Well last night I finally found out what my 2003 GS can do

Still worried about rattles and squeaks I took her out last night with some friends. One a very experienced rider with CB500 with 40,000 miles on the clock (more rust than bike!) and the other a brand new Fazer...

We rode out into the peak district, the CB500 first, then the Fazer, then the GS (me!).

Well, The CB500 was quickest through the corners thanks to an experienced rider... The Fazer (new rider, new bike) was slow through the corners but BOY does that thing shift in a straight line.

I was sure I was going to be left behind (though they are a nice bunch and would wait for me ), but I was pleasantly surprised. More confident and smoother than the Fazer through corners I was OK there, and the GS certainly goes where I want it to (thanks to countersteering articles! )

On the straights - well I decided to see what all this 9000 rpm lark was about

After hitting 8000 rpm I didn't really know what had happened. Perhaps I had entered a wormhole or something as the GS went into warp speed!

Certainly no slouch! I founf myseld going almost 60mph in 3rd. Quite odd to find yourself at the intended speed and then thinking 'hmm, I'd better change up now!'

So I kept up with the Fazer nicely. Not bad for a bike with half the power...
The GS is MORE than enough bike for me!

The only complaints I have about the GS now are:

1) HOW uncomfortable are bumps? Is there something cack about the suspension?
2)My rear monoshock squeaks a bit... Any ideas?

Engine is fine I think

Quote from: noodle
1) HOW uncomfortable are bumps? Is there something cack about the suspension?
2)My rear monoshock squeaks a bit... Any ideas?

Is this a used bike? How many miles?
Is it the front or rear end that is rough?
Too hard or two soft?
What setting is the rear preload on?
The only time I got a squeek out of the rear suspension was when I put a GSXR shock on it, and it was rubbing on the swingarm. You may want to check and see if you have something besides an OEM shock on it.

Sorry forgot to mention

Its a new bike - 2000 miles on the clock now. Its the rear thats unomfortable. Bounces around and squeaks quietly...

Check the rear preload setting.
On the left side, at the bottom of the shock there is a slotted collar that has numbers on top or below the slots. Behind the slots on the main shock body there is a "bump" that catches the preload colar.  What number corresponds with that bump?

er.... Kerry do you have any pics of the shock preload area I'm trying to describe here?  Its a rather complicated thing, and I don't think I am doing it justice...

Quote from: noodleCertainly no slouch! I founf myseld going almost 60mph in 3rd.

Use the rev range, and you'll touch 60 in 2nd.    This thing sounds awesome at 11K!

Quote from: JamesGKerry do you have any pics of the shock preload area I'm trying to describe here?

Nope, no pics.  I just now went out to take one, but that area on my shock is so grimy I can't even SEE the numbers.  I'll have to have a "clean out" down there when I install my new rear rotor.  Sorry!

I wonder if Srinath still has those photos of shocks that he bought from various wreckers in California?  This was back in the days of the old-style message board....

Meanwhile, will this BikeBandit diagram help?

Dude, try this : http://www.gostar-racing.com/information/motorcycle_suspension_set-up.htm#What%20is%20

No, you can't do everything in the article but you can get theory which is more valuable in the end.

Quote from: noodle
Certainly no slouch! I founf myseld going almost 60mph in 3rd. Quite odd to find yourself at the intended speed and then thinking 'hmm, I'd better change up now!'

So I kept up with the Fazer nicely. Not bad for a bike with half the power...

Well, I have a GS500 and my brother has a 2003 Fazer FZS600. I get to ride his bike almost whenever I like.

And trust me, if the FZS600 rider knows his stuff, the GS500 will be left far, far behind. And not only in straights.

Quote
The GS is MORE than enough bike for me!

Yeah, I thought so too - for one year. Now I'm already out to get a nice, used 2003+ SV 650S.

D.

Funny....

I finally got enough courage to really let her loose and I hit about 70 in 3rd... though my baby is modified. I was pleasantly suprised with the power and speed! My little gal can really spit fire when I tell her to do so. A friend was running a stock Katana 600 next to me and we discovered her stock bike had to shift much sooner than my modded GS.    I had a HUGE grin.  :mrgreen: