GS500F questions

[cherrypoptart]

New forum poster here,

I have been riding for 2 years now and I'm looking at buying a new motorcycle in the next year or so.  I started out on and currently ride a Buell Blast (no hate, I got it for $500).  On the list of bikes I am considering are a Katana 600, SV650, and GS500F.  I also have considered a Ninja 650R or FZ-06, but I keep coming back to the Suzukis and I would say they are my front runners.

I'm looking to upgrade not because I have outgrown the Blast so much as I want to be able to do things that it can't do very well (read as: Carry a passenger for trips longer than 20 miles, and I absolutely hate the Blast's non adjustable suspension).  I had kind of settled on a Katana until I looked into the GS500F more.  Now I am leaning towards a GS because I love the styling, insurance is gonna be cheaper and I can find one for pretty cheap, and quite frankly I like smaller displacement bikes.  I don't really like the SV650's seats, I like a good banana seat.  I have no need to go faster than 100 mph, the bike would primarily be used as a solo rider, commuting to and from work, with occasional trips 2 up maybe up to 120 miles or so.  My questions is how does it handle passengers?  How much performance does a new exhaust, re-jetting, new air filter, and even a new rear shock add?  I enjoy working on my bike so these are things that I would likely add.

Sorry for the wall of text, any input is greatly appreciated.

[Suzuki Stevo]

My daughters named my GS500F "The Brick" and would not even go on short rides if that was the bike I was taking, any other bike and they would do all day rides with me anywhere in the state.

[SirHansford]

Performance to price ratio,  I don't think a good used GS500 can be beat.  Heck, you pay as much or more for a ninja 250.  I'm 6'0 and around 185 lbs,  and I have no issues at all with the ergonomics or the "mushy suspension" that a lot of people complain about.  Although many that do take issue with it usually say they fixed most of that by going with a heavier weight fork oil and in worst case, swapping springs.    I don't do 2 up but i'm very confident it would handle another passenger with ease and have heard many GS500 owners that do 2up say they never have any issues. granted that you and your passenger don't both have a *cough* glandular issue *cough* (basically if the both of ya aren't obese).   The GS500 isn't going to win any races but it's easily enough to beat all but top end sports cars off the line,  so yeah, it can blow your hair back if ya want it to.  It's spec'd at 105 top speed I believe but many I've spoke to have said they've easily hit 115-120 although I've never experienced that as i'm a casual commuter for the most part.  The motor is solid as a brick and based off of simple and old technology.  That being said,  you should be aware that it's a carb bike and is cold as a witch's titty in nature.   And with that comes cleaning your carbs once in a while. Also,  I believe the manual suggests that the valves be checked every 4k miles as well though i've read and heard many say that they've gone 12-15k before even doing their first check and even then they might have to change 1-2 shims. Checking them and even changing shims is definitely a DIY situation so that's no biggie.  But i'm sure all of that varies from bike to bike and its rider's habits.  So there is the maintenance to consider.  I've owned my 2007F for about 6 months now aside from it not being fuel injected, i've been very pleased with it considering its very low cost of purchase and  ownership.  Heck, i pay 23 bucks a month for full coverage and collision that covers theft, wind, flood, break down towing and all that jazz.  I think i'm getting around 55-60 miles per gallon in most of my driving conditions as well so it's extremely easy on the wallet.  At some point in the future I do believe I think i'll be upgrading to an sv1000 but so far,  i'm not bored or displeased in any way with the good ole GS500.  Hope others give you their experience as well so you can make your decision.  The folks i've experienced here on the site have all been very nice, helpful and supportive and seem to have the general attitude that it don't matter what ya ride, but THAT you ride.   Let us know how ya decide!  Good luck man and welcome to the fourms

Forgive me if I answered a lot of questions that you didn't even ask hahah.  I just thought I'd give you a full overview of my thoughts on this particular bike.

[ShowBizWolf]

Hi cherrypoptart and welcome to the forum!!

Most people upgrade the GS's suspension more than anything else (from what I've seen hanging around her for the past few years). Rear shock swap and upgraded front springs is what I'm referring to. There is loads of information on here regarding that.

That being said, I'm 140 pounds and haven't felt the need to do anything except up the fork oil from 10w to 20w. Anywho, I take passengers from time to time and they have all loved it. I double check the air in the back tire and also set the shock preload to 5. Now I haven't taken any really long trips with a passenger but staying out all afternoon into the evening has never caused any discomfort to me or my passenger on the GS so hooray for that !!

I don't have any personal experience to add in regards to re-jetting or upgrading the air filter because I have read on here so many stories about how people have problems with re-jetting and air filters etc that I never wanted to mess with that. But those problems DO get resolved on here because this forum rocks 

[sledge]

Get the FZ.

Its way ahead of the GSf, but in saying that EVERYTHING on your list is way ahead of the GSf.

[Watcher]

Well, the GS500 is basically the Japanese version of your Blast, and they share a lot of the same kinds of features (or lack there of).

Both have non adjustable suspension, both have a mediocre banana seat, both have the same displacement (though I think the Suzuki has a little more horsepower), and both aren't going to be worth bragging about to anyone...

If you truly want an upgrade I think you should look at some of those other options you listed. 

The FZ6 is a great machine but if you are planning on frequently riding 2-up the FZ6 has been known to get hot under the seat because of the exhaust route.  Maybe not the most comfortable in that respect, but they are reliable and make smooth power.

As far as the SV650 goes I hear good things about its comfort.  And nothing beats the sound of a V-twin in my opinion!  These are certainly popular and for good reason.  They're reliable and common as track bikes, and you can get them "naked" or fully faired.

The Katana and Ninja are basically a toss up.  The ninja is by far the more popular of the two and the most available, and to make matters worse most of the Katanas I see for sale tend to be on the abused side, but they're rather parallel as far as performance and style...


Have you considered a Bandit?  They're kind of right between the GS and the Katana.

[mr72]

You know while you are looking, maybe you should also consider a V-Strom since they are known to be excellent 2-up. For that matter, maybe even a Versys. Could be good alternatives to the Katana/SV/Ninja lineup.

OTOH for your use I think a GS500F will be fine. You can easily and cheaply upgrade the rear shock to a firmer, more adjustable unit (I just got a Kat600 shock for $25 shipped) and change oil and springs in front and you can make it work well for 2-up riding suspension wise. Hard to beat a bulletproof air-cooled parallel twin. But the 70+hp bikes you mention are just not in the same kind of category as a GS. You should be able to get a GS for half what an SV650 would cost, for example.

[cherrypoptart]

Thanks all for your replies.

Price is a big factor in my choice, to be honest.  If price were no object, I would most likely get a V-Strom, FZ6 or something along those lines.  But all those listed in my area used are usually around 5k, and my budget is 3k or less preferably.  That really limits my choices to a GS500F, Katana, or maybe an older SV.  Of all those listed, I think the GS500F looks the best.

I have considered a Bandit, but I like the faired look more.  A GSX650F would be perfect for what I'm looking for, but they only had them in the US for one year if I recall correctly.

[gregjet]

Multis, especially smaller multis will have less torque for taking a passenger than the equivalent twin.
I have owned an er6 ( raced this one actually) and an sv650 and currently own a MT/FZ07. The best engine characteristics of all is the Yammy 07. Unfortunately it has split seats that you don't want unless you wait for the new tracer version, which does.
Sv 650 and er6 are both pretty heavy. Er6 at least has a full seat and a shock that is easy to change and adjust. Both have superb torque for a passenger . Both have HUGE followings. My personal opinion is the er6 is a better bike ( engine and chassis-wise). ER6 motor is a much more modern design and more efficient. but has less raw torque than the suzie V ( hard to beat V config for torque).
Of all these the least useable as a two-up bike is the GS500. It is an old design with good torque but still lacking for double touring ( it IS possible just in the mentioned company, the least non-multi available torque). It also has old style, VERY short travel suspension which is relatively undesirable for passenger, especially if you are loaded touring as well.
So if I was making a decision based on your parameters the ER6 looks like the go especially the Versys version.

[Suzuki Stevo]

Thanks all for your replies.

Price is a big factor in my choice, to be honest.  If price were no object, I would most likely get a V-Strom, FZ6 or something along those lines.  But all those listed in my area used are usually around 5k, and my budget is 3k or less preferably.  That really limits my choices to a GS500F, Katana, or maybe an older SV.  Of all those listed, I think the GS500F looks the best.

I have considered a Bandit, but I like the faired look more.  A GSX650F would be perfect for what I'm looking for, but they only had them in the US for one year if I recall correctly.

The seat on the GSX650F is just as bad as the GS500F for the passenger (seat tester Princess Kayla)



My daughters really liked the V-Strom seat, it's only bike they would spend the weekend on (Princess Kayla again)