Looking at Buying a GS500F

[Dewy333]

Hi  i was just wondering if this would be a good first bike for myself... ive read some posts and it seems that weight plays a big role in how good this bike drives... i wiegh 250 LBS...   is that going to affect this bikes performance a great amount?   do you recommend something a little bit bigger for some one my size?      this bike is in my price range though

[TadMC]

x

[Turd Ferguson]

The bike size is fine, and it has more than enough power.  You might end up a little less than satisfied with the suspension though.  The stock suspension is rumored to be set up for a 160ish pound rider.  I weigh 145 dripping wet and I am not impressed with the stock suspension.  Even for my tiny (girlish) body, the front forks are WAY too soft.

I recommend new fork springs, and possibly preload spacers (cheap and cheaper).  You might also want to consider a new rear shock/spring from a Katana (pretty cheap used on Ebay).

Don't get me wrong, the stock GS suspension is perfectly capable of a rider your size.  Upgrading the suspension would really make the bike handle amazing though.

-Turd.