GS500F Top Speed?

[Dazed]

I've had my 04' GS500F up to 120 and then front wheel has a bad wobble at times between 90-120 I don't know why also I read that the gs's speed o-meater is not reading right

[My Name Is Dave]

I haven't been able to get my '05 over 105. And my buddy was driving next to me and said he was also going exactly 105. Could I possibly have the highly-sought-after speedometer that shows the correct speed? Or is his Jetta off by the same % as my bike?    

By the way, 400th post. Lucky!

Dave  

[Roadstergal]

It'll depend on tuck and how much you weigh.  And the speedo error varies from bike to bike.

[Cal Price]

It is generally said that conventional speedos over-read by about 10%

I have checked mine against a static electronic device and at the low end, under 35mph it seems about right but I think the top end does over-read by 10% or so. "Best" I have done is just short of an idicated 120 but at that speed you don't want to be speedo gazing you should be paying attention to the road. If you are getting a wobble check your tyre preasure or possibly wheel balance, if you are going to ride fast tou don't need wobbles.

[JMyrick]

The best way I have been able to check the speedo is to use my Garmin GPS on the handlebars

[Blazinjr]

I experience the wobble also.  I have found that if I move my but as far back as possible and lean down as far as my upper body will allow the wobble will go away.

As far as top speed goes the other day I was messing around and was winding it out and I looked down and I was going just a hair past 115??  

Only thing different was I put 2.5 gallon of CAM2 112 octane in it.(the gas station was out of everything else because of the supposed gas shortage)

It idles smoother and seems to run a little smoother in the upper RPMS.

[Roadstergal]

I've had the F to 115ish indicated.  Prolly about 55 actual.  Normal 87 gas, no wobbly.

[themaffeo]

I notice the wobble starting to kick in around 90.  Fastest I've taken the gs is about 95... which I probably shouldn't be doing since I'm not out of my break in period yet... oh well.

do larger bikes experience hte same wobble? (600 class bikes)  I had always attributed it to weight of bike and size of tiers... but I could be wrong...

[RedShift]

I notice the wobble starting to kick in around 90.  Fastest I've taken the gs is about 95... which I probably shouldn't be doing since I'm not out of my break in period yet...

Sounds like you were following the "Ride it like you stole it" break-in method.  

As for me, I insulted local speed laws by only 25 mph (kinda like TheMaffeo).  Can't say I noticed any shake -- I was too concerned wondering what the heck I was do that for...  

[nicks11982]

The speedomter on my GS500  said 105, but i doubt i was really going that fast.  I've had my GSXR 750 up to about 150 with no shake, but that has a stock steering damper. The GS was only shaking a little at 105.  My CBR600RR came with a GPR steering damper so it doesn't shake at all, I know they make aftermarket steering dampers but i doubt they make one for the GS. I guess it a normal occurance to have some shake at that speed.

[RVertigo]

I take my non-F to 90 (ind) without issue...  

Around 100 (ind) I get a wobble, but it's from fear. :lol:

[themaffeo]

Sounds like you were following the "Ride it like you stole it" break-in method.  

Yea =)  

No offence to the GS (I love it with all my heart and outside my TV its my most prized possesion) but I wanted to get a busa or ducati originally.  However, I listened to what people said and opted for a lower powerd sport bike to learn on.  That's why I decided not to follow the break in period that strictly; I'll probably be moving up to a larger displacement in another year or so, so I don't need the engine to last me 20k miles.

[Alphamazing]

You wanted a 'busa as your first bike? Sounds a bit squidly to me!

[themaffeo]

You wanted a 'busa as your first bike? Sounds a bit squidly to me!

Ergo the GS. =)

[vanmonkeee]

"170km/h"  Don't know how off the speedo was but thats' the fastest Ive gone.  Havn't gotten the wobbles yet though, was smooth as silk, just the usual vibrations from running at around 8k.

[RVertigo]

You wanted a 'busa as your first bike? Sounds a bit squidly to me!

Every squid wants a 'busa.  I'm not a squid 'cause I wanted a 65-68 CB450...

[Alphamazing]

Does that make me un-squidly for wanting a naked bike? I drool at the Monsters, and the new 599 isn't bad at all, either. Price tag on both of those makes me want to cry, though. Maybe I'll opt for an SV650 next... However, if I did have a 'busa as my first bike, but I wore full gear (because I'm a gear nazi enough as it is), would I still be squidly?

[RVertigo]

No and no... :lol:

How about the Speed Triple?



The only things I don't like are the double headlight and the silly rear fender...  I wonder if a GS headlight would fit.

[Alphamazing]

What? I LOVE the dualy headlight on the Speed Triple. Hell... if it wasn't a liter bike, and it wasn't British, I'd totally jump on one. British bikes just require too much maintenance in comparison to the Japanese bikes. I think a triple would be a perfect combo of my love of twins, with their delicious sound, wonderful torque curve, and chug-a-lug ability, with my desire to have the scream in the upper registers of a 4cyl. If only Suzuki made a 600 class triple...

[RVertigo]

I love old bikes...  So, the giant single round headlight makes me happy...  Bug eyes and wacky triangle crap makes me want to puke.

And yeah...  If it wasn't expensive and too many CCs for me, then I'd already have one.