Do these bikes seem to have a lot of carb problems?

[rger8]

I just bought my used 2006 GS 500 and have been working on the carbs to clean out the old jets and re-adjust the air-screw mixture to richen it out a bit. In reviewing all the posts it seems like there are a lot of people with idle problems and just general issues with the carburation

I know it's a cold running beast and that doesn't bug me as long as it runs good after warming up. ( sounds like that takes awhile).

I'm hoping mine is just dirty pilot jests and that's it! The guy let it sit for a couple of month's and it wont idle. Several members have already given me lot's of tips. I'm  just kind of concerned I'm going to have a bike that never runs really right! Just want to keep her stock. This is my first sport bike and twin cylinder. Have always had single cylinder dual sports and they have never failed me. Hope Im not gonna be bummed 

[The Buddha]

Set poorly from the factory. Problems not really, set it right once and keep using it and it works fine.
Cool.
Buddha.

[Paulcet]

Let carbs sit with fuel in them for a few months and they are like an all-powerful chauffeur who only speaks Russian and forgot how to drive.  You're going to go through Hell trying to teach him again.  And that applies to ANY brand or model.

Most of us on this forum have old bikes with carbs, and most of the old bikes have been sitting with fuel in them.

There have been several attempts at fuel injection, but not much success.  Once it's worked out, it might be a really good thing:  My '97 minivan with FI and 200,000 miles on the clock can sit for 6 months and start on the first crank.

[gsJack]

I put 80k miles on my 97 GS which I bought new in 3-99 and my current 02 GS which I bought slightly used with 4k on it in 9-03 now has 77k miles on it.  I have not touched the carbs on either GS and believe that if you don't mess with your motorcycle carbs they won't mess with you.  Mine have only had idle speed adjustments with the knob provided for that purpose.

The 97 GS had the original 2 curcuit carbs and was more cold blooded than the 02 GS which has the newer 3 curcuit ones.  It was not totally satisfactory below 40F but I had an old CM400A I used for a winter bike riding year around here in NE Ohio in tremps down to 20F.  I parked the 97 GS for about 3 months every winter and used the old Honda.  The 97 GS should probably have been rejetted for year around use here but I was completely happy with it for a quick 80k spring, summer, and fall miles put on over 4 1/2 years.

The 02 GS with the newer carbs works for me year around but I have got older in the meantime and don't go out as much with temps below freezing as I use too.  Don't see any need for carb changes on the 02 and am happy with it completely stock.  It is much more pleasant to ride in daily use with it's improved mid-range than the 97 GS was with the old carbs.

[DoD#i]

Carb problems almost always dovetail with leaving the bike to sit with fuel in it, either by the current owner not riding enough, or by the previous owner not riding enough - when you find a 1992 with 5000 miles on it, expect trouble. Storing it improperly over the winter is the other big one.

I have not so much as opened the carbs on mine. I have used the carb drains. I suggest everyone else do the same - any water that condenses in the tank and makes it to the carbs collects right there, along with rusty sludge, etc. And if you are storing the bike for any length of time, use the drains to get the fuel out of the carbs before storage.

[Pigeonroost]

All carbs suffer with stale/oldfunky fuel; plus, this one has carbs fed out of what seems to be a very rust prone steel tank.  If you do not ride often and long; then use Techroline doped fuel and even Lucus Fuel Top End treatment to oil the fuel a bit and slow rust.  Best thing would be to ride often and long and not have to fool with the snake oil products.  A coated fuel tank could help a lot too.

prs

[Suzuki Stevo]

20+ bikes over the years, 5 in the garage right now in storage and I have never had a carb problem since 1968, wanna know my secret? 

[johnny ro]

To OP,

No.

They are Mikunis. On a modern Japanese bike. They are beauties.

You have to undo EPA settings, and adjust, and be aware of maintenance, like all bikes sold in USA for last 30 years.. 

And what everyone else said.

[ivany]

I dunno, even though I let my bike sit for a year, I haven't had to touch the carbs for the ~4 years I've owned my bike. Of course lots of people post carb problems, I'm not about to make a new thread with content "Hey, my carbs are working great. Just FYI!"

[rger8]

Thanks everyone. I cleaned out the pilot jets ( they where toast  ) and  riched out the air/fuel screw and she seems to run like a champ now.  I'll keep her going unlike the previous owner!

[jeremy_nash]

the easiest way to not have carb problems is to just ride it year-round

[mister]

the easiest way to not have carb problems is to just ride it year-round

+1

Haven't ridden since Wednesday (bleeping rain). This is the longest stretch I haven't ridden this year. Not even winter kept me at bay. A couple of below freezing days which could have made black ice issues on my route to work, so took the cage. But otherwise... a ride'n I will go.

As for carbs... well, mine's a K9 so no issues. Sure there is some warm up time. But while the bike's a warming I don the jacket, attach bag to bike, helmet and gloves - all at a leisurely pace. By the time I am done, she's ready to ride. Multitasking 

Michael

[ohgood]

Do these bikes seem to have a lot of ******* problems ?

fill in the blank. it has an exposed drive system, exposed electrics, exposed controls, and it's design is 30 years old.

yes.

is it more fun than any car ? prolly.

[bigfatcat]

To OP,

No.

They are Mikunis. On a modern Japanese bike. They are beauties.

You have to undo EPA settings, and adjust, and be aware of maintenance, like all bikes sold in USA for last 30 years.. 

And what everyone else said.

Can the gs500 be considered a modern bike ?  Seems like an old design - fine with me though 'cause I like the simplicity compared to modern electronic fuel injected stuff.