New here, Harley guy looking at the GS500f

[Cruz]

Hey all, just thought I'd introduce myself and ask a couple questions. New guy here from Vegas. Like the title suggests, I've got a Sportster 1200n (love it), and have been riding for almost a year now. Lately, I've been considering adding another bike to the stable. Something different, as I enjoy variety. So i figured I'd look in the direction of sport bikes, but nothing too crazy due to cost, insurance, and experience reasons. Well, at a local dealer, they have a 2007 GS500f, brand new, for $3k. Really tempting. So, I guess I'm just here to get some info on the bike. Being a 500, I take it it's a middle of the road performance bike, nothing crazy, but not just a 250, either. Would I be right in that assumption? I'm looking for a good starter sport bike, but not one that I'll get tired of after a month or so, and something that has a little pep to it. I also like to tinker with bikes, so how's the aftermarket? So far from what I've read, this seems like a decent choice, especially since it's comfortable compared to pricier bikes. I'm 5'6", so that's definitely a plus. Any help is appreciated.

[BaltimoreGS]

While it does have a full fairing it is not a "sports bike" as far as power.  That being said it is a great handling, light, reliable bike.  $3k is a hell of a good deal too!!  The aftermarket is pretty much non-existent for this bike other than jet kits and exhausts.  There is a guy that goes by "Bhudda" on this board that can hook you up with a jet kit.  Other than that you have to be creative and modify parts from other bikes.  Even a highly modified GS is still slow compared to 600cc sports bikes.  It is better than a 250 though and has plenty of power for highway travel. And this board is a great resource for parts, information, and comradely.  Hope that helps!

-Jessie

[Cruz]

While it does have a full fairing it is not a "sports bike" as far as power.  That being said it is a great handling, light, reliable bike.  $3k is a hell of a good deal too!!  The aftermarket is pretty much non-existent for this bike other than jet kits and exhausts.  There is a guy that goes by "Bhudda" on this board that can hook you up with a jet kit.  Other than that you have to be creative and modify parts from other bikes.  Even a highly modified GS is still slow compared to 600cc sports bikes.  It is better than a 250 though and has plenty of power for highway travel. And this board is a great resource for parts, information, and comradely.  Hope that helps!

-Jessie

Sounds pretty good then. On the power issue, I'm not really looking for anything with tons of power, hell, going over 70 is fast for me. A fun bike is more what I'm after. If the GS500f can handle great and has enough power for the highway, yet still have a little oomph when I need it, that's good for me. Thanks for the quick reply!

[mister]

Cruz:

Welcome.

If you like tinkering and wrenching yourself, the GS is  up your alley. Old fashion carbs on this baby. None of that EFI stuff here. So... you Need to use the choke to start her up. And you Need to let it warm up before riding.

Twisting the throttle ain't gonna see the bike take off and leave you hanging on. You won't be doing any unintentional wheelies on this bike. And the GS's top speed is around the ton - which is probably similar to the Sportster, right? - but there is a guy on youtube filming himself doing 200kph (125mph) on a GS

Like the Sportster is has a twin engine - not a V twin though. But is less torquey. Obviously, with smaller pots it will need to rev a little more than your Harley for the same speed. But damn economical I must say.

I don't understand how a bike shop can have a Brand New 07 model still left. But the price sounds good to me.

We all love our GS's here and certainly ain't tired of them after a month even though they don't zoom zoom like an R6 or R1 or GSXR1000 or something else with EFI, a larger engine and tuned for Racing.

The power curve is fairly smooth. Half throttle will see you accelerate quite nicely and will do for just about everything you need - acceleration wise.

If you want to see one in action from the rider's POV, have a squiz at these couple of videos (they're mine BTW and others are there as well but they show other bikes too)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqOvfEqEyUw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeJlwCLOrZU

If the dealer has a 2nd hand one there, see if he will let you take it for a spin - with the idea that you are actually interested in the new one, which they won't let someone ride cause then it ain't new anymore.

I find the bike quite comfortable posture wise and seat wise. And have no trouble riding for 2 hours at a time on longer weekend rides.

I also have no troubles overtaking things. Even B-Double trucks are good. Drop down to 5th, twist the throttle and I'll be at 85+mph before I'm past the truck. So acceleration and passing is very doable. And at the equivalent of 70mph the bike will rev around 5500 in 6th. You can still accelerate in 6th from that speed but not as fast as dropping back down to 5th. But that is a quite enjoyable and cruisey speed 

Michael

[gregvhen]

as far as power, your lookin at about 35-38 hoarses, dont remember what 07 is but know is under 40.

[FatBastard]

Hey man, I ride a gs in vegas, and i can tell you it's a good bike for this town, also you'll have no issues getting it up to speed on the 95, and as they said the aftermarket is limited. The main issue with it in vegas is that stock, the bike is scary quiet. I've almost been hit on the thing so many times, but the beauty of the bike is it swerves like a dream(you ride here, you know it gets pretty damn sketchy). It's my first bike personally, but I've ridden others before, and I can tell you it handles great. I would say get a jet kit so it has just a little more kick in it. Also, you'll notice the bike is extremely light in comparison. Not to mention your parts will be cheaper I commute 30 miles on it every other day and it's great, comfortable enough in posture to survive the back up at the 95 15 interchange, and sporty enough to have fun. Good luck, hope you get the bike that makes you happy gs or not.
-Fatbastard

PS- great bike for mt charleston

[Andy13186]

shoudl be about the same speed as your harley,  mabe faster to 60 but slower top end

mid 5 sec 0-60 i believe, it feels really fast to about 75-80  , above that it gets slower and i top out at 110 indicated..  ive  got 45-50 mpg so far.

very good handling imo, this is my 1st bike and i have had no problems with it at all very easy to lean in on turns if you counter steer, very easy to throw the bike around.  Carberated makes it kind of a pain for the 1st about 1-2 minutes of riding ... well only starting from a stop.

if you want something with a bit more power mabe look into a used sv650. i think my next bike will be a sv650 or sv1000.  sv650 is fuel injected and has about 75 hp i believe and has a much bigger aftermarket. it would be considerably faster than your harley or the gs500.

[Bluesmudge]

You have to really love the GS to love it. It has some unexplainable quality that makes it such a fantastic bike but it really isn't fantastic in any area. I've modded most parts on my bike so it fits me perfectly, performs exactly the functions I want it to, looks great and handles great. However, it took me at least $500 and god knows how many hours to get it that way. If thats part of the fun for you, fantastic! It was for me, and you do end up with a bike thats exactly what you want.

This bike is no power house, it will get absolutely raped by even an SV650 on the straights. However, if you know how to keep the bike in its happy place (arguably around 9.5k rpm) then passing on the freeway up to 95 mph will not be an issue at all.

Its economical for sure, on long trips I have gotten 61mpg even with my +1 jet kit and after market pipe. I think that is fantastic. I know with different gearing people have gotten 65-70 mpg, but don't expect that every day. Around town I never drop below 45 mpg, even when I am driving like its a real sport bike.

I say, buy it. At 3k for a brand new one you have nothing to lose. Even if you did sell it in 6 months for some reason (I've had mine for 15 months love the bike more every day) you might only lose a couple hundred on it. Plus, you just can't beat this forum!

Take a look at the GStwins wiki, http://wiki.gstwins.com for some ideas of what it takes to maintain this bike as well as the many upgrade options. Its true that there isn't much real after market support but that just makes it more fun! I'm sure I'll forget something but here is what I have done to my bike:
Carbon Fiber Exhaust
+1 Jet kit
.95kg Sonic springs +heavier fork oil
powdercoated rear Katana shock
Clip-on bars
CBR rear sets
fenderectomy
flush mount turn signals
custom paint job
changed gear ratio
waterproof power outlet
GPS mount
Locking Hard Topcase
Reflective Rim Stripes

Yeah, you have a lot to do! Better buy that bike so you can get get busy making it better!

[redhenracing2]

Not to mention your parts will be cheaper

And need we mention the insurance? Mine is $17 a month, being a 18-year-old male with three speeding tickets. How does that compare to Harley insurance, eh?

[Gary856]

$3k for a brand new '07 is not just a good deal - they're giving it away! I've seen plenty of people on Craigslist asking for that much or more for a late model used GS.

You have to really love the GS to love it. It has some unexplainable quality that makes it such a fantastic bike but it really isn't fantastic in any area.

I've been thinking why I love my '01 GS so much; I think I almost have it figured out. First let me say I also have a '07 SV650N, which has more power, and a '03 YZF600R, which has even more power. But even with two more powerful bikes, I love riding the GS just as much. The GS has a simple, retro, elemental pureness to it. I like it's low cost, the zinginess of it's air-cooled engine notes, its low seat height and compact size, its light steering and quick handling. I even like the fact that it stumbles slightly when cold and then wakes up after a minute or two and runs smoothly. Of the 3 bikes I have, the GS requires the least "active brain power" to operate, and it feels the most like an extension of the body, like a mountain bike. At the end of each ride on the GS, the word "sweet" pops into my head.

While a lot of bikes are more capable to the point of overkill, on most days and for most things the GS feels "just right".    

[Cruz]

These posts are just making me want the GS500 more. It sounds like it's a great bike that can be lots of fun. The power issue, when compared to 600+ sport bikes, doesn't bother me. What really attracts me though is the simplicity of it. After reading some of the forum and checking out the GS wiki, it seems like much of a diy bike. And it's carbureted, which is great. My current bike is fuel injected, which is nice, but it's a pain to work on, and you can't modify it without a fuel manager. Again, I'm all for simplicity.

Not to mention your parts will be cheaper

And need we mention the insurance? Mine is $17 a month, being a 18-year-old male with three speeding tickets. How does that compare to Harley insurance, eh?

Heh, I checked my insurance for it the other day, it would only raise by $10 . My current insurance runs $50 a month for the Sportster.

[FatBastard]

dang man, what insurance are you with, granted I'm 18 so I'm screwed, but I'm paying 80 a month without collision on an 07

[Cruz]

dang man, what insurance are you with, granted I'm 18 so I'm screwed, but I'm paying 80 a month without collision on an 07

I'm 22. I'm in the military so I get my insurance through USAA, and they use Progressive for bike insurance. It gives me a hefty discount on both my truck and bike insurance.

[FatBastard]

nice, yeah i need to dump state farm, being young can suck btw, if you do get the gs, be very careful on the windy days, the fairings act like a sail

[ohgood]

Hey all, just thought I'd introduce myself and ask a couple questions. New guy here from Vegas. Like the title suggests, I've got a Sportster 1200n (love it), and have been riding for almost a year now. Lately, I've been considering adding another bike to the stable. Something different, as I enjoy variety. So i figured I'd look in the direction of sport bikes, but nothing too crazy due to cost, insurance, and experience reasons. Well, at a local dealer, they have a 2007 GS500f, brand new, for $3k. Really tempting. So, I guess I'm just here to get some info on the bike. Being a 500, I take it it's a middle of the road performance bike, nothing crazy, but not just a 250, either. Would I be right in that assumption? I'm looking for a good starter sport bike, but not one that I'll get tired of after a month or so, and something that has a little pep to it. I also like to tinker with bikes, so how's the aftermarket? So far from what I've read, this seems like a decent choice, especially since it's comfortable compared to pricier bikes. I'm 5'6", so that's definitely a plus. Any help is appreciated.

hey, welcome rider !

I'd be really surprised if a gs was much fun after starting (I assume) on a big, comfy, torquey 1200. but ok, maybe you fall in love again, and like the gs too. let's fast forward a little in the time machine.....

... six months down the road, you have a shiney new (to you) gs and all the typical problems:
not enough power
need new tires
need carbs cleaned
need suggestions for a better pipe
want to get a little better suspension
want a little better braking

so what to do ? skip the gs. get a sv650. it's similar, but has fuel injection. not quite as flickable (light), and not quite as thrifty, but hey, these are motorbikes_ so who cares.

now... if you're going to buy USED, pick up a gs by all means, but not for more than $1800 or so. why ? because we're all still learning here, and there is no need in dropping larger coin on a gs than need be. the plastic will fall off, and THEN YOU'LL LOVE IT.

sit on more bikes, remember the gs is carburated, old, and not nearly as powerful as modern sport bikes. it will, however, be a blast in the twisties. blast. FUN. joy. any interstate riding on it will suck. period.

Keep us posted, and don't mind the SouthPark video, they were just kiddin

[BaltimoreGS]

so what to do ? skip the gs. get a sv650. it's similar, but has fuel injection. not quite as flickable (light), and not quite as thrifty, but hey, these are motorbikes_ so who cares.

sit on more bikes, remember the gs is carburated, old, and not nearly as powerful as modern sport bikes. it will, however, be a blast in the twisties. blast. FUN. joy. any interstate riding on it will suck. perio

Ohgood has a good point there, what kind of riding will you be doing?  I own both an SV650 and a GS500.  9 times out of 10 if I'm doing around town or back road riding I would prefer to be on the GS. If I'm doing a long highway jaunt I will want the SV due to the power advantage.

-Jessie

[FatBastard]

listen to the guy in vegas, our freeways are fine on the gs, the red rock run is ridiculous on that bike

[black and silver twin]

as far as power, your lookin at about 35-38 hoarses, dont remember what 07 is but know is under 40.

stock gs500f = 39 whp = 50bhp
modified gs500f = 44whp = 55bhp

stock top speed = 115ish indicated = 105ish actual
modified top speed = 130 indicated = 118 actual

I have done all my own testing including before and after mod dynos and top speed, so these #s are my bike but prolly real close to all gs500f

to see available mods check my sig | below
                                                V

[Bluesmudge]

I find the GS very comfy for highway riding, although not so much now that I put on clip-ons. However, before the GS I rode a DRZ400 with that skinny, rock-hard dirt bike seat and I took that DRZ on a 900 miles road trip so the GS feels like a pillow in comparison.

[werase643]

it's kinda like a blast or 883 sportster.....
it's a bike
your friends will make fun of you...to your face
girl bike/starter bike whatever
heck most girls start out on something bigger
just like the harley group

it is what it is