gsJack

Trikes don't appeal to me either but I don't knock anyone that rides one for whatever reason. Just wouldn't be the same as leaning thru the twisties on 2 wheels, local twisties now, last trip to the Smokies to play was 10 years ago. I've seen many go to trikes as they got older but I'd rather downsize and stay on 2 wheels as long as possible. With 100k on the little GS now if I get one more I'm thinking CBR250R next.

Welcome from Willoughby member.

Caught a bee in my mouth once with the shield up on a full face helmet just putting along about 40 or so, it was under my tongue. My tongue flicked rapidly until the bee flipped out onto the inside of the chinbar. Swiped it out from the chinbar with my finger and saw it bounce off the tank as I came to a stop. To be honest it was a rather small one and don't know if it could even sting yet, but I do try to keep either my face shield or my mouth closed now while riding.

Well good for her but she didn't really get to feel what a motorcycle is all about. A trike leans the wrong way same as a car. I'll be taking a ride alone leaning the right way at 8i, next week!

A 500cc for an all around do anything bike, I've done my last 14 years and 175k miles on a couple of GS500s. Did quite a few 400-500 mile 70-80 mph Interstate days traveling on them to the mountains to play. Always thought that was the smallest I'd want but staying closer to NE Ohio home now I think a new CBR250R could do it for me next.

I'm running a 150/60 Shinko 006 rear with a 110/70 Roadrider front on my GS500 right now and like the feel of the bike with them on it, handling is good but the 006 grip really isn't any better than the previous Roadrider bias ply rear tire I had on it before. Price is about the same as the Roadrider and the Roadrider lasts about 50% longer. If I get another 150/60 for the handling it will be a Pilot Power which doesn't cost that much more in that size. I put it on because I wanted to try the size, it was the only practical size that I hadn't run on the GSs on stock wheels. I've run 10 different sizes on the GSs over the last 14 years and 175k miles for various different reasons.

Looking good Keith, planning on taking it to the BuRP ride this year? I'd love to do one more trip to the mountains but just getting too old to go that far anymore. Still riding locally every day I can. Have fun with the Gixxer whereever you go> Jack

Did you try Bare Bones, they list the 150/60-18 BT090 PRO http://www.barebones.net/tires.htm

Besides the major sport touring bias tires like the BT45 the sport touring radials also come in suitable sizes. For example Avons recommended fitment for 89-93 FZR600 is their Storm 2 Ultra in 110/70-17 and 150/70-18 so your front must be a 17" making choices easier. Wheels are 3.0 and 4.5" wide by the way. Similar sizes are available from other makers of course. Here's a comparo test of 7 major bias ply tires run in UK on a track by Bike Magazine you might want to read: http://www.ex-500.com/wiki/index.php?title=Tire_Comparison

Been riding 28 years. Late starter, got my first bike at age 52.

Can't remember the last time I was the youngest one anywhere. Could be I'm the oldest here at 80? Never had a serious interest in cruisers myself. I'll go along with the sporty standard type bikes, go anywhere do anything type bikes.

Works for me. http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php

I've done my last 14 years and 175k miles on a couple of GS500s and have done quite a few 400-500 mile Interstate days at 75-80mph indicated on them. Did my last 400 mile day to the Smoky Mtns to play on a GS500 back in 04 at age 72, staying a little closer to home now. But I didn't see many other riders out there this Jan-Feb than I ever have here in NE Ohio. The title of your thread caught my attention and reminded me it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than to ride a fast bike slow.

Dunlop suggests their D404 in 100/90-19 and 110/90-18 sizes. Avon suggests their Roadriders in 100/90-19 and 120/90-18 sizes. I suggest Roadriders. Got 15-18k miles on rear Roadriders on my little GS500 with good handling. Nothing wrong with the GT501 in those sizes, Demons for handling over tire life maybe.

I've ridden year around here in NE Ohio since I started riding 28 years ago. I only ride when streets are free of ice and snow but I've splashed thru a zillion gallons of salt water. Use to go out for a short ride in temps down to 20F but don't use any electric gear so it's only about 5 miles or so at that temp. Haven't gone out in temps below freezing the past couple years though, a concession to advancing age. Only times I've ridden in falling snow was on the way home and I don't generally go out if snow is in the forcast but there are many, many winter days here in northern Ohio you can get a ride in. Just get the bike out and go but be careful. The colder it gets out there the more your reaction times slow down so adjust for it. I got out 3 times last month before the heavier snows came and will be out again in the next day or two. Typically I've averaged only about 1000 miles for Dec, Jan, Feb combined and I've averaged 15k miles a year for the 28 years I've ridden. But any ride is better than no ride to get you thru the winter.

I've ridden all of my 400k miles wearing bifocal and then trifocal glasses. Wore Photogray and then Transition lenses with lines and never had a problem with the lines in seeing the guages clearly as well as the road ahead. The photochromatic lenses are good for all around use but are of little help riding into a setting sun. Now using clear glasses along with helmet sunshields. A light tint shield on a RF1000 worked well for a while but am using a helmet with internal shield now that flips up quickly. When riding from bright sun into deep shade it's best to flip up the shield to see the road surface clearly.

Bought my 1st bike in July 84 at age 52. 7-84 to 11-12 is 28 years 4 months or 28.33 years approx. So 403,000 miles/28.33/365= 39.1 miles per day approx, 365 days a year for 28+ years. I've slacked off a bit the last few years as I reached and passed 80 yo. <G>

Haven't put a bike up yet. Been riding year around here in NE Ohio since I started riding 28 years ago in temps down to about 20F. Don't go out if streets are slippery with ice or snow but have splashed thru a trillion gallons of salt water. Probably ride today but have things to do so tomorrow for sure.

Welcome Jack the GS500 is a great first bike and a good last bike too, I've done my last 13 years and 170k miles on a couple GS500s. Just wondering what you mean by getting a little older. LOL Drop by http://gstwins.com/gsboard/ if you have any problems with your GS it's a very active board. Jack

Welcome from Willoughby. I've been on all the twisty roads in this area but can't remember the names either. LOL There are some nice twisties out there on Girdled road but it ends at 608 a long ways west of 11. Lots of twisty hilly back roads in that area.

Bought my last 6 helmets at Shadetree in Middlefield, my son goes down to Iron Pony for his. Always wear the helmet around the shop for 15-20 minutes before buying while looking at other stuff. Wouldn't consider buying online, I remember one helmet I liked but it was pinching one of my big ears a bit. I had them get another one of same helmet and same size out of stock and it was good to go. Being hand assembled they are all just a little bit different.

Welcome, I know Washington Pa very well been there many times. Parents were born and raised there, I lived there with my wife and kids back in the mid 60's, and my brother still lives there. I was born in Vandergrift just east of Pittsburgh so when the Browns are having a bad year I'm a Steelers fan again, that's most years now. LOL

I still ride with my 58 year old son and he doesn't have a walker. I've been seriously thinking of a sport bike to replace my GS500, maybe a CBR250R for my 80th this summer. A sportbike for my 80th and maybe a cruiser for my 90th.

I had Allstate auto insurance for over 40 years and finally woke up to the fact I was being ripped off. Got a couple other quotes and switched to Progressive a couple years ago cutting my auto insurance cost almost in half, same coverage. Never had an at fault accident in over 63 years of driving only a couple of minor ones where other party's insurance paid. no DUI or anything like that, and only a few minor traffic violations the last of which was over 20 years ago. Welcome to the forum but you can keep your Allstate insurance! Have Progressive for Auto, home, and bike now.

Did the dragon back in 01 on a Monday morning and it was great but there are a lot of roads we discovered in the area that are less well known that are really just as good. Really miss those annual trips to the Smokies now but at least I'm still riding. :-)