Hello fellow GStwin members.
I am the proud owner of a new old stock 2008 GS500F,only had 1 mile on it new now it has about 50.
Took the MSF course a few weeks ago and now have had some riding time on the GS.

One thing i've noticed riding to today,the potholes and rough roads will tend to jar you a bit,so much so it will knock my hands of the bars a bit,unless holding on supertight.I've installed the S.W. Motech risers because of more upright riding posistion preference,these are 1" up and 1" back, i'm wondering if this would cause rougher translation of road bumps and potholes thoughy the bars than stock?

Welcome and congrats on the GS purchase, I am sure you will find this forum to be a very helpful resource! As far as being pulled on your bike when going over potholes or rough roads, thats too be expected... your going over a pothole! haha. Best way to fix this is to...avoid them! 

Welcome! You should have an easier time holding on over pot holes if you hold onto the tank more with your legs, and less with your arms. No matter what type of bars you have you'll still want to keep a good grip on the bike with your knees/legs, that way if you hit a bump there won't be as much emphasis on the bars and you'll move more with the bike, instead of having the bike moving under you. I know it's easy to let your knees flat in the breeze when you have a nice upright riding position. I do the same thing.

  That makes me feel better knowing this is normal,although the cruddy Michigan roads are partly to blame.

  And the technique of holding on to the tank more with my knee's and legs sounds like great advice,i've been out of motorcycling for the last 30 yrs,had a 67'Suzuki TC200 then.
I'm sure i've got a lot to learn and all advice is appreciated.

Quote from: tt_four on May 05, 2011, 10:37:28 AM
Welcome! You should have an easier time holding on over pot holes if you hold onto the tank more with your legs, and less with your arms. No matter what type of bars you have you'll still want to keep a good grip on the bike with your knees/legs, that way if you hit a bump there won't be as much emphasis on the bars and you'll move more with the bike, instead of having the bike moving under you. I know it's easy to let your knees flat in the breeze when you have a nice upright riding position. I do the same thing.

Ahhh, yes! Sorta like, when riding a horse bareback. Grip with your legs and guide with the reins, gently.  

Quote from: tt_four on May 05, 2011, 10:37:28 AM
Welcome! You should have an easier time holding on over pot holes if you hold onto the tank more with your legs, and less with your arms. No matter what type of bars you have you'll still want to keep a good grip on the bike with your knees/legs, that way if you hit a bump there won't be as much emphasis on the bars and you'll move more with the bike, instead of having the bike moving under you. I know it's easy to let your knees flat in the breeze when you have a nice upright riding position. I do the same thing.

+1   for sure!   

Congrads on your new purchase, I just bought a new 09 with 3 mike a month and a half ago. Still haven't taken the MSF yet and this is my third bike, but I plan on doing it soon.

Anyway, just go out and ride your new bike and get use to itbut amoung all stay safe, go slow and avoid the potholes.

Keep your arms relaxed and bent and your grip loose. If you have too much tension in your arms and a tight grip, all bumps etc. will be transfered directly to you and you'll think they are bigger than they really are. The bike, trying to self adjust to the bumps, will not be able to as much so will feel less stable.

Think of your position on the bike like the fulcrum point of a seesaw. If you have relaxed bent arms and are loose on the bars, as the front comes up, your arms will bend and your body stays where it is, right? If you have tension in the arms, as the front comes up your body is Forced to move back, isn't it? Then as the bike goes back down, cause you cannot hold the weight of the bike in that position it will feel like it's ripping the grips out of your hands and your body will be jerked forward.

Just as standing on the pegs with knees bent acts as a shock absorber for upward bumps, bent relaxed arms does the same from unwanted motion from the front.

Michael

 I believe your right on the money with the to much tension desciption, because that's exactly what's happening leading to getting jostled around on the bike.Yesterday I had to shake my hands back an forth for a minute or two after a ride because they felt like pins and needles from most likely gripping the bars to tight.
I will be working on these excellant tips next ride.

Quote from: MarksGS on May 05, 2011, 04:11:30 PM
I believe your right on the money with the to much tension desciption, because that's exactly what's happening leading to getting jostled around on the bike.Yesterday I had to shake my hands back an forth for a minute or two after a ride because they felt like pins and needles from most likely gripping the bars to tight.
I will be working on these excellant tips next ride.

hahaha yeah, reminds me of my first time on a bike.
Last year I went on vacation to NC.
28 then, never even SAT on a motorcycle before!!! (nobody around me had one.. EVER)
old friend took me to the place he took the safety course and taught me the basics on his GSXR.
Rode around the parking lot for about 45 mins to an hr.
afterwards my hands were Painfully sore!
He laughed at me for awhile for doing what he said not to.. having a death grip on it.

Also new to motorcycling and thanks as well for this advise.
Going to take the time and effort now Before I even get going to fully relax and not tense up.
and use my legs gripping the tank for more stability instead of having it all in my arms and hands.

Tho yes I was taught that in the course a few weeks ago but things in that course went too fast for everything to fully register in my head.

so thanks again as well