I've had her for about a month, but living in an apartment doesnt allow for a good detailed wash, so today was the first time I got to clean the bike rather thoroughly.  Its an 04' GS500 with 13k miles, which I purchased off Craigslist for $1200. Unfortunately the previous owner had laid it down on the right side, so you can plan on seeing more posts about bodywork and paint from me. Sadly my camera was dying so I only got 2 pictures, and one was of me posing like a retard.

But I just wanted to introduce myself, I've posted a couple of posts here but I tend do more reading than posting... This site has been a fountain of knowledge and information for me, which has made riding and owning my GS that much better...

Strip it naked and peel off the decals. That alone will make it 3x more badass.

I disagree, I think the F model is much better looking than the naked model.  However with all the "old guys" on this forum many of the responses you'll get will be that E model is better.  Leave it just how it is man, it looks great!

Quote from: nightrider on May 28, 2009, 05:19:22 AM
Strip it naked and peel off the decals. That alone will make it 3x more badass.

-10000000000

do NOT strip it naked nor remove the decals.
the bike looks fine the way it is now!

besides, you'll appreciate the wind protection the fairing offers!!

I dont plan to strip it naked, I like the look of the fairings... although it will probably have to be naked for a weekend or two until I get it sanded, fiberglassed and repainted  Just deciding a color scheme to go with...

Quote from: g-lock23 on May 28, 2009, 02:45:51 PM
Just deciding a color scheme to go with...

Go with flames, tribal decals, or color changing metallic paint. That will really make you stand out from the crowd.

Painted wheels really seem to stand out to me.  Maybe a deep blue color or something.

I hope you have boots for riding. I can tell you first hand bikes and tennis shoes don't mesh! Unless you like crutches!

Mary

True, you'll have quite a few false neutrals with gym shoes on not to mention the safety issue of a possible accident. 

Quote from: g-lock23 on May 28, 2009, 05:07:49 AMSadly my camera was dying so I only got 2 pictures, and one was of me posing like a retard.

Yup, I see that with no gloves and tennies.  

Nice looking 2004 you got there. I've got a naked 2002 and really wished I had a fairing. Just put on a little windshield (and a top box), but I'm not convinced it's doing much.

Bertman

Quote from: Toogoofy317 on May 28, 2009, 03:57:07 PM
I hope you have boots for riding.

+1

dont have riding boots, I ride nearly every day guess it would be a worthy investment....

Yeah but its better that the standard flip-flops,board shorts and tank tops that the squids wear

Quote from: Toogoofy317 on May 28, 2009, 03:57:07 PM
I hope you have boots for riding. I can tell you first hand bikes and tennis shoes don't mesh! Unless you like crutches!

Mary

  Not that big a deal, man. I can assure that out of the kazillion people registered on this forum about 15% actually have "riding" boots Just go to your local KMart/Walmart and find a comfortable pair of boots(I have 2, a pair of lugs that I never wore until I started riding everyday and my retired slip resistan steel toe Taco Bell boots  ) and ride.

Quote from: nightrider on May 28, 2009, 05:19:22 AM
Strip it naked and peel off the decals. That alone will make it 3x more badass.

Fail,Fail,Fail 

Just got mine washed too.

With all decals in place after 19 years!

Quote from: drgnslayr72 on June 07, 2009, 10:57:59 PM
Yeah but its better that the standard flip-flops,board shorts and tank tops that the squids wear

so sad, but true. i'm always out in full gear and i just shake my head at these squids riding in shorts and a tshirt. then again, these are the kids that probably ONLY ride in the summer. what a waste of a motorcycle endorsement...

ah well.

anyhow, i'd invest in a good pair of boots. you'll feel much safer on the road.

cheers,
~drin

Well, I will digress with the end of me wearing tennis shoes and riding. One morning I had a doctor's appointment across town I put on all of my gear pants, jaket, helmet, and gloves. I did not own a good pair of boot and figured I'll be fine not putting on my LL Beans hiking boots (all I had at the time) So, I knew I was running low on gas ( just gotten out of hospital and trip metter reset) I know I can make five miles to the gas station. Murphy's Law here I ran out of gas at the stop light to turn left into the gas station. Dang! Well, I will hop off and push at the same time to get momentum. The pavement was uneven! I lost my balance and somehow my right foot got caught under the left side of the bike. Not good I thought! Then I got up and stood uh-huh pulled up my pants leg ankle was already black and blue! Really, not Good! Two good samaratins pulled up one guy took my bike to the side walk gave me a ride to the gas station. He would not let me pay for the gas or the jug! He took me back to the bike and put two gallons in it!

So, I explained to my docs office that I managed to hurt myself on the way and I wouldn't be able to make it. I rode the bike five miles back home with my right foot dangling to the side of the bike. Then, I had to have my neighbor drive my to my best friend's house where my car was. I was too ashamed to wake him to tell him what happened right then. Because, the night before he said "are you well enough to ride tomorrow?" I knew I would have a long hard lecture when he did find out. So, I hobbled in grabbed my car keys and drove Nascar style to the ER. Two hours later I have a temporary cast on my ankle. Not broken but not good either the doc said at least Grade 3 sprain. I ended up on crutches for six weeks and two more months of physical therapy after that and it took me about a year to feel confident playing b-ball on this ankle!

So, long story short $50 from Pronator and I got a good pair of boots that are comfortable now! If I had my boots on I may have twisted my ankle but not torn three ligaments in my ankle!

Mary

Eep.  *braces for unsults/stupidity comments*  I wear my converses to ride.  D:  As soon as I can get some income here, I'll buy a nice pair of riding boots and a nice leather jacket.

I like the faired version, Sorry OLD PEOPLE, I know Im on the way, 30, hehehe, Anyways If you really want to try something different I'd just strip the graphics off, see what it looks like straight colors, and then put some different vinyl graphics on it, you can have a local sign shop whip some up for ya, just take in a disk with what ever design you like or even a URL and they can import it into their sign wizard. plot you out your graphics and you can slap them on yourself or pay them to do 'em.

By the way why The glass? did you drop it or are you modding it?