Hi All,
Still figuring out how to use this site.  Sounds like I may have an issue - like Jakeoster - but not sure, so I'm posting here.  Got my bike 3 weeks ago - 2005 GS 500F - 19,500KMS.  It was a trade in at Ducati/Triumph/KLM/Norton big bike shop in the area.  IT was inline with private sales - no hassle - safetied, plated etc.  In Canada - got it for $2,750. Whoever owned it took great care of it.  Not a scratch anywhere. Anyway - my first bike - real fun to ride and great to learn on.  I can't believe how all my problems melt away on a bike. Anyway - today - on my way in - real bad fog.  I have about a 15-20 minute commute.  This morning as I pulled into the parking lot is stalled.  I wasn't sure what is was.  I figured may it was because it was so humid? Never a problem to this point.  OF course all the bikers at work have been coming to see it so I started it 3 separate times today.  When I got ready to leave - i opened up the choke.  Started it - waited a minute or two, slide the choke back up from the arrow and left.  1/4 way home - it was sputtering and stalled at a light.  Pushed it to the side of the road.   Tried to start it a couple of times, it was turning, but wouldn't start. Let it sit a minute or two then try again and it starts again.  Felt it was running rough.  1/2 way home - does the same thing at another light.  This time I look in the gas tank.  Looks like there is plenty in there, sloshing a bit, but not near a quarter full from what I could see, but I switch to reserve.  Wait another couple of minutes - starts right up.  So - I fill it up at the next gas station - a block away.  Put it back off of reserve.  It starts up and runs a bit rough, but then seemed better after I went on a faster stretch.  Made it home - no problems.  So - dumb questions - could it have been not enough gas?  Was it me showing off my ride by starting the engine and only leaving it on for a minute or two?  Am I not letting it warm up long enough?  Once warm do I slide the choke all the way up? I mentioned where I got is as they are a reputable shop and they actually put a new chain on when the got it ready for me to take home.  When is a tank on empty? When there is nothing but the bottom of the tank that can be seen? I'm going to go out in a bit just to see if it starts ok and let it run for a bit.  Any thoughts, suggestions, do this or don't do that ideas are welcome.  I've got a lot to learn and loving every minute of it! 

I'm tempted to think that you were just low on gas. It's fairly hard to tell how much is left based on the way the tank is shaped. I'd not worry about it quite yet. Your best bet is to reset the trip meter every tank, then see if it it happens when it's closer to empty, around 140-200mi (depending on your riding style and speed).

You'll get used to the site in no time 

I would tend to agree with EdChen... when I was starting out I had a similar experience (or three) 

Also, I couldn't agree more about troubles disappearing while riding... glad you are learning and having fun!

Yes when the bike is fully warm you wanna slide the choke all the way up (away from ya).

I noticed you posted this about 2 hours ago... did you get a chance to go out and start it? How'd it do?

I agree with the others.  I think you were low on gas.  The flat bottom of the tank gives the illusion of having more gas than there really is left in the tank.  You will get used to what it feels like when the carb bowls start to run low, and switch to reserve when it does to see if it helps the problem.  Some people have issues with the vacuum petcock, but it's way to early to say it's anything like that.  Fill-up, reset your trip, and report back on when it happens again.

It's also a good thing to get used to reaching down while riding and switching to reserve when the bike starts to stutter. If it instantly stops and gets smooth again, you know you are getting low and it's time to fill up 

Do you happen to remember how much gas you pumped in?

You have a great name, by the way!

Hi All,

Couldn't take my bike to work today - BUT finally got a chance to go for a ride when I got home tonight.  Started right up - runs fine!  Lesson learned - keep a better eye on the gas.  I had 187 KMs on it - but who knows if it was full when I picked it up from the dealer.  Thank you all for your feedback - and thank you for not calling me a dumb a$$ for letting it get so low - I'm just used to having a gas guage.

How long do you let your bikes warm up before riding?

Edward

I typically start moving just about immediately after starting, with the choke still on. I'll take it very easy and feather the clutch carefully at first. When I get to the first stop light (just a minute or two into my commute), I'll move the choke back a little bit (aiming for about 3,000rpm while idling/holding the clutch), then I might do that again a minute or two later, then I'll release the choke completely when I can. That all happens for me in probably 5 minutes, just about when I get to the high way. 

Even then, I'll watch the tach in case I'm idling and the revs are getting low and feels like it might chug, then I give it a little throttle.

I usually set the choke and start the bike... put on my jacket, helmet, backpack (if needed), glasses and gloves... usually by then it's idling at 4k and then I bump the choke down to about half. Hop on and take it easy... once I'm on the road for a minute or so, I'll close the choke completely and ride. If it's a really cold day/morning/night, it may want to stall on me at a red light so I'll either put the choke back on or give it a little throttle. By the next stop sign or light, it's all good.

This is good advice!  Thank you both!  Now I have a better understanding of what 'normal' is.

Funny isn't it... I've been riding, building, fixing these 2-wheeled things for 4 decades, I've built bikes from scratch, I've built classic racing machines.
Yet I can still get caught out by the SIMPLEST thing.  -Call me dumb by all means. I agree!
My 'new' $500 '97 GS has run out of petrol TWICE in just a few kays! (Hey what's going on here? -I had topped it up after the first starvation, but because I knew I'd be removing the fuel tank for work later, I'd only topped it up with a litre or two). Then, today, riding up the hill on my driveway today with Mary on the back the little **cker ran out again! Ridiculous.

But then it occurred to me, (I think I might have it figured).
The GS500 fuel tap is mounted on the frame towards the rear of the tank, like most tanks, towards the rear, lowest point, but the ACTUAL tank OUTLET tap is further forward on the tank.
So whilst my braincell-challenged head is telling me that going uphill the fuel would flow to the rear (normal outlet), it's actually flowing away from the actual tank outlet 'cos that's more towards the middle of the tank.

Anyway it went like a train, good as gold. Good score! I'll make sure I keep it topped up in future!

Interesting and good info.  Makes me feel less dumb for being a newb. 

Another interesting observation.  Traffic in the other direction was horrible that day.  Bad accident - backed up - people from Toronto going home to the burbs.  The road I was on was good the way I was driving - into the city.  So - when I first ran out of gas.  I assumed - because I heard and saw gas in the tank - it must be mechanical.  I kept trying to start the bike after I pushed it off the road.  Going the other way - stuck in traffic a guy in a truck - yells out - hey - sounds like you need a jump.  Want me to give you one?  I said sure!  He pulls over - real young guy.  Tells me he owns bikes - gives me some advice - helps me get the seat off.  Then we try and it starts.  He says - oh sounds like you are good.  He introduces himself shakes my hand.  I thank him profusely.  Apologize for wasting his time - how he has to try to get back into the traffic by making a left.  He's all like "no worries. I've got a truck" and we depart.

Next time - it stalls - I'm near an opening to a construction site - I pull just off the road into the entrance.  I'm now thinking - how do I get this thing home?  Another guy in a bike going the other way, keeps looking.  I'm having a smoke - helmet on (no distress signal).  Looked like he was going to pull over - but this traffic -is nuts because of the fatal car crash.  Then - a harley guy pulls up.  I could touch him.  He is going in the direction I'm going and gets stopped by the light - right next to me.  He - doesn't even look at me.  Nothing.  I just thought - oh - so that is the Harley way.  Only help Harley riders?  Too cool for me? LOL!  Just thought I'd mention this because everyone else I've met - without a Harley have been just so incredibly friendly and helpful!!  Thanks again everyone!

Couple thousand kilometres and all they (cruiser riders) will see is your taillight.
Manual says to keep revs between 2000-3000 rpm's while warming up, so that's what I do while I put on my helmet, jacket, gloves, etc.
Boot and armored pants already on me - you do wear those, right?
What I do is touch the cylinder cooling fins with my palm. If I can, then I wait some more time before putting it in gear, I only start riding once it's uncomfortable to touch 'em - too hot. Then when I'm in 3rd gear, I shut the choke, no need for it when starting this way.
If I have to stop within a few hundred metres, I'll give it a blip of the throttle if it idles too low.
I also won't rev her above 5k rpm's for the first 4-5 km's, but that's just me being overly cautious I think.
Hope I could help, welcome, and enjoy your ride!

some might assert that he couldn't help you as modern Harley rides largely consist of people who will take their bike to the dealer because there's a pebble caught in a tire tread making "some kind of weird ticking noise"...


I've had Harley riders give me the wave, I've had metric riders not give me the wave.

It does take a lot of concentration to keep all that heft upright .