GS 500 Mini Sport Tourer, Dumb idea?

[rger8]

I'm used to Dual sport bikes but I'm really enjoying my 2006 GS 500. I took it on a 125 mile jaunt ( longest I've gone with it ) this weekend and had a really good time. I was wondering if this thing might make a nice Mini Sport Touring machine. I like it's size and flickability and though she is not the fastest thing on earth I am amazed at how well the engine pulls through all the gears from bottom to top. Uphills seem to be no sweat, crusing at 75-80 no problemo! I'm thinking some nice soft bags ( recommendations? ) and a tank bag would be good. I just got the Zero gravity wind screen and that seems quite nice though not quite high enough.

I would like to maybe put a 1000 mile round trip on it. Anybody think this is a good idea or maybe I'm 

[gsJack]

I thought it was a good idea, I took trips to the Honda Hoot in Knoxville TN in 2001, Lake George NY in 2002, and Maggie Valley NC in 2002, 03, 04 on my 97 GS500E and 02 GS500 from home in NE Ohio.  Did 75-80 mph 400 mile first and last days and rode around a couple days in the mountains while there.  All trips were about 1500 miles total.  I thought the GS was a touring bike.   

Had an assortment of soft luggage on the 97 GS for the 01-03 trips and a Givi 33L hard trunk with a tank bag on the 02 GS for the 04 trip.

[TR]

I made once a 300 miles trip with a 17 liters tail bag and a backpack. My '00 bike has a TCP full fairing but then was using only the top fairing which made the wind bearable. What surprised me was that my butt didn't get extremely sored as I'd expect after a 5 and a half hours long trip with only two short refilling stops. But I only can compare with the softer seat of the Ninja 250, which after a couple hours really hurt my butt.

[Suzuki Stevo]

When I ride solo my GS500F is one of my favorites for long rides 

[rger8]

Hey everyone thanks for the fast feedback! Suzuki Stevo, I like those bags, what kind are they? So far looks like I'm not to crazy based on the feedback and what I see. Sounds like 1000 miles isn't to much to ask out of her.

This is my my first semi sportbike and parallel twin. Man these things are really stable compared to my dual sports, big difference!

PS- I noticed that my butt doesn't get sore on this bike either. Not sure, but so far no problems.

Keep those comments coming in!

[Suzuki Stevo]

All the luggage is Fieldsheer Expander except for the tankbag, and that is a Fieldsheer
Access Tank Bag (Magnetic)

The only problem I have found with the GS500 when touring...is when I tour with liter bikes, they can pass large groups of cars on a mt pass with ease, the GS rider must be patient and wait for the right amount of road to do it safely 

[johnny ro]

IMHO the question shows you are viewing the bike correctly. Cool.

[Trwhouse]

Take the GS500!
I've ridden mine on a 1,900 mile round trip from PA to WI a few years ago.
One of my favorite trips.
I rode 450 miles a day, two days there, and two days back.
I had a small fairing, a tank bag and rear soft saddlebags.
I can't wait to do it again.

Best wishes,
Trwhouse

[mister]

I've done a few day trips of over 300 miles. With ease. Great seat for long distance riding.

Some on here, and living down in Oz, have also done road trips of a few thou on their GSs.

And our main mag down here - Australian Road Rider http://www.roadrider.com.au had a feature about turning a GS500 into a Cheap Tourer. I don't have that issue, unfortunately. But by all accounts it was quite good. And they simply added some panniers and a rear bag with a tank bag and were done.

I think the GS500 is the most underestimated bike out there. Ok, sure it ain't a liter bike or even a racing 600, but for sheer riding pleasure and comfort with versatility - and for the price - I don't think it can be beat. Triple plus is that you can wrench on it yourself if so inclined.

Michael

[ohgood]

You're nuts ! No really, its fine to tour on. I/we didn't want to do more than 150 miles at a time. The wind and rain made things less fun on the gs. For out n back adventures of 100-200 miles, she's just right. Soft bags like those tourmasters worked fine for us. We've since sold the gs and are waiting on the next great eal to come along. Likely a dr, klr, sv, or similar comfy bike. All I do is commute anymore, and getting home FAST to my babies is priority over touring.

Carry a quart of oil, a puncture kit, and an extra battery for your cell/gps and you're golden. There are a couple threads about adding a 12v outlet for charging devices. Take lots of pictures, geotag if you can, and log log log !

[dohabee]

I definitely agree with the 12v outlet mod; I use mine all the time. any trip I take longer than about 45 minutes I plug in the GPS which is also my mp3 player.

Here is the all time best place to mount the 12v plug in - http://picasaweb.google.com/dohabee/12vOutlet?authkey=w0kSf1S1kyQ#5258269259245921122

Although I could be biased slightly 

[rger8]

Suzuki Stevo,

Nice Pics! I see you have the twisted throttle "Bar Backs" on your bike. Or at least that's what it looks like. I ordered mine a couple of days ago and am waiting for them. Did you have to mess with you cables to get them on. Also, did you notice a big difference? Any tips on install appreciated! The bike looks great!

[Grommett2k]

I agree with the others. I took my 06 when it still had fairings round trip from Seattle to San Jose. A lot of it was slabbing down I-5. No problems. I picked up a gel seat pad for the trip and had all my gear in tank, tail, and saddlebags.  The other thing I used was the throttle lock.

[Suzuki Stevo]

Suzuki Stevo,

Nice Pics! I see you have the twisted throttle "Bar Backs" on your bike. Or at least that's what it looks like. I ordered mine a couple of days ago and am waiting for them. Did you have to mess with you cables to get them on. Also, did you notice a big difference? Any tips on install appreciated! The bike looks great!

I had to remove the front brake hose from a holder/stay to get a little length, but other than that it's a bolt on opperation, I can take a photo when I get home if you want.

[Suzuki Stevo]

Agreed, a 12V outlet is a must for charging Zune, Ipod, GPS, Phone, or hooking up yer Battery Tender  

[Chuck500]

GS500 is definitely a Mini Sport Tourer.  I always compare it to traveling in an MG Midget, which I drove once from coast to coast.  Here are some shots of a 270 mile day ride I took around Lake Livingston and Huntsville near Houston Texas.





The gear is Firstgear Silverstone saddlebags and tank bag.  The tank bag zips free of the base which makes it handy to keep with you at longer stops.

Keep the shiny side up,

Chuck

[Paulcet]

Here is the all time best place to mount the 12v plug in - http://picasaweb.google.com/dohabee/12vOutlet?authkey=w0kSf1S1kyQ#5258269259245921122

Although I could be biased slightly 

Ignition noise being that close to the coil would worry me a little.  I'm probably paranoid.

Here's another good spot (I may also be biased, slightly) attached to the battery box.

[Toogoofy317]

Hey Stevo where did you get the outlet from? I've been looking around town and not been able to find one that looks like yours.

Mary

[Paulcet]

Mary,

You may be able to find one at an auto parts store.  Or Radio Shack (but they have reduced some of their products in that area). 

[Suzuki Stevo]

Hey Stevo where did you get the outlet from? I've been looking around town and not been able to find one that looks like yours.

Mary

Amazon.com, any auto store should have one...mine is of uber quality though.
http://www.amazon.com/Marinco-12VRC-SeaLink-12-Volt-Receptacle/dp/B000NI1BI4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1270416791&sr=8-1