3 simple question will take you 3 seconds to answer

jcrob33 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 21 Jan 2021 Karma :

Hello Friends!

I'm brand new to motorcycle world. I'm 31 and like trying new things.

I recently had a friend sell me his Suzuki GS500 for $1,000(USD). It has 32,000 miles and seems to run pretty good. Looking around here for the last few months, it seems like a pretty good deal. I'm only looking to use this as a commuter bike.

Anyway, a few basic questions.

1. How many miles is a lot?
I'm new to bikes, not cars. I've had 35 cars. Fast, big, lifted, lowered etc. Currently have a 2004 Toyota Tundra with 300k. I know in Trucks, this is a lot of miles... How many miles is a lot in Motorcycles.

2. How many of you use your bike as your daily transportation?
I'm in Colorado, I could ride many days of the year. I'm just not sure the bike is up to the task?

3. Help me with a Foggy helmet.
My helmet fogs up when I'm stopped. I've googled a little but haven't heard much from first hand experience, whats the best way to keep my current helmet and stop the fog? I have a basic HJC.

:D

Thanks in advance!

kolu · Nova Slayer Joined: 29 Sep 2019 Karma :

Hi there!

GS500 is a nice and reliable bike. just be sure to follow manufacturers recommended maintenance schedule and keep your chain clean and oiled.

2. I'm commuting daily on SV650S in London (UK) about 8 miles, so far I haven't skipped a day Smile

I have no idea how that compares to Colorado. Be sure to get some road safety training. Or at least watch Dan Dan the Fireman (though sometimes I don't agree with his approach better than nothing) or read some book about advanced riding (police/services manual tailored for the US traffic and driver's behaviour?).

3. As for the visor - buy a pinlock and open your lid it every time you stop at the lights for a longer (yep, almost all of us do that).

yen_powell · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Karma :

mentalboy · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 May 2012 Karma :

Easy-X · Super Spammer Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Karma :

Ah, an American, you have my sympathies Wink

You won't get bikes to do a million miles like an old Merc but they have the advantage that if you had to do a complete rebuild on the engine it's feasible to do yourself and you don't need as many tools as cars and trucks (try pulling an engine just with hand tools.) TBF 2 wheels vs 4 wheels is not particularly useful comparison.

Define "commuting." Here that would typically be 1 to 100 miles but Colorado looks sparse on Google maps. If you aiming to do >100 miles in a day I'd consider a bigger engined bike.

Personally I would use my bike daily but for some reason not so much in the last year Thinking

Pinlock makes a massive difference and to a much smaller extent a helmet with a "huff guard."
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, ~~Honda Rebel,~~ ~~Yamaha DT175,~~ ~~Suzuki SV650 (loan)~~ ~~Fazer 600,~~ ~~Keeway Superlight 125,~~ ~~50cc turd scooter~~

jcrob33 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 21 Jan 2021 Karma :

This is why I appreciate you all from the other side of the world.

To be clear, my Tundra has 300,000 miles.
I also have a sequoia that has 210,000 miles.

As far as commuting, it would be about 20-30 miles a day.

mentalboy · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 May 2012 Karma :

jcrob33 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 21 Jan 2021 Karma :

[quote="mentalboy"][quote="jcrob33"]This is why I appreciate you all from the other side of the world.

To be clear, my Tundra has 300,000 miles.
I also have a sequoia that has 210,000 miles.

As far as commuting, it would be about 20-30 miles a day.[/quote]

Brits don't get Tundra's, and probably not Sequoia's, as the roads are too small. :lol:[/quote]

Ah yes, I can assume. They are quite big.

I also have a corolla... you guys have those right?!

That one has 250,000 miles on it. I bought it last year for $600 just for kicks.

jeffyjeff · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 May 2020 Karma :

blurredman · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Sep 2010 Karma :

1. How many miles is a lot?

A million? CX has 90k on it. Other than that I've got 46k on my MZ ETZ 251. I just repair something if it breaks and carry on. I'll probably have the same vehicles in 10 years time.

2. How many of you use your bike as your daily transportation?
I'm in Colorado, I could ride many days of the year. I'm just not sure the bike is up to the task?

Every day. Rain, shine, snow, frost.

3. Help me with a Foggy helmet.
My helmet fogs up when I'm stopped. I've googled a little but haven't heard much from first hand experience, whats the best way to keep my current helmet and stop the fog? I have a basic HJC.

I tend to open my visor at most junctions. My visor is rarely closed fully anyway.
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CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S.
Current: 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (bored to 295cc) - 38k, 1990 MZ ETZ251 - 49k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 9k, 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 17k.

Zen Dog · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Karma :

1. General rule of thumb used to be 100k for a car, 50k for a bike. It's probably more like double that now for modern cars/bikes (which a GS500 isn't, to be fair).

2. Most people don't. Some do, particularly in cities.

3. Pinlock. Crack your visor open. Fog guards (looks like a fighter pilot oxygen mask) are available for some helmets. There are older spray on solutions that wear off after a while, but the first 3 options are the best ones, and in that order.
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Current - '94 VFR750FR, '00 VFR800FI Previous - '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win (chinese copy of an old Honda design with a C90 engine)
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011