New GS500F Owner

[scratch]

I like the above break-in! :kiss:

Also, breaking the 5000rpm barrier once in while won't hurt and helps to vary the rpm's that the engine is experiencing.

(I redlined mine once in neutral before taking it in for the first service)

(on purpose)

[pantablo]

I'm gonna take a wild guess and say Suzuki didnt change anything in the forks from the previous model. The progressive springs from a 89-00 are the same for the 01-02 and will likely be the same for the 04.

Go ahead and do that first mod-the fender...everything else can wait till you enjoy the bike more.  

Dont ever lug the engine-keep it spinning as high as you can (within the break-in procedures). Once in a while over limits is fine. Change the oil a couple times before the 600 mile service and ride it harder than the recommended....I'd do that anyway...but then again, when I broke my gs in I did it the manual's way. Stick with that.

welcome.
check my site for a great fender chop (license relocation page) and lots  of other useful info.

[jare16]

I just got my F back from the dealer with my first mod, 15t Counter sprocket. I can finally use 5 & 6 without bogging the engine down and worry about downshifting so much around the curves. I also noticed I didn't lose any top end speed, still tops out around 110 but gets there a lot quicker. still gets no where near red line in 6th though.

[pantablo]

... still tops out around 110 ... still gets no where near red line in 6th though.

there are lots of variations on that top speed. I personally have seen 125mph in 6th (maybe 5th?), stock gearing with the tach hitting 10,500rpm on my 2001 gs500...JohNLA remembers me blowing past him on that straight, tucked in behind the little flyscreen I had...ah, the good old days.

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Today I tested my bikes redline-running onto the freeway I stomped on it and with the digital speedo flicking through numbers the last number I saw before the shift light at 15,500 rpm kicked in was 75mph...then I shifted to 2nd...

[dmp221]

Hi:
Progressive fork springs are a good idea.  I bought mine from Chaparral
(www.800-841-2960.com) which very cleverly is also their phone #.
About a year ago I paid 46.99.  Product # is 377-1128. Springs, along with a rejet, and maybe down the road a new can,  are the best bang-for-the-buck mods you can make.  I believe on the F you get decent Bridgestone BT-45's, so you're good to go.
Ride safe.  Have fun.
Don

[chinox22x]

I'm gonna take a wild guess and say Suzuki didnt change anything in the forks from the previous model. The progressive springs from a 89-00 are the same for the 01-02 and will likely be the same for the 04.

Dont ever lug the engine-keep it spinning as high as you can (within the break-in procedures). Once in a while over limits is fine. Change the oil a couple times before the 600 mile service and ride it harder than the recommended....I'd do that anyway...but then again, when I broke my gs in I did it the manual's way. Stick with that.

welcome.
check my site for a great fender chop (license relocation page) and lots  of other useful info.

hmm...with the added fairing, wouldn't they change the springs for the added weight?  then again manuf. usually go the cheap route.  I guess i'll just have to test it out and see if it has the problem older models have.

ok, in fear of sounding like an idiot <- too late ;  what do u mean don't ever 'lug' the engine?  

what oil do i use when i change the oil? <- even more idiotic  

thanks guys!

[MarkusN]

For break-in use cheap mineral oil of the specified viscosity, no synthetic. if you can't get 10W40, 20W40 is fine as well.
Remember during break-in you want some parts to wear (the piston rings, notably, and the cylinders to some degree)

[chinox22x]

ok..i caved in an spent 56$ shipped for some progressive springs from chaparral - thanks penta for your mod page, i think i'll follow those intructions  :lol: .  this bike is costing me a fortune in the last 5 days and i haven't even touched it yet  :dunno:

helmet - 230$
gloves - 50$
boots - 130$
fork springs - 56$

looking good while sitting at a stop sign for at least two minutes to make sure noone is around due to the fear of stalling - priceless  

-Chino

[The Buddha]

Ha Ha  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:
He called You "Penta" Pablo....  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:
Cool.
Srinath.

[chinox22x]

Petee Pablo?  

[The Buddha]

Yes Petee Pablo...
Correct.
Cool.
Srinath.

[pantablo]

pantablo.
pablo.

who's pete?

[chinox22x]

tomorrow is the day i get my bike!  all the stuff i ordered already came in..lol

damn..i gotta get my permit..bleh

[Ed_in_Az]

Today I tested my bikes redline-running onto the freeway I stomped on it and with the digital speedo flicking through numbers the last number I saw before the shift light at 15,500 rpm kicked in was 75mph...then I shifted to 2nd...

Oh yeah, that's safe.   Sounds like fun. I'll assume you were being careful. I'm at least careful, if not entirely safe. So, be careful.

[Scott_DC]

I just got my GS500E today. It's a 1994 (although the guy i bought it from thought it was a 1993) in purple. It's the bike in my little avatar icon ;-}


So I  strapped it down in the back of the rental truck, and drove it home.  Unfortunately, when i went to unload it,  the ramp I was using the get it out of the truck broke.. and the  rear wheel dropped a couple inches to the ground - and the front dropped like a foot and a half. It seemed fine... Anything I should check before I take it out tomorrow?

Man i already love this bike.

[chinox22x]

got the bikes today.  we love them and they are beautiful.  i've already cut my fender.  my buddy doesn't wanna touch his so i'll let him do whatever he wants.

I have a question....

does anyone know of a website that shows how to install bar end mirrors?  these mirrors are kinda ugly...

what do u guys recommend and what site to buy them from?

[Ed_in_Az]

I would suggest doing a search for "bar end mirrors" messages on the forum here. As for the stock fork springs, mine felt like mush and would bottom over speed bumps. If your '04s are mushy the progressives will fix it. You might also want to search on "progressive springs" for additional hints. I lowered the oil level as per the instructions included with the springs. Some have left it alone. Enjoy your new bike. It's good you already have a riding buddy.

[chinox22x]

Was working on the bike to remove some stickers and even out the fenderectomy i did.  

It was foolish to try to handle a 450lb bike on my own.  I pulled from behind to take it off the stand thinking I could handle it.

U know what happened next,  the bike tilted to the right and I was powerless to hold it up.  I was a little surprised as It didn't crash down.  I suppose my adrenaline was pumping and I was able to actually lay it down gently.

A couple of minor scratches, nothing noticeable.  No way in a normal day that I could carry that much weight on my back.  

Second day of having the bike and its already scratched...argh!

[The Buddha]

I just got my GS500E today. It's a 1994 (although the guy i bought it from thought it was a 1993) in purple. It's the bike in my little avatar icon ;-}


So I  strapped it down in the back of the rental truck, and drove it home.  Unfortunately, when i went to unload it,  the ramp I was using the get it out of the truck broke.. and the  rear wheel dropped a couple inches to the ground - and the front dropped like a foot and a half. It seemed fine... Anything I should check before I take it out tomorrow?

Man i already love this bike.

Dropping it a foot... ha ha.... Hit a little pot hole at 60 and you stress the thing 10 times more.
Purple... That's the new king of colors... check with Scratch and get yourself a custom title "Sofa King Gayass" or some like that.
Cool.
Srinath.

[The Buddha]

BTW Progressives 1128 are the same springs for my eliminator 1000. OK so get this, that bike weighs 600 lbs and has the same springs... OK OK its not supposed to go around corners or brake, but that's a lot of weight even not adding my pork on it... so I believe the GS will do just fine wiht the 1128's fairing or not. If not... Peetey Pablo will have to edit his site.
Cool.
Srinath.