Ok, so I'm about a 100 miles into my break-in period, and I absolutely  love my GS.  

One problem though - i'm getting smoked off the green light by mini-vans with soccer moms!!!  :x  I'm revving fast up to 5,000 (break-in limit) then shifting clean and quick, but it still seems like I'm trying to catch up to the cages.  :x

Is there something that I'm missing??

Also, I'm used to driving a cage so the noise from the muffler is really quiet when accelerating, is my GS's motor supposed to sound like a banshee when shifting through the gears?

Your problem will be solved as soon as you are able to wind up the engine.  There is little power below 5000 rpms, its all above 8k.  The exaust will only be a bit louder, this bike is pretty quiet with the stock setup.  You'll just have to keep riding a lot of miles to get through your break in as quickly as possible, then rev it like it was made to be :mrgreen:

If I were in Cali I would have broken the bike in with one long weekend.

You will OWN just about everything once she's broken in.

Quote from: manofthefieldYour problem will be solved as soon as you are able to wind up the engine.  There is little power below 5000 rpms, its all above 8k.  The exaust will only be a bit louder, this bike is pretty quiet with the stock setup.  You'll just have to keep riding a lot of miles to get through your break in as quickly as possible, then rev it like it was made to be :mrgreen:

I get a big wail from my exhaust once I hit 6k Yeah, I do constantly tighten things down so I'm thinking loose parts is not it.  Get that breakin period done and enjoy your GS!  

I just clocked the magic 100km mark and can use all the revs and it makes a huge difference! You may be getting smoked now but once you get past the initial break in you will smoke the soccer mums.  Just look cool like you dont care!

QuoteI just clocked the magic 100km mark and can use all the revs

100km? Manual says 1600 km (1000 miles).

Off the line and to 10 mph... OK you are soccer mom bait... no way you will beat a minivan or an SUV ... cos the minivan's all make great low end power ... You will need that 8K just to keep up, but your clutch is going to kill you, cos the minivan's clutch engages a lot better with no danger of tire squeal... and its motor is all low end... You will be wailing at 8k trying to get traction to keep up with the minivans and failing... However once above that 10mph mark, your 6 speed, and the ability to keep the motor in its sweet spot etc all will cream the minivan's and all but the most sportiest of cars... However I have lost to a giggling little chineese 12 year old girl (OK she looked 12) in a Ovlov and was un consolable a few days ago.
Cool.
Srinath.

I've hit 6k rpm a couple of times by mistake and can just feel lotsa extra power there so I'm really looking forward to passing the 500 mile mark.

Thanks all for your encouragement, I'll try and continue to look cool while getting smoked by the mini-vans, but after my breakin is done.... they're MINE!!!

Quote from: cajrovdI've hit 6k rpm a couple of times by mistake and can just feel lotsa extra power there so I'm really looking forward to passing the 500 mile mark.

Thanks all for your encouragement, I'll try and continue to look cool while getting smoked by the mini-vans, but after my breakin is done.... they're MINE!!!

You're gonna love it!

My first time into the 6- 9000 rpm range was wild. Just remember to have a firm grip of the throttle while your wrist is twisted - she will pull away from you at those rpm like nothing before! Its a blast! Can't imagine and CBR 600RR (right Pantablo?)

Ride Well - be safe but HAVE FUN!!! :mrgreen:
Dandy D

My friends R6 pulls as hard doing 85mph as my GS going 30 in first gear.
that's about as good a comparison as I can make.

Sport bikes make very little torque... except those monster V twins... The R6's and CBR's, accelerate pretty quick etc however the feeling of acceleration is muted by the fact they have the rider canted forward and the acceleration acts against his weight... a muscle cruiser like an eli 1000 makes torque, and mountains of it... heck a V twin would be better even there but the yank your arm off feeling is very much more evident in a Eli or V-max or magna 1100 than a R6...
Cool.
Srinath.