Im lying right now... its somewhat chilly, and wet out.....but soon to be new to the GS family. Just been lurking around here....

Im a new rider at the age of 27. Have a wife and kid... and already gone thru the MSF  course back in Nov and aquired my endorsement. Just been patiently waiting for tax time to aquire a bike.
Im a mechanic, so learning to work on a bike like this seem like its gonna be nice and easy. Will be aquiring the shop guide to learn the ins and outs.
I chose to start with a 500cc instead of a 250cc is that this bike is gonna have to last me a few of years instead of the the turn around of most bikes like this.

I have been heavily researching for a beginner bike and settled on soon to be aquiring a 2006 GS500F with 14k miles

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/mcy/4239426034.html

Will be checking it out this saturday... any tips would be nice on what to check out in these bikes when buying.

Thank you all and have a
good morning/afternoon/evening

First thing I noticed was that the lower cowls do not have any of the stickers/decals on them; then that the right appears to be new black while the left may have been rattle-canned black (matte finish not smooth gloss).  That led me to notice that the timing cover (right side of engine) looks like it has scratches.

If that is all the case, then it was probably dropped at least once.  So naturally check for accident damage, bent forks, etc.  Of course you also want to hear it run, check for oil leaks ...

I figured as long as it was mechanically sound...id be happy to take it n learn on it... then tweak it some as i go on. And fix it up right as i go on.

Yeah, I was just saying that there are signs it may have been laid down; so you should be extra cautious.

Looks like a good price from the listing. Tell us what you think of it and good luck

I did ask him and he said it was dropped but runs great. Nothng wrong with it... Just one thing he could never figure out why its a pain to start on cold mornings.... lol sound familiar.

But ill check it out

Go over there with a G in cash ... and hemm and haw ... and well if push comes to shove you can go to ATM ...
Cool.
Buddha.

Those aren't factory mirrors...

Yea. Did note that the mirrors are not OEM. Im going to check the bike over fully and then see if i want it. If its a definite on this one. Ill make a proper offer. If not. Theyre are a few others available in my area.

It is going to be my first so i dont mind it looking a little rough. As long as it is mechanically sound. If all is right. Ill use this bike to get properly experienced and then see what to do after a year or two of riding experience.

Hey, you came over from tampasportbikes, didn't you?

I'm blue waffle over there.

Ahh excellent. Yep. I signed up here after figuring out what i wanted. Just been lurking around till now. Nice to know a familar person on here.

It is basically the same bike I have. It is missing all the decals but that's no biggie. Haggle get a good deal and enjoy. When/if you test ride it run it hard. If it has issues they'll show. My dad taught me that early on. Most likely it was someones first bike and dropping is how some folks learn. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Just got your PM, give me a call and I'll help you check out any bikes you come across.

I also got a box of random stuff, including LED tail-light V1.1

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=56642.msg641128#msg641128

Quote from: Broseph on January 02, 2014, 07:21:49 PM
Im lying right now... its somewhat chilly, and wet out.....but soon to be new to the GS family. Just been lurking around here....

Im a new rider at the age of 27. Have a wife and kid... and already gone thru the MSF  course back in Nov and aquired my endorsement. Just been patiently waiting for tax time to aquire a bike.
Im a mechanic, so learning to work on a bike like this seem like its gonna be nice and easy. Will be aquiring the shop guide to learn the ins and outs.
I chose to start with a 500cc instead of a 250cc is that this bike is gonna have to last me a few of years instead of the the turn around of most bikes like this.

I have been heavily researching for a beginner bike and settled on soon to be aquiring a 2006 GS500F with 14k miles

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/mcy/4239426034.html

Will be checking it out this saturday... any tips would be nice on what to check out in these bikes when buying.

Thank you all and have a
good morning/afternoon/evening

Here I was going to ask where you were in Florida. I just spoke to the seller of that bike December 30th. Still has it, seemed like a solid sounding bike. He couldn't speak for the valve adjustment (Easy) but overall sounded good, I'd look at it for sure. I was going to go look at that thing January 2nd and ended up going to Fort Myers for a black and yellow SV650 for the same price!

Tight valves are the most common cause for hard to start problems from what I've gathered through this site and my experience. Good luck! If you're in the Sarasota area, we'll have to meet up and go for a ride sometime

Yea. Prob gonna spend a weekend on this bike going over it with a fine tooth comb if its ment to be. Justin, as i said in pm. Your awesome... random care package is pretty awesome.

Good to hear there are more GS riders in the area. Good to meet ya!

I'm based out of Riverview but work in downtown Tampa and ride all over the place with my GS. You'll enjoy it...

Quote from: nicoyastyln on January 10, 2014, 11:04:59 AM
Good to hear there are more GS riders in the area. Good to meet ya!

I'm based out of Riverview but work in downtown Tampa and ride all over the place with my GS. You'll enjoy it...

Where were you a year and a half ago when I was looking for lunitics like me.

When did Tampa become a GSTwin hotbed of activity? lol I've been missing out!

I've been busy ... finally had time to dedicate to my GS and fix her up. Last thing I need to do to her is after market exhaust w/ full muffler pipe and rejet kit.

I ride Monday - Friday and when I can on the weekends. If anyone is up for a ride let me know!