Hi guys, this summer I decided I wanted to start riding a motorcycle so I took the MSF course, passed, and bought a '08 GS500 as my first bike. Before I bought it I had ridden a motorcycle a grand total of 2 times, so needless to say I'm a novice.

I've been practicing riding in a nearby cemetery, unfortunately, I've dropped the bike a few times. Most recently I've dropped it on its left side and now whenever I ride it there's a knocking noise and the bike stutters and shakes. Does anyone know what this problem may be? Thanks in advance.

Hey guy, welcome to the community. I also live in the pittsburgh area and just got my license through ccac this summer! My bikes a wreck though so I don't get to ride much 

Quote from: MrSporrer on September 09, 2015, 11:36:20 AM
Hey guy, welcome to the community. I also live in the pittsburgh area and just got my license through ccac this summer! My bikes a wreck though so I don't get to ride much 

Which CCAC? I got my license through the MSF course at CCAC north (McCandless) back in June.

yeah ccac north! but back in May though.

Ziggy, it'stough to say what the problem could be. Loose electrical connection, sediment knocked loose in the carbs, etc.?

That being said I'm NW of Pittsburgh in Ellwood.

Welcome again ziggy so i take it shes still running rough, i hadnt considered sediment/gunk in carbs. come to think of it it is a SLIGHTLY used bike this is possible. i recall when 2006 went from east tn to iirc gunthersville alabama or something like that, there was a HUGE  lake south of birmingham. it ran rough at first ( a sitter i put a couple gallons in it and rode it HARD BUT SAFE and never had further issues. but you being a new rider id prefer you didnt do this. unless rich could come down and maybe take her out for a few? ( a suggestion) but as he suggested   check electrical connections ( alot of this is under seat) will give you a chance to get to know whats what and where. oh ( main page theres a linkie for a service manual grab one if you dont already have one . take care and welcome
Aaron

Thanks for bumping this Yama. Ziggy, I had just woken up when I replied earlier. What happened when the bike fell? Did it just fall over, or at speed, any damage on the engine or hand controls? Just need a little more info.

i was talking with him about this in another thread.  iirc he was practicing in a graveyard there a SLOW drop. weve all been there . he will clarify. better yet brb ill post that thread here. BRAND NEW rider msf and all:)
gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=69576.0
Aaron

Quote from: Big Rich on September 09, 2015, 05:28:43 PM
Thanks for bumping this Yama. Ziggy, I had just woken up when I replied earlier. What happened when the bike fell? Did it just fall over, or at speed, any damage on the engine or hand controls? Just need a little more info.

I was riding in a nearby cemetery, and I was practicing stopping and starting at a (imaginary) stop sign. I stopped at an intersection and  then slowly accelerated into a left turn. I became all scatterbrained during the *work the throttle+work the clutch+turn left+don't go too fast or too slow etc* phase and I downed it as I was going 5-10mph. There are scrapes and cracks on the fairing, scraped and broke off the round "Suzuki" sticker on the left side by the engine, and scratched up the clutch lever (but didn't bend it). I didn't notice any other damage. After I picked it up I had trouble starting it up again but I assumed it was the battery (the battery died on me the previous day so since it's a 2+ year old battery I just assume it doesn't hold a charge very long. Not to mention I stall ALOT so that probably kills it too). It started up eventually so I drove it about 1000 feet to a close by parking lot where it wouldn't start at all, so I took the battery out to charge it at my house and left the MC at the cemetery (in direct sunlight in 90 degree heat) for about 7 hours. After I came back it started fine but the noises and stuttering/shaking began after I came back and fired it up again. This was on Monday. I haven't had a chance to get back to it. I'm planning on trying it out again tomorrow and see if the noise and shaking is still there.

Sorry for the long reply but I want to provide all the details just in case.

thanks again,
  Serge

Quote from: MrSporrer on September 09, 2015, 01:10:41 PM
yeah ccac north! but back in May though.

Were you trained by Mad Dawg??  lol

Nope! Those are the details I wanted. By chance, do you know if the battery is lead acid / sealed / lithium iron / etc? I'm thinking if you have a OEM type battery, some of the acid may have spilled out when the bike tipped.

Sounds like you need a new battery anyway, so I recommend a sealed / AGM battery.

Quote from: Big Rich on September 10, 2015, 04:35:23 PM
Nope! Those are the details I wanted. By chance, do you know if the battery is lead acid / sealed / lithium iron / etc? I'm thinking if you have a OEM type battery, some of the acid may have spilled out when the bike tipped.

Sounds like you need a new battery anyway, so I recommend a sealed / AGM battery.

I took the battery out and took it to my house and it was dry. So I'm going to assume it's sealed and AGM. It's a bikemaster brand. So I don't think there was an acid leak.

Quote from: ziggyjoe21 on September 10, 2015, 02:50:21 PM

Quote from: MrSporrer on September 09, 2015, 01:10:41 PM
yeah ccac north! but back in May though.

Were you trained by Mad Dawg??  lol

I wish, Tatiana was my instructor and she was scary as hell! I passed though, never got the second paper in the mail though. Gotta go to the DMV...

Quote from: MrSporrer on September 12, 2015, 09:03:16 AM

Quote from: ziggyjoe21 on September 10, 2015, 02:50:21 PM

Quote from: MrSporrer on September 09, 2015, 01:10:41 PM
yeah ccac north! but back in May though.

Were you trained by Mad Dawg??  lol

I wish, Tatiana was my instructor and she was scary as hell! I passed though, never got the second paper in the mail though. Gotta go to the DMV...

They sent me the MC license update about a month after I passed.It's is just a piece of paper that says I have a class CM license.

Do you happen to know any good motorcycle shops in the area? I wanna get my bike inspected. I found a shop close to me in West  Homestead (right by the Waterfront) but I know nothing about them and am worried they'll rip me off.

Sorry about the late reply, I may  call atc (auto truck and cycle) they only charge 25 bucks for an inspection if I remember correctly. They seem cool, we're very honest with me in regards to work on my bike

Man, you guys should come to Ellwood for inspection. First time I was there, the guy came out and asked for my paperwork. We chatted for a couple minutes while he glanced at my tire tread depth, quick look at the brake pad thickness, and I was good to go after $25. I even mentioned some of the other inspection points (lights, horn, etc) and he said "it must be safe to ride, you made it here didn't ya?".