I just got my motorcycle license and sadly will not be getting a motorcycle till next summer. I was planning on starting on a 600 but I hear you learn the ins and outs of riding better on a 250.

I looked at a couple  250s (mainly the Ninja 250, Hyosung gt250r and the CBR250.) They all looked cool but for the price of getting them new, it wouldn't be worth it because I would want to sell it a couple months later to get something quicker. The 250s at the MSF course were way too slow for me.

Then I started looking at 500s. Ninja500 and GS500. I must say, I want a nice looking bike. The ninja500 looks like crap to me and the GS500 not so much but better. I started looking at GS500E street fighters and decided that's what I'll do for my first bike. All you have to do is switch the tail and it looks sexy as fuuuu. But I decided, I don't want to spend shaZam! ton of $$$ on a GS500E if I'm going to sell it after a years worth of riding.

Then I looked at the GS500F and decided it seemed better with fairings but it still looked off for the tail. Then I saw these two bikes with the fairings painted a solid color:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN_bATvVOJ0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wmtwf60bRM&feature=related

They look sexy as fUU! So i decided, next year around March, I'll buy a GS500F and ride it around for a month or two. Get use to it and then when I feel confident enough, do the thicker rear wheel swap, suspension swap and clip-on bars. Then for summer be cruising in my pimped out gs500 getting hated on by 600 riders .

What say thee? Good idea?


[edit]
I'm not asking if painting the bike is a good idea. I'm asking if modifying the GS500's suspension, even though I will only keep it for a year, is a good idea.

fuuu brilliant...

Oh wow, you are painting a bike you're going to buy in march of next year, and make the 600 riders hate you and then move up out of the 500 class.
That's dedication right there. Committed to the process.
Cool.
Buddha.

Quote from: kml.krk on June 28, 2011, 01:31:42 PM
fuuu brilliant...

^^^

are you being serious?

or are we making fun of my fuuuuuuuuuu

Quote from: The Buddha on June 28, 2011, 01:36:06 PM
Oh wow, you are painting a bike you're going to buy in march of next year, and make the 600 riders hate you and then move up out of the 500 class.
That's dedication right there. Committed to the process.
Cool.
Buddha.

soooooo....





















































































is it a good idea?

no it's not a good idea and it also is not a good idea to post a message with 1 million empty lines... you're asking for ban.

get a used bike [unless you're very rich] and LEARN to ride first, then as you learn the bike and how to ride you can start modding.

I am not going to say NO do not mod your bike if you can't ride because you will drop it and everything will get messed up.
Modding is part of fun so go ahead and do it, just remember to do what pleases YOU.
Do NOT mod your bike so that GSXR riders can do/say whatever. It's not important.
What is important is what YOU think about the bike and whether it makes YOU happy.

Forget about others especially when you learn to ride, that can be very distracting. Trust me I have been there.
When I started riding I rode in shorts, sneakers and no gloves. I only had jacket. I just did not know any better and everybody else seemed to ride that way.

Right now (for the past few years) you won't see me without boots, leather gloves, jacket, pants, helmet even if it is over 100 degrees outside.

Think safety first and you will be able to enjoy riding for a long time!
It really is fun just to ride without showing off.

The GS500 is what it is. Don't try and make or expect it to perform like a GSXR. It does what it was designed to do well and is an awesome little bike that will carve up the twisties with ease. If I were you I would get a naked one as you are in all likely hood gonna drop it when learning. Fairings cost money to replace and repair. And make sure you are super comfortable riding the GS before you upgrade as this little bike will teach you a lot.

You're asking about upgrading the suspension on a bike you don't yet have, and may never have, without knowing if the stock suspension will suit your fine?

Tell you what.... come back and ask WHEN you have the bike in your possession. But by then you'll know so the point is a mute one.

Michael

first edit the stupid post up there and take out the spaces...  
second... do what you want to your bike... but... own one first... Talk is cheap.
third... mines all black and yes its sexy as hell, the side fairings though are kinda bland with nothing on them, the rear looks like crap till you fenderectomize it, I took off the cargo bar straps too for a cleaner line. If you take the reflectors off add more on the plate and put on rim stripes for more visibility.

and don't worry about the fairings, they are tough little suckers and are ABS plastic so you can weld them back together if they break... though frame sliders to protect the engine are a good idea no matter what.

Unless your fat like me the stock GS springs are okay to learn on then when you want more feel move up to a R6 shock or a Kat 600 and some sort of upgraded forks, progressives if you are going to daily drive it, linear if you plan on more track time.

Quote from: TheTherapist on June 28, 2011, 01:18:37 PM
I just got my motorcycle license and sadly will not be getting a motorcycle till next summer. I was planning on starting on a 600 but I hear you learn the ins and outs of riding better on a 250.

I looked at a couple  250s (mainly the Ninja 250, Hyosung gt250r and the CBR250.) They all looked cool but for the price of getting them new, it wouldn't be worth it because I would want to sell it a couple months later to get something quicker. The 250s at the MSF course were way too slow for me.

Then I started looking at 500s. Ninja500 and GS500. I must say, I want a nice looking bike. The ninja500 looks like crap to me and the GS500 not so much but better. I started looking at GS500E street fighters and decided that's what I'll do for my first bike. All you have to do is switch the tail and it looks sexy as fuuuu. But I decided, I don't want to spend shaZam! ton of $$$ on a GS500E if I'm going to sell it after a years worth of riding.

Then I looked at the GS500F and decided it seemed better with fairings but it still looked off for the tail. Then I saw these two bikes with the fairings painted a solid color:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN_bATvVOJ0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wmtwf60bRM&feature=related

They look sexy as fUU! So i decided, next year around March, I'll buy a GS500F and ride it around for a month or two. Get use to it and then when I feel confident enough, do the thicker rear wheel swap, suspension swap and clip-on bars. Then for summer be cruising in my pimped out gs500 getting hated on by 600 riders .

What say thee? Good idea?


[edit]
I'm not asking if painting the bike is a good idea. I'm asking if modifying the GS500's suspension, even though I will only keep it for a year, is a good idea.

If you plan on selling in a couple of months anyway, you should probaby go right to the 600. It sounds like you could handle it.

Quote from: fraze11 on June 29, 2011, 07:42:34 AM

Quote from: TheTherapist on June 28, 2011, 01:18:37 PM
I just got my motorcycle license and sadly will not be getting a motorcycle till next summer. I was planning on starting on a 600 but I hear you learn the ins and outs of riding better on a 250.

I looked at a couple  250s (mainly the Ninja 250, Hyosung gt250r and the CBR250.) They all looked cool but for the price of getting them new, it wouldn't be worth it because I would want to sell it a couple months later to get something quicker. The 250s at the MSF course were way too slow for me.

Then I started looking at 500s. Ninja500 and GS500. I must say, I want a nice looking bike. The ninja500 looks like crap to me and the GS500 not so much but better. I started looking at GS500E street fighters and decided that's what I'll do for my first bike. All you have to do is switch the tail and it looks sexy as fuuuu. But I decided, I don't want to spend shaZam! ton of $$$ on a GS500E if I'm going to sell it after a years worth of riding.

Then I looked at the GS500F and decided it seemed better with fairings but it still looked off for the tail. Then I saw these two bikes with the fairings painted a solid color:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN_bATvVOJ0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wmtwf60bRM&feature=related

They look sexy as fUU! So i decided, next year around March, I'll buy a GS500F and ride it around for a month or two. Get use to it and then when I feel confident enough, do the thicker rear wheel swap, suspension swap and clip-on bars. Then for summer be cruising in my pimped out gs500 getting hated on by 600 riders .

What say thee? Good idea?


[edit]
I'm not asking if painting the bike is a good idea. I'm asking if modifying the GS500's suspension, even though I will only keep it for a year, is a good idea.

If you plan on selling in a couple of months anyway, you should probaby go right to the 600. It sounds like you could handle it.

look if ya don't like the new guy, dont try to kill him...

600s for new riders are deathtraps... lightweight+not much power till high revs is a recipe for unwanted wheelies...

I have a feeling the OP is probably pretty young.  Say, 19?

Why is everyone giving the OP a hard time?  He came here expecting a response, not flaming, just answer the question or move on. No need to flame.

Having said that I got an R6 as my first street bike and I did fine but I have been riding motorcycles since I was 5 so I had experience.  Looking back on it now I would have gotten a 250 or 500 as my first bike.  Cheaper and waaayyy better to learn on.  I can say that since I got my GS I have learned to ride much better than I did on previous bikes. 

Upgrading the suspension is relatively cheap on these bikes so I would do it but that would be the extent of it if you want a 600 down the line IMO.

Good luck and be safe.

go for it, post results

Quote from: crzydood17 on June 29, 2011, 03:10:03 PM

Quote from: fraze11 on June 29, 2011, 07:42:34 AM

Quote from: TheTherapist on June 28, 2011, 01:18:37 PM
I just got my motorcycle license and sadly will not be getting a motorcycle till next summer. I was planning on starting on a 600 but I hear you learn the ins and outs of riding better on a 250.

I looked at a couple  250s (mainly the Ninja 250, Hyosung gt250r and the CBR250.) They all looked cool but for the price of getting them new, it wouldn't be worth it because I would want to sell it a couple months later to get something quicker. The 250s at the MSF course were way too slow for me.

Then I started looking at 500s. Ninja500 and GS500. I must say, I want a nice looking bike. The ninja500 looks like crap to me and the GS500 not so much but better. I started looking at GS500E street fighters and decided that's what I'll do for my first bike. All you have to do is switch the tail and it looks sexy as fuuuu. But I decided, I don't want to spend shaZam! ton of $$$ on a GS500E if I'm going to sell it after a years worth of riding.

Then I looked at the GS500F and decided it seemed better with fairings but it still looked off for the tail. Then I saw these two bikes with the fairings painted a solid color:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN_bATvVOJ0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wmtwf60bRM&feature=related

They look sexy as fUU! So i decided, next year around March, I'll buy a GS500F and ride it around for a month or two. Get use to it and then when I feel confident enough, do the thicker rear wheel swap, suspension swap and clip-on bars. Then for summer be cruising in my pimped out gs500 getting hated on by 600 riders .

What say thee? Good idea?


[edit]
I'm not asking if painting the bike is a good idea. I'm asking if modifying the GS500's suspension, even though I will only keep it for a year, is a good idea.

If you plan on selling in a couple of months anyway, you should probaby go right to the 600. It sounds like you could handle it.

look if ya don't like the new guy, dont try to kill him...

600s for new riders are deathtraps... lightweight+not much power till high revs is a recipe for unwanted wheelies...

I don't know him, so I don't like or dislike him...and I'm certainly not trying to kill him...Just seems wasteful to drop all that time and money on something he clearly plans to get rid of...

I know several people who's first bike was a 600, my very good friends first bike was an F4i and he loved it.  I've kind of always resented the whole "beginner bike" vs "experienced bike" debate.  On the flip side, I take offense to the fact that people refer to the GS as a "starter bike".  Is a Honda Civic a starter car?  I prefer the small bikes.  I also own an 86 RZ350 and love it.  It gets ridden as much as my GS.  Get what you want and what you think you are intelligent and capable enough to handle.  Stupid on anything is a one way ticket...

Quote from: fraze11 on June 29, 2011, 06:02:36 PM

 I've kind of always resented the whole "beginner bike" vs "experienced bike" debate.  On the flip side, I take offense to the fact that people refer to the GS as a "starter bike".  Is a Honda Civic a starter car?  I prefer the small bikes.

+1. I kept my GS when I upgraded due to the fact I test rode a heap of bikes before I did upgrade and realized how good this little bike is.

Heck with selling it in a few months I say.

Mine looks (slowly changing) and is acting like a frggin Heap of crap for now.

But being my first bike, a style I like (Naked) and no financing involved, I would prefer to keep the bike until I am unable to ride anymore. (being 29 and healthy, thats a long ways away)
and way down the road when its only a decoration in a garage and have the money, totally redo it to be like it just came off the showroom floor.

Keeping #1 always has a lil something extra to those who appreciate #1.

So if you appreciate your #1 of anything, I say get something you Like, and is safe to learn on.


Just like my first 2 cars.
Im a Crazy Firebird fan, ever since I was little.
My first car was a 93 3.4ltr firebird.
2nd was a 94 5.7ltr Trans am.

Man! what I would do now to have either of those cars back!

So if your the same way, just find what you Like and something safe and go with that.

I only like Naked bikes and Cruisers.
So when I started looking Long before my motorcycle course, I knew what I wanted and what was fairly safe to start with.
GS500 or SV650 was my 2 Naked choices.
and Primarily for my cruiser interest I was lookin at Honda Shadow VLX 600's.
I knew better then to go larger then 600. haha

Well, let's see.

You are a brand-new licensee, and you won't have a bike to ride until next year so what little you learned to pass the license test will be rusty. So, you will be dumping the bike. So, there's no point in fussing with paint or bars until after you have that out of your system for a while. Leather, yes. Paint, no. Buying a new bike as your first bike - complete waste of money. Buying a new bike and repainting it - complete waste of money. Buy used and pre-scuffed up, dump until you stop dumping it, then paint - might be a plan.

You plan to ditch the GS, so any modifications you do will simply waste your (or mommy's) money, as you won't get the money for them back when you sell the bike - usually, you'll get less money modified than you would with a stock bike, in fact. Complete waste of time and money - you won't come close to what the stock bike can do with your mhad skhillz before you total it or buy a 600 and total that.

You put a giant dumbass label on yourself by thinking that you'll be the envy of the 600 riders you want to impress due to your proposed paintjob, bars and fat tire. Actual 600 rider reaction will be more like "oh, it's a twin, ignore" unless it's actually on fire, in which case they might check to see if they have any marshmallows that need roasting.

I ink you guys scared him/her away. in unde 2 posts that record time.