Hi everyone, my name is Maryanne and I just bought a GS500E as my first bike ever, and got told about this forum.  Thanks for accepting me as member and hope with everyone's knowledge and expertise I can learn more about my bike and what I can and can't do on it.  I have not yet ridden the bike as it needs to be lowered because I am too short.  Also when I bought the bike it was raised so that was my first obstacle but called the professionals and they can fix it up for me.  As well as a first bike owner I am also only a Learner so its all new to me and exciting at the same time.  I will keep you all posted on when I get to ride it but note that I have friends and family who can teach me quite a few things about riding and so forth but any feedback is good and welcome.

Welcome, Maryanne.

First things first... we need to see a picture of your bike.

Second things second... go do a Learn To Ride Course - whatever it is called in your jurisdiction. While friends and family are well meaning and may have years of experience, the Course will give you a good foundation upon which to build - plus - let you know what's needed for any licensing tests you'll need to do.

Michael

Quote from: mister on November 20, 2010, 12:20:50 AM
Welcome, Maryanne.

First things first... we need to see a picture of your bike.

Second things second... go do a Learn To Ride Course - whatever it is called in your jurisdiction. While friends and family are well meaning and may have years of experience, the Course will give you a good foundation upon which to build - plus - let you know what's needed for any licensing tests you'll need to do.

Michael

big +1 on the rider courses

friends and family are often very, very wrong about how to handle situations on a bike. get the most correct, current methods from a course, and then practice. if i had a nickel for every time i heard someone tell a story that involved "and then i had to lay it down to stop" i'd be fairly better off.

welcome to gstwins, the coolest place to start, and the nicest place to visit.

ride safe !

Welcome!

Yep, when you lay it down, you don't slow down nearly as fast as if you were braking.  A course will teach you good habits.

Welcome to the forum

+++ on all the comments about training.  Motorcycles are not excessively dangerous.  Nor are they inherently safe.  There is no substitute for training from competent instructors.  I am relatively new and am trying to take something each year.  MSF Basic course to state, then took Experienced Rider course, the Ride Like a Pro.  All have been great and helped a lot.

Also, Pics of the bike (pics or it didn't happen),

Keep the  shiny side up,

Chuck

Welcome! congrats on the bike. I can't imagine buying a first motorcycle and not being able to ride it! I'm the kind person who's checking out stuff I just bought in the car on the way home. Definitely wouldn't be able to just stare at a bike. Let us know how it goes!

Of course, one more vote for the training course. I knew how to ride when I took it, and still learned a bit. Tried to teach my wife how to ride with absolutely no luck, so she took the course and turned out to be one of the best riders in the class.

 Hello to those who replied to me, I agree with you all 100% about taking a riding course, we call them here in Queensland, Sunshine Coast, Australia, Q-ride.  As for a pics of my bike, I will eventually, just bought the bike last week and have not yet taken one.  Just the same, its dark blue, 97 model very neat and tidy, a few scratches on the tank and exhaust from previous owners but can't complain for a 1st bike. 

A/S/L?
Yes, I'm a leg humper.


ROTFLMAO

Welcome! Pics of the bike!!!!

Welcome ... and I cannot tell you cos these guys will bash the crap out of me ... but a gs makes a poor choice for a short beginer.
Is there a reason you didn't buy a kawi vulcan 500 or a virago 535 or a suzuki savage ?
Cool.
Buddha.

Welcome and happy riding from another Aussie! Not too far from you in Byron Bay.

Quote from: Maryanne on November 21, 2010, 05:55:20 AM
Hello to those who replied to me, I agree with you all 100% about taking a riding course, we call them here in Queensland, Sunshine Coast, Australia, Q-ride.  As for a pics of my bike, I will eventually, just bought the bike last week and have not yet taken one.  Just the same, its dark blue, 97 model very neat and tidy, a few scratches on the tank and exhaust from previous owners but can't complain for a 1st bike. 

Hi, did you do your Q-ride course at Pro Griffin Yamaha with Glenn at Kunda Park? I used to live up that way (Coolum) until about 6 months ago until work forced me to move. I miss the roads up that way. The Malaney - Conondale - Kenilworth then along the Obi Obi and back up to Mapleton is my absolute fave. Another GStwinner and I will be riding up that way this Sunday as part of an arranged ride. We could meet you in Malaney if you are interested to tag along?

Heya Maryanne,

Pop into the Australian Meet Greet section and say "hi" http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?board=9.0

We've got a good contingent of Queenslanders here

Michael

Quote from: The Buddha on November 21, 2010, 04:21:23 PM
Welcome ... and I cannot tell you cos these guys will bash the crap out of me ... but a gs makes a poor choice for a short beginer.
Is there a reason you didn't buy a kawi vulcan 500 or a virago 535 or a suzuki savage ?
Cool.
Buddha.

My first was a GS500E it lasted about a month till someone hit it. Then I went straight to the 500 Vulcan. Much better first bike. I rode that thing for a couple years and still miss it.

Quote from: reajcox on November 22, 2010, 08:21:02 AM

Quote from: The Buddha on November 21, 2010, 04:21:23 PM
Welcome ... and I cannot tell you cos these guys will bash the crap out of me ... but a gs makes a poor choice for a short beginer.
Is there a reason you didn't buy a kawi vulcan 500 or a virago 535 or a suzuki savage ?
Cool.
Buddha.

My first was a GS500E it lasted about a month till someone hit it. Then I went straight to the 500 Vulcan. Much better first bike. I rode that thing for a couple years and still miss it.

Yup, especially for a short person who's short on experience too.
Cool.
Buddha.

Welcome, Maryanne!

Mrs. Bad Example (my darling wife) just started as a rider this past July.  She took the California MSF class; had a great time, passed with flying colors, and came home wanting to go moto shopping.   

She had her eye on various cruisers, thinking that they would fit her better (she's 5'2", 29" inseam, 115 pounds).  Turned out that most cruisers either "felt" too heavy or had their pegs to far forward to be comfortable.  She was sceptical of the GS500 until she sat on one...she can get the balls of both feet on the ground with little effort.

The only problem she's encountered has been low speed stuff, and simple lack of experience dealing with "reading" the road.  (For example, beware of gutters, they're lower than the street!)  In all, though, she's quite happy and becoming very confident and skilled on her GS.

cheers,
MJ

Welcome to the forum...

I did the same as you...found a good deal on a bike and bought it before the training...obviously everyone is saying "get training" for a reason, best to start out with a good foundation before you learn the "bad habits" that we all fall into...a good place to start is to go to YouTube and watch CaptCrashIdaho videos...it is not a substitute for training, but will give you a heads up to what you will learn (and practice) in your course...I think he does quite a good job of explaining different techniques using plain english...

The GS was my first bike as well, but I am at the other end of the "scale"...9" taller than Mrs. Bad Example and more than twice her weight, and the bike still works for me (if a little short and under sprung)...

Just remember to take everyone's advise with a "grain of salt"...since we are giving advice from our experience and it will be different for you, maybe very different or maybe quite similar...

Later.

I'm a new biker with about 2 months of daily riding under me now and I think the gs500 has been a great first bike so far!  I did have it lowered though.  I'm 5'9" on a good day with 31" inseam and am much more comfortable now that it is dropped.

Wow, really. I'm 5'8" and flat foot my Flick with ease.    Flick was also my first bike and will be my last until he kicks the bucket and then I might get another GS500F.

Mary

Welcome! I felt much better after lowering mine as well. Now that I'm more comfortable It's going back up slowly. Be safe!