto boots you're considering. I have found that I can do it in most moto boots. I can't do it in my Supertechs, which have internal lateral bracing (although I can do it in the swanky new version, the Supertech Rs - WTF, A*?). Now, I don't delude myself by thinking this means they're going to keep my ankle from being broken in every circumstance. But it means it will protect in accidents where boots that aren't as laterally solid will fail - which is exactly what happened to me, and at low speed. Bikes have a lot of weight, and if they fall on your foot, your ankle bones won't always be enough to hold them off.



Other boots I've found to be laterally stiff like that are the Sidi Crossfires and those Puma 1000 boots.

Awesome advice! Thanks a bunch....I got some hard knuckled gloves, and a SHOIE FULL FACE on the way!!!!

Quote from: flynlo on September 30, 2008, 08:07:08 PM
Hello, I'm a newbie! I just put down a deposit on a 2005 GS500F with about 6000 miles in mint shape!
I am also taking the Beginner Riders Class in November BEFORE I pick up the new GS.  Any tips?
I bought some gloves.  Helmet, jacket, and boots are next. I sold my Porsche for this, so I'm totally psyched! 

-Jeremy
2005 GS500F
Glen Ridge, NJ USA

you forgot lower-body protection. leather chaps.

What's up NJ?

I'm new too. New rider and new to gstwins. Just picked up my bike Friday. The weather is being ghey right now. Sposed to see some sun tomorrow though. I'm gonna be out there all day, if it is.

Grats. Post pics when ya get it.