Buying This Weekend: SV or GS -- 'New-ish' rider

[Suzuki Stevo]

Silly me....like a GS500 can do burnouts 

[Watcher]

I've seen it...

Actually, I think someone on here did it and got it on video.  A "Viking funeral" for his old tires...

[Suzuki Stevo]

Yeah, I youtubed it before I made the post... https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=GS500+Burnout

[SirHansford]

Congrats on your purchase buddy.  As a newish rider as you described yourself,  I think you'll really appreciate what the gs500 has to offer.  As others have stated,  it's not EFI and they're really cold as a witch's titty in nature, which is about my only real complaint since I do not expect it to be more than it is,  but aside from that,  they're a superb little bike. Cheap as chips,  famously bulletproof parallel twin,  nimble and easy to throw around in the twisties,  awesome gas mileage, insanely cheap insurance,  very easy to DIY on about everything that you may need to do to it for the most part. Very versatile bike. They're small enough to be great in city traffic for commuting but still just quite big enough to be comfortable on long all day weekend rides.  And they still look pretty dang cool naked or faired, i love'em both.  Have fun man and keep us updated on your new experiences in your life on 2 wheels!  Also, stay safe out there and keep your eyes peeled.

[Torstein]

congrats on the new bike and stick around this forum, you'll learn a lot. i enjoy my 500. i was also split between a sv and a 500 and ended up with a 500. it's a fun little bike for what it is. i like being able to work on things myself so this bike fit the bill for me.

[Darkstar]

I am the proud owner of a very nice 2007 GS500! 

glad you pulled the trigger. im sure you'll enjoy this bike

[mr72]

Congrats on the buy. I was rooting for the GS over the SV.

I'm tired of the praise of the GS followed by "for what it is". It's a terrific motorcycle, period. "For what it is" kind of says something like, "all 500cc bikes suck bad, but this one is the least bad among them". Unless you need something a GS500 is not capable of doing well, it's a great choice, period.

[KGSB11]

I'm on my phone, but that rear tire looks like the P.O slabbed it a lot or did burnouts?

The rear tire is dirty so it looks more flat that it is.  In talking with the P.O. I didn't get the idea he was a crazy fellow...typical semi-introvert engineer type. Being in central Indiana, not too many twisties, so it was probably slabbed a lot.

He put just over 200 miles on it and stored it indoors; the last owner was his cousin who seemed to take great care and winterized it in a sealed bubble, so I was told. 

[KGSB11]

Congrats on the buy. I was rooting for the GS over the SV.

I'm tired of the praise of the GS followed by "for what it is". It's a terrific motorcycle, period. "For what it is" kind of says something like, "all 500cc bikes suck bad, but this one is the least bad among them". Unless you need something a GS500 is not capable of doing well, it's a great choice, period.

Hell,  Ferrari is nice "for what it is".  Not so much for a mounting a snow plow to the front.

[qcbaker]

Shame about the price difference on that SV, that was one pretty bike  . The GS shouldn't steer you wrong though. Mine is my first road bike as well, and it has been a great experience so far.

As for the "good for what it is" deal, I think people just say that so people don't get the wrong idea about the bike. I get not wanting to sell the bike short, but I don't think setting someone up with a realistic expectation of the bike's capabilities and amenities (no FI, no fuel gauge, etc) is bad either.

For example: I think many GS500Fs have been sold to newer riders looking to get into the sportbike scene because it looks the part and is "beginner friendly" in its power delivery and handling without being underwhelming after 1 summer of riding (looking at you, Ninja 250...). Certainly why it was on my radar, anyway. For that, I think it's a great choice, however you don't want those newer riders to expect that their bike will perform like a GSXR or something. So, people say stuff like "yeah, its a great bike for what it is, just don't expect anything fancy". I don't think that's bad advice or a knock on the GS. 

[J_Walker]

Congrats on the buy. I was rooting for the GS over the SV.

I'm tired of the praise of the GS followed by "for what it is". It's a terrific motorcycle, period. "For what it is" kind of says something like, "all 500cc bikes suck bad, but this one is the least bad among them". Unless you need something a GS500 is not capable of doing well, it's a great choice, period.

Hell,  Ferrari is nice "for what it is".  Not so much for a mounting a snow plow to the front.

if I had lots of cash to afford a ferrari.. why not mod one to have a snow plow on front?! 

[ShowBizWolf]

Congrats!!! I agree with Torstein, hope ya stick around the forum. Bought my GS 5 years ago and am still loving it.

[KGSB11]

Congrats!!! I agree with Torstein, hope ya stick around the forum. Bought my GS 5 years ago and am still loving it.

I'll stick around for sure; can't guarantee the frequency though because of life (marathons, wife, kids, etc).  But as I ride more, I know that I'll be referencing these boards more and more.  Expect me to be quite active this first season -- Especially as I begin to replace all the fluids and get it to a state where I know the current history of MY bike.

[mr72]

As for the "good for what it is" deal, I think people just say that so people don't get the wrong idea about the bike. I get not wanting to sell the bike short, but I don't think setting someone up with a realistic expectation of the bike's capabilities and amenities (no FI, no fuel gauge, etc) is bad either.

I don't think anyone who has even the most cursory awareness of motorcycles will be misinformed in that way. Like the new potential owner such as the OP who comes to this forum for input, they are already knowledgeable enough to make an informed comparison and identify a knowledgeable body of people like this forum. I think that user knows the bike is a carbureted twin-cylinder 500cc with under 50 hp and no fuel gauge (etc. ). So when we say "it's a great bike for what it is" really communicates "it's not a great bike, but you may be too beginner to know the difference".

For example: I think many GS500Fs have been sold to newer riders looking to get into the sportbike scene because it looks the part and is "beginner friendly" in its power delivery and handling without being underwhelming after 1 summer of riding (looking at you, Ninja 250...).

I hadn't really thought about the perspective of people who think the GS500F is a sport bike, since to me it's a standard/naked bike with the unfortunate addition of fairings

Certainly why it was on my radar, anyway. For that, I think it's a great choice, however you don't want those newer riders to expect that their bike will perform like a GSXR or something. So, people say stuff like "yeah, its a great bike for what it is, just don't expect anything fancy". I don't think that's bad advice or a knock on the GS. 

Yeah I get that, but I don't think anyone who is in the market for a GS500 honestly thinks it might perform like a GSXR or need to be told that it doesn't have 100 hp. I guess my point is, there's nothing really misleading or confusing about the GS500. It's just a condescending thing to say, you know? Maybe sort of self-deprecating at the same time on this forum.

I don't know how to explain it, it just rubs me the wrong way. A GS500 is not "underpowered" just because a SV650 or Bandit 400 has more power, you have to compare it only to other bikes in the same class, and it has equal or more power than most other bikes in the same class. It's not a sport bike and maybe that's the problem, it kind of looks like one (an F anyway) so that leads us to tag a qualifier on the description of the bike, "for what it is...", that kind of says, "you DO know what it is, right? <wink>" Compared with a lot of cruisers and other standards a GS500 is screaming fast. Compared with a lot of sport bikes it's very nimble and tossable. Compared with bikes with more amenities and fuel injection and all that it's super reliable and cheap. It's not so much that it's in a class by itself, but the class that it's in is the class it's in. Among that class, it's a solid contender, at or near the top.

The funny thing is I only really see this attitude around here on GSTwins. When I was researching what bikes I should look at and consider, there was something interesting that stuck out about GS500s. Seems like a lot of people reported having owned one as their first or second bike, or as a backup or fixer-upper or whatever. It was common for these folks to express regret in selling it, even though they mostly thought they were upgrading. I didn't see that same attitude among previous owners of the only other bikes in its class (Ninja 250/500, Ducati M600, Honda Hawk GT, Buell Blast, Yamaha SRX, etc). Ultimately this is what led me to focus on GS500s along with the availability of a knowledgeable and friendly forum and an abundance of parts and experience from DIYers. I figured a bike others regretted letting go of was a good one to start with.

[Watcher]

For me the "for what it is" gets tossed 100% dependant on who is catching.

If it's a newbie looking for a first bike, or an upgrade from a 250, I'll praise it up and down for its reliability, economy, balanced power, and comfort, while boasting that I can keep up with 600s in the turns.

If it's a guy with an R6 or an FZ09 asking me about it, I might say "It's pretty quick, for what it is."
In other words, it's not a sport bike and in some ways you might even call it technologically archaic but it isn't a snail.


But keep this in mind, as well.
A 2016 Yamaha R3 has a 321cc 2-cylinder that's fuel injected, liquid cooled, and makes about 37 horsepower and 19ft-lbs at the wheel.
The wiki puts the GS at 40 and 25 respectively.
The extra 166ccs isn't doing the GS any big favors these days.  Sure, the numbers are there, but they're not raising any eyebrows.

[qcbaker]

I don't think anyone who has even the most cursory awareness of motorcycles will be misinformed in that way. Like the new potential owner such as the OP who comes to this forum for input, they are already knowledgeable enough to make an informed comparison and identify a knowledgeable body of people like this forum. I think that user knows the bike is a carbureted twin-cylinder 500cc with under 50 hp and no fuel gauge (etc. ). So when we say "it's a great bike for what it is" really communicates "it's not a great bike, but you may be too beginner to know the difference".

Maybe I'm a pessimist but I think that most people looking to buy their first bike don't have a cursory awareness at all. They aren't misinformed, they are uninformed.

I hadn't really thought about the perspective of people who think the GS500F is a sport bike, since to me it's a standard/naked bike with the unfortunate addition of fairings

I like my fairings, thank you very much lol. In all seriousness though, its a bit "sportier" than most other "standard" bikes I think, honestly. It isn't a true sportbike"\ by any means, but it has rearset pegs, a higher tail, and a slightly more leaned forward riding position, and the handling is pretty nimble which is part of what makes a sport bike "sporty". Get what I mean? I'd call it "standard" for sure, but I think its definitely sportier than bikes like the Buell Blast, Ninja 500EX, or Honda Nighthawk.

Yeah I get that, but I don't think anyone who is in the market for a GS500 honestly thinks it might perform like a GSXR or need to be told that it doesn't have 100 hp. I guess my point is, there's nothing really misleading or confusing about the GS500. It's just a condescending thing to say, you know? Maybe sort of self-deprecating at the same time on this forum.

You'd be surprised. Some people just see fairings and think its a sportbike. Even other riders I've met think my bike is a "crotch rocket" before I tell them anything about it. Mostly cruiser guys who dont know much about bikes other than Harleys and Goldwings, but still, that's a large portion of the riding community at large.

I don't know how to explain it, it just rubs me the wrong way. A GS500 is not "underpowered" just because a SV650 or Bandit 400 has more power, you have to compare it only to other bikes in the same class, and it has equal or more power than most other bikes in the same class. It's not a sport bike and maybe that's the problem, it kind of looks like one (an F anyway) so that leads us to tag a qualifier on the description of the bike, "for what it is...", that kind of says, "you DO know what it is, right? <wink>" Compared with a lot of cruisers and other standards a GS500 is screaming fast. Compared with a lot of sport bikes it's very nimble and tossable. Compared with bikes with more amenities and fuel injection and all that it's super reliable and cheap. It's not so much that it's in a class by itself, but the class that it's in is the class it's in. Among that class, it's a solid contender, at or near the top.

I know what you mean about it rubbing you the wrong way, but you said it yourself, the F model looks like a sportbike, so many newer riders think it is one. While personally I think it's a great starter bike for someone who later wants to get into true sportbikes, it itself will never perform like one and you don't want to set someone up to be disappointed by a completely competent bike.

The funny thing is I only really see this attitude around here on GSTwins. When I was researching what bikes I should look at and consider, there was something interesting that stuck out about GS500s. Seems like a lot of people reported having owned one as their first or second bike, or as a backup or fixer-upper or whatever. It was common for these folks to express regret in selling it, even though they mostly thought they were upgrading. I didn't see that same attitude among previous owners of the only other bikes in its class (Ninja 250/500, Ducati M600, Honda Hawk GT, Buell Blast, Yamaha SRX, etc). Ultimately this is what led me to focus on GS500s along with the availability of a knowledgeable and friendly forum and an abundance of parts and experience from DIYers. I figured a bike others regretted letting go of was a good one to start with.

As an owner of both the GS500F and the Buell Blast, I have to say I enjoy riding the GS more for sure. If the blast were my only bike, I would definitely want to upgrade next year. But I feel like I can grow into the GS a bit more, so I don't really want to get rid of it any time soon.

[mr72]

But keep this in mind, as well.
A 2016 Yamaha R3 has a 321cc 2-cylinder that's fuel injected, liquid cooled, and makes about 37 horsepower and 19ft-lbs at the wheel.
The wiki puts the GS at 40 and 25 respectively.
The extra 166ccs isn't doing the GS any big favors these days.  Sure, the numbers are there, but they're not raising any eyebrows.

No but you make my point. Even compared with a thoroughly modern new bike in the same class  a gs500 is still competitive. For example a ducati scrambler sixty2 has nearly identical power numbers to a gs500 and costs nearly 10k. Duke 390, ninja300, cbr300r or even the cbr500 are all similar new bikes with similar or less power and performance as a gs. So within that class the GS is still in the pack. Are all of these bikes pretty good, for what it is? The motorcycle mags rave about some of them, no qualifiers.

[qcbaker]

No but you make my point. Even compared with a thoroughly modern new bike in the same class  a gs500 is still competitive. For example a ducati scrambler sixty2 has nearly identical power numbers to a gs500 and costs nearly 10k. Duke 390, ninja300, cbr300r or even the cbr500 are all similar new bikes with similar or less power and performance as a gs. So within that class the GS is still in the pack. Are all of these bikes pretty good, for what it is? The motorcycle mags rave about some of them, no qualifiers.

You're kind of missing Watcher's point I think. All those sportbikes (except for the CBR500 obviously) have more than 100 fewer CCs than the GS, and all make similar power. So, calling the GS "competitive" with them is a bit strange. Those are "real" beginner sportbikes that make similar power to the GS with less displacement and less weight. A great rider on the GS could probably keep up with mediocre riders on those other bikes, but put an expert rider on all of them? No contest. I'd bet money that all things being equal (rider skill, conditions, etc) the GS would get smoked by an R3, Duke 390, Ninja 300, or CBR300R any day.

But that's because like we said earlier, the GS isn't a "real" sportbike. So its a false equivalency. The GS isn't in the same class as those bikes. Rating them all on purely "performance" is unfair to all the bikes. And all these bikes are "good for what they are". All the 300-500 CC sportbikes are "great beginner sportbikes" not simply "great bikes". What makes something a "great bike" is its ability to accomplish the tasks its designed to do. Which is another way of saying it should be "good for what it is".

[rscottlow]

Just my two cents...my brother bought an SV a few months before I bought my GS. I spent $500 less to get a bike that's 8 years newer with half the miles on it, and that was much more meticulously cared for. His bike is loads faster than mine, but I got exactly what I wanted. I feel like (and I'm pretty sure he'd agree) in the same amount of time riding, I've become a notably better rider than he has. That's not to say that there aren't loads of other factors in that equation, but I give the GS credit where credit is due. It's good for what it is. It has taught me a ton already, and I expect to be able to ride it for at least another season--probably 2 seasons--before thinking about moving on to something bigger, faster, newer, and more expensive.

[KGSB11]

Ive decided on the Avon Roadrider for the tires -- I was only going to replace the rear at first due to wear and dry-rot, but noticed the front appears to be the original tire, so I'm replacing that as well.

I can get the set of the Roadriders for $200 and I have a work colleague that will put them on for a case of beer.  He is a track instructor and has his own private shop in the warehouse of his "regular Job" where he works on his bikes.