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New here, first bike 1983 Suzuki GS450L

  • Thread starter Thread starter RedWolf
  • Start date Start date
R

RedWolf

Guest
New to the forum and to riding, I took a motorcycle training program with RTI early this summer and after months of looking at bikes purchased my first bike this past weekend :D a 1983 Suzuki GS450L. Its in pretty much mint shape, new pipes last year, 22k on it starts and idles nicely. At first I couldn't completely flatfoot it but after lowering the suspension I now can, which makes me feel more comfortable as this bike is bigger and a bit heavier than the 125cc Kawasaki Eliminator I rode for the safety course. I've had a few moments of 'Hope this bike isn't too big for me' but feel like I will get used to it. Just needs a safety and I can put it on the road, hoping to learn from this forum as I get out there and gain experience :)
 

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Welcome aboard.
Learn from the forum you will indeed. Very useful tidbits all over the place. Interesting that NM does not require safety inspections. I got an 81 GS850 registered and walked away with a plate and the bike didn't have brakes! Not to mention half of the engine was still in my garage. Oh wait, you're not in the US are you? Maybe it's not just NM.
Any way, glad you're here.
Roger
 
Welcome to GSR.

New pipe looks like is stock.
Entire bike looks to be a nice fine stock example.

Good that you took the class.
Take it easy this first season.


If you find that L is tiring to ride for more than a few miles, a small windscreen will help, and flatter bars will help a lot more too.
Search for twr1776 postings/picture for modifying the L out of it (the bars are the big difference).

Do post more of your adventures with motorcycling.

.
 
Last edited:
I've been riding every day since Friday, I'm really loving my bike and hitting up the open country roads :) Rode around the city too, at first I had a few stalls but now I'm riding much smoother. My first ride out it ended up pouring but I still enjoyed myself :D Not only is this my first bike, but my first vehicle and I am loving the new found freedom, can't wait for cooler temperatures lol
 
Welcome to the site.
If you don't mind what city are you in and what did you do about insurance?
As you no doubt found out Ontario vintage bike insurance can be a hit and miss proposition.
 
Near Ottawa Ontario, and for insurance I went with Dalton Timmis and got a good quote especially for my first time having insurance. They have no problem insuring vintage bikes :)
 
The bike does look nice, especially with those pipes.

Do you know what they are? It looks to me like there is a new weld on the old header pipe. Is there a manufacturer's marque somewhere?
 
RedWolf said:
Near Ottawa Ontario, and for insurance I went with Dalton Timmis and got a good quote especially for my first time having insurance. They have no problem insuring vintage bikes :)
Click to expand...

Glad to hear they took on a new rider.
I have been with the Dalton Timmis Vintage program for 8 years now and am very happy with it.
Lately i have been hearing of them having a problem insuring non-stock vintage bikes.

Great roads around Ottawa for riding.
 
Took it for a safety today, it didn't pass because the rear tire was too worn so I need a new rear tire. Then riding home in the rain from the bike shop I wiped out, too much front brake too quickly for the wet road. I'm ok, my front right signal light cover broke and my brake pedal got slightly bent :( Glad I always ride in full gear, now I've got to learn from my mistake. As for the rear tire I'm trying to find a new one at a good price online.
 
Sorry to hear about the fall. If it has been hot and dry for a long time, the roads are extra slick during and just after the first rain.

Canada's Motorcycle out of Quebec had some decent deals on tires recently.
 
RedWolf said:
Took it for a safety today, it didn't pass because the rear tire was too worn so I need a new rear tire. Then riding home in the rain from the bike shop I wiped out, too much front brake too quickly for the wet road. I'm ok, my front right signal light cover broke and my brake pedal got slightly bent :( Glad I always ride in full gear, now I've got to learn from my mistake. As for the rear tire I'm trying to find a new one at a good price online.
Click to expand...

I'm Really glad you're ok. I wiped out on my first bike, Honda rebel 250. Hit a patch of sand in a corner and the front slid out from under me. Had to replace blinkers was all. Valuable lessons those are!
 
Well, did it again today. Not sand but uneaven pavement. I pulled off to the side and took a picture, then when i started back onto the road the bike and i went in opposite directions. The pavement was four inches or so above the shoulder and my angle of ascent was all wrong. No harm done, just a couple of scratches on the edge of the windjammer and engine guards.

Another lesson learned!
 
If I let the bike shop order my new tire they're charging about $180 for the tire and installation. I carefully bent my brake lever back to normal; it was only slightly bent and for the signal light I salvaged what I needed from a friends parts bucket and found the exact same one.

Burgue73: I feel better knowing I'm not the only one learning lessons lol glad you're okay and that there was no damage done.
 
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