Hello From Vancouver

[Guest]

I have been riding dirt bikes, not competitively, for over 25 years now. This year I have decided to get my motorcycle license. Long story short.....about 12 years ago I rode a CBR 250, rode it, intending to get my license. Unfortunately, I had to cancel the motorcycle road test that I planned on taking. I then sold that bike because I needed some cash. Fast forward to about 3 weeks ago....I just purchased a 1983 GS400E. I love this bike. I will get my motorcycle license and have some fun this summer, touring British Columbia....as long as my wife will put up with it. I stumbled upon this forum while looking for information on my bike. After hiding out as a guest for a few weeks, it was time I registered because I am sure I will have many questions for all of you knowledgeable GS owners. I'll post some pics of my bike soon. I just wanted to introduce myself and get acquainted with some of you.

Thanks,

Alex

[trevor]

Hey Alex,
Welcome top the forum. Great bunch of people here. Looking forward to seeing some pics. Oh and btw, keep a look out for bike meets, shows etc. in your area...one in Aug in Chillawack called Vintage in the Valley...great show put on by Dale at Bigtop Powersports....
Cheers

[steve murdoch]

Welcome to the site, Alex.
You are a brave man for touring on a 450E.

[John Park]

Welcome to the site, Alex.
You are a brave man for touring on a 450E.

Brave? What exactly is it that makes a 400 unsuitable for touring?

If I could ride mine from BC to the tip of Baja and back - more than once - I don't see a problem. It has more horsepower than a BMW R60 and people rode those around the world.

What is it that scares you?

[azr]

Nothing wrong with a 400 for touring, we're all used to the 850 class and up for that but your bike will do it just fine. Welcome to the site.

[BigD_83]

Nothing wrong with it as a solo rider, but if the wife is along as a passenger...that could lead to some interesting conversation. If she is as understanding as Trevor and Rob's better halves, maybe she'll ask you to get a second, more comfortable bike so she can be happier as a passenger.

Perhaps she wants to ride as well?

Welcome to the nuthouse, Alex.

In what part of the city do you park your ride?

[stu78]

IMG_20160512_144224.jpg

This is one of the pictures I took of her the day I went to go see and buy. I knew that this bike needed a good tune up. It was stored for about 10 years. The guy took care of it though and started it every week while in storage. It did start very easily (cold start) and ran well. I have taken off the windshield and forward chrome bar that is sitting in front of the engine. It is still running really well so far. I have done an oil change and changed the spark plugs. I have no illusions that this bike will run flawlessly without maintenance or tweaking with it. In fact, I think I share the same sentiment as all of you GS owners by purchasing a bike of this vintage because we like to work on stuff.

BigD_83...As for my wife wanting to ride....not a hope. She pretty much wants nothing to do with it. One day she'll want to ride.... I live in Coquitlam. Lots of nice roads to ride around here. Next week I will complete the MST and be able to ride more on my own.

I wanted to post a few more pictures but I am unable to upload more than one. Should I dump them on photobucket and post links instead?

ALEX

[GS400L]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]45766[/ATTACH]

This is one of the pictures I took of her the day I went to go see and buy. I knew that this bike needed a good tune up. It was stored for about 10 years. The guy took care of it though and started it every week while in storage. It did start very easily (cold start) and ran well. I have taken off the windshield and forward chrome bar that is sitting in front of the engine. It is still running really well so far. I have done an oil change and changed the spark plugs. I have no illusions that this bike will run flawlessly without maintenance or tweaking with it. In fact, I think I share the same sentiment as all of you GS owners by purchasing a bike of this vintage because we like to work on stuff.

BigD_83...As for my wife wanting to ride....not a hope. She pretty much wants nothing to do with it. One day she'll want to ride.... I live in Coquitlam. Lots of nice roads to ride around here. Next week I will complete the MST and be able to ride more on my own.

I wanted to post a few more pictures but I am unable to upload more than one. Should I dump them on photobucket and post links instead?

ALEX

Hi Alex,

We're you able to to fix the oil leak?

[leducgser]

A 400 itself will tour fine. I saw a story of a couple of guys that rode to Alaska on the Alaska highway on a couple of Honda 360 twins. That must have been tough. I have a 400 twin that I've ridden long distances on and while the bike is easily capable of extended highway speeds I wouldn't want to tour on it. These are commuter bikes and are just not very comfortable for long trips. And your wife will start to complain after the first 100 kms or so guaranteed. another problem I encountered was the limited range on these bikes, have to plan your trip carefully. At highway speeds a 400 is working harder and burning more fuel than a bigger bike will. The only thing that helped me was my 400 had a 6 speed.

[stu78]

A 400 itself will tour fine. I saw a story of a couple of guys that rode to Alaska on the Alaska highway on a couple of Honda 360 twins. That must have been tough. I have a 400 twin that I've ridden long distances on and while the bike is easily capable of extended highway speeds I wouldn't want to tour on it. These are commuter bikes and are just not very comfortable for long trips. And your wife will start to complain after the first 100 kms or so guaranteed. another problem I encountered was the limited range on these bikes, have to plan your trip carefully. At highway speeds a 400 is working harder and burning more fuel than a bigger bike will. The only thing that helped me was my 400 had a 6 speed.

I would definitely agree that it has limitations on the highway. The revs are a little higher than I like while doing a buck ten down the highway. I have been calculating the last three gas tanks to be about 45-50 mpg...really not bad.

Being a short rider, this is a great first bike. As I ride it more, it feels lighter and easier to manage. BTW...I just passed my final road test on Wednesday. I have had a smile ear to ear....to bad the weather hasn't been nice since my road test. I know I have lots to learn still but it sure is damn fun riding that thing. I get alot of motorcycle riders in parking lots coming up to me and asking about the bike. I think the GS bikes have alot of allure to all types of riders whether they are sport riders or cruisers.

[BigD_83]

Where have you been riding so far? Have you had a chance to get north of Whistler or east of Mission?

There are enough of us in the Vancouver area that we should try to arrange a 2-3 day ride over the Duffy Lake Road, onwards to Princeton, down towards Wenatchee, and back to Vancouver via Cascades Highway 20. It's be an epic ride, not to be taken lightly, but a tonne of fun for sure.

[only7bikes]

Where have you been riding so far? Have you had a chance to get north of Whistler or east of Mission?

There are enough of us in the Vancouver area that we should try to arrange a 2-3 day ride over the Duffy Lake Road, onwards to Princeton, down towards Wenatchee, and back to Vancouver via Cascades Highway 20. It's be an epic ride, not to be taken lightly, but a tonne of fun for sure.

Hmmm, that sounds like a fun ride and depending on when it happens I'd entertain the idea. The GS1000L that I bought in John Day is looking better all the time. Must have a clutch, carb cleaning, air filter, tires and handlebar grips. I don't think the carbs have ever been apart because the lead caps are still covering the idle screws.

I'm riding the Tiddler Tour on Vashon Island tomorrow on my CL125.

[argonsagas]

Engine displacement has taken on a new understanding in the last couple of decades. People used to take smaller engine bikes anywhere they wanted to go, including cross country, without much concern.

In the 1950's 650cc was the BIGGEST you could get on a standard bike. When I got my Moto Guzzi V7 it was considered a LARGE bike.....700ccs!.

In 1970s Guzzi had a 750 that was prized in Europe for police work and later an 850. Guzzis were adopted by California Highway Patrol and they loved them.


All that said, highway speeds were lower than today, and to be safe on the roads you do need to keep up, but my experience with a Honda CM450 (1982) is that it WILL keep up, even with two aboard.

[stu78]

Where have you been riding so far? Have you had a chance to get north of Whistler or east of Mission?

There are enough of us in the Vancouver area that we should try to arrange a 2-3 day ride over the Duffy Lake Road, onwards to Princeton, down towards Wenatchee, and back to Vancouver via Cascades Highway 20. It's be an epic ride, not to be taken lightly, but a tonne of fun for sure.

I have been riding mostly in Coquitlam, Anmore, Richmond. I have yet to find a couple of hours in a row to go East on Lougheed Hwy towards Mission. I would definately like to meet up with any of you guys and go for a ride. Not sure if my wife would be too happy if I took off for a couple of days and leave her with 3 kids including a 6 month old....

But, a morning trip would be awesome.

[stu78]

Engine displacement has taken on a new understanding in the last couple of decades. People used to take smaller engine bikes anywhere they wanted to go, including cross country, without much concern.

In the 1950's 650cc was the BIGGEST you could get on a standard bike. When I got my Moto Guzzi V7 it was considered a LARGE bike.....700ccs!.

In 1970s Guzzi had a 750 that was prized in Europe for police work and later an 850. Guzzis were adopted by California Highway Patrol and they loved them.


All that said, highway speeds were lower than today, and to be safe on the roads you do need to keep up, but my experience with a Honda CM450 (1982) is that it WILL keep up, even with two aboard.

To be honest, anything bigger than a 400 or 450 would require me to really modify the bike. I'm 5 feet 3 inches with boots on. I am quite comfortable with my 400. I am somewhat limited to the smaller engines. I'm happy now, but i'm sure i'll want something bigger in a year or two. I'm keeping this one forever though. It's alot of fun to ride.