Finally got one!
#1
02-09-2007 | 04:48 AM
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Posts: 17
Finally got one!
Hey guys I finally got my 500!! I brought it home this past Monday and am dying to take it out and drive! I'm a newb to Motorcycles and maintenance in general so any tips on the 500 would be very helpful. I'm plannin on takin my msf course in June which is cool, but I have to wait so long to get it! I bought it used, actually salvaged, but in great condition other than a few cosmetic damages. It runs great and looks great! Black 2005 all stock! Can't wait to see what this baby's got! I was wondering about a couple a maintenance details. One, what kind and brand of oil should I use in it? I was also wondering if there is a powerband on these, and if so what exactly that is and does and what I should be aware of 
. Also, it's probably normal, but if I rev it around 4 or 5 grand it seems to rattle more around the upper fairing area under my handle bars but when I get past that it just sounds AWESOME and doesn't seem to rattle as much. LOVE THE BIKE!! I've already read alot of the posts and they have been helpful. I'm glad you guys are here. Hopefully I'll get some pics on here sometime too. Anywayz thanx lots and have fun!
Miller,
. Also, it's probably normal, but if I rev it around 4 or 5 grand it seems to rattle more around the upper fairing area under my handle bars but when I get past that it just sounds AWESOME and doesn't seem to rattle as much. LOVE THE BIKE!! I've already read alot of the posts and they have been helpful. I'm glad you guys are here. Hopefully I'll get some pics on here sometime too. Anywayz thanx lots and have fun!Miller,
#2
02-09-2007 | 06:12 AM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,762
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RE: Finally got one!
Congrats on your new bike! We all know how exciting it is when you finiallyget your hands on that first bike. Sounds like it won't take too much to fix her up either. (500 parts are plentiful and cheap!) Vibration is pretty common on a lot of bikes, so don't worry too much about it. You can always put insulation on the inside of your body panels to cut down on noise and vibration if it really gets to you. We have a forum member, Chris thatdid itto his 500 with what he saysweregreat results!
Make sure to post them pics up ASAP!
Have fun!
Mark
Make sure to post them pics up ASAP!
Have fun!
Mark
#4
02-09-2007 | 10:51 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 807
From: La Costa, CA
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RE: Finally got one!
Gratulations Long-John! I've had many larger, faster bikes but I love this one too.
The "powerband" is basically the rpm range in which the engine makes torque and horsepower. (Even Harleys have them, just not as much or as wide.)
Any kind of motorcycle-specific oil is fine. Just stay away from automotive oils as they are formulated strictly for the motor compartments of cars, whereas motorcycle engines tend to share their compartments with the gearbox and clutch.
This bike does indeed have a buzz at about 4500-5200. It's the nature of the beast with all two-cylinder engines, even Harleys, Ducatis, and Triumphs (which is why Harley engines are rubber-mounted which results in a wonky, disconnected feeling IMO.) The best way to reduce the buzz on this bike is to make certain that all engine-mount bolts and all hardware are properly torqued, per the service manuals. I recently did it to my new 500, took more than an hour to do all of them, but I also put varying strengths of threadlock on each one. The bike definitely seems happier for it. If your bike seems especially loud, a good place to check are the exhaust header and mount bolts. Due to the increased heating/cooling and expanding/contracting of these fasteners, they are more likely to come loose without high-temp threadlock, and also the most likely to make a racket when they vibrate.
I did indeed line the inside of my fairing with noise dampers from a ZX9R:
They don't reduce the buzz, but they do reduce the perceived mechanical noise when sitting on the bike.
All engines make noise, especially V-twins because they need TWO camchains. Most riders tend to get louder, aftermarket exhaust pipes so the noise from the pipe will drown out the mechanical noises, but I like a nice quiet, smooth bike. Most bikes have noise dampers in the fairing, even the smooth and balanced inline-4 engines like my ZX9R; but the 500R does not. So I ordered a set of fairing noise-damping pads from my Kawasaki dealership and stuck them to the 500 to good effect.
I have nothing against louder exhausts, in fact I appreciate all of these other riders making themselves more attractive targets for the police and highway patrol! For the cops have become so conditioned to equate speed with noise that they never pull me over, even when I speed past at 15+mph over the posted speed limit. It's like I have a stealth bike thanks to all those noisy riders!
Peace and good luck with that new bike!
-Chris in Carlsbad, CA
The "powerband" is basically the rpm range in which the engine makes torque and horsepower. (Even Harleys have them, just not as much or as wide.
)Any kind of motorcycle-specific oil is fine. Just stay away from automotive oils as they are formulated strictly for the motor compartments of cars, whereas motorcycle engines tend to share their compartments with the gearbox and clutch.
This bike does indeed have a buzz at about 4500-5200. It's the nature of the beast with all two-cylinder engines, even Harleys, Ducatis, and Triumphs (which is why Harley engines are rubber-mounted which results in a wonky, disconnected feeling IMO.) The best way to reduce the buzz on this bike is to make certain that all engine-mount bolts and all hardware are properly torqued, per the service manuals. I recently did it to my new 500, took more than an hour to do all of them, but I also put varying strengths of threadlock on each one. The bike definitely seems happier for it. If your bike seems especially loud, a good place to check are the exhaust header and mount bolts. Due to the increased heating/cooling and expanding/contracting of these fasteners, they are more likely to come loose without high-temp threadlock, and also the most likely to make a racket when they vibrate.
I did indeed line the inside of my fairing with noise dampers from a ZX9R:
They don't reduce the buzz, but they do reduce the perceived mechanical noise when sitting on the bike.
All engines make noise, especially V-twins because they need TWO camchains. Most riders tend to get louder, aftermarket exhaust pipes so the noise from the pipe will drown out the mechanical noises, but I like a nice quiet, smooth bike. Most bikes have noise dampers in the fairing, even the smooth and balanced inline-4 engines like my ZX9R; but the 500R does not. So I ordered a set of fairing noise-damping pads from my Kawasaki dealership and stuck them to the 500 to good effect.
I have nothing against louder exhausts, in fact I appreciate all of these other riders making themselves more attractive targets for the police and highway patrol! For the cops have become so conditioned to equate speed with noise that they never pull me over, even when I speed past at 15+mph over the posted speed limit. It's like I have a stealth bike thanks to all those noisy riders!
Peace and good luck with that new bike!
-Chris in Carlsbad, CA
#7
02-10-2007 | 06:42 AM
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Posts: 17
Questions
I have a couple questions. Since I just got my bike and am in love with it 
, and can't ride it, I like to go out and just start it up. I prolly start itat least once a day...but not always. I like to mess with it by revin it and stuff, and after it warms up a little I like to hear what it sounds like in the higher rpm range. I was just wonderin if I really shouldn't bee doin this stuff and If' i'm hurting my bike at all?! Hope not! I love to play with it a little since I can't ride it yet[:@][:@]! Also I noticed theirs a considerable delayed reaction in the throttle response. Like it'll be idling and I'll try to crack the throttle and it kindaacts a little bogged for a sec before the needle shoots up, like the gas isn't getting where it needs to go like RIGHT AWAY!Is that pretty normal or should the response be like right there when I crack it? Appreciate any advice. Wanna take good care of my baby! Thanx guys!
, and can't ride it, I like to go out and just start it up. I prolly start itat least once a day...but not always. I like to mess with it by revin it and stuff, and after it warms up a little I like to hear what it sounds like in the higher rpm range. I was just wonderin if I really shouldn't bee doin this stuff and If' i'm hurting my bike at all?! Hope not! I love to play with it a little since I can't ride it yet[:@][:@]! Also I noticed theirs a considerable delayed reaction in the throttle response. Like it'll be idling and I'll try to crack the throttle and it kindaacts a little bogged for a sec before the needle shoots up, like the gas isn't getting where it needs to go like RIGHT AWAY!Is that pretty normal or should the response be like right there when I crack it? Appreciate any advice. Wanna take good care of my baby! Thanx guys!
#8
02-10-2007 | 08:48 AM
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1st Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 447
From:
RE: Finally got one!
ORIGINAL: calamarichris
Gratulations Long-John! I've had many larger, faster bikes but I love this one too.
The "powerband" is basically the rpm range in which the engine makes torque and horsepower. (Even Harleys have them, just not as much or as wide.)
Any kind of motorcycle-specific oil is fine. Just stay away from automotive oils as they are formulated strictly for the motor compartments of cars, whereas motorcycle engines tend to share their compartments with the gearbox and clutch.
This bike does indeed have a buzz at about 4500-5200. It's the nature of the beast with all two-cylinder engines, even Harleys, Ducatis, and Triumphs (which is why Harley engines are rubber-mounted which results in a wonky, disconnected feeling IMO.) The best way to reduce the buzz on this bike is to make certain that all engine-mount bolts and all hardware are properly torqued, per the service manuals. I recently did it to my new 500, took more than an hour to do all of them, but I also put varying strengths of threadlock on each one. The bike definitely seems happier for it. If your bike seems especially loud, a good place to check are the exhaust header and mount bolts. Due to the increased heating/cooling and expanding/contracting of these fasteners, they are more likely to come loose without high-temp threadlock, and also the most likely to make a racket when they vibrate.
I did indeed line the inside of my fairing with noise dampers from a ZX9R:
They don't reduce the buzz, but they do reduce the perceived mechanical noise when sitting on the bike.
All engines make noise, especially V-twins because they need TWO camchains. Most riders tend to get louder, aftermarket exhaust pipes so the noise from the pipe will drown out the mechanical noises, but I like a nice quiet, smooth bike. Most bikes have noise dampers in the fairing, even the smooth and balanced inline-4 engines like my ZX9R; but the 500R does not. So I ordered a set of fairing noise-damping pads from my Kawasaki dealership and stuck them to the 500 to good effect.
I have nothing against louder exhausts, in fact I appreciate all of these other riders making themselves more attractive targets for the police and highway patrol! For the cops have become so conditioned to equate speed with noise that they never pull me over, even when I speed past at 15+mph over the posted speed limit. It's like I have a stealth bike thanks to all those noisy riders!
Peace and good luck with that new bike!
-Chris in Carlsbad, CA
Gratulations Long-John! I've had many larger, faster bikes but I love this one too.
The "powerband" is basically the rpm range in which the engine makes torque and horsepower. (Even Harleys have them, just not as much or as wide.
)Any kind of motorcycle-specific oil is fine. Just stay away from automotive oils as they are formulated strictly for the motor compartments of cars, whereas motorcycle engines tend to share their compartments with the gearbox and clutch.
This bike does indeed have a buzz at about 4500-5200. It's the nature of the beast with all two-cylinder engines, even Harleys, Ducatis, and Triumphs (which is why Harley engines are rubber-mounted which results in a wonky, disconnected feeling IMO.) The best way to reduce the buzz on this bike is to make certain that all engine-mount bolts and all hardware are properly torqued, per the service manuals. I recently did it to my new 500, took more than an hour to do all of them, but I also put varying strengths of threadlock on each one. The bike definitely seems happier for it. If your bike seems especially loud, a good place to check are the exhaust header and mount bolts. Due to the increased heating/cooling and expanding/contracting of these fasteners, they are more likely to come loose without high-temp threadlock, and also the most likely to make a racket when they vibrate.
I did indeed line the inside of my fairing with noise dampers from a ZX9R:
They don't reduce the buzz, but they do reduce the perceived mechanical noise when sitting on the bike.
All engines make noise, especially V-twins because they need TWO camchains. Most riders tend to get louder, aftermarket exhaust pipes so the noise from the pipe will drown out the mechanical noises, but I like a nice quiet, smooth bike. Most bikes have noise dampers in the fairing, even the smooth and balanced inline-4 engines like my ZX9R; but the 500R does not. So I ordered a set of fairing noise-damping pads from my Kawasaki dealership and stuck them to the 500 to good effect.
I have nothing against louder exhausts, in fact I appreciate all of these other riders making themselves more attractive targets for the police and highway patrol! For the cops have become so conditioned to equate speed with noise that they never pull me over, even when I speed past at 15+mph over the posted speed limit. It's like I have a stealth bike thanks to all those noisy riders!
Peace and good luck with that new bike!
-Chris in Carlsbad, CA
you definatly know your bikes, this is happening to mine but since it started being more noticable after my 600 mile service thought it was something they did......... anyways, this is definatly a must do project, i hate the way it buzzes around past the 4000 mark!!!
good looking out!!!
#9
02-10-2007 | 12:32 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 807
From: La Costa, CA
1st Gear Member
RE: Finally got one!
Where are you located at, Kalininja?
And which operation is it you wish to perform--the addition of the fairing damping pads or the general fastener tightness check?
Before you spend the ~$140 on all those fairing pads, perhaps we should meet up and swap bikes for a few miles so you can see if it really makes that much difference. I believe it makes a terrific difference, but then I've had friends who've made expensive changes to Honda Superhawks and Kawasaki W650's, and when we met for a bike-swap for a few miles, I was astounded that they'd made the pipe/jetting changes they'd made. The bikes seemed no faster to me, but I kept my mouth shut. Then I'd keep a straight face when they said something like, "Man! Can you believe what a difference those pipes/that jet-change made?!?! Your stock bike feels like a SLUG by comparison!"
And God/Buddha/Mohamed/FSM knows I'm just as subject to ambivalence-avoidance as anyone. It would be wonderful to confirm (or debunk) my damper results.
When & where?
-Chris in Carlsbad, CA
calamarichris@yahoo.com
And which operation is it you wish to perform--the addition of the fairing damping pads or the general fastener tightness check?
Before you spend the ~$140 on all those fairing pads, perhaps we should meet up and swap bikes for a few miles so you can see if it really makes that much difference. I believe it makes a terrific difference, but then I've had friends who've made expensive changes to Honda Superhawks and Kawasaki W650's, and when we met for a bike-swap for a few miles, I was astounded that they'd made the pipe/jetting changes they'd made. The bikes seemed no faster to me, but I kept my mouth shut. Then I'd keep a straight face when they said something like, "Man! Can you believe what a difference those pipes/that jet-change made?!?! Your stock bike feels like a SLUG by comparison!"
And God/Buddha/Mohamed/FSM knows I'm just as subject to ambivalence-avoidance as anyone. It would be wonderful to confirm (or debunk) my damper results.
When & where?
-Chris in Carlsbad, CA
calamarichris@yahoo.com
#10
02-11-2007 | 11:59 AM
Senior Member
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 447
From:
RE: Finally got one!
ORIGINAL: calamarichris
Where are you located at, Kalininja?
And which operation is it you wish to perform--the addition of the fairing damping pads or the general fastener tightness check?
Before you spend the ~$140 on all those fairing pads, perhaps we should meet up and swap bikes for a few miles so you can see if it really makes that much difference. I believe it makes a terrific difference, but then I've had friends who've made expensive changes to Honda Superhawks and Kawasaki W650's, and when we met for a bike-swap for a few miles, I was astounded that they'd made the pipe/jetting changes they'd made. The bikes seemed no faster to me, but I kept my mouth shut. Then I'd keep a straight face when they said something like, "Man! Can you believe what a difference those pipes/that jet-change made?!?! Your stock bike feels like a SLUG by comparison!"
And God/Buddha/Mohamed/FSM knows I'm just as subject to ambivalence-avoidance as anyone. It would be wonderful to confirm (or debunk) my damper results.
When & where?
-Chris in Carlsbad, CA
calamarichris@yahoo.com
Where are you located at, Kalininja?
And which operation is it you wish to perform--the addition of the fairing damping pads or the general fastener tightness check?
Before you spend the ~$140 on all those fairing pads, perhaps we should meet up and swap bikes for a few miles so you can see if it really makes that much difference. I believe it makes a terrific difference, but then I've had friends who've made expensive changes to Honda Superhawks and Kawasaki W650's, and when we met for a bike-swap for a few miles, I was astounded that they'd made the pipe/jetting changes they'd made. The bikes seemed no faster to me, but I kept my mouth shut. Then I'd keep a straight face when they said something like, "Man! Can you believe what a difference those pipes/that jet-change made?!?! Your stock bike feels like a SLUG by comparison!"
And God/Buddha/Mohamed/FSM knows I'm just as subject to ambivalence-avoidance as anyone. It would be wonderful to confirm (or debunk) my damper results.
When & where?
-Chris in Carlsbad, CA
calamarichris@yahoo.com
LegoLand visit with my nephew and second time I got my dirt bike in that area......
that would be a good idea to do the swap and see the difference, but I do take your word for it since it seems you know your stuff!!!
as to where, i don't mind riding out that way... it would be about a 2 hour ride, right? i could do that, seats on the 500r's are very user friendly!!!
as to when, well it could only be a weekend thing for me..... and i know i'm out of town next weekend..... and then it also depends on the weather, if it rains or not, i don't want to be out there in the rain if i don't have to be.....
btw: i'm talking about the pads... that help out with the buzzing....
but i guess i could see if i need the fasteners tightened as well..... i do want to do more myself on the bike!!!