89' GN250 to a 82' GS650gl

[ChubbyBehemoth]

Hello,

I am brand new to this forum and new to riding in general, so I apologize if this is posted in the wrong thread or if this question is annoying in general. Last summer I bought a 89 GN250 and had fun commuting about 40 minutes to work and back. The bike needed more work than I was able to put into it, so I started looking for something else. I figured I would make the step up to something with a bit more power so that I would feel more comfortable riding at more highway speeds without needing to keep the throttle cranked open the whole time. I went to take a look at a nicely maintained GS650gl today and while the 100+ weight difference was noticeable, it didn't scare me off. I recognize that this is a pretty standard weight for bikes of this size and capability and I feel confident that I will be alright getting used to the increase in weight.

I'm excited about the 650, especially after stumbling onto this forum. It's great knowing there is a dedicated and encouraging community of GS owners out there, but I'm psyching myself out about the jump from a single cylinder machine to a 4 cylinder. I know that it's hard to form an opinion without knowing me and my riding abilities, but from your own experiences on these bikes, am I making a risky jump in power?

I appreciate you taking the time to read this and offer some advice. Thanks ya'll and happy riding!

[rphillips]

Most motorcycle riding, or training, courses have folks training on 250's. Then turn them loose on any bike they want. I highly recommend going through one of those courses. I'm sure you probably know a lot already by commuting to work, but there are many things they teach that most have never thought about... When they say you're good to go, you'll blend right in on the 650. Just don't get too brave till you get a good feel for the extra wgt. and power.... Oh yeah, Welcome.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Welcome.

Typically, introductions are made in the GS Owners Forum. But, no matter, you’re here, I’m here. Soon others will chime in and welcome you as well, I’m sure.

Any 40+ year old motorcycle is bound to need work, unless the seller has completely gone through it(and the work was done right) Some parts just don’t last this long. No idea of your mechanical abilities or knowledge. A certain level of mechanical aptitude or handiness will help you. The knowledge is all here on this site, in the brains of its members, and contained on companion site, BikeCliffs Website. If you can’t see my signature, the site link is https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/. Let me know if you can’t see my signature, I can lead you through getting that function working for you too.

A recommendation for a good first read on this site:

https://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/forum/technical-forums/general-maintenance/46923-top-10-newbie-mistakes

We’ve all sorta been there, done that with the common problems and the majority of the common questions/problems have been summed up in that one post. Detailed answers to problems can usually be found by using the Search function. But don’t be afraid to post any questions in the appropriate forum.

There are at least a few regularly contributing members with shaft drive GS 650’s who I’m sure will help you with anything specific to that model that you may have questions about.

And, we like pictures.

[Grimly]

am I making a risky jump in power?

You'll be fine. It's not a tiny gap, but the xtra weight of the bike will stabilise things a bit for you and after half a block you'll be getting used to it.

[gtem]

Welcome!

You'll be fine as far as the upgrade in power/size. The 650s are fairly compact bikes, relatively speaking, and have a very friendly/tame throttle response, though you might think it's a total rocketship after a 250 single!

As Rich mentioned, the bigger thing to be aware of is giving the whole bike a once-over to make sure all of the common issues/concerns are sorted out and that the bike is safe and reliable to ride. Going from a single to a 4cyl, there's now 4x more of everything in the engine/carburetors.

[Syd]

Hi Chubby and Welcome

+1 on the riders course. I'd been riding for 40+ years (on and off) when I had the opportunity to attend a 1 day intermediate riders course. That's when I learned what it was about safe riding that I did not know. Marvellous!

As the old adage goes - 'We don't know, what we don't know'

Cheers