New to GS 500's just switched from an '03 Yamaha R6

[chuey]

So I've been surfing this message board as I finally got the GS 500 out for a ride today.  I was on an R6 before this for just a short while. I had to sell it due to exorbitant (read: absolute highway robbery) insurance rates in Brooklyn for sport bikes.

All all I can say is that I was pleasantly surprised by this little GS.  I picked up a '93 GS 500, with 6,000 miles on it for $1,500 bike is near mint aside from some rust here and there on all of the pegs. Aside from the Katana clip ons that came with the bike its bone stock, (and with no stickers!!!).  I'm about 5'9 and 200 lbs and the ergonomics are pretty good.

The clutch is nice and easy, the brakes aren't grabby and there's really no learning curve on this bike.  I'm still a fairly new rider all that I can say is that the GS is absolutely forgiving as far as throttle error goes. My only frames of reference for this is the R6, a '98 Kawasaki ZX7 for track use and my brother's RC51 which I was riding a  little bit today. The 3 bikes that I mentioned above all take about 40% more concentration as far as throttle control goes. Especially the RC51 which pretty much tears my arms off when I get on the throttle. The R6 and the ZX7 which has been jetted I have to worry about not hopping the front wheel when too much throttle is applied in gears 1-4 which is alot of gears to be mindful of.  The GS 500 just has this nice sweet spot around 7,000-9,000 RPM that makes it a joy to ride on the street. I've yet to hit race track speeds on the road and the GS gets up to highway speeds just fine.  

I think that aside from all the gear changing that I have to do, I'm going to really like having this bike in the city a lot, its just sooooooo nimble even when compared to the R6 which carves circles around bigger bikes on the technical portion of a track when the right person is on it (not me).

So...does anyone have an SV650, just wondering how this compares with the GS? The guy with the SV650 on the track today was just tearing people up on the track today and everyone there who got a chance to ride the bike was just lauding it with nothing but praise. On the straightaway the 650 was just zooming on the short track going through all his gears. I couldn't get past 4thgear on the RC51 out of fear and lack of skill I presume.

I can't wait to get the GS out onto the track, it seems like it'll be a whole lotta fun in the corners.

[bbanjo]

Welcome, and I can't think of a better bike for NYC, + the neighborhoods,  than the GS. I ride mine in and around downtown Philly daily, and it can go when you want it to. The R6 would be the poop...if you could insure it at an address in central Ohio   and had the extra space in a garage.

[chuey]

My lowest quote for full coverage was $3,600 on the R6. GS 500 was 400 for the year for basic!!! I'm super happy!

[vtlion]

And you won't have to worry so much about it gettin' ripped off either  

R6 = most stolen bike in the country  

[jkstyle834]

you got rid of your r6 for gs500?? i feel sorry for you... but welcome!

[JasonB]

Ouch! I pay an extra $70 a year moving up from a 95 GS to a 2000 ZX-6R sportbike. Full Coverage etc etc..in SE MI. $350 instead of $280

[chuey]

I miss her.

http://forums.gogoracers.com/viewtopic.php?t=706

[andy23]

the gs500 is a blast to ride and dirt cheap to insure. But i must be honest, the sv650 is a much better bike than the gs for someone who has experience rididng fast bike. The main problem is insurance. State Farm, for example, will just see that "650" and give you insanely high rates. The 500 should cost roughly half as much to insure as the 650.

[chuey]

I have a GS. I'm 90% content which is good enough.  $200 a year for liability. No complaints, the cost value : fun ratio on the GS is just insane.

[zoltan]

i have an sv650 naked and insurance isn't that bad. i'm with progressive and pay $300 a year for liability and comprehensive. my girlfriend pays about $120 for her gs500.

[baldwin]

Why's your insurance so cheap?  My new GS500F is almost 500/yr.

[TheGoodGuy]

Why's your insurance so cheap?  My new GS500F is almost 500/yr.

differentn years, different models, you got plastic, plus its sacramento.. you got bike thefts... plus your driving record and your experience on the bike (# of years biking)..

also insurance companies have different rates. I pay 400 full coverage..

[1998_GS500]

I pay $85 a year for liability on my 98 GS.  That includes the increased limits 100/300/50 and there was no discount for the MSF course off that price.

Chris