GS500f featured in RIDER (august 2004) 4-page Feature!!!

[ACE]

Well everything you wanted to know or already knew about the GS500f is in the august issue of RIDER. check it out.

[gsJack]

Well everything you wanted to know or already knew about the GS500f is in the august issue of RIDER. check it out.

Much better report in the new Rider than the GS500/Ninja500 comparo in the current issue of MCN.  Looks like the folks at Rider actually rode the bike before writing the report.   :lol:

Rider also reports that the new GS500F has radial tires as was reported in MCN.  110/70 and 130/70 Battlax radials.  Can't find any such tires listed anywhere.  Owners here of the new 04 GS500F report that it has the BT45 tires as OEM and they are bias ply tires.  Maybe Suzi puts special radial tires on for the mag testers.   :dunno:

Little error on the gas tank size and range though, Rider lists 4.4 gal instead of actual 5.3 gal.  Unlike MCN, they did report an honest mpg figure of just under 60 mpg though.

[john]

How about you scan the pages so somebody can host them for a few days so we all can see it.

[gsJack]

How about you scan the pages so somebody can host them for a few days so we all can see it.

MCN has the July GS/EX comparo up on their site, They just gave the comparo writeup and the pics and data for the EX.  They skipped the GS pics and data.  So much for fair and balanced news.  :lol:  :lol:

http://www.mcnews.com/mcnews/

Rider seems to run a month or two behind posting their tests.  The new GS500F test is not up yet.  

http://www.riderreport.com/

My old scanner doesn't work with my new puter, so I'll see if I can crank up the old puter later and scan the Rider GS report.  Got a five generation family picnic to do first this afternoon and gotta get going for now.  

[ACE]

I've got to say though, the ninja does have alot of power, infact it has 8 more ponies than the ducati monster 620. pretty impressive. But has far as looks and maybe handling, i think the GS is much better.(in my opinion) but when you really want to get something fast i guess your best bet is not a 500.

[ollie357]

In the ninja/GS500F comparo the tester states that the redline is 9.5k for the GS and 11K for the ninja. My question is: Where can I purchase some of that fine Columbian blow the writer has been snorting? Did he even look at the bike he was supposedly reviewing?   last time i checked, the red started at 11K also. C'mon squidly writers, we all know that the ninja already has some more ponies, but do we need to now start making shaZam! up about the GS? sheesh...

[Kerry]

gsJack, if your scanner does a better job with the colors than mine, feel free to rescan the Rider article.  I'd be glad to host your images if you don't have enough room.  Meanwhile, here are the images I coaxed from my (cheap) equipment....

(Scanned at 100 pixels/inch, the first 3 pages are nearly .5 MB each, the 4th is about 1/3 of that.)

Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4[/list:u]

[gsJack]

gsJack, if your scanner does a better job with the colors than mine, feel free to rescan the Rider article.  I'd be glad to host your images if you don't have enough room.  Meanwhile, here are the images I coaxed from my (cheap) equipment....

(Scanned at 100 pixels/inch, the first 3 pages are nearly .5 MB each, the 4th is about 1/3 of that.)

Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4[/list:u]

Thanks Kerry, they look good to me.  Better than my cheap scanner does.    Saved me a lot of time too.

[gsJack]

In the ninja/GS500F comparo the tester states that the redline is 9.5k for the GS and 11K for the ninja. My question is: Where can I purchase some of that fine Columbian blow the writer has been snorting? Did he even look at the bike he was supposedly reviewing?   last time i checked, the red started at 11K also. C'mon squidly writers, we all know that the ninja already has some more ponies, but do we need to now start making shaZam! up about the GS? sheesh...

Besides that redline "error" thing, they attribute some of the better ride and handling of the EX to the "fact" that it has 37mm forks while the GS has smaller 36mm forks.  All of us that have actually owned and ridden a GS know it has always had 37mm forks, same as the EX.

Also they report the the GS has a 2 piston single action front brake caliper while actually it now has a 4 piston dual action one along with a 2 piston dual action rear caliper.  The EX has a 2 piston single action front with a single piston rear.  They refer to the GS's slightly better quality braking components.   :lol: Seems to me it's the GS by 6 pistons to 3 and a larger dia floating front disc on the GS and not the EX.  Ya, slightly better.  

Also they mention the extra weight of the instrument pod on the GS handlebars as reducing handling sensitivity while the EX instruments are fairing mounted.  What a crock!  And the EX has an extra instrument, a water temp guage that the GS doesn't have.  Thought the GS was air cooled.   :lol:  :lol:

There is much more, but i'm tired of typing with my 1 finger technique.  Can't tell you how much respect I've lost for MCN over this comparo and I now have a special 1 finger technique for them.   :lol:  :nana:

[pantablo]

Jack,
Your writeup of their comparo is a good one and if you havent already, you should submit it to them. It would be nice to get some respect from them...

[danielbr]

My first post on the site.  I finished MSF three weeks ago and have been shopping for a bike.  I was happy to read the Rider article because I'm seriously considering exactly the GS500F or the Ninja 500.  I'm very curious to read the Motorcycle Consumer News article (GS x EX).  Can anyone scan the article?  

BTW where *do* you buy MCN?  I went to Barne's & Noble and thought for sure I'd find it there.  No luck.

Daniel.

[octane]

Rider also reports that the new GS500F has radial tires as was reported in MCN.  110/70 and 130/70 Battlax radials.  Can't find any such tires listed anywhere.  Owners here of the new 04 GS500F report that it has the BT45 tires as OEM and they are bias ply tires.  Maybe Suzi puts special radial tires on for the mag testers.   :dunno:

Jack, the BT45 is a part of the Battleax line. And they are bias ply.
From Bridgestone: BT45 (Sport Touring)    Features
   
*   Battlax BT45 H-rated bias ply, designed to give performance and mileage on today's sport-touring bikes.
*   Battlax BT45 V-rated bias ply, designed to give performance and mileage on sport bikes.
*   Dual Tread Compound (DTC ) offering long lasting center compound and softer side compound
*   Larger crown radius for greater stability and longer life.

[gsJack]

Jack,
Your writeup of their comparo is a good one and if you havent already, you should submit it to them. It would be nice to get some respect from them...

Being a very slow typer and not wanting to type it all over again, I copied some of our posts to a notepad and attached to a e-mail to MCN and invited their reply.

My attachment:

http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/bc/40396913_138bb/bc/My+Documents/07-04+MCN+GSvEX+Comparo.txt?bfL8X6ABwEZBva59

Might have to copy and paste url if it doesn't link up.

My e-mail to MCN:

"Some posts from the gstwins.com forum regarding your recent comparo test between the Ninja 500 and the GS500F.  Your reply to any of these complaints would would be greatly appreciated.  That was probably the worst comparo or test report I have seen in MCN in the few years I have subscribed.  Very dissapointing."

[gsJack]

Rider also reports that the new GS500F has radial tires as was reported in MCN.  110/70 and 130/70 Battlax radials.  Can't find any such tires listed anywhere.  Owners here of the new 04 GS500F report that it has the BT45 tires as OEM and they are bias ply tires.  Maybe Suzi puts special radial tires on for the mag testers.   :dunno:

Jack, the BT45 is a part of the Battleax line. And they are bias ply.
From Bridgestone: BT45 (Sport Touring)    Features
   
*   Battlax BT45 H-rated bias ply, designed to give performance and mileage on today's sport-touring bikes.
*   Battlax BT45 V-rated bias ply, designed to give performance and mileage on sport bikes.
*   Dual Tread Compound (DTC ) offering long lasting center compound and softer side compound
*   Larger crown radius for greater stability and longer life.

Yes Octane, the BT45 Battlax tires have always been made in both H and V speed rated versions of bias ply tires, but they have never been radials.

Both MCN and Rider claim their test bikes came with Battlax radials, but do not mention tire line,ie BT45 or BT010, etc.  Members here report their 04 GS500F bikes came with the BT45 tires.  Maybe MCN will be kind enough to clear this up for us.   :lol:

[kyzee]

What crap reporting from a "reputable" mag. Must be from some squidly reporters. Good ole Jack has more tricks up his sleeve.    They better give some good reply to the emails soon or have some ass kicked.

[dgyver]

Great write up Jack    It will be interesting to read their reply...if they reply.

The really sad thing is that a lot of purchases are based on buyers reading these reviews. Misrepresentation (intentional or not) has a dramatic impact on their desision to buy. I would think that Suzuki would even take action against such sloppy & inaccurate reporting. Specs & facts cannot vary but opinions can. I realize actually ride reviews are very subjective and opinionated. But what kind of an idiot writes a review and cannot count the pistons in the calipers correctly. Just shows that you cannot believe everything you read.

[gsJack]

My first post on the site.  I finished MSF three weeks ago and have been shopping for a bike.  I was happy to read the Rider article because I'm seriously considering exactly the GS500F or the Ninja 500.  I'm very curious to read the Motorcycle Consumer News article (GS x EX).  Can anyone scan the article?  

BTW where *do* you buy MCN?  I went to Barne's & Noble and thought for sure I'd find it there.  No luck.

Daniel.

MCN is only available by subscription as far as I know.  You can subscribe from their website if interested.  Very pricy at $41 per year.  

http://www.mcnews.com/mcnews/

They have posted part of the GS500F/Ninja 500 report on their site.  They skipped the pics and data panel for the GS.

http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/model_eval/NinjaGScomparo07a.pdf

http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/model_eval/NinjaGScomparo07b.pdf

The Rider report is a more honest report on the GS.

[EX500_rider]

Now I'm not trolling here, I just thought I'd chime in.  This is my first post on this board, and know that I'll probably get flamed just for riding the bike I do, but from all that I've heard throughout the years the Ninja 500R is a comparable ride to the GS500E/F and has often been considered to be the better of the two.  I think most of this reason is because it is faster and seems to have a nicer "finish" to it, despite the early 90s styling.  Honestly, though, the MCN article did seem to be rather biased to me, and I do feel for you guys 'cause I thought it was unfair.  While I've never ridden one I have heard the GS500 is a great ride, and since last year's makeover it looks badass.  I'd probably be riding one now if I had found one when I bought my Ninja 500R.  The fact that you guys get the BT45 tires stock is outstanding.  The Ninjas come with those 'greasy' Bridgestone Excedras, and when I put the BT45s on the handling changed dramatically.  Once again, I'm not trolling, just wanted to respond from the other side of the trenches, you guys got screwed in the MCN article.  Ride safe, guys.

-a Ninja 500R rider

[Steve500F]

Now I'm not trolling here, I just thought I'd chime in.  This is my first post on this board, and know that I'll probably get flamed just for riding the bike I do, but from all that I've heard throughout the years the Ninja 500R is a comparable ride to the GS500E/F and has often been considered to be the better of the two.  I think most of this reason is because it is faster and seems to have a nicer "finish" to it, despite the early 90s styling.  Honestly, though, the MCN article did seem to be rather biased to me, and I do feel for you guys 'cause I thought it was unfair.  While I've never ridden one I have heard the GS500 is a great ride, and since last year's makeover it looks badass.  I'd probably be riding one now if I had found one when I bought my Ninja 500R.  The fact that you guys get the BT45 tires stock is outstanding.  The Ninjas come with those 'greasy' Bridgestone Excedras, and when I put the BT45s on the handling changed dramatically.  Once again, I'm not trolling, just wanted to respond from the other side of the trenches, you guys got screwed in the MCN article.  Ride safe, guys.

-a Ninja 500R rider

 

[gs500fromnb]

Now I'm not trolling here, I just thought I'd chime in.  This is my first post on this board, and know that I'll probably get flamed just for riding the bike I do, but from all that I've heard throughout the years the Ninja 500R is a comparable ride to the GS500E/F and has often been considered to be the better of the two.  I think most of this reason is because it is faster and seems to have a nicer "finish" to it, despite the early 90s styling.  Honestly, though, the MCN article did seem to be rather biased to me, and I do feel for you guys 'cause I thought it was unfair.  While I've never ridden one I have heard the GS500 is a great ride, and since last year's makeover it looks badass.  I'd probably be riding one now if I had found one when I bought my Ninja 500R.  The fact that you guys get the BT45 tires stock is outstanding.  The Ninjas come with those 'greasy' Bridgestone Excedras, and when I put the BT45s on the handling changed dramatically.  Once again, I'm not trolling, just wanted to respond from the other side of the trenches, you guys got screwed in the MCN article.  Ride safe, guys.

-a Ninja 500R rider

yes, it is faster, more powerfull... had a nicer finish (before 2004)...

The gs does have better brakes, now better stock tires.. and such... as far as the ride.. I'd say the GS will be better for long rides since it has tubular bars instead of clipons... but those are minor difference and if someone buys one for a starter bike.. it doesnt matter if they pick a ninja 250, gs500 or ninja 500.. they are all good starter bikes or second bikes. Or good bikes for someone who just wants one to trott around on.

Myself, I wish I would of bought a ninja 500ex.. since I bought in 2003 and didnt know the remodel for this year... allthough after one spill, I am glad I went this way, minimal damage when you go down with the naked version