First time poster, and a few questions. - Page 5 - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

SuzGS500 · 09-20-2006, 08:38 PM

very good choice on not getting it, i was in the EXACT same position 3 months ago that you are in now, and i know just how you feel. i wanted a wicked fast bike that looks good, i thought to myself nahhh i can handle it, i'll just go slow and ride careful for a while, some people may have gotten away with it but the most of people that try that, learn to be scared of their motorcycle which is a problem and is not fun at all. i got advice from people online just like these people tell you, and i tohught no, they dont know what they're talking about. so i eventually came around and instead of that nice 600cc sport bike i wanted i got a much more tame Suzuki GS500,

it is only 100cc off the sport bikes but it much more tame and easier to handle, it is controlable but still a lot of fun to ride, learning becomes fun and not me being scared of my bike, and yet it is still great fun in the twisties and it still packs some speed. since you are obviously interested in sport bikes the gs500 is a decent place to start without getting to powerful of a bike, another option is to get an older 600cc bike, something from the early 1990s, this will also allow you to have fun but learn to ride safely. now that i am learning to ride and have the basics down i will continue to get more saddle hours until i feel comfortable that i can handle a bigger bike, becuse if i'm scared of it i won't have any fun and i'll probably mess up, so get a nice bike and have some fun learning

Oh and rowdyred since i realized you were taking questions i figured i'd ask one myself...

What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?

**Clint** · 09-20-2006, 10:39 PM

African? Eighty-three rods per minute.

Hey! You aren't riding a GS! You've got two halves of coconut!

SuzGS500 · 09-20-2006, 10:42 PM

I actually had a set of those coconuts, they were really fun, have you seen the tutorial video on the dvd on how to make them, thats just as funny as the coconuts, monty python is the greatest, no i mean the North American swallow!

**drgibson** · 09-20-2006, 10:43 PM

sniff, sniff

kyro2000 · 09-20-2006, 10:45 PM

Brian, I hear you on wanting that bike. It is a sexy looking peice of art. Everyone on the forum is interested in helping new riders. Many of us jump so fast because we all know new riders that... well let's just say went against the path that we suggested, the outcomes have sometimes been grim.

For what is worth I put in a few solid year and around 20,000 or some miles before I jump up to a 1000cc sport bike and I still to this day wish I would have waited maybe another year. There is so much to learn, so much to read, and of course nothing can compare to quality riding time out on the street.

I saw that you mentioned this bike being a good 'investment'. That may be true if you sell the bike unharmed. But you will have to look around long and hard to find a forum memeber (or any rider for that matter) that didn't drop their first bike (or even 2nd, 3rd, and 4ht) a couple of times. At that point it becomes a bad investment at best and at worst..... well I think you can see where I am going.

Best of luck in starting your riding experience. When done right it is an amazing hobby/ lifestyle.

SuzGS500 · 09-20-2006, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drgibson

sniff, sniff

OK...you got me, i said that just to impress you, is it working?

Brian360 · 09-21-2006, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyro2000

Brian, I hear you on wanting that bike. It is a sexy looking peice of art. Everyone on the forum is interested in helping new riders. Many of us jump so fast because we all know new riders that... well let's just say went against the path that we suggested, the outcomes have sometimes been grim.

For what is worth I put in a few solid year and around 20,000 or some miles before I jump up to a 1000cc sport bike and I still to this day wish I would have waited maybe another year. There is so much to learn, so much to read, and of course nothing can compare to quality riding time out on the street.

I saw that you mentioned this bike being a good 'investment'. That may be true if you sell the bike unharmed. But you will have to look around long and hard to find a forum memeber (or any rider for that matter) that didn't drop their first bike (or even 2nd, 3rd, and 4ht) a couple of times. At that point it becomes a bad investment at best and at worst..... well I think you can see where I am going.

Best of luck in starting your riding experience. When done right it is an amazing hobby/ lifestyle.

Thanks man, the thousand is way too much for me. I am gonna take some courses, even if I never own a bike I think it'd be a fun investmenet and someday, a valuable one. Thanks motorcycle-journal.com!!!!

kjh4eyes · 09-23-2006, 08:13 PM

As a fellow noob let me tell you my thoughts. First of all, I too was given the "deal of a lifetime" when someone wanted to get rid of their bike and wanted a truck. I had a truck and wanted a bike. It was a match made in heaven. However, looking back on it now I wish I had made another decision. The bike I bought was more than I really needed. Fortunately for me I am too old to do something stupid on the bike - even though the Bandit 1200 definitely has the power. The guys on this forum have been incredible when it comes to sound advice. So here is my thought. Trade your Mustang for the bike if a bike is really what you want. Then, sell your bike and get a smaller, less powerful one. You already have said that you would make the trade even if it were a 600 so sell the 1000 and buy a 600. If you think that is a stupid idea then I think you are lying to yourself about even trading if it were a 600.
In answer to the questions about value and mileage, I don't have an answer for that. Go to the NADA or KBB site and see what the value of the bike is there and what the value of the Mustang is. If the values aren't there, start looking in the paper for sales or talk to your local dealer (you know, the one you will go to to get the 600).
One final thought: do you have a severe weather vehicle to use or will the bike be your only means of transportation. If this will be your sole vehicle you should rethink things. As much as we would all like to, we can't ride our bikes all day, every day.

Good luck fellow noob.

09-20-2006, 08:38 PM	#81 (permalink)
SuzGS500 Seat Tester Join Date: Jul 2006 Bike: '05 Suzuki GS 500 Location: Innisfil. Ontario Posts: 57	very good choice on not getting it, i was in the EXACT same position 3 months ago that you are in now, and i know just how you feel. i wanted a wicked fast bike that looks good, i thought to myself nahhh i can handle it, i'll just go slow and ride careful for a while, some people may have gotten away with it but the most of people that try that, learn to be scared of their motorcycle which is a problem and is not fun at all. i got advice from people online just like these people tell you, and i tohught no, they dont know what they're talking about. so i eventually came around and instead of that nice 600cc sport bike i wanted i got a much more tame Suzuki GS500, it is only 100cc off the sport bikes but it much more tame and easier to handle, it is controlable but still a lot of fun to ride, learning becomes fun and not me being scared of my bike, and yet it is still great fun in the twisties and it still packs some speed. since you are obviously interested in sport bikes the gs500 is a decent place to start without getting to powerful of a bike, another option is to get an older 600cc bike, something from the early 1990s, this will also allow you to have fun but learn to ride safely. now that i am learning to ride and have the basics down i will continue to get more saddle hours until i feel comfortable that i can handle a bigger bike, becuse if i'm scared of it i won't have any fun and i'll probably mess up, so get a nice bike and have some fun learning Oh and rowdyred since i realized you were taking questions i figured i'd ask one myself... What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow? Last edited by SuzGS500; 09-20-2006 at 08:44 PM.

09-20-2006, 10:39 PM	#82 (permalink)
Clint Gainfully employed Join Date: Dec 2003 Bike: 2002 Bandit 1200 S Location: St. Cloud, MN, USA Posts: 20,114	African? Eighty-three rods per minute. Hey! You aren't riding a GS! You've got two halves of coconut! __________________ 'Busa shock, Racetech forks, Holeshot stage 1 & pipe, Hella headlights, CBRXX clipons, Givi bags, Zumo 550, Conti Road Attacks \| Symtec grip heat Arai Signet GTR \| Joe Rocket Meteor boots, Alter Ego pants, jacket \| Alpinestars SP-1 gloves \| Hanes boxer-briefs Gems for motorcyclists

09-20-2006, 10:43 PM	#84 (permalink)
drgibson Grandpa Before My Time Join Date: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 11,240	sniff, sniff __________________ *Real Men Drift on Two Wheels.*

09-20-2006, 10:45 PM	#85 (permalink)
kyro2000 Third gear and cruising Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 532	Brian, I hear you on wanting that bike. It is a sexy looking peice of art. Everyone on the forum is interested in helping new riders. Many of us jump so fast because we all know new riders that... well let's just say went against the path that we suggested, the outcomes have sometimes been grim. For what is worth I put in a few solid year and around 20,000 or some miles before I jump up to a 1000cc sport bike and I still to this day wish I would have waited maybe another year. There is so much to learn, so much to read, and of course nothing can compare to quality riding time out on the street. I saw that you mentioned this bike being a good 'investment'. That may be true if you sell the bike unharmed. But you will have to look around long and hard to find a forum memeber (or any rider for that matter) that didn't drop their first bike (or even 2nd, 3rd, and 4ht) a couple of times. At that point it becomes a bad investment at best and at worst..... well I think you can see where I am going. Best of luck in starting your riding experience. When done right it is an amazing hobby/ lifestyle. __________________ RIP - Arlen, Ross, and Dad. 6/22/02 --------------- --------------- Don’t tell me about disappointment! I’m a Chicago Cubs fan!

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09-20-2006, 10:42 PM	#83 (permalink)
SuzGS500 Seat Tester Join Date: Jul 2006 Bike: '05 Suzuki GS 500 Location: Innisfil. Ontario Posts: 57	I actually had a set of those coconuts, they were really fun, have you seen the tutorial video on the dvd on how to make them, thats just as funny as the coconuts, monty python is the greatest, no i mean the North American swallow!

09-23-2006, 08:13 PM	#88 (permalink)
kjh4eyes Newbie Join Date: Aug 2006 Bike: Suzuki Bandit 1200S Location: South Mississippi Posts: 11	As a fellow noob let me tell you my thoughts. First of all, I too was given the "deal of a lifetime" when someone wanted to get rid of their bike and wanted a truck. I had a truck and wanted a bike. It was a match made in heaven. However, looking back on it now I wish I had made another decision. The bike I bought was more than I really needed. Fortunately for me I am too old to do something stupid on the bike - even though the Bandit 1200 definitely has the power. The guys on this forum have been incredible when it comes to sound advice. So here is my thought. Trade your Mustang for the bike if a bike is really what you want. Then, sell your bike and get a smaller, less powerful one. You already have said that you would make the trade even if it were a 600 so sell the 1000 and buy a 600. If you think that is a stupid idea then I think you are lying to yourself about even trading if it were a 600. In answer to the questions about value and mileage, I don't have an answer for that. Go to the NADA or KBB site and see what the value of the bike is there and what the value of the Mustang is. If the values aren't there, start looking in the paper for sales or talk to your local dealer (you know, the one you will go to to get the 600). One final thought: do you have a severe weather vehicle to use or will the bike be your only means of transportation. If this will be your sole vehicle you should rethink things. As much as we would all like to, we can't ride our bikes all day, every day. Good luck fellow noob.

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