Will I have fun ?

[Ronisonce]

Ok, I am considering getting a Suzuki GS500 for my first bike ever, I am able to trade the bike in if i get sick of it and i will get 80% of the value that i paid for it.. .This is the thing, I weigh 280 pounds and im 6 foot 1, Will the bike still be fun or should I go bigger ? Please be curteous in your comments.. Thank you

[davipu]

you'll have plenty of fun, just get a 14 tooth sprocket

[Ronisonce]

Why, what will that make better ?

[raylarrabee]

I'm 6'6", and untill recently (bless you, Dr. Atkins!), I weighed around 250.  I just started riding last summer.  The bike is designed to hold two people, so your weight shouldn't be an issue.  It'll still be plenty fast to scare you for a while  

Obviously, a more powerful bike will pull you faster than the GS, but like I said, it should be plenty fast for you as a new rider.  The biggest problem is likely to be the bike ergos.  Depending on your proportions, you may find the bike cramped--I do.  I have a 36" inseam and my knees hit the tank at an awkward place.  Not unbearable, but a little awkward.

Bottom line:  the GS is a pretty small bike, but it has plenty of power to pull 280.  You might find it cramped, though.

Good luck!

[davipu]

stock is a 16 tooth, which minimises fuel consumption while still providing a fairly good acceleration rate.  being a larger rider you will need to compensate for that by going with a smaller sprocket, don't worry though they are only about 15 bucks and take a hour to change.

[raylarrabee]

stock front sprocket has 16 teeth.  Dropping down a tooth or two in the front is sort of like shifting to the smaller front sprocket on a bicycle--more torque at the wheel.  Swapping the sprocket for a 15 or 14 tooth sprocket will give you more low-end acceleration as the expense of some top-end speed and a bit of gas milage.

You will never miss whatever top-end you might lose and the milage should still be near 50 mpg.

[Ronisonce]

Im still a little weiry about buying a gs, I do have the option to trade it in after some time with it, but I don't want to have a bike that isn't as quick as I expect it to be

[raylarrabee]

if you're a new rider, I have two pieces of advice:

1) buy a used bike
2) buy something thought of as "slow"

Trust me, the GS will be plenty fast.  If you want to go really fast in a straight line, it's not the ideal bike.  If you want to learn how to ride, the GS is perfect.  

[cernunos]

The Baby GS will move an average 165 lb rider to 60 MPH in about 5 seconds or so. With your weight it'll probably be down to about 6 seconds or so. If you switch to a smaller sprocket on the front you will retrieve the pick-up lost due to your higher load. If you've never had a bike before then you really need not worry about blazing acceleration. You need to worry about LEARNING TO RIDE THE BIKE. Suffice it to say the mild and meek Baby is actually pretty quick in the world of vehicles. Not as quick as a GSXR or a Buell XB12, but still quick...and much more forgiving of your (and you will make them) mistakes. Learn to ride the Baby to the max and then you will be able to sell her if you want and get a quicker, faster, more expensive ride. Besides, where else will you find such an enthusiastic, lovable, helpful group of riders than GStwin.com. Try it you'll like it. I love my Baby GS, the U.K., and this forum.

C......

[Anonymous]

Ditto what cernunos said....

[Phaedrus]

Yeah the GS isn't a blazing fast machine compared to all the popular sport bikes, but compared to the other vehicles on the road yes it is quite quick. I've ridden with a passenger a bit and barely notice the weight change. I agree with the other guys about the only potential problem would be the ergonomics.. I am a fairly short guy (5'6"-5'7") and it is perfect for me. But since your tall, I'd sit on the bike and see how comfortable it is. It will seem awkward no matter WHAT you sit on if your not used to sitting on a bike..haha..BUT..see if it cramps you too much. If it doesn't, get it!!

[mp183]

Im still a little weiry about buying a gs, I do have the option to trade it in after some time with it, but I don't want to have a bike that isn't as quick as I expect it to be

With your size it might not be as quick as you want it to be.  The frame size is not a problem.  I'm 6'0" and it fits me like a glove.  The point is that you need a bike to learn on.  No matter what happens you want to learn to ride and stay safe the first year.  Otherwise you will be selling no matter what you bought after a few hundred miles because you crashed and just want to get rid of the bike. Probably to never ride one again.
You can make the GS work for you.  Just rev the engine and it will do most things you want to do.
20% is not money to pay to get into something safely that you will enjoy for the rest of your life.

The DL650 would probably be a good next bike for you,  I would not recommend it as your first bike.  It's tall and easy to drop.  The engine is not as smooth as the GS.

Good Luck.

[Rema1000]

Don't buy until after you take MSF.  You can ride a few different bikes in MSF, and get an idea of what body position you like.  Folks with really long inseam may want to also try a dual-sport as a first bike.  GS: 790mm seat height, DR650: 845mm or 885mm.  A 650 thumper will have a faster 0-40 too.



If you like the GS, I'd recommend sitting on a Ninja 500 too, and see which one works with your legs/knees.

[JeffD]

I'm 6'2" 260# and have put 25,000 miles on my GS.  I have ridden with a 200+ # passenger so we had the load past 500# and I could still out accelerate cages.  I am still using the stock sprocket setup but am now thinking about changing just for the hell of it.  But with stock I can keep up with most cars, (you'll get challenged by any stupid kid in a sport car).


Have fun.