If you have not read the review, go here first Part 1 - Review
This is about the GT 500 which is no longer in production.
At the time of writing this, the bike has done 1500Kms and two services done.
Updated at 2000Kms.
Getting used to the weight.
Honestly, I haven't been riding the GT much. So I have not got used to the weight yet. It is heavy and if this is the only bike you ride, then you may get used to the weight. My other regular use bikes are the TVS RTR and the Honda Unicorn (both 150cc commuters) which are light weights, so I still feel the weight of the GT.
Starting.
I had to learn to kick start the bike because the battery was having problems. Ah, kick starting the GT. It is a technique you have to learn thru practice. If you don't do it the proper way, you are just going to injure your knee or ankle. If you do it the right way, it will start without much effort (assuming only the battery is the problem). The following is a video I found which helped me learn how to do it.
Update: The kick start becomes a bit easier as you put more miles. I guess the engine is loosening up.
Heat.
The engine heats up quite a bit. If you ride in traffic for long, you will feel the heat thru your pants.
Seating position:
The seating is like a sports bike. Something like the Yamaha R15. You will feel your body weight on your wrists. Surprisingly, on a recent 2 hour ride, my hands did not pain after the ride. I was expecting it to.
Issues faced:
1. Battery problems, which means no self-start. Bad news for your legs. Still not completely resolved. It will self-start, but when riding at night with the head lights on, the low battery warning light comes on. I have changed the headlights to LEDs. They consume less power and I hope this will help with the battery draining issue. The horn sounds like it has a cold. I am assuming this is also because of the battery. Update: The change to LED headlights has solved the issue with 'battery low' warning coming up when riding with the headlights on. The self-starting works now. I guess the alternator does not produce enough current to charge the battery well. Riding at above 2500 rpm is recommended if you have to charge the battery.
LED headlights. Does not go well with the bike's retro look, but solves the battery charging issue.
2. Seat lock does not work. The seat will come off if you just pull it out. Update: Now fixed.
3. Wheel spoke came off. Luckily, a friend spotted it in time and a disaster was averted.
Keep a lookout for loose spokes. Tighten them regularly.
Thats all folks. Will probably keep updating major events in the life of the GT on this blog.
Some miscellaneous shots:
Notice the deep scratch on the seat cowl. Courtesy, RE mechanics during first service! Mirrors changed to bar end type.
The toolkit. A few tools more than what you would expect.
The legend doesn't seem to like the new kid on the block.
Don't buy it to impress the ladies. School and college going males seem the most interested in the GT.
The panel that covers the side is as heavy as 10 of a regular 150cc motocycle. Could have saved weight here.
