End of the line for the GS500? - UPDATED Info June 25, 2013

[slipperymongoose]

Saw one of these on the road the other week and in passing I thought hmmmm looks ok.

[gsJack]

Some dimensions to help translate mister's post from Aussie English to Yankee English:

[noworries]

There she is in Colombia.....

http://www.suzuki.com.co/motocicletas/gs-500-377

new production/old production/out of Gijon/put together in Colombia/fallen off the back of a truck in Bogata...who knows?...but it's GS500s in red and in black. Looks like the beastie might not be completely dead yet. Has the production line gone to Colombia, are the the Suzuki Sons of Nippon using up the end of their GS500 engine stocks ('cos was never convinced that the Spanish did the hard engine building stuff)? One day all will be revealed!

What is clear is that it's the burgeoning wide Asian market that's generally titillating the Suzuki marketeers and the supporting design teams.

[mister]

The red bike pictured is a photoshop. Not saying you cannot get it red but That pic is photoshop.

I'd say, Suzuki is trying to get rid of the last of their stock into any country that will have them. If that's Colombia so be it.

True about the Asian countries. A lot of bike makes are using them for manufacture and/or assembly etc.  Hard to compete with their lower labor costs.

[Malfruen]

I saw the Inazuma a fortnight ago in person, and took it for a test ride. It's actually quite nice.

If the new "GS500" looks like the Inazuma, and they make a faired version of it, I'll have it along side of the existing GS. I think the Inazuma looks brilliant.

[madjak30]

I think with Honda coming out with all their 500cc bikes this year, Suzuki has to step up or get out...they don't really have a bike under the 650cc category (sport/standard category)  Even their DRZ400SM is getting long in the tooth!

I doubt Kawasaki will go into that market, since they just added the Ninja 300R with FI and have the current Ninja 650R...too close.

We'll see, I guess!

Later.

[ben2go]

Suzuki currently offers these sub 500cc motorcycles,granted they do need something a little more updated in a 500cc.Still,these bikes have their places.

DR-Z400S
DR-Z400M
DR200SE
GW250
TU250X

[madjak30]

I mentioned the DRZ400...I wouldn't mind one of those in either form...S or SM...the 200, not so much unless it was only for around town or as a trailie. Doesn't get up to hiway speeds with me on it (that's what I was on for my road test luckily the maximum speed was only 80kph...

I kinda forgot about the TU250X, but it's over priced and under powered...cool little bike though.  But at a price of $5299 here in Canada when you can get the Honda CBR250R for $4499 (actually on sale right now for $3999 on the website), or the Kawasaki Ninja 300R for $5799...well I know where I would spend my money (I'd be riding a Team Green Machine)

The GW is so outdated...kinda sad that they've let it go (hasn't been on the Canadian site since before 2011)...I've never ridden one, or the S40 bigger brother for that matter.

We don't get the Inazuma up here in Canada, which is weird since we usually get more small bikes than the American market...   I've heard it has enough power to get up to hiway speeds & is a decent little bike, and it has to be with the competition of the Honda CBR250R & the new Kawasaki Ninja 300R...but if they come out with even a 400cc with FI it would sell, but with Honda coming out with their 500cc parallel twins...well, who knows?

Later.

[mister]

The largest dealer network down here is holding a LAMS ride day. That is, you get to ride on any one of their Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme bikes. The list is...

Honda: CBR250, CBR500, CBF500, CBX500, CB400, CBE125, VT400

Kawasaki: Ninja 300, Ninja 650RL, ER-6NL, KLR650

Yamaha: YZF-R15, XJ6-NL, FZ6R, XVS650 Classic

KTM: 200 Duke

Hyosung: GT250R, GT650R, GV650

Suzuki: Inazuma250, SFV650U, GSX650FU

NOTE: The GS500 is a LAMS bike - but - it is not listed as an Option to be ridden, and thus bought. We already mentioned we have official word from a dealer it's not being made - something we were certain of but lacked any kind of word on. Now, as if any more proof is needed, the stocks must be running real low now for it not to be an option on a Learner Approved Bikes ride day. Specially considering, it and Honda's CB400 would be the top two selling learner approved bikes in the country.

Anyway. Hopefully, soon, we will have some pic type news with the latest Suzuki 500.

[Vindicate]

We hear in here that Suzuki Spanish production line closed down and all equipment from the floor has been sold now We hear that some production equipment was bought by some of the factory worker. Things like milling machines so to start their own minor businesses in the town of Gijon. Sad day for our loved GS500 motorcycle.

[ben2go]

We hear in here that Suzuki Spanish production line closed down and all equipment from the floor has been sold now We hear that some production equipment was bought by some of the factory worker. Things like milling machines so to start their own minor businesses in the town of Gijon. Sad day for our loved GS500 motorcycle.

To bad they didn't buy out supplier and keep supplying parts for the GS.Any parts that are GS spec will start drying up pretty soon because these bikes are wrecked by new riders learning to ride.Once I get my six finished,I will be parts hoarding so I will have spares.

[Gorilla]

crap

[Vindicate]

We hear thant many of the inventory of parts and spare-parts has been sent to Colombia from the Spanish factory. I do not know if that is true. Today you can buy new GS500 in Colombia from Suzuki but so expensive for the Colombia motorcycle person. We hear too in Brazil in the media that many Spanin Suzuki workers now have no jobs atall. The ex-workers are in government training courses and recieving unemployment benefit money. Sad.

[Vindicate]

If you like here is  link to picture of new Colombian GS500 2013 year model. The colour available is red and black in that country. Photograf has zoom that allows full inspection of photograph. I like the sidebag holding frame on this motorcycle.

http://moto.mercadolibre.com.co/MCO-23887793-suzuki-gs-28605-2013-_JM

[Vindicate]

This is black Colombian 2013 year model. You click on photograf and it provides many views.  Nice motorcycle. Made in Suzuki Colombia factory.

http://moto.mercadolibre.com.co/MCO-23864348-suzuki-gs-500-500-cc-o-mas-2013-_JM