I've had my GS for 10 months now...

[nazgulnarsil]

When i originally bought this bike I was thinking i'd have it for a year, then sell it and upgrade to an SV650 or Ninja 650.

but you know what?  after upgrading the front end, this bike has too few problems to get rid of.  Just like in the world of firearms you never get rid of a cheap but good shooting gun to fund a more expensive one.

The only other problem i have is the big flatspot around 5.5k.  if rejetting and dropping a tooth in front fixes the throttle response everything is golden.  what the hell do i need to go faster than 115mph for?  I only go on the freeway maybe 3 times a year anyway.  On top of that, the GS is so easy to maintain and so cheap to fix that i don't have to ride gingerly worrying that i'll wreck it.

I love this bike

anyone else buy a GS thinking of upgrading and then just keep it?

[scottpA_GS]

I have had mine going on 4 years now  I love it soo much I bought another one! 

I still plan to upgrade when $$$ allows, but even then I will be keepping bith my GS's 

[ohgood]

she grows on ya.

a little lube here and there, and she's good to go.

[respite]

I bought mine brand new with the intention of upgrading to a gsxr-600 after six months. Ive had it for around seven months, and have dropped the plans of getting something else. Its plenty fast for urban use, and i feel that nobody is going to bother stealing a gs500 with a disc lock on it when there are several unlocked ducatis, triumphs, and yamahas in my parking deck.

And bottom line, id rather have a bike that is paid for. Only six more months to go.

[The Buddha]

17 years, with 30 bikes and my 5th (the white 89 I had from 95-2005) bike still makes my heart stop if I ever see one like it on the road ... and the rattier it is ... the more I feel a longing for one. Yea yea I ahve had 10 gs'es and own 2 right now ... but still, I wanna buy all of them and build a huge 30,000 stall bike barn for myself.
Cool.
Buddha.

[yamahonkawazuki]

hey buddha. you go back to charlotte?

[bluelespaul]

i basically just came to the same conclusion. why sell a perfectly good bike when all i wanted to change was the riding position? so, thats what i did haha

[frankieG]

we love the gs

[yamahonkawazuki]

we love the gs

+10 million im on my 3rd now

[freedee]

Only had mine a month so far but already decided i'll be keeping it for my day to day running around even once i've got my R6, the GS is just a little more practical for riding around London, i'll still tart it up a little and make it look the part but at the end of the day it'll still be my workhorse so don't want to go too mad.

[The Buddha]

hey buddha. you go back to charlotte?

Shhh I am travelling incognito ...
Yes buddha has moved back to charlotte.
Cool.
Buddha.

[The Antibody]

couldn't have said it better myself naz.

  -Anti 

[sector9]

I have a similar decision in front of me, since I would like a bike with more wind protection for longer trips. The GS served me very well on a recent trip down to Cali from Washington (3,000 miles in 17 days). Unfortunately, I don't have much funding at this point for an upgrade.

Fortunately, I think I can spend about $100 to upgrade the front springs and fix leaky fork seals and ride the GS for a few more years.

I love this bike 

[ben2go]

I bought mine rode it for a month and bought a frame and started building one from the ground up.Right now my daily ride is down for maintainence and upgrades.I wasn't new to bikes, when I bought my 1st GS ,but this site helped me realize how simple and easy they are to work on.The bike in my avatar is my daily and has been upgraded from end to end.It looks a little different now.Here's dgyver's ultimate GS build. http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=34220.0

[yooblonder]

I've just had my GS500 for 21 days and loving it.

Done 1,000 miles so far, mostly commuting around Scotland (not so much fun in the wet though but the fairing helps).

I was thinking the same thoughts about how long before I change... reckon I'll keep it for a couple of years.

[wreckhog]

My doorman is selling a minty 2003 R6 that needs nothing with 8K miles for $3500. I can afford the insurance and am tempted, but you know, the first time it get F'd with when parked, I'd be cursing myself for upgrading. Tough mentally to get rid of a GS with no problems to get another used bike, which almost always is a hassle up front

[bucks1605]

Here's dgyver's ultimate GS build. http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=34220.0

I can't wait for an update on this project. Of course, I'm one of the reasons keeping him from working on it. 

[ben2go]

Here's dgyver's ultimate GS build. http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=34220.0

I can't wait for an update on this project. Of course, I'm one of the reasons keeping him from working on it. 

Don't worry bucky.He helped me with mine after he finished yours.D knows I'll lend a hand when he wants to finish his project bike.Not much left.Finish glassing up the tail and it's time to strip for paint and polish.