Long distance commuter?

[lisab]

Hi all,
I really want to learn to ride and after researching have found the GS500 seems like a great overall bike.  Couple questions though... I am pretty short (5'4") so will I be able to learn to ride on one of these?  We have dirtbikes I will be able to play around on, but this would be the first bike I drive on the street.  Also, I would be making some 4hr highway commutes so would I be at all comfortable (in comparison to other sport bikes), and would spending the extra cash to get the 2004-2006 GS500F be a good idea?

Thanks

[Phaedrus]

Hi, and welcome 

Due to your height, you might want to check out:

http://www.nebcom.com/noemi/moto/sbl.sbl.html

It lists bikes of all styles that you will find comfortable, according to height. If you are 5'4", you should be able to flat foot.

As for comfort, the GS is pretty comfortable. I've been on a few long distance rides, once I spent 12 hours riding the GS in one day and a few other times between 6 and 8 hours. Its OK. 

As for the extra cash for an F model? Eh, thats debatable. The un-faired GS is basically the same in every other way, but you will pay a lot less in insurance and for the bike itself if you buy it without the fairings. Insurance is much cheaper that way. Personally, I bought an "F" because I like the looks and if you are going to be doing long distance riding - like you said you are - the fairing will offer you much, much better wind protection than a naked bike.

[GeeP]

At 5' 4" you should be fine.  Sit on one and see what you think.  I'm 5' 3" and I can get most of my toes down on both sides.  I prefer to come to a stop one foot down though.

[Rema1000]

Due to your height, you might want to check out:
http://www.nebcom.com/noemi/moto/sbl.sbl.html

That's an interesting list.  I wonder if short seat-height bikes haven't become a casualty of "displacement inflation":  engine displacement is getting larger and larger, and the sub-650cc bikes are dropping out of production.  From scanning that list, the GS500 may be the last bike on that list in its size class (estimated 5'4" flat-foot, or shorter) that is still in production.

If money is not the problem, I think the Moto-Guzzi Breva 750 could be an excellent ride for a short-inseam rider.  It's not on that list, but it's seat height is 20mm shorter than the GS (770mm versus 790mm).  The Buell Blast is another shorter ride in current production, but it has some quirks of style and design.

[galahs]

I find the GS500 an excellant tourer. Being a 500cc it can power up hills and sustain freeway speeds often without having to select a lower gear.

Great cruising fuel economy too! 

[scratch]

Welcome!

The GS would be an excellent choice, even if you had to lower it a little bit.  First thing, that's free, would be to slide the bike down the fork tubes, and soften the preload to sag the rear end more.  To lower it more, there are dogbones that will help lower the rear end even more (search 'dogbones').

I would be concerned with getting an F model, in case you fall over, but that's it.

[dweese]

Talking about using it for a commuter bike, at highway speeds what does the tach read on the newer stock F model bikes.

[RedShift]

I don't think the gearing has changed between my 2001 and the current 2007 models.  If true the data I gathered in preparation for my 17-Tooth Front Sprocket upgrade is still valid:

Gear........ Speed...... 16T RPM... 17T RPM
. 5th......... 70............ 6500....... 6100
................ 75............ 6900....... 6500
................ 80............ 7400....... 7000

. 6th........ 70............ 5600........ 5300
............... 75............ 6100........ 5700
............... 80............ 6500........ 6200

For additional info, check out the posts after this Adding a Tooth -- Going Up to a 17T Front Sprocket post.

[pandy]

Welcome to the board, and congrats on your decision to learn to ride! 

I'm 5'4" (and a 1/4!!  ), and I was able to flat-foot my GS (scratch thinks that he might have been lowered). I agree with scratch insofar as model goes...E model until you learn, and then move to an F when you get comfortable....believe me...the E saved my pocketbook LOTSA heartache! 

My other nickname is Ms. Drops-Her-Bikes-A-Lot... 

As for long trips, I was always very comfy on the GS, especially while I was learning to ride. The GS is such a little tank: he really takes a beating. He also has PLENTY of power for learning and for highway trips. 

[lisab]

Thanks for all the replies and information everyone!  This definately looks like the bike I would like to learn on and continue riding for years to come.  Found out my dad has an old 1983 Maxim 650   he'd be willing to lend me to learn on so that gives me all season to search out a nice GS500, maybe even the GS500f if this season goes well. 

This is one excellent website you guys have going 

[originalsturge]

I used to ride my first GS500 just about every weekend from Jacksonville,NC to Washington DC and was completely comfortable doing so. I'm not sure if it was just me or not but the 500F seems to be a little taller in the saddle than my old 96 was. On that one I could flatfoot and still be above the bike on the new one I sat on at the motoshow I was tiptoeing it. What gives with that?
Anyway the GS500 is a great entry bike and can be good for the long haul as well.

[scratch]

Thanks for all the replies and information everyone!

You're welcome!

Found out my dad has an old 1983 Maxim 650

My first bike was an '82 650!  Sweet!

he'd be willing to lend me to learn on so that gives me all season to search out a nice GS500, maybe even the GS500f if this season goes well.

Good!  Gives you time to look for a good deal