GS500 and large people

[richard]

Hi all,

I have recently started thinking about buying a motorcycle, and I have a neighbor who is considering selling his '96 GS500.  My question:  I weigh about 230lbs, probably considerably more than the current owner of the bike.  Anybody of a similar size know how well it performs with that much weight on it?

I'm not planning to do anything fancy with it, just street riding.  this would be my first bike.

Any comments would be welcome.

[JeffD]

I'm 6'2" and 250lbs,  Its great for around town but could use a little more on the highway.  But I still ride it 200+miles a week.  

[Casimir]

I'm 6 foot and (at least) 230 pounds. It performs quite well. I don't have comparative experience with other bikes, but I never feel like it is straining. I've taken it up to 90+ MPH with no problems except for the wind.    A windshield will help that.

[gsJack]

My 97 GS500E carried my 6' 240# carcass along very well for 77,500 miles.  I have done 4-500 mile days at 70-80 mph on the interstates with no problems.  I can run with most any size bikes in the mountain twisties with it.  Just a little more effort required.   :lol:  :lol:

It's not a beginner bike for me.  I've ridden 300k miles over the past 20 years and still have a ball on the GS500.  I just bought a low milage 02 GS500 to replace the totalled 97 GS500 and it runs so much better than the 97 did.  The 97 has been restored and will be back in service again soon after state inspection to remove it from salvage.  

Expect I'll finish out my riding years with the 2 GS500's.

[oldsport]

At 230+, ditto what the others have said.

Easily outruns most autos (except for the occasional Corvette etc.) and any bike under 250cc.  

[richard]

I was hoping that was what I would hear. =]  Now I just have to look at all the other considerations... =]  insurance, parents not disowning me, cost of needed accessories...

oh, and I guess it would help to get a motorcycle license and learn to ride...     I downloaded the Utah motorcycle handbook today and am almost done reading it, so I'm off to a great start.  Thank you all!

[Casimir]

Take the MSF course, it's a great place to start!

http://www.utahridered.com/

There is plenty about it on this forum.

[yamahonkawazuki]

i second that one on the msf, cause for 1 thing, teaches you some very good things, and 2, usually at the end, if you pass, you have your needed paperwork to go down to the dmv, and have the endorsement added to your license  :mrgreen:

[Blueknyt]

im 6' and back up to 255, when i started riding the gs, i was 289 about a year ago
now i gotta start back on my diet and working out again.

[Woz]

I'm "only" 200 lbs but 6'5" tall and I manage to fit on my 03 quite comfortably.  One or two problems with the wind (even with a screen) but that's just because my height forces me to sit a little more upright than most.