[LongRanger]

http://www.kbb.com/KBB/OtherVehicles/default.aspx

I checked the KBB for the GS500F in my area and it shows $3375.

[LongRanger]

Check out craigslist for your area, do a search for GS500 and you should find a few listed. Looks to me from the search I did that the 2005-2007 GS500 run between $3000 and $4000 used so $3500 is not a bad price. You could always try to talk him down a couple hundred.

[LongRanger]

I have not changed my sprocket yet but I am tempted to do the front sprocket and see if it is as good as the reports have been. I have read that it is best on the virago to increase the front sprocket to a 17 tooth (stock is 16t) and reduce the rear to 43 tooth (stock is 45t) I don’t think this reduces horsepower but changes the power band for the bike. It will increase the top speed, reduce RPMs at highway speeds and give better highway preformance but you will lose some lower speed power and exceleration. The other forum raves on how the bike handle at highways speeds after these mods.
With stock sprockets I can easily cruise on the highway at 60 to 70mph, problems would be maintaining 65+ going uphill and and excelleration between 60 to 70 is slow.

[LongRanger]

Its not wishful thinking in my opinion. I have been getting 85mpg almost like clockwork on my 2000 virago. I have had the bike for 4 months now and have not gotten below 77mpg (that was when i first started riding it and was not shifting properly). I am 6′ 200lbs and use the bike on stop and go 35-45mph limit roads and highways 60-65mph. On the viragotechforum website others report 100+mpg with simple mods to the sprockets and exhaust

[LongRanger]

Gratz and Good luck on the bike search

[LongRanger]

I have a 2000 virago 250cc. I am 6′ and 200 lbs so it is a little small for my size but I am comfortable on it and it has been easy to handle and powerful enough for my commute to work (side roads and some highway riding) but since I get 85 mpg with the bike its hard to give that up for a bigger bike.
My course completion certificate has no expiration date on it and the instructors said to ensure that we didnt lose that card because it would be impossible to replace it. I assume it does not expire, but if you are worried about that, just go and get your motorcycle endorsement on you license after you complete the course. You will not have to take the written or driving portions after you have completed the course. Just take your card to the DoR license fee office (no need to go the highway patrol testing office) and pay the $8 fee then you won’t have to worry about losing the card or any expiration.

[LongRanger]

A ground issue may also be a possibility if the engine is sputtering or losing power while riding. Check out this website http://viragotechforum.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=6 it has alot of good information for the virago /vstar 250.

[LongRanger]

You’re right that is what they are for. You don’t need to have experience to take the course, its starts off slow to give you a feel for the bike before the more difficult tasks start. I had my bike for 2 months before the course and being impatient I began riding it around the neighborhood and then progressively further from my home as I became more confident on it. I think that having that experience before the course helped me do better in the course and maybe get a little bit more out of it, but it was not needed to take and pass the class. There were a few other people in my class that were new to motorcycles and they all passed the class, the only people who did not pass had prior experience.
I took my course though the St. Louis County Parks since all the community college courses were full untill after November. It was a 2 day course instead of the 3 day offered by the colleges or 4 days in the rider’s edge from a Harley dealer, but they were long days. I think a 3 day course would be better than the 2 day course. Where are you taking your course?

[LongRanger]

It could be bad gas if it has been sitting in the tank for awhile, I would drain the tank and refill it and use the seafoam as Budd said. I had an issue with sputtering on my virago250 and it turned out to be a bad tank of gas ( I think anyway ) after the next refill from a better know gas station and changing my spark pulgs I have not had the issue again.

[LongRanger]

I would suggest you stick with craigslist over ebay. since its local and not an auction you have the chance to see/ sit/ ride the bike before you commit to spending money on it. If there are no Rebels on it now just keep an eye on there and a nice one at a fair price should show up, just be patient. If you like the rebel you could also look for virago250 (vstar) or gz250 or one of the other lower cc size bikes listed on this site.

Good luck to you.

[LongRanger]

Hi back to ya from a fellow St. Louisan. Glad you found this board, it really does help from starting from zero. Have you been able to take a MMOP/MSF course yet or are you wanting until you find a motorcycle? Good luck on your bike hunt, have fun and be safe.

[LongRanger]

Its Marbel Creek Charlie. Its a fish a guy I know caught awhile back that had two mouths, he caught it when it was still pretty small and has been keeping it in a pond on his property. He started marketing the fish as a tourist attraction type thing a couple years ago and started a website http://www.2mouthcatfish.com/index.php (they live out in a very rural part of southern missouri and there is not much else to do out there)

[LongRanger]

Yeah we still have the reversable express lane on I-70, about a 5mile lane that starts north of downtown with no exits. They of course switch the direction depending upon the flow of traffic…east for morning and west in the evening.

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