GS 500 BAD MOUTHED BY MOTOR CYCLIST MAGAZINE !

[ajgs500]

Well it was prob a mix of both.  The seat did feel wider but on the other hand I really dont compress the shocks very much at all.  But the SV's shocks did feel stiffer.   

[DMac]

I would say that the editor answered the question well.. She wants a sport bike and has 5k.. The SV650 is a great choice for those options. Just because the new ones have the fairings on them in no way makes the GS a sportbike. I love my GS and all but I wouldn't hesitate recommending an SV either, my friend learned on his while I learned on the GS so I've ridden both while learning.

Also a lot of people realize they want to upgrade after a year or so, the SV has more to it (aftermarket support is great for it) so in my mind it's a bike people are less likely to out grow as fast.

Either are good bikes to learn on compared to most of the bikes out there.

[cell_491]

i agree with the editor...trust me when I say there is NO WAY IN HELL i would have WASTED 5k on a GS500 this bike simply isnt worth that much, especially if you are buying it as a "Starter bike". Now if you intend to use this bike as commuter for a very long time (at least 3 years) then go ahead pay 5k for a new gs500, but if you just want it as a starter bike i would buy a used one for $1000-1200. For 5k i would have deffinitely bought a used SV650 or an older ducati monster

[Blueknyt]

while the transalp is a fun and comfortable bike and uses the same engine as the 650 Hawk GT  its one tall and Heavy pig of a Dualsport.