my buddy and I had just purchased a new gs500F's last week.  We are picking them up this saturday on a truck - one blue one yellow, mine's the blue one   .  Neither of us have permits yet, we're in mid 20's.  

I've read the forum for the past week and learned a great deal about bikes what to do and what not to do.

I'll probably stare at the bike for a while letting it sink in that I have one..my first one.

I just wanted to say thanks for the people who cared enough to post information that is good for the community.  Either that or you have nothing better to do  :mrgreen:

Thanks!

Welcome to GStwin!

Congradualtions on the new bike! Enjoy!

Have you taken the MSF course? Best thing that ever happened to me!

Quote from: chinox22xmy buddy and I had just purchased a new gs500F last week.  We are picking them up this saturday on a truck.  Neither of us have permits yet, we're in mid 20's.  

I've read the forum for the past week and learned a great deal about bikes what to do and what not to do.

I'll probably stare at the bike for a while letting it sink in that I have one..my first one.

I just wanted to say thanks for the people who cared enough to post information that is good for the community.  Either that you have nothing better to do  :mrgreen:

Thanks!

What... You did what what to the what now???
Buy a GS.... Oh no... You know we dont condone such behaviour...
:lol:  :lol:
Enjoy... Staring at it is quite good.
Cool.
Srinath.

Let the ribbing begin! You know which side the clutch is, right(no it's not on the right)?    Just kidding!  

Welcome again!

(I couldn't resist)

I used to stare at my first bike, too...alot. And, just about every other one, too.

Someone want to set the standards for oogling?

uhh.. it has a clutch?  i thought these things are automatic???  

Yeah they come automatic standard! :lol:

I've been reading about the front springs on the gs500.  does the 2004 version still have this problem?  If so, does anyone know where to get some progressive springs for the '04?

thanks!

anyone? anyone???  

We're not completely sure yet, because some of us, who have older GS's, haven't been able to get our hands on someone's newer F. Actually, I think The_good_guy may have, but then there's the weight of the fairing issue, too. The fork springs may be different just to compensate.

You can still order some springs and tell us any differences you find. Other GSer's have the good pricing and places-to-go info; or do a search.

Quote from: scratchWe're not completely sure yet, because some of us, who have older GS's, haven't been able to get our hands on someone's newer F. Actually, I think The_good_guy may have, but then there's the weight of the fairing issue, too. The fork springs may be different just to compensate.

You can still order some springs and tell us any differences you find. Other GSer's have the good pricing and places-to-go info; or do a search.

i've used the search function.  went to the websites online but none of them have springs that say they are for the 04' version.  most of them stop at 02'.  I don't want to buy something that may not work or worse yet, make the suspension worse.  

i'll have to keep looking i suppose.

Hey man you don't need new springs, you havn't even taken delivery of the bike yet :lol:   Modding the bike before you get it... You'll fit in fine around here.  

Quote from: chinox22x

Quote from: scratchWe're not completely sure yet, because some of us, who have older GS's, haven't been able to get our hands on someone's newer F. Actually, I think The_good_guy may have, but then there's the weight of the fairing issue, too. The fork springs may be different just to compensate.

You can still order some springs and tell us any differences you find. Other GSer's have the good pricing and places-to-go info; or do a search.

i've used the search function.  went to the websites online but none of them have springs that say they are for the 04' version.  most of them stop at 02'.  I don't want to buy something that may not work or worse yet, make the suspension worse.  

i'll have to keep looking i suppose.

actually i already have some things to do the first day i get the bike.  i'm gonna be a copy cat and do what others have done to the back fender...cut it off!  already bought a k&n filter as well.  

its just a toy  :mrgreen:

welcome....some of us wouldn't suggest the K&N pod filter on a bike that hasn't been broken in yet

did you get the k&n that is in the stock airbox?

Quote from: GRUwelcome....some of us wouldn't suggest the K&N pod filter on a bike that hasn't been broken in yet

did you get the k&n that is in the stock airbox?

oh i wasn't planning on replacing it the first day. but you're right, i'll wait till its broken in.  is the breaking in process for a bike the same for a car? meaning u don't go above 50mph before 600miles?

Yes, agreed. Definitely don't mod it until it's broken in at least. You want to be able to take advantage of the Warranty should anything happen. Unless, you're going to race it, then don't even bother breaking it in or insuring it. Save the money for tires.

Welcome to the forum!
I myself just got my GS500F in BLUE (the best color ) about 2 weeks ago.  I took an MSF course though before I bought mine.  Believe me, it makes all the difference when you take the course....a lot of eye openers!  Anyway, you will stare at it and not even want to sit on it because you'll be just so damn overwhelmed by the way it looks!  What can I say, it's my first bike too and I'm absolutely in LOVE!  Anyway, practice, practice, practice and be careful out there....wear your gear and keep visible to those idiot people that don't care to watch out for us riders!

someone care to explain the breaking in process for a new bike?  :mrgreen:

http://mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

i don't know about the GS but i think you should ride it under 5000rpm for the first 6000 miles and then under 6000 rpm for the 1000 miles

but many suggest riding it under a lot of pressure (change gears and rpm a lot)
put it in a high gear twist the throttle all the way but don't go over 7000 rpm, and then slow down and do the same
i have never broken in a bike so i don't know the results but my racer frinds from windsor have been beating on their sportbikes and havent had any problems....theire dyno charts proove that more hp

I'd follow the manufacturer's suggested break-in til the 600mile first tune-up, then go have fun! I beleive the suggested limits are not to exceed 5000rpm (in any gear) for the first 600 miles. But, remember, to get a good break-in, where the engine will seat the rings properly, for long-lasting engine life and years of fast fun, always warm-up the motor before riding (1-2 minutes) and vary the engine speed while riding.

After the 600 mile tune-up, have a blast. It's still under warranty.

Edit: One of the things that I have noticed, when I have broken in my bikes, is that after 300 (150 on my 250) miles I would accelerate quickly off the line to get (train) the bike to accelerate quickly. Makes for a quick, responsive bike.

i just got the new '04 one as well... mine's black/silver

well anyways, this is what my dealer told me about breaking the bike in:
(i'm in Canada so everything's in Kms, just divide by 1.6 or multiply by 0.6 to get miles approximately)

0kms - 200kms -> don't go above 5000rpms
201kms - 900kms -> still don't go above 5000rpms most of the time, but every 1/2 hr or so, rev it up to 6500-7000 rpms for a few seconds.
901kms - 1000kms -> bring it in for the first service.

after the first service u're good to go and do whatever u want