A semi-philosophical question

[Skinny Old Guy]

Hello.
Here's a semi-philosophical question.  Philosophical questions always evoke at least a few negative responses but what can I do.

If I'm an old guy looking for a medium size appliance motorcycle that doesn't have a lot of mechanical design faults and famous failures, am I better off with a Nineties GS500 (not famous for much but burning oil) or with a say 1981 GS650 (famous for reliability but kind of old)?

Thank you kindly

[mr72]

IMHO, if you want something that's mechanically more simple and easy to maintain yourself, the GS500 is by far the better choice for the simple reason that there are half as many carburetors to keep working.

Additionally, the older the bike, the harder parts may be to find, and not just for you, but for your mechanic.

[Watcher]

Having had both a 1982 GS650 and two mid 90s GS500s, I vote GS500.

Parts availability is MUCH higher on the 500 (these were made straight from 1989-2007), two fewer cylinders means less to fiddle with in regards to engine work, the weight of the 500 is much less, and I found the 500 to be much more comfortable.

Obviously everyone is different in regards to ergonomics, and my 650 did have more of a straight handlebar vs the factory buckhorn, but the thin 500 with more rearset pegs vs the wider 650 with mid-pegs just made a more comfortable riding experience for me.
The 650 would give me lower back pain after long rides.  The 500 maybe just a sore bum.

It was a sharp looking machine, though.  Missing the side panels, as these often are, and it's FILTHY in this photo.  First ride out from winter storage.  I don't have a lot of pics of this one, unfortunately.



My first and much nicer GS500E.

[Skinny Old Guy]

Well, that's a 650L model, isn't it?  I wouldn't want that, although it seems that everyone else did.  That's all I ever saw for sale.

I had a GS650E and a GS850G and I loved them both to death, but I'm getting older and the 850 would be a little heavy for me.

[ShowBizWolf]

Welcome to the forum !!

I vote GS500 too... mainly because of all the time I've spent here on the site, learning about them and how they can pretty easily be tailored to a specific rider. Also yes they are easy to work on and as Watcher said, parts are plentiful.

Good luck with your decision and keep us updated ! 

[Skinny Old Guy]

I'm a little less concerned with getting parts than I am with needing parts.....

[ShowBizWolf]

Ohhhh gotcha 

All I can say in regards to that is in the 4.5 years I've owned my '98 GS, the only part it has *needed* was a new fuel valve (the one mounted on the frame)... and even that I'm not even sure it needed. Was early on when bikes were totally new to me and I just wanted to keep riding so I took it to the local shop and said, "here fix this."

Everything else I've done has been for cosmetic purposes or regular maintenance (like changing the oil, new tires, new chain/sprockets, etc).

Hopefully other people will share too so you can have more examples of how they are reliable bikes !

[Bluesmudge]

The GS500 engine is rock solid and will take whatever you throw at it, as long as you judiciously monitor the oil level.

The electrics...not so much. I've had my fair share of electrical failures.

On the whole, I think the GS500 makes for a great appliance/commuter/car replacement type motorcycle.





How is this a philosophical question?

[Watcher]

I'm a little less concerned with getting parts than I am with needing parts.....

I'll rationalize this the same way I rationalize carrying a handgun.
"It's better to have and not need than to need and not have."

Even the most reliable machine WILL need parts.  If those parts are only found off a donor bike that's hardly efficient...


Both my 500s were nothing but reliable.  I took my first one apart for head work, it was behaving a little odd at high RPM and WOT, valves were toast from the previous owner not jetting properly.
I did also have an issue with the fuel valve but I plugged the vacuum and bypassed it with a straight line from the tank to the carbs and a simple on/off valve.

My second gave me no trouble at all.  Just regular maintenance.


Yeah, my 82 was the "SJM" GL with a shaft drive.  Can't say I've ever seen the "katana" version in person, but it looks like the frame and lower control positions are identical with just some plastics and sportier bars.  I'm sure it "feels" very similar, but I can't say for sure.
I do know my GS500 was great!  I'm on my second moto since the 500 and haven't looked back, but I would still buy one if I find a good deal.  Basic, reliable, comfortable bikes.  Not the fastest things on the road but they're perfect commuters, or as you would put it, "appliance" motorcycles.

[Skinny Old Guy]

The GS500 engine is rock solid and will take whatever you throw at it, as long as you judiciously monitor the oil level.

The electrics...not so much. I've had my fair share of electrical failures.

Huh.  The Eighties GSes were known for bad bullet connectors and voltage regulators.  I heard of people putting Honda voltage regulators in them.

[qcbaker]

Surprised no one has mentioned this: you're asking this question on a forum specifically aimed at GS500 riders. So, I think the answers may be a little biased towards the GS500 lol.

That said, I do believe the GS500 makes a great commuter bike (basically what I do with it besides riding on the weekend). The engine is bombproof (as long as you feed it oil and do regular oil changes/normal maintenance as others have said), the bike in general is easy to work on should you have to do any repairs/maintenance, the riding position is fairly comfortable, the handling is nice, and its generally pretty good on gas. Also, its a newer machine than the GS650 so parts availability is likely to be better. Meets all the criteria I would have for a commuter bike. 

[rg500gamma]

all my bikes , have four carburetors   except   GS500 ,  so yes indeed  the   GS500   # 1    I  ride  everyday    

[MichaelM3]

Completely agree with qcbaker and rg500gamma. I've found the following 'rules' make GS500s really happy.

1. Ride everyday - in this forum I've read so many post from people with troubles that start with something like... "It's been in a shed for x number of months..." Seem like GS500s thrive on work. (That's probably easy for me to say as I don't live anywhere near a region that gets a 'serious' winter  )
2. Clean fuel - linked to above really.
3. Frequent oil and filter changes - Almost doesn't matter what you use as long as you change it regularly and monitor levels between changes.

Have fun and ride safe.

[gregjet]

Buy a MODERN GS500. They pretty much ARE an 80's bike. And reliable. Everything is easy to work on and get cheap. Fuel economy is not good by modern standards, but excellent by carby bike standards and it has a proper sized tank. Plenty of info and a large and informed following. In Australia plenty are used for big distance touring. Seat is so-so but good aftermarket comfort options.
Fixes needed:
Mainly suspension as springing is too soft and damping poor , even for commuting.
Small rear tyre size can be sufficiently mitigated by going up one width size for most uses.
Even the wheel bearings and steering bearings are over the counter parts in a bearing store.

So in a nutshell buy a modern GS500 and get an old style bike with low kms and reliability. ( ps because they are carby bikes and also have steel tanks they don't love alcohol fuels).

[MichaelM3]

I'm a pretty gentle rider who commutes 60 kms per day on a mix of urban and highway roads. My naked 2007 GS500 and I have done several long touring trips.
Across 35000 ks the the fuel economy has averaged at 3.65 litres per 100 kms (in US numbers, that's 64.4 miles per gallon and in UK numbers that's 77.4 miles per gallon).
On group rides I've frequently found that the majority of modern bikes are looking for fuel long before I'm even considering it. A 20 litre tank helps.