Another amen to all that Henry. (I taught the Canada Safety Council course.) One other thing; limited steering lock is a nasty thing for beginners. An example would be a Ducati supersport vs. a monster. Curious; how is the steering lock on the GTS? Left and right side?
I suppose I should come clean ;-) I've been lurking, not looking for a complete GTS but looking for front end parts for a project. I have found most of one; (scratched; I assume replaced; so "No GTSs were harmed in the making of this..." but will still need some parts. One is the axle; surprised that it isn't that pricey a part, but if anybody has one let me know. I also intend to use a different shock so if somebody needs a stock one let me know. (I do need figures on the spring weight/travel etc.) The project is a V-8...ok...let the screaming die down... I had no intention of building a 'Boss Hoss' behemouth. I've always seen their biggest problem being the way you have to build frame up and around the lump to locate the steering head. That is why I wanted the swingarm front; I will have mounts coming forward from the engine mounts; ideal place. (the funny thing is; the GTS swingarm is wider than it needs to be, but I can work with it.) BTW, I'm not talking a 500lb SBC; I'm a fan of the old 215 Buick/Olds (3.5L Rover) v-8s. 300lbs for ~200hp. Lots of things to sort out; I will be doing my own 'bell housing' that will include mounting points for the rear swingarm. I also don't like the 'barn door' fronts on the V8 bikes; I will try to keep as much as possible off the front of the motor; remote pumps etc. Hey, that 9LB. brake caliper and monster disc is already pretty 'automotive' ;-) Cheers, Rick "Henry S. Winokur" wrote: > AMEN BROTHER!!!!!!! > > Sorry Jon, but I haven't been on the list in a couple of days. Obviously > any person involved in rider education would agree. Hopefully even those of > you not involved would also agree. > > I also want to agree with what others (Phil, Jeff) have said: the GTS is > not a "starter" bike. In fact, no bike with a lot of plastic on it is a > "starter" bike. My take: a 500-600 cc (max 750). A no-plastic UJM > (universal Japanese MC) is a educated rider's choice. Reasons--simple: if > you are a beginning rider, you will drop the bike. Big bucks to fix the > plastic. Big MCs are usually fast--fast means you have less time to think > about doing the right thing, which is how you get out of trouble. Slower > bikes take a bit longer to get into trouble--perhaps you can get out of the > trouble if you aren't going so fast and are not panic stricken--but it is > highly likely you WILL be panic stricken. Buy a UJM and learn to ride the > wheels off it. Then buy a bigger bike--or continue losing the weight (and > by the way, my hat is off to you, even if you had to go the surgery route, > Mark). > > And Mark, if you haven't taken that Beginning RiderCourse, then I STRONGLY > recommend you take it FIRST, then buy a bike. Learning from your 'friends' > is not the way to go--especially if they think that 'laying it down' will > save your bacon. Go to a pro. Most states have Rider Ed courses that you > can go to. It'll be the smartest money you ever spent! > > Registration for the Maryland Motorcycle Safety Program opens on Feb. 19th. > Best bet is to go to Glen Burnie (Home of the MD MVA) on the 2nd or 3rd day > if you want your choice of beginner classes under the new curriculum). > > Regards, > > Henry S. Winokur > 94 GTS1000, AMA, MRF, > Nationally Certified Riding Instructor > Columbia, MD Ride for Kids Task Force > West Bethesda, MD USA
