Hi everyone! I've got a '99 GS500 and I'm thinking I'm ready for a step up. My husband has been a rider forever and I used to ride wih him. Over time, I decided I wanted to try it myself. We got the GS500 because we read what a great beginners bike it is, and I agree. I've been riding for a while though and I have some questions. The bike I bought hasn't had anything done to it at all. The boy that had it before me laid it down and got scared of it and let it sit for a while. I guess my question is whether I keep it and do some work on it or get a newer bike. My husband has a Road Star Warrior and we just got a 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 that was supposed to be the bike I'd grow into. He loves it 'cause he can lay it over in the twisties. I'm not so much a twisty person, haven't quite gotten the hang of it yet. Honestly, I think it's just more bike than I'll ever need. He loves it though so we'll probably keep it as a second bike for him when he wants to zip around. So, that leaves me back with either a new bike or mods. The main thing I noticed trying the Z1000 was that it handled so well, shifted easy and just seemed very nimble. Also more comfortable to sit on. My bike just seems sluggish compared to it. I love the look of the bike and I've really grown attached to it, I just don't know through my inexperience with being around bikes if I can realistically tweek a few things to make my riding more enjoyable. Also, I love the naked bike look but the wind is really pushing me around. I've looked at some windshields and either they seem huge or don't look like they'd do anything. I know this question is kinda long, so thanks if you read it. I'd appreciate any help at all, I'm really getting kinda confused. I've tried searching in the forums and I'm afraid some of it gets kind of technical for me

Well, if you're still trying to learn how to ride twisty's (and not be afraid) you might want to hang onto the GS a little longer. The GS is actually pretty good for that. It could probably hang with that Z1000 id you tried hard enough and there aren't any straits. I would think if you wanted to upgrade now, just mod your bike and practice more through the turns, and then move to a bigger, faster bike.  

Hey Renazai,

I'm not sure you're ready for a bigger, faster bike yet.  How long have you been riding on your own?  Have you taken any MSF courses?  

I just think you need to get a little more comfortable in the twisties before you upgrade, and a Z1000 is a serious upgrade.  If you're not having fun in the twisties, I wonder if you need more practice with throttle control, braking and steering inputs.  Much better to fine tune those skills on the GS than the Z.

There are ways to make the GS more comfortable.  I haven't replaced my seat, but that'd be a good starting point.  You'll also be suprised how much wind a small fairing can knock down.  Just getting the main blast off your chest makes for a less exhausting ride.  I have a National Cycle F-16 on mine and like it, especially for longer rides.  The one thing that really increased my riding endurance were ear plugs.  I never ride without them anymore.  It can get really windy in my neck of the woods and those two changes made gusty conditions much less annoying.

I don't know your size, and am too smart to ask , but upgrading my suspension also made my bike more enjoyable to ride.

As to a next bike, consider what your riding style is and get a bike appropriate for you.  Do you want a bike that will enjoy the same roads as your husband's Warrior or his Z1000?  Maybe what you really want is a middle-weight cruiser?  Something with a little more grunt, sporty, but not much larger?  Maybe an FZ6, SV650, 599, or Speed Four.  They're not for me, but there are also some big scooters out there might turn your crank.  The important thing is to get the right bike for YOU!

I also think it's great that you've decided to get off the pillion seat.  I hope my wife makes that decision some day.

I have taken the MSF and have been riding about 10 months. After reading your replies I'm leaning towards keeping my bike for awhile. I think my main concern was that I wasn't enjoying it as much as I had hoped I would, but I'm sure that comes with time. I had fun on the Z, but I could tell it was toooooo much for me. I think you guys are right though and I should stick with this one till I decide exactly what I want. We're going to a Ducati demo day this weekend (my dream bike is a Ducati Monster) so I'll get to see how realistic my dream bike is! Probably not very, but I do love the look. I am going to go order the windshield right now though and start with the ear plugs. I bet that will help a lot! Thanks for your input!

The duc monster windshield will fit on the GS... taht's where it gets all its coolness from...  
Anyway... the GS has been out handled... the new generation R6's and all 600+ supersports will out handle it, even bigger bikes are lighter, and the Z100 has tapped into the GS's spirit with a ZX11's power thing quite well... The last few places the GS beats the newer bikes is... 1. simplicity, 2. robustness and 3. cheapness. Cant touch that. Handling is good even compared to the newer ones and they cost a fortune in tires. You can fix a GS in your driveway no matter what happens to it.
Cool.
Srinath.

Shoot, how'd I forget the Monster.  Another fun choice.

If you haven't been riding with ear plugs, you're going to be amazed at the difference.

Maybe you should keep the GS for a while longer.  The Givi windscreen would help with the wind.  Like one of the previous posts the 600s are really incredible to ride.  I don't enjoy my SV nearly as much now that I have ridden a ZX6RR at the track.  The SV race bike will may get sold shortly since I am getting a CBR600RR for the track instead.  I am still keeping the GS even though it doesn't get ridden as often.

By "sluggish" compaired to the Zed do you mean turning or acceleration? Acceleration there is nothing that can be done about that it has over 500ccs on the GS. But handling can be greatly improved on the GS with good tires, better shock, and redoing and adjusting the forks.

I am talking about the acceleration, sad to hear I can't do something about that. The handling just didn't seem as easy either, but as my hubby said "newer bike, newer technology". My husband did buy the new forks for me and we'll hopefully do that this weekend. Also ordered a windsheild so I'm hoping that will make a difference.  I really do appreciate everyones feedback on this, it's helping me to decide what to do. I bought the book Total Control last night to get some pointers (a couple people in the forums recommended it) and I'd also appreciate if anyone knows of any other good ones.

Engine power can be helped a bit by a race exhaust, pod filters and a jet kit. But we are only talking 5 or so HP.  But it will be much louder so will feel faster.
:mrgreen:

A well set up GS is very nimble and fast.  As has been stated here before, in good hands, a GS can keep up with faster/newer/expensive bikes at any kind of sane (semi-legal) pace.