GS a slow bike?

[ducati_nolan]

Yes the GS is slow.

It's still faster than most cars and it'll do 100mph but compared to almost any other bike (except 250s and 400s) it's slower than just about any other new bike. It's fast enough to cruise on the highway at 70+ and have some fun on but slower than most bikes.

They handle okay with stiffer springs and it can be fast on tight corners with good tires but the stock springs suck. Of course in tight corners it's more the rider than the bike.

[gsJack]

Ya, the 111 mph is the calculated speed of a GS500 with 14T front sprocket at 10k rpm in 6th gear.  Wanted to see if what Terry said he was doing was possible.     Started with the 140 mph theoretical top speed in 6th of a stock GS500, data taken from first road test ever published back in 1989 of the original GS.  It's on the bottom of my GS500 test log sheet:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tests.jpg

The x10/11 is rpm correction and the x14/16 is front sprocket tooth correction.

[Johnny5]

I think this video of D-day at the track sums it all up. It's the rider who makes a bike go fast, you can see throughout the video he passes several guys on bigger 600 sportbikes.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7848723937557327814&q=gs500&hl=en

It is actually a video of my son chasing me.  We are both on GS 500's and the first bike we pass is my youngest brother, also on a GS 500

Very cool D-Day, you guys look like good riders!  Great vid...

As for the GS being slow, I just can't get over the stupidity.  It's all relative, it's faster off the line than alot of pretty powerful cars, and it's a BIKE, how fast do you want to be able to go in a straight line??  I mean really, isn't 100-105 MPH fast enough (especially sans fairing!)?  I mean you'll disintegrate only slightly less on the road at that speed than 130 and up LOL.  Is it slower than a liter bike? Sure, but most of those are silly fast.  I keep up pretty good with my buddy's SV650.  Is it faster, yeah... but not really all THAT much.  I  just can't get over those types of comments.  The sales manager at the local Duc dealer, you know what he said to me?  (Because I think there's a Monster in my future don't ya know   )  He asked me what I had currently when I stopped in there, I said, oh just a little GS(thinking he would sneer)... he says: "The GS is a GREAT bike, really just a great all around bike".  And I said yeah, I agree!

[ohgood]

Thank you all. 
bucks1605- This damned Linux system (my son's) won't let me watch videos... 

I think the GS would be a great bike for me.  Will have to chat with the dealer some more.  I suppose they would cut some $$$$ off the list?  I mean, if I ordered it and it didn't set on the floor for a year like the black one did....

This is a great forum 

apt-get install gmplayer

or maybe

time emerge -uav world ; time emerge -uav gmplayer mplayerplug-in ; killall firefox ; firefox &


then you should be able to use any online video archive, provided they aren't using some DRM'd to the gills crap. 

Since you didn't name the distro you're currently using, I can't provide much more so far.


To the others:

Ya, the GS is a slow bike. Slow if you're cruising in a jet plane, lambo, or skydiving.

It's QUICK no matter what the land based vehicle is.

FAST (top speed) is just silly.

[Gisser]

The dealer said, "those bikes are slugs". 

What the dealer knows is that at $5199 the GS500 doesn't deliver bang for the buck off the showroom floor.  If I was a salesman, I would also steer you away from this motorcycle for that reason because I know that I could get you more for your money even within the Suzuki line-up.

SV650 ($5999).  This is a significant upgrade from the GStwin and a very respectable motorcycle with good resale value.  The GS500 should not be priced anywhere near $1000 of this machine.

S50 BLVD ($6499).  This is an 800cc watercooled, 4-valve per cyl, shaft drive cruiser with loads of style.  

DR650 ($5099).  This versatile dual-purpose thumper is lighter, thinner, and faster than the GStwin.

And from th competition....

Ninja 500R ($5049).  A little less money, a lot more horsepower.  Enuff said.

Ninja 650R ($6399).  If you like the GS500 you would love this bike.  This is an up-to-date GS500.

Vulcan 500LTD ($4999).  Like all the others listed, a better motorcycle for the money.

Take a look at all these before you plunk down your hard earned money at your Suzuki dealer.  It's too much money to not weigh your options carefully.  Consider buying a used GS500 for thousands less as well.      

[Johnny5]

Good point Gisser, the GS500 is a great tried and true bike, and used you cannot beat the bang fer buck. 

But Brand new?  I would never recommend someone to buy a GS500 for the price they go for new (Well, or a Ninja 500 for that matter).  And the choices he listed are very good(well, except I don't like the Ninja 500), the SV650 new is a GREAT buy as is the EX650 (Ninja 650r).  Honestly, I really, REALLY would love to find an EX650 that some newb dropped and scratched up the plastics and turn it into a dual headlight streetfighter.  The black with the red frame is GORGEOUS.  And I like the ergos and engine, it really is like a hopped up GS.

[bettingpython]

Kick in $2K over the price of a new GS and you can buy a left over 06 cbr600f4i off the showroom floor, better engine handling suspension and you won't outgrow it any time soon. If you have to stay in that price range look at the sv but I just hate the way friggen twins run personally. My wife is 10x happier on the F4i than she was on a gs. If you just have to have a beater pos then buy a used gs. There's too much out there better if your going to buy brand new.

[Jay_wolf]

I Dont No If Its Just Me , But 19 , One Years Lieince Holding , If i tryed to get insured on any 600 they laughed and gave me like a £2000 - bout 3700 dollar quote, a joke , the GS500 . A Modest 500 Pounds, 900 Bucks Or So , I Chose The Gs On Looks, Looks Like A Little Beast , And i Was upgrading From A Tzr 125 , Sounds Good , Handles Good , And Smokes Almost Every Single Car On The Road , And At Petrol 1 Pound,  1.85 US , A LITRE . yes Thats Right A LITRE!! . Its Good On Petrol , Even With Mods, 

Its A Winner Overall ,

Jay

[Mk1inCali]

I wish I had video of my track day at the big track at Willow Springs Int'l Raceway.

I had a Pilot Road up front, and a Pilot Activ (I didn't have a choice, had to run this as I got a flat while loading up the bike the night prior) in the back.  One of the sessions, I headed out first and took one lap to get my tires warmed up, and then just let 'er rip.  10/10ths, balls to the wall as fast as possible.


Now...there were 4 Ducati litre superbikes, 4 control riders that race in the Expert class on 600s, and my co-workers on a 600RR and '02 GSXR1000.  My bike has Progressive springs and 15WT oil up front, stock (worthless) shock in the back, clip-ons, Yosh pipe/K&N Pods (rejetted).  I had it fairly stripped down, no headlight or brackets up front, and no centerstand.

It took 5 laps for the first control rider to catch and pass me, and only 8 people out of the 30 that were in the 30 minute session ever got by me.  This, my first time riding at a track advertised as "The fastest road in the west".  I lapped all of the other 500s there, and 2 of the Ducatis.  Remember, my tires were commuter tires, at street pressure. 

It's all in your mind, not the bike's fault.

[RedShift]

I don't think it's a bad thing for the GS500 to have a reputation for being an Entry Level motorcycle.  Doesn't slight it as being slow or underpowered -- as others have said it depends on how it is ridden.  Also depends on what you are looking for in a bike, and how much it is worth to you.

I bought my GS500 to get into motorcycling.  It allows you to learn throttle and brake control without having mistakes cause wheelies or stoppies.  It's relatively light and comfortable for a wide range of riders.

As others have said, the GS500 can do a great many things.  It does have some flaws -- suspension could be better, fuel injection would be nice -- but it holds up well to abuse and in my opinion is as fun to ride as any motorcycle that could pull your arms out of their sockets.

I like a bike that doesn't cost alot to buy and insure, gets great gas mileage, and helps me be a better rider by letting me learn at my own pace.  I could have upgraded a couple of years back but this GS500 has gotten under my skin.  Have started running some 2K higher on the tach and it brings out a whole new personality.

Ride what you like, not what someone else like you to ride.   

[Gisser]

On second thought I may have been too negative in my assessment of the comparative value of a showroom new GS500F--which should be seen as a $4399 bike with an $800 fairing.  This may be the least expensive motorcycle available with a sportbike fairing (I consider the Ninja 500 fairing to be non-functional cosmetic bodywork) for those who demand that feature.  In that light, the Ninja 650 may be the only competition within $1500 that doesn't sport the nickname can-o-tuna.    Fairings are nice for those chilly early morning commutes.       

[sledge]

No-one likes to hear negative comments about their bikes but what cant be deinied is the fact the GS5 is something of a dinosaur. Its design is almost 20 years old now and the engine has been around a lot longer. Suzuki have dropped it in most parts of Europe due to emission regulations and poor sales brought about by increased competion and superiour alternatives. It must be on borrowed time in other parts of the world.
Would I buy one new??? no way, If I had that sort of cash to spend there are plenty of good used 2/3 year old bikes about that offer far more in the way of performance, style, handling image etc for the same price. However it has to be said the GS5 is a cheap bike and a good choice for a learner/1st bike, its probably why it has survived for so long.

[Wrecent_Wryder]

[5

[roosterbike]

I know its old tech, even low tech, but the 2007 GS500 is a blast to ride. I think its a great all around bike. This one is my first 500, but it fits in between my kawasaki KZ440 LTD (custom bobber/barhopper) and my Kawasaki GPz 550. My GS550 was cool but a 4 cylinder, totally different different bike.
We cant really compare it to those bikes, look at other twins. The fine tunings over the years have made this bike a main stay in our riding community. I think that it will receive an exhaust/emmision upgrade within the next few model years.
As far as fast, I rode east on I-40 at an average speed of 100. Ive topped it out, me not the bike, at 125.
We all know what opinions are like, but I feel some people dont give this bike a chance.

[RedShift]

Ride what you like, not what someone else like you to ride.   

Most riders.. most PEOPLE are just not that secure.

You have to wonder why guys like the ones above just don't get another GS, if they enjoyed it more than what they're riding now. I think it's mostly peer pressure.

I'm not sure what my next bike will be, but the "fun" factor will be a big part of my decision. It's not like there are a whole lot of other reasons to be out there on two wheels instead of four.

I think you're right on with this.  Many are goated to pick a bike based on emotion rather than well thought-out reasoning.  I've seen the process in motion.

In the climate I'm in a motorcycle is a seasonal form of transportation.  I ride it for the smile it places on my face, a result of the enjoyment just being out there on a bike seems to bring on me. 

Ride on safely...

[gsJack]

I enjoyed the 80k miles I put on the 97 GS so much that I bought another one.  The 02 GS has 48k miles on it now. 

Not only do I still respect the GS500, but a lot of other riders around here have come to respect it too!   

The 97 GS is gone now, it is being used again by another rider.

[Wrecent_Wryder]

[q5

[j!m]

the gs a slow bike . . . . maybe , but anything to fast and i would get carried away and i have a family now . Ive had super fast bikes in the past and at my grand age i feel safer that it's not a bullet .

[Johnny5]

It wouldn't have bothered me if the GS had carb ticklers, a fully-manual petcock, compression release and a kick starter. As it is, those are things I'll probably never experience now, and that's sort of sad.. I wish I had started earlier.

I don't miss kick starters.  They suck!  LOL

[Jay_wolf]

Kick Starts Are Great, On my first bike , i had one , if it didnt start on the button , or uve drained ur battery, Just Kick It