Average Engine Life?

[neodude112320]

My bro in law is considering purchasing a GS500 (With some persuasion from me ) and he wants to know what the average engine lifespan is on the gs500? I Think it would be subjective to many factors but would there be an average (50,000km's maybe?)?

Thanks in advance 

[weedahoe]

Very subjective. We get the same questions over on another board Im on.

Engine load, rpms, oil grade and how often it is changed, maintenance and more all come into play.

Some guys think maintenance it what you do when something fails and you repair it.

NO. Maintenance is what you do BEFORE it fails to keep it going.

[Dizzledan]

GSJack will tell you himself, his bikes have gone 80k+ miles.

The simplicity of the gs engine (2 valves/cylinder, air cooled) make it a breeze to work on, and the availability of parts means a new engine could be had for $500-700 if you needed to get in that deep.

[Bluesmudge]

But we have also heard of engines being toast by 10,000 miles.

Change the oil early and often, keep the valves in spec (check every 4,000 miles) and stick close to the maintenance schedule and these bikes can make it to 100,000 miles.

I would say you are guaranteed 30,000 miles if you pay attention to the bike and don't ride it too hard.

[RossLH]

the availability of parts means a new engine could be had for $500-700 if you needed to get in that deep.

I recently picked one up for $480 including shipping. Not bad at all.

[codajastal]

One of mine has done 50000 and the other is at 28000 without any issues because I always service and change the oil regularly and dont ride it too hard.

[weedahoe]

the availability of parts means a new engine could be had for $500-700 if you needed to get in that deep.

I recently picked one up for $480 including shipping. Not bad at all.

Is that for an E or an F? I know the only difference are the air tunes on the 04+ jugs and the oil cooler but I looked and looked and looked for a replacement F engine and couldn't find one for less than 650 + shipping. I ended up buying another complete bike for parts and getting it shipped to me.

[RossLH]

Its for an E. Was a pretty good deal.

[mister]

Neo, I bought my GS new. It's now got over 56,000km on it. Serviced as per the Suzuki Suggested schedule. Bike runs like a dream. As GSJack has one with 100,000 miles, I'm looking forward to another 100,000kms yet. 

The days of a bike engine being toast at 30k are long long gone. The rumor of such short life still persists though. Fact is, most people get ride of their bike before the bike's life is over. Eg. Few GS500 owners will keep their bike for 50,000kms and will have moved on long before. Not me, I'm keeping mine until it is well and truly worn out.

If you have mechanical sympathy, regularly service the bike accordingly, oil and filter change, valve checks - and - leave the carbs alone or else suffer the fate of the myriad of people here with carb problems after rejetting, your bike will give you many happy miles of motoring. On the flip side, ride like a ratbag at near redline everywhere all the time, don't lube the chain or change the oil or filter or airfilter, and the bike's life will be quite short.

Michael

[applecrew]

Fact is, most people get ride of their bike before the bike's life is over. Eg. Few GS500 owners will keep their bike for 50,000kms and will have moved on long before. Not me, I'm keeping mine until it is well and truly worn out.

I'm definitely in the latter category... 58,0000 miles and going strong...

[neodude112320]

Thanks for everyones reply! I'll pass this info on.

Now I just have to wait until he get's one so I have someone to ride with 

[bsheppar]

I've got an 05 F model i bought used in May of 2011. At the time it only had 5600 miles on it. I commute year-round with it 80 miles round trip everyday that it's below a 60% chance of rain and now after a little over a year, it has 24k miles on it and still purring like a kitten. I do change the oil (rotella t-triple protection 15w-40), check valves and maintain the bike religiously. I usually cruise down the highway around 6k-6500 RPMs which is probably about 20-25 minutes of the commute each way. I'm hoping I'll be able to get at least 50k miles out of mine. The money I'll save on gas will pay for itself easily. During the time i've had the bike, the only thing I've had go wrong is the bolts on the starter clutch backed out and sheared off. But thankfully, i caught it in time before it ruined my stator. And my clutch cable is starting to fray a little so i ordered a new one today from Suzuki. Should be here Friday. Hopefully it won't snap until then.

Good Luck.

[HPP8140]

I have 47K on mine. I ride it hard, but shift before 10k and religiously check the valves. I've had more problems with oil leaks and other parts wearing than the engine.

[burning1]

The engine will last until he forgets to check the oil, it runs low, and he spins a rod bearing.

Serious answer is that I'd expect 100,000 miles out of an engine that was maintained. I'd recommend opening up the tappet clearance to .012mm on the exhaust, and .08 on the intake for increased longevity and reduced inspection interval. Stock clearance causes the valves to wear far too quickly.

[jestercinti]

Take care of a bike and it will take care of you.  I have seen bikes last <10,000 miles because they were stunted and run out of oil or coolant (coolant not applicable with the GS 500).

Follow the maintenance schedule and take burning1's advice...I know I ride the p!ss out of my bike and will have it until it throws a bearing, throws a rod, or spontaneously combusts.  All have been known to happen to people on the board here.

Then I'll troll craigslist and get one with 3000 miles on it cause someone outgrew it.

[Guymo]

My GS has done 28,000 on the clock but according to the paperwork it has gone round the clock twice... or the odometer has been tampered with. I dont know how many engines its had though. I have only done a few kms on it so far because i am technically not allowed to ride it until october due to a rule change. so at the moment its a game of dodge the cops!
But from the way it rides I would say it has not done that many km's

[Shaddow]

I've an 07 F. Bought it as a write off (been crashed). Had a few thousand keys on it when I bought it. it is regularly serviced, still on original spark plugs, no shim changed yet and in 2.5 years I've put 40,000 kms on it and it still goes as good as the day after I bought it.

[shchuka]

Taking good care of it (oil changes, old gasket changes, etc.) is the first thing that keeps the engine moving.  My GS has about 55K miles on it (about 88K km) and I'm hoping to double it in the next 3-4 years (yes, I do a lot of riding).