[TerriKhali]

I thought Robo Cop, myself…..

Well, if its YOUR thing, cool. It certainly isn’t mine tho….
Gawd, I hope I dont see a rider in real life wearing that, I might die laughing- litterly.

No offense. Seriously. If its your style, power to ya… power ranger!

OK, I JUST found the pic with the jaw attached.. THAT isn’t completely bad….
But without it…. *rotf*

[TerriKhali]

Oh, pic…

OK, so this is not THE bike, but one that looks IDENTICAL, in color, condition, and everything, EXCEPT those knuckle cutting mirrors!

[TerriKhali]

Edmonton AB Canada

Pros:
If you don’t like the weather, wait a min.
Tons of STRAIGHT roads to open it up
2 hours to the Rockies
Huge open/wide roads
Not constantly hot for more then 2 months, leathers are GOOD/comfortable to wear
More doughnut shops then cops! *lol*
Onoway is close to ride to, to get class 6

Cons:
If you don’t like the weather, wait a min.
Potholes after serious winters
Never more then 6 months without snow
-40 = dead battery- even in a GARAGE
Rain gear a MUST. So is riding on WET roads!
Class 6 license obtainable in Edmonton *IF* instructors are in a good mood- which is 1 day out of their entire season! (new laws to get class 6)
More money then brains = squids EVERYWHERE
Farming province = HUGE mac trucks with OVER TIRED DRIVERS! EKK!

Yah… thats about it for here… I think.
All in all, good place to be. Not usually overly sweaty in leathers. LOVE that!

[TerriKhali]

Ohhh, I HIGHLY suggest it too!
I’m a 5’4, 120 lbs female, my hubbie is 6’1, 180lbs, and we BOTH started on the SAME BIKE!
I love the GS500F! Its got ALOT of spunk, and I found that after many years of riding, I STILL love that one the best. My hubbie moved up to bigger after 2 seasons (Our seasons are about 6 months outa 12 up here in Canada)

I would, however, seriously recommend you spend an extra $100-$200 AFTER you get it home-(Same day, for sure!) and strip ALL of the lower front fairing and front cowl/fairings off- and KEEP them off, for a good 6 months-2 years, depending on how much you ride. (Just add a bucket w/ears, signals and mirrors- after market, and it wont cost much at all! So easy even *I* did it myself in about 45 min!)
Theres 2 reasons for it. 1st off, I bet you dollars to doughnuts, you WILL drop it. Its not any reflection on your skills at all, but this little beast is kinda top heavy, as I find all sports bikes to be. EVEN hubbie dropped it, so strength doesn’t fit into this equation. Its lack of experience, which, on your first bike, even if you TAKE the course (which all will also recommend) you just don’t know that bike- YET.
So, you will hit loose gravel or sticks or dirt, usually at very LOW speeds, and the bike drops. Its an embarrassing initiation, but one that happens to most of us. Usually in a parking lot, or some other such place. With plastics on, they WILL get scratched, or even cracked. Dropping resale. And confidence. Plus, it doesn’t look very nice either.
New plastics, btw, cost a bloody FORTUNE too!

So, ride it, love it, and have a good 4-6 months without dropping it, then spend an hour, and put the plastics back on. (or keep them off until time to resell, your call really, but Im betting you LOVE the fairing look as much as I do)
Now, you have clean, scratch free, sexy bike. Thats really what your after anyhow- right?
Now you have also preserved a decent resale value to it as well.

Its a great bike. I LOVE mine. I’d seriously recommend it. Its small enough to keep safe while feeling enough power to satisfy your needs, big enough to hold interest while learning safely. Its not intimidating, but with enough power to not feel like you outgrow it in a month or two.
This comes from both husband AND wife. Both very different sizes and strengths.

And, since it is a sought after bike, selling it when your ready to more on, is VERY easy to do- especially if you keep it scratch free, as I suggest.
To find resale, and give you an idea, just check out your local auto trader/craigs list. Thats about the best way you can assure yourself of what the market sells them for, in your area.
…and while your looking, whats the harm in thinking that a few year old one isn’t for you? Cheaper bike means BETTER, NEW gear! And then you can start to save for ….. lord only knows, but theres ALWAYS stuff you’ll want to ADD to the bike. My wish list is around $20k. *lol* Not that it will happen anytime soon…..

Best of luck!
Let us know what you end up with!

[TerriKhali]

I just have to add, if your looking on creigslist, and other such places (and assuming your looking in your local paper as well) PLEASE, dear god, no matter what ANYONE tells you, Ask to either see a vin check- RECENT, or go get one BEFORE you finalize the deal.
(50% up front, 50% in a few hours when it comes back clean title- or whatever you can get the seller to agree to) It’s going to possibly save your ass, and your bank roll!

I’m a fan of “I’m selling because I out grew it” bikes that are 2-4 years old. I personally, am not swimming in cash, and its within my budget to find one that either somebody out grew, or bought, then realized they didn’t like it.

BUT

if your looking at sport bikes, its a MUST if your buying from a personal seller, as opposed to a shop, to run that check. As I just said today, if its marked Salvage, it could only require a frame check to get it back on the road, but if its Un-repairable- WALK. Even if it LOOKS fine, with or even without (some guys are a WHIZ at buffing and painting the marks out!) visible damage, be CAREFUL.

Yes, I LOVE bikes a few years older, but… if its your first purchase from Joe Blow down the block- CYA! (cover your ass!)

…and no, I havent had the misfortune of buying something that would cost twict the price to repair, but…. it CAN easily happen- and it HAS been tried on me before. Guess us chicks look gullible. *lol*

Best of luck- and I say, let somebody else break them in… and loose money the second they pull off the lot! *LOL* Their loss = my gain!

[TerriKhali]

Well, it might not be as expensive as you think!
I’m 5’4. 120 lbs, and my first bike was a GS500F. I bought it fopr the KILLER deal of $500.00! Jacket AND helmet inc! (Corse, I bought a new helmet right away!)
I just looked for one 2 weeks BEFORE Christmas…was armed with cash… and got if for FAR less then asking price. Its amazing what desperate people do to get cash just BEFORE CHRISTMAS if they have a family. Thats always been when I look to BUY….

I’m now 5 years in, and STILL ride a GS500F….

Corse, being your first bike, Id HIGHLY recommend stripping it naked, adding bucket, ears and front signals and mirrors, and saving your lovely plastic fairings for your second or third season…. because, as SOON as you hit the smallest bit of dirt or gravel- usually in a parking lot, you’ll tip it. its just SO easy to do…. even my husband started on my old bike, and he’s 6′ 190, and HE dropped it a few times- darn parking lot behind our place! *lol*

So, think about starting on a used one, few years old, then work your way to your dream bike… but you might be surprised. I never thought I’d fall in love with such a small bike… but when its in your comfort zone… why change?

Oh, also, if buying a used bike, especially a sport- spend the $10 or so, and run a check on it FIRST! If its been laid down, and stamped as non- repairable, even if it LOOKS ok, you’ve just wasted alot of money to get it to a point where it can now be plated…. Just a word of caution! But if its stamped Salvage, then you might have a chance. Just be really careful. And if you dont know enough to know what your looking at about the stamps… buy a clear title. But NEVER take anyone’s word for it… CHECK first!

Good luck!

[TerriKhali]

Well, they are both GIRLS… that LIKE BOYS… 14 and 12…
Left alone without dad and a shot gun? I don’t think so!

(yah, I know….)

[TerriKhali]

Oh, sorry, carrier is ‘5 star’… something… but I have: apt tenant insurance, 2 vehicles, and personal all through them, for the last 10+ years….

[TerriKhali]

I’m paying $12 per/mo… in Canada. 20+ years, no accidents, clear driving… you know, to current.

But still can’t afford the PRICE of a new bike. Just thought I’d throw the insurance in there, cause, well, “nothing ventured, nothing gained”.

[TerriKhali]

P.S., I’m in Alberta- Edmonton to be exact.
If you ever do a cross Canada trip, or one to the Rockies, I’m in

At least spend the day, and we can get a ride in… Corse, someone in the city, always knows the best places to go….

Maybe one day we’ll meet 1/2 way. Nothing like flat and straight to really open her up

[TerriKhali]

Oh, I know. It does make it hard to pick- doesn’t it?

Well, its been said before, but when you find it, you’ll know. Until then, just keep looking, and before you know it, you’ll see it.
Maybe you’re missing a bike somewhere, and its just waiting for you to walk around the corner….

[TerriKhali]

*lol*
But, if I get hubbie addicted- who will watch the kids?

*rotf*

[TerriKhali]

Mega, I like how you think!

Only one problem… wanna buy me a second bike? I can’t afford 2 w/ insurance atm…

[TerriKhali]

I have never heard of the 14 law here in Canada. But I think you might be getting it confused with what DID just happen up here. Now, its a provincial thing, but its in 4 now, that I know of.

You must be 14 years of age, WITH a learners license, to operate a ‘scooter’ under 50cc.
You must be 16, with a valid license, to operate a motorcycle.
(and I’ll also through this one in here, just cause it passed to)
You may now get a learners license for a motor vehicle at 14 with parent/guardian consent. You may then take your road test at 16 to get a restricted license, with the knowledge that you may NOT drink, consume drugs, be a teacher for any learner, or have a full class without restrictions until 18 years of age.

Its called graduated driving. Its here in Alberta now.

This is for STREET only.
You can still tear up the grass on farms or other private property with consent of the owner of the land, and owner consent- bike or farm equipment.

Thats what DID pass…. as of Jan /09

And frankly, its been good- so far. Lets just hope these new drivers are more aware of us, then their ignorant parents are.
I say this from all my close calls.

As for packing your children, its just another example of “big brother knows best” and it STINKS! Whats next, Your going to tell us what clothes to DRESS our kids in? Freeking ludicrous!

Oh, and what happens when people from other states or provinces TAKE our children with us, on our bikes, INTO these restricted states? They walk beside us now?

GRRRR!!!!!!

[TerriKhali]

VERY sweet ride.

Enjoy the bike…and these forums. I have learned a lot from here, and I’m sure you will too. This place is full of great people with a lot of knowledge. Never be afraid to ask… this group is great!

Did I mention, NICE BIKE!

[Author]

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