NEW GUY: Lemon?

[kirbyQ45]

Hey guys could use a little help here.

I just bought an '05 GS500f from a dealer in San Diego one week ago. The bike is brand new and has less than 200 miles that i put on it. Here is my question...

When the bike warms up it will begin to rev higher at idle. first it stops at around 3000rpm and take about 4 sec. to drift down to about 1500rpm. after a longer ride, the bike will literally hold it's idle at around 4000rpm. They told me first it needs a carb clean(free), no change. Then they said they need to adjust the air mixture screw(free), no change. They finally told me that the problem will work its self out by the first 600mi. service. Well i'm not really the kind of guy to wait for my $6000 primary ride to "work it's self out"

If any one has any comments or recommendations on my predictament, please post 'em up. Im only 20 and this is my first bike ever so i'm hopin' for a good experinace. Thanks

[pantablo]

your problem will not go away. never go back to that dealer as they dont seem to know the bike from a hole in their ass.

These bikes come from the factory running lean (ie, the carburetor fuel mixture is slightly more air to gas ratio than is ideal). They do this to pass US emissions standards. MY 2001 did this as well, exactly to the same rpms as you. The real fix is to rejet the carburetor (ie, change the jets, etc inside the carb). The temp fix, which I used for almost a year and a half I had the bike is to adjust the idle speed down to about 1800 when its really high, like when its revving at 4000. You might have to play with it a bit to keep it from giving you trouble starting. Its a fine line between lowering it enough to still start it fine and it not starting. Try it. It worked for me for a long time. If you're mechanically inclined you can jet the carbs yourself. check the FAQ's here for the jet sizes and other info. Theres a good link to a How-to as well. If you want that PM me or check the FAQ's.

[surlybruce]

Do you think it may have something to do with the emission control riggins? Something is rotten in Denmark for sure. Get those clowns who sold you the bike to sort it out/do not be beligerant/contact SUZUKI AND LET THEM KNOW RIGHT AWAY ! PANTABLO knows his shaZam! so at least you are going in the right direction.

[JamesG]

Sounds more like an intake leak. If it were an older bike I would also suggest that the intake valves had gone out of tolerances, but on a new bike that shouldn't be an issue (unless they fubbed it at the factory).

Since its a new bike, take it back to the dealer and tell them its a warrenty issue and to get it right before they give it back.

[NightRyder]

My vote is for the idle screw. That screw will screw with your head, trying to get it set right. My advice, like pantablo says, set it so its right when the bike is hot (and reving at 4k) then use the choke when its cold. (or have fun getting it just right so its the best of both worlds.) 

[Jake D]

James G:

If there was an intake leak, would that effect the engine more when it was warm?  Doesn't seem right to me.

[NightRyder]

If there was an intake leak, would that effect the engine more when it was warm? Doesn't seem right to me.

Actually I about agreed with you, till I thought.. well what if it is set to a really rich mix. Then when cold, the air leak would help it run, and after it warmed up, would help it run way too fast. So.. it could be both!

[kirbyQ45]

YEAH!! my first motorcycle related post on a motorcycle website got repiles. Thanks for the input guys(gals)!

Just got done with a short ride around my mountain town of Alpine (50deg. and dry as a bone, brr). I dont know if anyone in familiar with San Diego but im pretty sure that Alpine is a riders dream town: about 4 miles between every stop sign, all smooth clean curves, and plenty of straights for a dash up to 80 (my newbie limit).

The problem persists: The bike starts/runs fine, no choke needed to ride, ride around for 10 min then the idle starts to fall slowly, then sticks at 4. Its pissin off like no other just cuz im scared they wont fix it for free. I really dont want to change idle levels and such just cuz its brand new so it not my freakin problem.

SURLYBRUCE, looks like you and i have the exact same ride, did you have this problem? or ever watch the idle fall more slowly than it should? If i can get this all worked out i will email you for some details on the MODS to your bike.

Thanks again everyone... Later On!

[pantablo]

dude. trust me, its like that from the factory and the dealer wont do squat. you need to read my post above for temporary and long term solutions.

[surlybruce]

NO I did not ever have any idle problems that I can think of other than it is hard to maintain a constant throttle speed during start up with the choke on. It likes to run between 3000-4000 RPMs and if you dont pay attention the motor may run away on you . [rev between 4000-6000 RPMs ] Did you check to make sure the throttle cable is not binding ? It is most likely just that you need to warm the motor up and then do idle adjustment. I prefer to idle slightly high just before the trans wants to [ clunk ] into gear. As I recall between 1400- 1500 RPMs . Keep the faith as you are still in break in mode keep track of whats happening and please heed PANTABLOs advice.

[kirbyQ45]

Just wanted to follow up on the idle problem with my bike. I did take it back to the dealer and my girlfriend was there to pick me up before i had gotten there. Well she's real cute and told them about all the problems it was having so the took into their service depatment and fixed it for free. Haha, i thought it was funny that they play hardball with me, but crumble under her clevage. Anyway, the idle problem was fixed by adjusting my air mixture screw back to OEM and cleaning out the jets. The idle runs perfect now and even the choke runs better, more consistent and less up and down when choked. She runs at a beautiful 1400 when hot and the bike is much more fun to ride. Thanks for everyones input and now i can enjoy the funner side of this site. Haha, like the maintenence schedule, Later On!

[pantablo]

hahaha...thats a good one. reminds me of the time my wife asked me, while we were in a hardware store, why the salesmen werent approaching me to help me...apparently they did that to her all the time and she thought it was normal...LOL...

[melloGS]

What a bunch of suckers...
I'm glad you got your bike fixed bro. 

[ballyhoo]

Moral of this story: Don't f*** with the carbs, they should be fine from the factory. I doubt they needed to clean out the jets after only 200 miles and a week. Doesn't make any sense. They just needed to clean out their heads. Apparently your girlfriend knocked a few cobwebs out of there.