GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

total newbie to the bike world here

6'5" 400lbs or so

been told the gs500 is a good choice

i haven't taken the msf yet, i will

been to lots of dealers to just see if i fit on the bikes, and the gs seems pretty nice, especially the shoulder angle

the knee angle is a little too much for me though

any ideas about mods to lower the pegs?

how hard is this to do?

are there kits?

Welcome!

Don't know about anything specific for lowering the footpegs, so you get to experiement! Take a measurement of the distance between the two mounting  holes and go to a local motorcycle salvage yard and see if you can find something that fits.

I hope this helps!

I'm 6' 6" (34 inch inseam)  and have similar problems with the ergos.  I looked at moving the pegs by getting custom brackets fabricated.  Problem is the right side bracket would hit the exhaust pipe if it was lowered.  Maybe you could re-route the exhaust, too, but you are starting to talk about major time and $$$,

Have you tried a Bandit?  I found the bandit had significantly more leg room than the GS.  I've also read some posts saying that the Ninjas had a touch more leg room.

Good luck, and please post any solutions you come up with.

Tall people unite!

ray

i am a total newbie to motorcycles so a bandit might not be the thing for me???

Bandit good.  Too bad no 650's in the US anymore, only 1200's.  IIRC ergos like the old NightHawk standards.  Good bikes to get killed on too, if you're a newb.  :lol:  I might buy the 650 if it can be had new again in a couple years.

I'm 6'2", 220lbs and seriously considering a cruiser like a 650 V-Star for my next bike.  I like relaxed, and it's sure relaxed.  But it is probably better to learn on something so easy to turn, etc., like the GS or the Ninja (500).

A V-Strom would probably be more comfy for you.  All these other alternatives are, though, more expensive than the 500's.

--Mike D.

I'm like 5'7" 125lbs I couldn't imagine being much bigger and riding a gs, should take a peek at sv's or if you are looking for something a bit more sportier a katana

Quote from: rclzI'm like 5'7" 125lbs I couldn't imagine being much bigger and riding a gs, should take a peek at sv's or if you are looking for something a bit more sportier a katana

Well that's the rub.  You have to get used to it or buy more expensive bikes.  Most of us put up with some discomfort or find ways to fidget into positions that are tolerable.  I'm not ready for a GoldWing after all.  Can't afford much more than a GS.

These things were not made for average Americans.  Take an average group of Americans and have them walk down the street in Tokyo or Taipei, and they stick out like football players walking through the halls of a middle school.  Only a slight exaggeration.  I've seen it.  Even what I'd consider skinny American females look like Amazons.  (What's an Amazon look like anyhow?  Oh well.)

In the past, the real standards gave that flat seat you could easily move up and back on.  Outside of Triumph who makes them for the US market anymore.

At least on cruisers one can stretch out a little, but not in many positions.

I like my GS, but I need to get off almost every hour.  That's OK.  Healthier that way anyhow.   It's amazing what you can get used to but you have to keep from the ergos doing you real harm.

</rant>

Have you considered a dual-sport, like the KLR.  The dual-sports are generally a LOT more roomy and have higher seat heights.

thanks for the help people

i guess one of the issues here is that I have relatively short legs

32 inch inseam

so i have a freakish torso

vstrom leaves me balanced on my toes

dualsports are too tall as well (at least from reading the seat height numbers compared to other bikes i have been on)

Quote from: togtotal newbie to the bike world here

6'5" 400lbs or so

been told the gs500 is a good choice

i haven't taken the msf yet, i will

been to lots of dealers to just see if i fit on the bikes, and the gs seems pretty nice, especially the shoulder angle

the knee angle is a little too much for me though

any ideas about mods to lower the pegs?

how hard is this to do?

are there kits?

I think the Florida Dolphins are looking for a linebacker about your size. You should call them!!!  :cheers:

i would be a good dt for about 2 plays

then i would have to come out and suck on the oxygen bottles

Quote from: tog32 inch inseam

dualsports are too tall as well (at least from reading the seat height numbers compared to other bikes i have been on)

I have a 32" inseam too...  I've only found one dual-sport that was too tall (so far)...  The Triumph Tiger...  I was on my toes!

I think the best thing to do would be to sit on as many bikes as you can...  Sit in a riding position for at least 10 minutes...

I think the GS500 was built for me...  So damn comfortable...  Most other bikes give me a back ache in a hurry.

Quote from: rclzI'm like 5'7" 125lbs I couldn't imagine being much bigger and riding a gs, should take a peek at sv's or if you are looking for something a bit more sportier a katana

I'm almost 200 lbs and about 5'9.. and I fit just fine.  Not only that, but I have an 89 with clip ons (even more agressive position)

thanks again for all the replies

after spending some more time on one I think the ergos of the gs500 would be ok

now,  what about the power to wieght ratios?  as most newbies are told to go towards a 500 or a 250

since most newbies are half my weight or less, is this an issue?

also, what is the carrying capacity of the twin?

Hey Tog

I just got my 2004 GS500F last month (first bike) and like you I had alot of questions about my weight as far as the smaller engine size.

At 6'1 and 280 pounds I have had no issues accelarating quickly or getting up to freeway speeds 70+ mph in a sluggish manner.  At around 80 mph the bike does seem to become alot less responsive to acceleration, but it still has some left.

I have also been on a Kawa ZZR600 and a Kawa Ninja ZX-7R and both those bikes tell you they aren't F'N around with the throttle control.  While they are both awesome to ride, there are several times on the GS that I've made minor throttle or clutch mistakes (learning) that I know these bikes would have probably punished me for.

Not sure if the helps alot, but just giving you my experience so far with the GS and some more powerful bikes.

I have no idea how I would feel about the GS500 if I had three more of me on the back.

But if you get a used GS500E, you can try it out and see how you like it; if it works for you, great.  If not, you can sell it and not lose much - if any - if you get a decent price on it initially.  And it's a good and tractable bike to do newbie riding on.

(I once hit the brakes at a normal level of firmness - only to have them come on as the bike was unweighted over a whooptie bump.  Did a front-lock stoppie until the bike came back down.  It settled quickly and I didn't dump it; it's a forgiving feller...)

thanks for the help guys

do you think there would need to be some suspension upgrades?

Don't know about the GS500E but the G.V.W. (Gross Vehicle Weight) of the GS500F is 840 lbs.  The bike is 396 lbs. empty so that leaves 444 lbs including rider, gear, and fluids.  This is at 33 psi in the front and 41 psi in the back.

Even if you jack up the rear suspension you'll be riding at the very edge of the bike's designed limits.

Sounds like some suspension mods might be in order.    But judging by the number of suspension threads out there you'll find no shortage of help when it comes to that.    :thumb:

Quote from: togwhat is the carrying capacity of the twin?

See the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) on this '99 VIN plate.  Subtract the roughly 400 lbs that the bike weighs, and there are 445 lbs left over.  :)

you will definitely want to install Progressive fork springs and will probably want to eventually replace the rear shock.

thanks guys