Would you move on from the 500?

[missk8t]

Other then machines like goldwings what are comfy pilling bikes?

[The Buddha]

I wish someone would make a true Fuel injected 400 or 350 twin. I'll be all over it.
Cool.
Buddha.

[mister]

Other then machines like goldwings what are comfy pilling bikes?

Yes, a 600 will do it better than a 400 or 500. A 750 will do it better than a 600. A 900 will do it better than a 750. A 1250 will do it better again. And the 1300s again will out do those beneath it.

Great Pillion Bikes?

Can of worms that.

Ok. For starters. Nothing under 400 for pillion. Yeah, sure pillioning in the 80s on my Kwaka 250 was possible but it really put a work load on the engine. Not so much for taking girls on rides but heavier guys (mates at uni) and the bike struggled.

For starters, how much total weight will be carted around? See, GS500 is rated, as are all bikes. So it will carry two 60kg people fine, will also carry two 80kg people ok. All that happens when you add weight is, it takes longer to reach a certain speed.

I ride with a woman who, for ages, rode with her 17 y.o. daughter on the back. She rode an older CB400 and did fine (now has a CB1000 and rides like it's still the 400 but doesn't take her daughter). She wasn't overtaking B Doubles or anything on the 400, but she could just as easily enjoy the weekend rides we did. She told me she Had looked at maybe an SV650 instead of the 1000, but didn't even take it for a spin cause figured the pillion seat would not be comfy. Of course, she didn't bother looking at the GSX650 with large seat like on the GS500 but more HP & torque and thus better for pillioning. Similar to the GS500, you might find you like that as the better option. Otherwise, seat wise, you'd need to go more towards a 900 Hornet, XJR 1300, Suzuki Bandit 1250, although a VStrom would also do well. (I am leaving out cruisers as I figured you'd not be interested in the. But Bonneville's Triumph America, W800, C50 Boulevard, would all handle a pillion well.)

But apart from being able to carry a pillion with the pillion being comfy, you need to be able to then put BOTH feet on the ground. So a bike like a VStrom would probably be out. Sit on and test 

If you just want a little something extra, then I think the GSX650 would be the one. In comparison with the GS500...

GS500 47 hp (34.3 kW); 29.5 ft·lbf (40.0 N·m)
GSX650 85 bhp (63 kW) 45.6 ft·lb (61.8 N·m)

As you can see, more horsepower and more torque = better able to deal with a pillion on the back in comparison with the GS500. Similar ergos to the GS so you wouldn't need to relearn again.

Michael

[MistahT]

Actually, I should be getting a FZ6R around March. I'm finishing up my masters degree, so I get a guaranteed pay raise. Even the wife likes it. Fuel injected, sport bike styling with a 4 cylinder for sport bike sound, but with upright riding and a comfy seat. Been trolling their forums and seems like the perfect bike for me. Plus brand new I can get bike and insurance for under $300 a month on a 3 year loan. I can go on a 5 for about $150 a month, but the wife wants me to get it paid off faster.

Looked at the Ninja 650R also. Like the headlights and exhaust more, but I like the Yamaha better in every other category. Also want the 4 cylinder sound - I'm a music teacher, and that's music to my ears!

Don't get me wrong, I've been riding the GS500 for about a year now and it's my first bike. I like it a lot, but want something that looks and sounds cooler. The R6 was very cool, but probably way too fast. I'd get in trouble, and insurance is about 4x as much. I'll stick to it's little brother.

[missk8t]

Thanks Mister, that info was fantastic. I shall keep the GSX650 in mind as a test ride when I get my black licence.

[The Buddha]

Actually, I should be getting a FZ6R around March. <snip>

That bike has a steel frame, rather overpriced bike for the steel frame. You are better off getting a FZ6 whatever that other thing is that has an aluminum frame.
Cool.
Buddha.

[scratch]

I voted Other.  I would just add another bike.

[Shaddow]

I vote yes. In fact I'm shopping to see what I want. So far topping my list is the FZ8N.

Reason? Well I do like the GS500F. In fact I love it but its left me wanting more a little sometimes and I'm not really that big on making her into a project project. No one project at a time I say and my wife enforces that mind set too. Also the rules of the house are one road registered bike at a time too. I'm not sure how I'm allowed three cars but lets not argue.
Because of that want and a desire to ride the crap out of something different for a while, I'm going something a little bigger, a little more powerful but still in a style I like.

Cruisers ridden a few, can see the attraction, do instantly feeling cooler on the old school style cruisers but don't like the feel personally and couldn't use it as a daily for me.
Full blown tourers (ie goldwings) Love the idea of the weather protection, and a cup holder but when it chews more gas then any of my cars included my twin turbo 3.8L V6 I draw the line there.
Sports bikes. LOVE THE RIDE, hate the comfort.
Dirt bikes = not for road and I prefer road
ADventurers.Still out on this one. Till this year I wanted one. Suddenly the tide turned.

Sure one day I may come back to her and I honestly think I'll get another down the track but at the moment, to get that spice that means going to something different.

[TonyKZ1]

I went from a '75 KZ400 down to a '89 Ninja 250. Sort of an upgrade, similar hp but 100lbs less. I'm looking to eventually "upgrade" to the Ninja 500, GS500. But what about the Katana 600, 98+ preferably as I prefer it's looks to the older ones and prefer the screw and locknut adjuster to the shims, however from what I've read the GS500 is easier to adjust than other bikes' shim type valves. It seems like the parts from the Katanas are liked but not the bikes themselves?
From what I've read about them, they have more than enough power and comfortable for rider and passenger along with the more weather protection, and increased electrical power for heated gear.
Tony

[The Buddha]

A KZ400 with Fuel injection will be my idea of a dream commuter. Can you say 100 mpg ...
Cool.
Buddha.

[ohgood]

Upgrade probably isn't the best terminology here but given the right circumstances would you buy a different bike?

I have been looking at bigger bikes for a while now and although I am looking to keep my GS for at least another year, I have come to the decision that I will be trading it in for a new bike.

The 'bigger' bike I have been looking at is one I probably should have bought in the first place, the Yamaha FZ6R. The FZ6R is cheaper, has a bit more punch than the GS but retains the stable platform I require to feel comfortable filtering through traffic with or without a pillion... I also prefer the looks of the FZ6R over the GS.

the fz6R will rust, teh fz6, not so much. totally different bikes. the extra "R" in this case translates roughly to : sucks


if you love the handling, ease of throttle and ridability, check out the sv650, ninja 650r (will rust too), f4i, and of course vfr800. the fz has them on lack of maintenance needed, but it's very rev happy. the sv will feel more in line with the linear feel of torque the gs has (don't laugh, the gs has torque, just not gobs). the 650r has frame rust/breakage problems, but a very very comfy bike otherwise. the f4i, my god what an excellent machine. the vfr, the most buttery smooth power thanks to it's v-4 engine and honda engineering. the torque of the viffer will leave you scratching your head, and if it has a pipe on it, the sound is wonderful.

fz6 - transmission is shaZam! from 1st to 2nd. it KALUNKS into 2nd, warm, cold, always under moderate acceleration. does not like to go slowly. very comfortable, with good grips.

650r - ergos ergos ergos ergos - this bike has em. good fueling, good power, nice manners going slower.

f4i - this bike will bore you for 100,000 miles at a time. hoooonder reliability. excellent machine, just put bar risers on it.

viffer - race it, tour it, do anything except dirt on it. omg the buttery smooth torque.

have you considered a dual sport ? (just planting a seed to grow an addiction) they are a blast !

keep the gs as long as you can. learn its limits. it is a very very fun bike. 

[Ourea]

[POST HAS BEEN REMOVED BY USER]

[SAFE-T]

My wife had a GS500F. Now she has an FZ6R. It is heavier than the GS500, but otherwise similar in size. I like the seat less than the GS500's, but she is fine with it.

Her biggest comment is that it is nice not to have to work so hard to keep up with other bikes.

[slipperymongoose]

Oh god Ducati or triumph??? I think this is going to get very expensive!

[Ourea]

[POST HAS BEEN REMOVED BY USER]

[Twisted]

Ducati Superbikes can be expensive but if you shop around and do your research you will find that the 2 valve Monsters are pretty cheap, probably cheaper than the Triumphs.

[mister]

Ourea, search for a thread about comparing your bike to aGS. I did a review of a S3 and a Striple.

I agree with Twisted, dukes are cheaper than triumphs. The few monsters I've sat on I felt morr like I was sitting In the bike than on it.

Michael

[Electrojake]

Upgrade probably isn't the best terminology here but given the right circumstances would you buy a different bike?

This issue comes up frequently and it demands another question:
Why is it deemed mandatory to sell your trusty, reliable, easy-to-ride GS500 before being allowed to "move on"?

If you want more that's fine, but keep that GS in the family.
It's a fine little bike.
It's not worth much on a trade anyway.
Cheap to insure.
Easy to maintain.
Incredibly reliable.
GS500 - Best second bike ever created! 
-Ej-

[Shaddow]

Upgrade probably isn't the best terminology here but given the right circumstances would you buy a different bike?

This issue comes up frequently and it demands another question:
Why is it deemed mandatory to sell your trusty, reliable, easy-to-ride GS500 before being allowed to "move on"?

If you want more that's fine, but keep that GS in the family.
It's a fine little bike.
It's not worth much on a trade anyway.
Cheap to insure.
Easy to maintain.
Incredibly reliable.
GS500 - Best second bike ever created! 
-Ej-

Couple of answers.
Cost or either buying the next bike or keeping two registered.
Space to keep more than one bike.
Personal thoughts on whether it is truly worth having two bikes.
Significant other's sign off on two bikes.

To me its a combination of 1 and 4

[Electrojake]

Due to it's small displacement, GS500 insurance is about $169.00 a year for full coverage, and registration was about $25.00 a year. That's almost free!
Plus the GS500 with its center-stand can be stored against the back wall of a shed or garage till needed.
But I guess it's a matter of want.
If Ourea is simply bored with his GS500 then I guess he might as well trade it. A new bike energizes the soul.

Ourea,
My 2 cents worth. . .
The FZ6R is a beautiful bike and a great upgrade but if your skill & need for power have got you bored with the GS500 already, chances are you'll master the FZ6R in a single season.
Something to think about.
Have fun shopping, 
-Ej-