Living with Your Machine: 600cc Super Sport vs GS500F

[jakeoster]

Hello, I thought I would share my observations regarding the difference between street riding a GS500F and a super sport which happens to be a 2014 CBR600rr in this case. Everybody knows how fast they are and how they're not for beginners, yada yada yada. There's not as much information about actually living with one in the real world beyond the track and the canyon fun times. Is it stupid, pointless, and uncomfortable? No. But it is heavily dependent on what you choose. A Ducati 1199 Panigale? You'll probably hate it cruising around town. That's why you'll often see the Italian super sports at coffee shops. The rider may have not wanted coffee but their body needed a break lol. Make sure you get a great feel for the bike you buy. Get it on a stand before you buy and feel the position completely before making your decision. Don't just sit on it like your at a stop light with one leg down.

First thing to note is the responsibility

You can more or less hoon around on the GS and push the bike on the street without getting into much trouble. Where the GS begins to run out of motivation, about 80+mph, the super sport is in the threshold of its power band and is ready to lunge forward. Getting onto the freeway with the GS you can wind out the bike and clutchless up shift through the gears. If you do this on the CBR, 20 to 80mph happens so fast that it's almost like if you blink you'll miss it. You can get yourself into trouble in a matter of seconds if you arnt one to control yourself. Every time you get on the freeway the bike feels like a caged animal because it seems that just when it begins to find its sweet spot youve reached the end of your cage. Is this a bad thing? Not really. It's just a new awareness you'll have to develop.

Smoothness

The super sports require more finesse and attention to be smooth when cruising around town. Engine braking is substantial on the CBR. Whereas on the GS you can easily roll off the throttle most of the time and coast. The CBR requires more throttle control in town so that you keep it just a hair before off throttle so you can smoothly coast. You'll also find yourself getting off the seat more often when going over bumps. I personally use one finger to control the front brakes because they are pretty strong.

Riding Position

This one is a little more personal, I'm 5'6". On the CBR if you ride it like a dirt bike which means you sit as far forward as possible in the seat, it's very comfortable. Surprisingly I find it to be more comfortable than the GS. I found myself able to ride about 60 miles to a technical stretch of road, ride that aggressively for several hours, then back with practically no fatigue or soreness. When riding aggressively, especially during cornering you simply slide all the way back in the seat and become locked in. It works really well and makes you feel very much in control of the bike. Personally I very much prefer this to the GS. The only areas that I prefer the GS riding position is when I'm riding with a pillion or if it's very very windy while riding the freeway. At slower speeds like during filtering (Lanesplittng) the steering on the GS is better suited (more responsive, better feel) than the CBR.

Perception

Don't buy a bike for other people, buy what you like to ride. The general populace does not care or notice what your riding. A super bike and a GS500F might as well be the same thing to 99% of people who don't ride. If you think women or anyone will notice you because your on a hot bike, they're not. So don't upgrade for that reason. I've also noticed no difference in attention from law enforcement. A sport bike is a sport bike to them. However, that would probably change if you put an exhaust on your bike. For what it's worth, I think Honda did a great job with the stock exhaust. It looks great and has a perfect balance between sound and loudness. I also think the GS is rather well balanced sound wise and enjoyed the sound it made in the higher RPMs.

Power Delivery

When doing quick short bursts of the throttle at lower RPMs while filtering for example the GS feels a bit more responsive. However, Honda has done a great job with this 600cc engine and honestly you don't feel like it lacks lower and midrange power. The story could be different with say, an R6 though. So it may not always be the case. The powerband does feel better suited on the GS around town though, but not dramatically so.

Maintenance

It requires significantly less maintenance than the GS as far as oil changes and valve clearancing. Replacement parts are more expensive though but not always. Again, it's dependent. A Ducati sure as heck is going to be more expensive to repair. This is one area you should pay a lot of attention to when buying your next bike. Focus on the details like this, not performance specs. They're all faster than you.

The Road

You'll appreciate the knowledge of the local roads you've gained on the GS. You learn where the bumps and less than ideal road surfaces are with significantly less danger. Due to the stiffer suspension and dramatic power increase, your much more likely to encounter problems if you hit a bump with the throttle cracked open compared to the GS. Starting on the GS will serve you well.

You'll instantly want to sell your GS

Not really. You'll have become so comfortable riding the GS that it'll fit like a glove everytime you get back on it. It's also overall more relaxed and less hurried riding it. In town you'll still prefer it. It also does a fantastic job preparing you for a super sport and you appreciate the refinements much more. Definitely have no regrets starting on the GS and am not in a hurry to sell it.

Has the upgrade been worth it?

Certainly, but only if you know what your getting into. Definitely try one somehow before buying, not everyone will like a super sport. It's not the same as upgrading your car for example where of course you'll prefer that Evo to your Civic. It's a wholly different feel and experience when switching to a super sport, not just the power. However, I've throughly enjoyed it. The CBR starts instantly with no fuss and is very smooth all the time. Fuel economy is only mildly reduced and the performance is right where I want it. Enough without being excessive. My experience with the latest liter bikes on the street compared to the CBR and GS can be summed up as follows. The GS and CBR is like playing a racing video game with a steering wheel, an H pattern shifter, and no assists. Fun and engaging. The latest liters are like playing that same game with a controller instead of a steering wheel, and assists such as an automatic transmission. You may set mildly faster times initially but it's far less enagaging and your more prone to go faster to make up for the lack of involvement with speed. Not always a great idea on public roads.

People tend to buy these bikes based on specs, whatever is the latest and greatest new gadget or spec. Don't fall into that. On the street they're all much faster than you and there isn't much of a difference. Look at factors beyond a spec sheet when choosing. That is more important in my opinion. Such as maintainence schedules, parts availability, reliability, ergos, among others.

One last point, the cool thing about the GS is it's rather weighty compared to a 250 Ninja for example. Once you get used to that then switch to a lightweight bike like the CBR it's a dramatic difference. You'll really notice and appreciate its lightless instead of being on the other end of the spectrum where every bike you move up to is heavier.

Overall, the GS is a great bike. I still own it and use it. Thought I'd give a write on a comparison for their real world uses where you'll use them the most.

[Iarn]

Insightful write up, thanks for sharing 

[pliskin]

I can relate. This is what I feel like on my GS500........                 The funny part is at 30sec.

This is what I feel like on my 500lb fat pig RC46

[cbrfxr67]

the nature of the forum is some threads get buried,... i came across this gem doing some searching this morning.  Comparing rides is good stuff to me and wanted to give it a bump

[mr72]

Yeah that's pretty good stuff right there. I think there really is a difference with people who buy a gs500 because they find it to be an entry level sport bike and want more sport bike when they move up vs others who feel the GS is a reliable, ridable lightweight standard and may want to move to a bigger standard or sport tourer. It's a mistake to think everyone wants the same thing. I personally have never had any interest at all in a sport bike of any kind.

[Kilted1]

Good reading!