So I've had the bike (my first) for a few weeks now, have gotten used to the general riding principles and am slowly trying to work on all the finer skills each time i go for a ride. But until today i just wasn't addicted, i enjoyed it definitely, but didn't have that warm fuzzy feeling like i get when i know I'm going for a drive in the MX-5 for no other reason than the sake of driving. (particularly down some twisties).

So i thought a beautiful Saturday, bugger the chores, I'm going for a ride to somewhere a bit more exciting than my local area. In Canberra (Aus), this happened to be out to the Cotter damn, which loops out to the damn via some winding roads and then back around to civilisation.

I stuck well within the speed limits since i knew that otherwise the skill level is still beyond me at this stage but just the whole run was fantastic!. Several other bikes around (even saw another GS on the way back!) but generally nice clear roads.

But i can well and truly say that after this first twisty run (even sedately as it was) i am addicted!

It's the feeling that I've wanted for riding, but just didn't have, now i do.

As you can tell, I'm a happy chappy. 

Cheers,
Hayden

(just had to tell someone who'd understand - the girlfriend just thinks it was like any other ride)

Yep sounds like you have been bitten. There is nothing like that feeling of a nice run through the twisties. Glad you are starting to enjoy yourself. That's what makes the GS such a great little bike too. You don't need to be doing a zillion miles an hour to put a smile on the dial.

Yep. I know how you feel.

For me, I was always attracted to riding. But the addiction happened when I completed a ride with no missed shifts, smooth cornering, no mistakes, predicted cager stupidity; I was becoming a better rider.

The Cotter is the local area, not even out of state. If you want a bit of fun try Uriara. Just after the long bridge with the traffic lights, turn right (if coming from the Weston side). A lot of 35km/h corners. First time I did it I had been riding for a bit over a week and it was great.

If you want something a bit more fun CR often does rides to the Malua Bay (just south of Batemans) for lunch. Plus MOST practice and more learner friendly rides.

For me I always loved bikes but couldn't afford one.  Not giving up, I started teaching myself how to work on them and pieced one together piece by piece.  After it was 'done' and I was loving riding, I realized I now had developed two addictions, riding and building bikes. 

I've had bike for nearly 3 months now, but was bitten at a young age have rode bikes since I was 2 (my first bike a 3 wheeled Suzuki trike lol). On a similar note however just this week I fell in love with riding the gs.. When I was going to buy I nearly bought a hyosung gt650rl but opted for the gs for reliability. Just this week i had the opportunity to ride a brand new 0km gt650rl and it was a piece of absolute rubbish.. I never appreciated the forgiving little beautiful twin that the gs is until that day.. Gearing superb and smoothe. Comfort top notch in comparison. The Suzuki build quality far superior even the twin front disks that the hyosung could not hold a candle to the stopping power of the little gs. The bike is just so balanced and built to ride!:)

Quote from: lucifer_mr2 on May 28, 2011, 05:46:50 AM
The Cotter is the local area,

LOL, true, true. But it's less local than just around Queanbeyan, I'd been avoiding most of the 100km/hr zones (which is essentially the road out of QBN) to start with since I'm stuck at 80 (NSW L's). Getting more confident now so it's not so much of a problem.

I'll stick to rides of about an hour or so for now before i go tackling a ride to batemans. (and maybe wait till i pick up p's and go a whole 90km/hr instead.  )

HH

HaydenH, so pleased you posted yr post! Went for a ride south of Sydney today. And it was the PERFECT riding day. Got my big winter jacket out, popped on the Scott over the glasses goggles, checked the oil, adjusted the mirrors and off we went. Clear, sunny,for some bizarre reason very little traffic. Just wandered around for a couple of hours having a great time. You know what? This GS500 is the best bike ever ever ever for a Sunday ride

How long until you can take the test? Also, good idea with keeping the rides short. I forgot that when I was learning a ride to Gourburn was long, these days I'll do Two Mountains or the Snowy Loop as day trips.

The rides to Batemans and such will decrease a bit over winter, negative morning temps (celcius) tend to make people not ride for fun over long distance, by the time spring hits, there should be more.