Reliability? Long trips?

[dinkydonuts]

I'm slowly working toward replacing and upgrading anything on my GS that the PO ignored. New tires, carbs rebuilt and upgraded, new exhaust...

But I'm still terrified at the thought of straying far from home. There are some nice rides in my area, especially at this time of year, but they are a good 2 hours away.

I suppose it doesn't help that I've spent more time fixing this bike than riding it, but maybe the confidence will build up once I finish all the upgrades.

Has anyone here done any sort of cross-country/adv type riding on these bikes? What were the issues you encountered while out in the middle of nowhere?

[Toiletbooger]

I had to live away from home to study and regularly made a 360km trip on my gs with no problems. If anything it gets better to ride after the first hour or so when it's all properly heated up. Just make sure your oil level is good and you've got plenty of fuel.

Oh yeah it makes the 360km trip on one tank - but that's the F model, I donno how far the naked gets on the highway.

Edit: and make sure you get off it every hour or so, i tried to do the trip in one go once and holy crap my balls hurt for a week.

[Zookmang]

I've done a couple of long trips on my bike, couple of 600km (372mi) trips taking all day to do. My bike has nearly 20,000km (12,500mi) on it and I've never felt it was going to leave me stranded at any point. I've also had my fair share of niggling little problems with my bike, so can understand your anxiety. But I say go for it, what's the worst that can happen?

[adidasguy]

Nortwstrider took Dora (formerly Trey) to the arctic circle and back. Over 6000 miles.

Many of us go on very long trips on our GS's.

Do proper maintenance and they are extremely reliable.

[makman]

I've just done 440m miles, London to Scunthorpe and back.  No issues at all, but to be honest, not as competent a long distance bike as my Triumph Sprint RS or FJ1200 were. Nice and economical though!

[dinkydonuts]

Nortwstrider took Dora (formerly Trey) to the arctic circle and back. Over 6000 miles.

Many of us go on very long trips on our GS's.

Do proper maintenance and they are extremely reliable.

I just realized who you are. 

Thanks for making the great vids on YouTube. I think yours were the first ones I watched when I first got my bike and switched out the broken clutch and brake levers.

[GS500F2004]

I had to live away from home to study and regularly made a 360km trip on my gs with no problems. If anything it gets better to ride after the first hour or so when it's all properly heated up. Just make sure your oil level is good and you've got plenty of fuel.

Oh yeah it makes the 360km trip on one tank - but that's the F model, I donno how far the naked gets on the highway.

Edit: and make sure you get off it every hour or so, i tried to do the trip in one go once and holy crap my balls hurt for a week.

360km only? What kind of roads does your route involve?

The last time I ran my tank dry, I got 420km out of the tank and that was with mainly 60km/h roads, and some 70km/h roads and also some CBD riding and idling around.

[JAS6377]

I recently took a trip from Central Pennsylvania to Ocean City, Maryland. It was a 5 hour ride. The only thing that happened to mine was it started leaking fuel. That's only because I cut my new line too long and the chain ate through it. Oops lol. But it was a 10 minute fix. I brought extra with just case. For peace of mind, I'd recommend making a tool kit with a small socket wrench and sockets, allen wrenches, and zip ties.  Maybe an extra quart of oil, if you have room (I have saddle bags). Just make sure it's maintained, and have the necessary tools on hand if you need them.

[SAFE-T]

The only thing I ever found dfferent about the GS500 from the other bikes I've owned is that you need to check oil daily if you are riding at higher speeds and/or rpm as it has a tendency to use up a bit of engine oil.

[gsJack]

I've never been concerned about heading out on my GSs and they have never let me down in 180k GS500 miles.  Back in 01-04 when I was a kid of only 68-72 yo we took 5 trips to the mountains to play doing 400 mile first and last days on the Interstates at 75-80 mph indicated travelling just above the 65-70 mph speed limits with no problems on my GSs. We didn't worry about the speed limits on the back roads in the mountains riding spiritedly for 2-3 days making the trips about 1500 miles or so total.

When I first bought my 97 GS new I was riding with a friend 3-4 days a week for several years doing 200 and occasionally 300 mile days riding around NE OH and NW PA with no bike troubles and no concerns about the GS.  Put over 20k miles on it the first year.

My 97 had about 70k miles on it on the last trip to the mountains in 03, made the 04 trip on my almost new then 02 GS which has over 100k miles on it now.  No major troubles with the 97 engine but the 02 had a tight bucket and broke an exhaust valve starting up one freezing cold morning and I repaired it at 20k miles and it's run like new since for another 80k+ miles.

[piresito]

Back in 01-04 when I was a kid of only 68-72 yo we took 5 trips to the mountains to play doing 400 mile first and last days on the Interstates at 75-80 mph indicated travelling just above the 65-70 mph speed limits with no problems on my GSs.

Lol! That deserves some Respsect!!

[sledge]

People cross continents and deserts on bikes that are regarded as being far less reliable than the old GS5. Check out some of the books by Sam Manicon, Alan Whelan and Nat Millward. Nat Millward did Sydney to London, that's 35,000km on a 100cc Australian postmans bike!!!

What you have to think about is what you are going to do if you break down and plan accordingly.

I used to carry oil, plugs, bulbs and fuses, a tyre inflator kit, a spare clutch cable, cable ties, insulation tape, a selection of nuts and bolts and probably several other things that I cant remember.......... These days I find my mobile phone and my breakdown club card cover just about eventuality 

http://www.sam-manicom.com/
http://www.thepostman.org.uk/
http://www.abhaha.com/

[ohgood]

I'm slowly working toward replacing and upgrading anything on my GS that the PO ignored. New tires, carbs rebuilt and upgraded, new exhaust...

But I'm still terrified at the thought of straying far from home. There are some nice rides in my area, especially at this time of year, but they are a good 2 hours away.

I suppose it doesn't help that I've spent more time fixing this bike than riding it, but maybe the confidence will build up once I finish all the upgrades.

Has anyone here done any sort of cross-country/adv type riding on these bikes? What were the issues you encountered while out in the middle of nowhere?

fuel starvation = number one hate

other than that, do your normal safety checks at each fill up, including oil, tire pressures, chain tension, hub heat, pads, etc

turn the key off

[ron freeman]

My 08 has 5500 miles on it, 4000 put on it by me this past summer. I changed the oil and made a few mods and it's been a great bike. The GS is just like other piece of equipment, take care of it and it will take care of you. You can't plan for every eventuality so just ride smart, carry a cell, and when possible ride with a partner. It's safer and more fun when you have someone to ride with. More importantly have fun and try not worry about the bike. They're tough little buggers

[Wagoneer]

If you're planning any long trips I'd switch to 20w50 instead of 10w40 as to not have to carry any extra oil with you (or as much).

[Toiletbooger]

360km only? What kind of roads does your route involve?

The last time I ran my tank dry, I got 420km out of the tank and that was with mainly 60km/h roads, and some 70km/h roads and also some CBD riding and idling around.

Well the trip is all highway on a 110kph zone but i normally sit between 120-140kph. I also don't run it dry but fill it up when I pull off the main highway because my house is another half an hour from the cheaper fuel stations in town.

I usually get between 360-380ks before having to switch to prime but with lots of fast highway riding and overtaking it can be as low as 340.

I do flog my gs a fair bit though so that doesn't help with mileage (kilometereage?)

[xunedeinx]

Used to DD mind 200 miles round trip, six days a week. If anything it would make it more reliable running gas through the carbs, and safer due to the seat time experianced. Put 10 k milked on mine in less than 3 months.

[frylockjim]

Lets put it this way. I ride my bike hard. Its been hit by a truck while parked, i crashed it going a good 65 mph, cracked open the transmission, and rode it 5 miles to my house with zero oil. I had extremely tight valves at one point, and i overheated the engine once. It still runs perfect. The GS500 is EXTREMELY reliable and can sure take a beating. As long as you keep the chain clean and lubed and the oil level at the right spot, then you shouldnt have any problems with long trips 

[Suzuki Stevo]

My GS500F was my "Lightweight Solo Touring Bike", as far as reliability...you will run out of stamina long before the GS 

[Atesz792]

That's a nice amount of luggage. Would you mind if I asked where one can buy all those things? I can't read the label