As a 6'4" 250lbs guy will I be able to ride a 2008 GS500F comfortably?

[Disposable_Optimist]

And if not what can I do to make it more comfortable?

[Janx101]

Should be ok-ish, but bar risers if you feel you hunch down too much and can get lower/aftermarket pegs if your legs feel cramped... katana rear shock also raises seat/overall height a little and probably .90 or.95 sonic springs in front forks to alleviate the dreaded bottoming out of stock units.

I'm 5'11" and 300 ish geared up. .. only thing I get sometimes is mates saying the bike looks a little small under me.

[Disposable_Optimist]

Will handlebar risers work with the stock handlebars?

[gsJack]

I was 230-255-220# during my 16 GS500 riding years and 6'2" tall most of them until I began shrinking the last few.    I put the GenMar risers on both my GSs with stock bars.

Pic of former member who moved on to a bigger bike after a couple GS years attached.

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[Disposable_Optimist]

Thank you for the reply! I'm going to look at a GS500F tomorrow for my second bike coming from about 3 months of riding a big clunky 1998 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 haha

[ShowBizWolf]

Good luck and keep us posted!!! Hope to see ya on a GS 

[J_Walker]

erm they lose what little get up and go they have around 300lbs.

Gs500 while not impossible, is a terrible bike to 2up on. 

[voorken]

I am 6 4 ... 205 and have no issue on my 04 GS500... love the bike to death.

[ShowBizWolf]

That is sad to hear    I had no idea they slow down that much with a heavy rider... 

I have always enjoyed 2up on my GS... and so have the ladies that have traveled with me 

[Disposable_Optimist]

J_Walker: I won't have to worry about riding 2up for a good while haha.

voorken: Thank you for the reply!

[Janx101]

Ummm Walker. .. due respect and all. .. but that's rubbish! .. while they certainly are not a big power bike... my heaviest riding geared up was about 340? ... and also while a long straight uphill would not let me break any records. .. the rest of the time I have had excellent and awesome fun rides everywhere I went!!
True it DID NEED the suspension upgrades for my weight. A driveway entry too quick would bottom the front!

But using all the gears and throttle appropriately I could still break away ahead of a superstore in tight twisters and winding valleys!...

2 up riding at whatever weight range is always going to be more cautious. .. thinking that 'I have another fragile life sitting behind me' ... well for most people I think! ?

Losing the fun factor at around 300lbs? I absolutely and flatly refute that! ... it sounds like a big power bike comparison bias!

And it's not because I'm 'sensitive about my weight!' ... it's not what I have experienced on the bike at all! I may have to shift gears and throttle more than a scarecrow/skinny rider but the bike still brings a big smile every time! .. it is what it is! ..

I've ridden a fz/mt09, a TLR1000, 2 and 4 stroke dirt bikes, gix 750 ..  and a 250 hyosung cruiser... all different and used/control style different!... each bike still provided its own enjoyment!

GS500 loses zip at 300 my ass!

Despite all the above though. ...There's no heat here!