Howdy, bought my first GS500f (09) and I have a few questions!

[brendan87na]

First off, glad I found this site, REALLY good info.  Some simple questions, really.

My main bike is a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 - a low and slow 4 speed cruiser.  It's my warm summer night cruise bike, love it. 

First question I have is what is the correct, or at least optimum, RPM to be running at on the GS500?  On the Vulcan, I don't even worry about it; I have enough torque at any speed in virtually any gear to get moving. 

TLDR - what should my cruising RPM be at/over?

How, short of physically checking the tank, can I be reasonably certain of how much fuel I have?   Watch the mileage and do the math?

and thirdly, is the bike reasonably watertight?  I bought this for commuting, and this will happen even in the rain.  I'd be displeased if something shorted out on me ><

*EDIT*

4th question:  As I'm mostly (atm) just using this for commuting, is it worth $$ at all to drop a few upgrades on it?  I'm installing flushmount front/rear turn signals, but in regards to rejetting and slip on exhaust, even worth it?


Sorry if they seem like silly questions, I've only had it for 3 days!  Shiny side up gents  - Brendan

[BaltimoreGS]

Welcome to the GS club.

-The main thing is to not lug the engine by running at too low of an rpm.  I generally run in the 4k-6k range while cruising.  Redline is much higher but torque peaks around 9k RPM's.

-There is a frame mounted petcock with ON, PRIME and RES (reserve).  PRIME is only used if the carbs have been drained (or if the petcock breaks).  It bypasses the vacuum portion of the petcock.  Leave the bike in the ON position, fill it all the way up with fuel (low octane is fine) and set the trip odometer to zero.  Ride it until it runs low on fuel and switch to RES.  Remember what mileage you switched to reserve at and try to fill up before you reach that point again.

-The bike is decently water tight.  Mine sits outside year round and has been ridden plenty of times in the rain.

-Jessie

[brendan87na]

Wow, 9k is where it peaks??   That's a bit of an adjustment.   I was leery of taking it over 6k... 7-8k RPMs won't hurt the engine?   My Vulcan protests mightily going over 5500 *laugh*

[BaltimoreGS]

Your technically safe up until redline (~11k RPM's) but taking it beyond 9k isn't really necessary.  And you don't have to ring it's neck if you don't want to, the 6K RPM shift point works fine for a leisurely ride.

-Jessie

[brendan87na]

I've been generally shifting at 4500-5500rpm,  the short range between the gears is very foreign.   I've been having a hell of time not lurching getting the bike going - a product, I'm sure, of having 1/3 of the engine I'm used to under me.

[BaltimoreGS]

    I know what you mean, when I get on the GS after riding my bigger bikes I forget how much gas it takes to get it moving!

-Jessie

[adidasguy]

Generally in the 4k range for city street riding. Highway up to 7k. In 6th gear, it is about 90 to 1. That is - 6000 rpm is about 65 mph.
Makes sense - top speed is 120 and 11000 rpm. Speedometer will read up to 10% fast. Odometer is correct.

While idle is 1200 rpm, taking off from a level stop is around 3k-4k. No need to gun it.

Gs500 gets unhappy cruising along below 3k rpm.

[Electrojake]

the short range between the gears is very foreign.
I've been having a hell of time not lurching getting the bike going - a product, I'm sure, of having 1/3 of the engine I'm used to under me.

Greetings brendan87na,
I think that once you get comfortable on the GS you will find that using 4000 to about 8500 RPM on a spirited launch can get you smiling fast.   
I have a Harley LX1200C and a DL1000 which are fine bikes but the little GS500 is simply better in the "fun" category.

As for reliability, I trust my GS500F twice as much as the Harley and 10x more than my V-Strom. The GS is an incredibly simple machine and that is exactly what you need for reliable commuter duty.

BTW: The GStwins crew here have helped me with all sorts of questions. Lots of good advice here!
Welcome aboard,
-Ej-

[brendan87na]

I already love doing turns in it - to a point.  On my Vulcan I can shift mid turn comfortably and not miss a beat - not so much yet with the GS.  It's SO DAMNED NIMBLE THOUGH!!! 

In reliability terms, my Vulcan has 57k miles on it and can probably do another 100k without blinking - it runs as strong now as it did when it came off the factory line.  Damn japanese bikes just run forever!

*edit*  Any thoughts on my -added- 4th question?

[Electrojake]

Any thoughts on my -added- 4th question?

Hell yeah!
Modding is the best part of any bike, (but I'll bet you know that).
Here is a link to a video I made a couple years ago.
I got rid of the ugly soft luggage that was in the video but otherwise you can see I had a blast modding the bike.
What the video doesn't show is the +1 carb jetting I did on the pilot - mid - and main jets & UNI air filter upgrade with the help of a few of the guys here at GStwins.

Link: http://youtu.be/6jmzo3Dut1k

I also replace the rear brakes (rotor & pads) a few weeks ago and the improvement is phenomenal! (but that's for another thread)
-Ej-

[brendan87na]

I watched it - I REALLY like the gauges on the fairing sides and the turn signal mod!

[redhawkdancing]

I already love doing turns in it - to a point.  On my Vulcan I can shift mid turn comfortably and not miss a beat - not so much yet with the GS.

You will be able to shift mid-turn with GS, once you get used to it.

As far as rejetting goes, a lot of people do it, but I say why screw with a perfectly working engine. Do a search to see how many people start messing with their jets, and then start having problems.  I replaced the throttle with a SV650 throttle. That gives the illusion of faster getty up, because of the shorter pull.   

[SAFE-T]

Lots of people like to rejet their GS500's, particularly if they live where it's a little cooler. The fork springs are on the weak side as well, so you may want to change them at some point.

I found on our 2007 that going to a larger front sprocket made the bike a lot nicer on the open road.

I say ride it for a season and see if there's anything that you feel needs changing before you do anything.

An aftermarket exhaust will make the bike louder, and in order to get any additional 'performance' out of it you may need to change over to a less restrictive air filter, which can also increase intake noise. Not necessarily a good thing, but a new source of revenue for cities that have passed noise bylaws for vehicles. 

[Electrojake]

redhawkdancing & SAFE-T do have good points on the jetting. . .
I ride all winter long here in the Northeast so the slightly richer jetting worked out well for me but if you typically ride in hot weather and your bike runs good, then its probably best not to mess with it.

Glad you like the video.
I'm working on another one for the rear brake upgrade I did recently.

bren, Can you post a few pictures of your bike???
-Ej-

[adidasguy]

You can click on the link in my signature and see lots of pictures of my bikes. I also have a 2009. You can see things I've done to Suzi (all bikes must have a name).

[mister]

Thanks for asking.

A few things....

Thing # 1 - while you are getting used to you bike, change up gears around 5,000 t0 5,500.

Thing # 2 - don't cruise below 4k. 4th at 4k 5th at 4k and 6th at 4.5k and up.

Thing # 3 - 4th gear will put put around at 4k doing 37mph. Twists the throttle and take it up to 9k while getting onto a highway or some such and you'll be doing 87mph.

Thing # 4 - you would NOT normally be taking it as high as 9k for normal accelerating. Changing as indicated in thing#1 or even around 6k will be more then enough.

Thing # 5 - you do NOT need to go WOT on this bike. It will accelerate nicely without hitting the throttle stop.

Thing # 6 - there is  No Need to rejet this bike or change the exhaust, depsit the many rejetting people here (many many many of whom then end up with running problems). My bike is totally stock, 09 naked, and now has 52,000kms on it - no rejet or changed exhaust - and she runs as sweet as the day I get her.

Michael

[brendan87na]

Thanks for that write up Michael, that was EXACTLY the information I was looking for!

[Electrojake]

Thanks for that write up Michael, that was EXACTLY the information I was looking for!

O.K. then, if you're not going to tinker with the mechanics, how-a-bout some farkel?
Perhaps radar, sonar, heated grips, GPS, LED trick lighting??? etc... 

Edit: ADG, thanks for pointing out the link: http://s1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb442/adidasguy/ 

[brendan87na]

Heated grips would be FANTASTIC.   Living in Seattle, Sonar would be nice too....

[adidasguy]

Heated grips would be FANTASTIC.   Living in Seattle, Sonar would be nice too....

You really in Seattle? Where?
Any chance near the West Seattle GS500 Club? (Also known as the PNW GS500 parts whore supply depot)