a few questions and observations...

[Birdmove]

  Never ridden a GS500 or F model, but I did buy a new 1980 GS450ST way back, and enjoyed the heck out of it.In fact when my nephew asked me for suggestions for his first street bike (after riding dirt bikes for years), I unhessitatingly suggested the GS500. He found a nice used one and is quite happy with it.He has told me he gets 60+ mpg too-just about the 66mpg that my old GS450ST averaged.
    I'm 53 years old, and have never been without at least one motorcycle since I started riding over 45 years ago.I have owned over 20 motorcycles in that time frame-all street legal, and many were dual sports.
    I am seriously thinking of getting a new GS500F very soon.Just sold an 800cc cruiser that we got because my wife found it to be comfortable as a passenger.But she now is riding a scooter and soon getting a bigger one, and is no longer interested in riding on the back. So I don't need a big bike for commuting (15 mile round trip), and riding with her on the 250 scooter she will have soon.
    What I like about the GS is :
    1.Its a fairly simple and solid design thats well proven.
    2.Cast wheels that you can do an emergency patch if you have to.
    3.Has a big gas tank.
    4.Gets great gas mileage.
    5.Has a center stand.
    6.Doesn't have a radical riding position.
    7.Now has an oil cooler.
    8.Isn't a cruiser!
    9.Is reasonably priced.
    10.Has been made forever, so parts new and used are easy to find.

         Now a question or two.
     1.How much body work has to be removed (if any) for just an oil change?
     2.How long generally to remove the neccesary bodywork, and check and adjust the valves, if you are somewhat mechanically inclined and have done it the first time already.
     3.How common is the cam clearance/tapping noise problem that I've read about on the forum?
    Thanks, Jon.   

[ohgood]

Good choice on the gs. 

I can't comment on the F model's removal for oil changes, but the E only need the headers loosened and moved forward 3/4" or so (vance and hines exhaust) to change the oil.

ya, it's reliable as a carburated bike can get. BUT it's still a carburated bike. see the numerous threads about 'help my carbs suck!' and on and on.

the engine makes all kinda noises. sometimes it's rappity crappity, sometimes it's smooth. i've just over 16,000 miles on mine and it's varied the same in sound since the day I bought it with just over 3,000.

the riding position is good enough for hours at a time, or fun enough for a 30 minute commute. i'm over 6' and it suits me. even 2up at 75+ is ok.

one of the F guys can answer the oil change thing. sorry i couldn't.

[scratch]

Someone with an F will have to answer 1 and 2; I could conjecture that the two lower halves will have to come off, or at least loose.  2. To include a valve adjustment, and removing the tank - over an hour.

3. Haven't had a problem with either for the ~3 years/30k miles I've put on her as I check valves every 4k.

[CndnMax]

I haven't changes the oil on my F yet but i took a look at it and if your really lazy u might be able to do it without removing the fairing. the drain plug is in the clear but to remove the filter cover you will probably need and extension to make your life easier if you keep the fairing on- and you will get lots of oil in the bottom of the fairing since u cant catch it in a container. taking the the two side fairings off isn't much work just a few bolts here and there and a few plastic clips at random places. shouldn't take u more then 10 min.

[bosozoku]

Someone with an F will have to answer 1 and 2; I could conjecture that the two lower halves will have to come off, or at least loose.

After they come off, you can always throw them in the trash or ebay them.  Tupperware has no place on a bike

-b.

[genEricStL]

Someone with an F will have to answer 1 and 2; I could conjecture that the two lower halves will have to come off, or at least loose.

After they come off, you can always throw them in the trash or ebay them.  Tupperware has no place on a bike

-b.

LOL - caught me off-gaurd on that one hehe ... an actual laugh-out-loud 'LOL" 

[pbureau69]

I haven't changes the oil on my F yet but i took a look at it and if your really lazy u might be able to do it without removing the fairing. the drain plug is in the clear but to remove the filter cover you will probably need and extension to make your life easier if you keep the fairing on- and you will get lots of oil in the bottom of the fairing since u cant catch it in a container. taking the the two side fairings off isn't much work just a few bolts here and there and a few plastic clips at random places. shouldn't take u more then 10 min.

my dealer changes my oil (yes I can afford it grin), and they never removed the fairing..

[galahs]

I change my oil on the F without taking the fairings off. You may spill a little on the lower part of the fairing if your not carefull with how you hold the oil filter plate but its easy to wipe up.

As for removing the fairings, its 6 Alan head bolts on each side + 2 push on clips on the bottom.

[Chuck]

Or you could just wad some newspaper in there and not worry about it.