Well, after a year of planning and wishing i finaly got my new bike yesterday. Actually a new used bike. I got an 04 gs500f with 3700 miles on it for $3400 otd.
I didn't get any user manual with it so i have a couple of questions.
*What kind of fuel should i use?
*The bike has no fuel gauge or warning light, how do i know when i should switch to reserve.
*How should i use the choke? What rpm should it be at?
*Someone told me i should use a fuel additive. Should i and what kind should i use.
*how often should i change my oil, and what kind.
Thats it for now. Thanks for all your help. TMW has helped me choose my bike and has educated me in motorcycles. If not for TMW i probably would have gotten a 600cc bike and become a statistic.
Thanks
I will post some pics soon.
Just got my bike and have some questions.
Also,
* What rpm should i shift at?
* I just saw this permanent fuel catalyst. Is it a good idea and will it acttualy improve performance?
http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.as ... 8D98B5089F
Sorry for all the questions. I just got my first bike and am extremely excited. Im sure you all know what i mean.
Thanks
* What rpm should i shift at?
* I just saw this permanent fuel catalyst. Is it a good idea and will it acttualy improve performance?
http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.as ... 8D98B5089F
Sorry for all the questions. I just got my first bike and am extremely excited. Im sure you all know what i mean.
Thanks
I can help with a few of those.
1) Use regular, unleaded gas. If your engine pings, move up to a higher octane. Most assumptions about gas octanes are false.
2) You should switch to reserve when you start to run out from the main tank. That's your gauge, you need gas. Eventually you'll be able to ball park your miles per tank.
3) You really only need an additive if you are going to be storing the bike with gas left in the tank. A fuel stabilizer is used during storage.
The others I'll leave up to more experienced riders.
1) Use regular, unleaded gas. If your engine pings, move up to a higher octane. Most assumptions about gas octanes are false.
2) You should switch to reserve when you start to run out from the main tank. That's your gauge, you need gas. Eventually you'll be able to ball park your miles per tank.
3) You really only need an additive if you are going to be storing the bike with gas left in the tank. A fuel stabilizer is used during storage.
The others I'll leave up to more experienced riders.
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Johnj
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1) Use the regular grade. If your bike pings go to the higher octane.
2) The bike will start spitting, you lose power, and stop running. Practice switching to reserve so you can do it without pulling over.
3) Only use the choke to start the bike when the engine is cold. let the engine warm up, then shut the choke off.
4) You may want to use some fuel system cleaner in a tank of gas. There's about a hundred different kinds, I use Technotron or something like that.
5) Change your oil every 3000 miles or 3 mo. Or change it when it starts looking dirty.
6) Make sure you shift when you get to the red line on the tach. Actually you want to shift sooner that that, unless your drag racing. Sometimes you'll shift at 3k and other times you might shift at 5k or 6k, it depends how you riding the bike.
7)Look at this statement>>>>These catalysts will not wear out or dissolve and are great for the daily riders and racers alike.<<<< Never wears out or dissolves. If it dissolved something to bind with the bad molecules and made them good, or absorbed the bad molecules, so what does it do? dodo
2) The bike will start spitting, you lose power, and stop running. Practice switching to reserve so you can do it without pulling over.
3) Only use the choke to start the bike when the engine is cold. let the engine warm up, then shut the choke off.
4) You may want to use some fuel system cleaner in a tank of gas. There's about a hundred different kinds, I use Technotron or something like that.
5) Change your oil every 3000 miles or 3 mo. Or change it when it starts looking dirty.
6) Make sure you shift when you get to the red line on the tach. Actually you want to shift sooner that that, unless your drag racing. Sometimes you'll shift at 3k and other times you might shift at 5k or 6k, it depends how you riding the bike.
7)Look at this statement>>>>These catalysts will not wear out or dissolve and are great for the daily riders and racers alike.<<<< Never wears out or dissolves. If it dissolved something to bind with the bad molecules and made them good, or absorbed the bad molecules, so what does it do? dodo
People say I'm stupid and apathetic. I don't know what that means, and I don't care.
Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Congrats on the bike! I was thinking of going for one like that but ended up going for the Ninja 500. I did hear that the suzuki's are cold blooded - meaning it takes them a while to warm up. When I warm up my Ninja from an overnight break, I start with the choke fully open. The morning weather here is 40's-50's right now. It revs to 4k rpm. I start the bike with the choke on and then put my helmet and gloves on. I warm it for three minutes while I slowly bring down the rpm to 2k. I start riding with the rpm at 1500 (idle for me is 1200) and I close off the choke within the first 5 minutes of riding. As for the gas, use your trip meters. You should be able to get at least 160 miles before hitting reserve. I have been able to go up to 200 miles on my bike and the lowest was 169 before hitting reserve. I was going 50mph and ran out of the gas - I followed the fairing down to where the switch is and switched to reserve. Within 5 secs I had fuel. It is a little unnerving.
Enjoy the bike!
Dani
Enjoy the bike!
Dani