Comfort?

[linuxman2003]

I got to wondering something after looking over the 500E models and the 500F models... I usually prefer to sit upright (hence my history of dual sports) and I was wondering if the F model puts you at a different seating angle? Also, to take advantage of the full faired F model, do you have to stay hunched down on the tank to avoid the wind? I might be planning a few "long" 200-300 mile trips on the bike and I want to stay as comfy as possible

[Onlypastrana199]

The ergos on the E and F are the same, both are semi-upright. I would assume if you are a bit on the taller side you'd have to tuck in to avoid the wind, but you can buy the taller windshields for them that would angle the air up over you. Personally..I hate F's I think they look tacky..like they just decided to stick some fairings on there. To me it looks like a 7th grade pre-pubescent boy in a tux...sure its dressed up but it still looks dorky as all hell.... 

[linuxman2003]

The ergos on the E and F are the same, both are semi-upright. I would assume if you are a bit on the taller side you'd have to tuck in to avoid the wind, but you can buy the taller windshields for them that would angle the air up over you. Personally..I hate F's I think they look tacky..like they just decided to stick some fairings on there. To me it looks like a 7th grade pre-pubescent boy in a tux...sure its dressed up but it still looks dorky as all hell.... 

nice analogy

I prefer the look of the naked bikes too, but I'm more of a function over form kinda guy, and I like wind protection! I will probably wind up with an E model anyway since I will be limited to around $2500 when I start searching the market. I just wonder how much the full faired model keeps the wind off your lower body...

[reminor]

I got a naked Gs500E 1999 last year. The wind bothered me a bit at highway speeds, but this season I got a National Cycle F-16 Touring windshield and I must tell you it's awesome (and a bargain at $80). It does not spoil the naked look, moreover it adds some character (IMHO) and it gives me great wind protection. It's about 3 inch taller than F-16 Sport and since I mostly commute (40 miles a day) I was seeking for more wind protection. Now I am at 50MPH before I know it, it feels like 30MPH with the shield.

Some windshields look funky to me, esp. barn-door looking ones (forgive me Kerry!). I did not want to loose a-la sporty looks of the naked GS and did lots of research and looked at many photos. I figured the trick why some windshields look dorky to me (at least on photos). It the windshield goes around the front light - it starts looking fat and awkward. But as long as you have it on top of the light, it is not that distractive visually. Just my IMHO.

Get the naked bike and the shield. Comfort question answered.

[mach1]

having full fairing does keep the wind out a good amount. I ride to work at 6am and its friggin cold so tucking my legs in close to the tank helps cause the side fairing redirect the wind around my legs, the sheild does force the wing up but you can still fell it on the top of your helmet depending on your height im short so i really dont get hit with much wind unless its coming from the sidde then i get pushed around a little but no big deal. i do like the naked look but i love the sport look and since naked bike fall into the catogory of sport/crusers i went with the F model, maybe soemday i will make the conversion i have the duel light ready to go but for the riding i do the fairings help alot.

[Wrecent_Wryder]

Y5

[Onlypastrana199]

After riding both a pre-01 and an 01+ I second the aforementioned seat issue..the pre-01 is waaay better than the 01+ but still sucky..

[linuxman2003]

Isn't the pre-01 riding position more "head forward" than the 01+? I thought I read somewhere that the 01+ has a more upright riding position..... or as that backwards 

[mach1]

unsure about that btu i knwo my 04 has a good head forword after repositiong my shifter down and pulling the bars back and down so i rest on my wrists more and next week im getting my clipons so i should be more head forward than i am now and im going to adjust my peg brackets so my feet are facing down rather than straight forward.

[reminor]

Yeah, I've recently noticed that strange new design of the seat for 01+ models. It's missing the cushion tank "lip" where your crouch is. I've never ridden 01+ model (only my 1999) but even by the look of it that seat looks uncomfortable. I have no complains about my seat comfot, though I only ride 1 hour or less with no stops. So for me it works.

Shame on Suzuki to "redesign" the newer model seat that way.

The remedy might be using a tank bra on 01+ and stuffing the crouch area with some cushion/gel set. It should fit under the bra perfectly and comfort that area a bit. Maybe I am wrong. Just an idea.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

I've done 400 miles in a day on my '02, and had no comfort issues.