New forum member, daughter picked-out Gs500F

[Pigeonroost]

I'll have a galzillion questions and I (you too) hope a search answers most, if not all.  I wrench all of our bikes and equipment -- except automobiles -- I only change oil and such on them.  I currently ride a Goldwing and have a VTX1300C cruiser that my son mostly rides.  My daughter is a novelist rider - very limited experience and has picked the Gs500F.  I hope that its not too much bike for a rank beginner.  Good thing is that we have about a half mile run of paved private road for a practice course and after some confidence building and mistakes there, we can venture-out on endless back roads with low traffic - lots of turns and grades.  This bike model seem to be very high maintenance with frequent valve checks and very frequent chain lubing; is that right.  Do you folks really stop every two or three days to re lube the chain when on a trip?  I guess I have been spoiled by shaft drive and 15,000 mile valve checks on the Wing.  I have priced the same blue/white bike at two local dealers.  One made a "deal" offer "out the door" (taxes, title, and all) for $6,000.00 cash payment.  I knew the MSRP and was not impressed by his "deal".   I have another offer from a local dealer for $4,600.00 same "out the door offer" and I "guess" that is a good offer for this bike -- but am open to hints.  Should I keep on shopping or grab the second offer.

See Ya around!

prs (pigeonroost slim)

[commuterdude]

The second offer sounds good, it might be an '07,  the dealer in the next town over here has that for a sticker on an 'o7.   Either way it is the exact same bike.   She can handle the GS500, I'm a noob and it suits me fine.   Not scary or dangerous fast taking off.   Only two valves per cylinder so valve checks while much more frequent don't take long.   Chains a chain, lube it up and ride hard, another do it yourself winner on the GS.

[scottpA_GS]

I have been meaning to post a thread about valve checks... from what I am told its mostly BS...

Our Suzuki factory service rep (I work at a dealer) Says that checking valves on almost any street bike is a waste of time and money... Even both of our Suzuki mechanics say its  I think obviously it cant hurt to check ithem... but from what they all say its not worth your time. They say its VERY rare to see one out of spec by much at all.

I checked my 95 GS @ 6K and all was well  I also bought a project 1990 GS with 48K on it and the valves are in spec on that one too  So, I say run it... if it starts tapping or loosing power, check em 


As far as the chain.. I use wax and do it about every 300 - 500 miles or so 

I'm by far no expert... I'm sure many will disagree w/ what I just said but its the answer I got from both a Suzuki factory employee and 2 mechanics that service and maintain everyday citizens and our Suzuki Cernics/Geico sponsored race bikes 

[spc]

+1 to what scott said.  Same deal with the 2v Ducati's, it is VERY rare to see a valve actually out of spec and usually the result of very hard riding/racing, but it's easier and cheaper to check your valves than to risk it and have to replace an engine.  It's not a complicated procedure on the GS500.

[Teek]

Just a thought, but if she is that new of a rider, wouldn't you want to find a clean-ish used GS for less than half the lowest price? One drop in the drive way and there go half the plastics, which are not cheap. If money is no object then new is no problem, but you may still end up re-jetting it to improve the low rpm handling, it's a little touchy because of how lean the bikes are, which makes it harder to finesse the clutch. Otherwise they are a really nice stable, neutral handling bike and a lot of fun. On a new bike you might want to take the fairing off for awhile just in case.

[ben2go]

Please remember that these are just opinions.

I sold my bike last bike 10 years ago this november.Last spring I picked up an 89 GS500E for $900 ready to ride,like new condition with 4763 original miles on the clock.I now have 4 GS500E's in total.If you ride them hard, it would pay to do a stock rejet and check the valves every 4000 miles.If ridden respectfully,every year or 8000 miles should be ok.It's good to lube a chain once a week after a ride before putting her away.I wouldn't go as far as saying every 600 miles,unless you drive in a wet dusty environment.I have 2 rock quarries,3 concrete plants,and 2 asphalt plants right here with in a few miles of my home,so I lube my chain often.The down fall to me with new bikes is maintainence.It can void the warranty if you do it your self and not having it done by a Suzuki certified shop.Stupid to me too,but you have idiots that don't know what there doing causing themselves to get hurt.The Goldwing is a luxury bike that comes with the luxury of extremely low maintainence.The GS is not a high maitainence bike,it just needs a little attention from time to time.You know like a wife.LOL After nearly 9 years without a bike and only riding friend's bikes occasionally,I wanted something easy to ride,responsive,with quick acceleration.The GS fit the bill.It's not a fast bike by no means.Heck even some 250cc bikes will walk it down and run.The GS is forgiving and very predictable.I must add that I came from big 1000cc + crusiers and my main ride was a GSXR750SRAD.Back then the GSXR750SRAD was one of the fastest Asian bikes off the dealer floor.I dunno if I would go new.04's can be had for $2500 to $3500 with low miles and in great condition.Just know that these bikes are notorious beginners so look out for crash damage.My local dealer quoted me a price on an 07 from his other store at $4200 OTD.Never ridden.Another dealer quoted me a price of $4400 OTD on an 08.I have found that big city high volume dealers will drop prices a little more than some smaller low volume dealers.It may pay to look around.Bike prices are going up.Especially on the GS with it's 60 MPG fuel mileage.This is just my opinion.Hope it in some way helps.

[Coredump]

Quick question; has your daughter taken the MSF?

[Chokstick]

Quick question; has your daughter taken the MSF?

+1

Big time supporter of MSF course!

[Pigeonroost]

Chokstick and Coredump:

Yes, she and I took the MSF together just this past weekend.  She still needs experience, but we have a very nice practice road on our property and many nice rural back roads to progress to as she gets her confidence and skill levels up.  I really do appreciate the responses and good advice/suggestions.  Also, thinks for the heads-up on possible need to re-jet to get a good start-off response with clutch.  I assume that does not require new exhaust to match jetting...

Vern

[gsJack]

Rejetting was quite helpful but not necessary on the pre 2001 GSs to eliminate the high revving and clutch slipping needed to get underway and to improve cold weather performance but I see no need for it on the 01 and newer bikes with the 3 circuit carbs.

I checked valves on my 97 GS approx every 8k miles for the 80k miles I ran it.  I'm stretching it even further on my 02 GS which now has about 60k miles on it.  Intake valves have not required any shim changes fot 80k and 60k miles but the exhaust valves tend to recede into the seats and get tight after about 40k miles.  Setting the exhaust valves on the loose side tends to reduce the need for shimming exhaust valves, gives them a bit more seat time for cooling.

[scottpA_GS]

Rejetting was quite helpful but not necessary on the pre 2001 GSs to eliminate the high revving and clutch slipping needed to get underway and to improve cold weather performance but I see no need for it on the 01 and newer bikes with the 3 circuit carbs.

I checked valves on my 97 GS approx every 8k miles for the 80k miles I ran it.  I'm stretching it even further on my 02 GS which now has about 60k miles on it.  Intake valves have not required any shim changes fot 80k and 60k miles but the exhaust valves tend to recede into the seats and get tight after about 40k miles.  Setting the exhaust valves on the loose side tends to reduce the need for shimming exhaust valves, gives them a bit more seat time for cooling.

Thats good to hear Jack.. Looks like I wasnt being fed a bunch of BS from our mechanics So for the most part its true, all this crap about checking your valves is mostly crap... But like I/Terry said. It cant hurt 

[ben2go]

I am a bit of a matainence freek.I've never had one of my engines blow up on me.Doesn't matter what it is motorcycle,vehicle or lawn equipment.I attribute that to good mainainence.I do agree with GS jack on the 8000 mile valve checks.I keep my valves on the tight side.I want every single drop of powa I can get. 

[Pigeonroost]

gsJack;

Being totally new to this board and not knowing who is who just yet; I appreciate your understanding about the valves.  So many folks think its the noisy valves that cause troubles.  My personal observations is that the initial scheduled checks of valve lash are important, but that any changes filter that are few and far between.

The deal above was on an '08. and I closed the deal.  The salesman offered to toss in a 3/4 helmet to boot, but I asked for chain lube, two oil filters, and a set of tie-down straps instead.  I pick up the machine on my way home this evening.

I declined all of the extra warranties and service plans.  I affirmend that my warranty was NOT void if I do my own service work so long as I keep my receipts and a detailed service log; just the same as with Honda America.

prs

[ben2go]

gsJack;

Being totally new to this board and not knowing who is who just yet; I appreciate your understanding about the valves.  So many folks think its the noisy valves that cause troubles.  My personal observations is that the initial scheduled checks of valve lash are important, but that any changes filter that are few and far between.

The deal above was on an '08. and I closed the deal.  The salesman offered to toss in a 3/4 helmet to boot, but I asked for chain lube, two oil filters, and a set of tie-down straps instead.  I pick up the machine on my way home this evening.

I declined all of the extra warranties and service plans.  I affirmend that my warranty was NOT void if I do my own service work so long as I keep my receipts and a detailed service log; just the same as with Honda America.

prs

GSjack is one of the most respected members here and gives advice based on experience.

Way to go on getting everything included in the deal.You got info my dealer wouldn't give me about doing my own service work.They just wanted to make more money off me.