Hello! I've been researching buying my first bike for about a year now. I've narrowed down my list of candidates to just a handful, and the GS500 is at the top of my list right now. I've been lurking for a while, but I wanted to ask a question:
Will the GS be able to comfortably support my weight? I weigh about 320 lbs. I'm not too concerned about its ability to move me down the road, especially for a first bike, but I am worried whether the shocks will be alright and not bottom out all the time or handle poorly. I've read that several here have upgraded their shocks, but I want to make sure the generally recommended upgrades will be okay with my weight, assuming they are needed.
Nice place you have here! :)
I'm about 185 lbs. and did easily bottom the front suspension on my GS, though my wife who's barely 100 lbs. doesn't. So I would imagine you would want to install the Progressives in the front if you buy a GS with a stock front end. I also liked the stock rear shock preloaded to "6" for myself rather than in the middle at "4" where she likes it. The GS' recommended load max is over 400 lbs. though, so you shouldn't really have any problems unless you want to carry a large passenger.
I'm over 230 lbs. You'll probably want to change your rear shock to a Katana 600 shock or an SV 650 shock, and upgrade your fork springs to Progressives. There are several very good riders here that are 270 +.
Welcome!
Welcome, Admiral!
There's nothing I can add that hasn't already been said! GS's are a great bike, and they're strong and tough! :mrgreen:
Its got piddly suspension ... that will give up at the mere suggestion of a $200 lb rider, honestly 160 or so lbs and they're donw ... Kat and progressives may at best give you a 60 - 100 lb bump ... so at about 250-275 lbs ... there aint no more suspension ... give or take ... I'd think about a bit larger and better suspended bike ... Bigger cruisers, old 4 cyl standards etc.
Cool.
Srinath.
I don't know how your weight is distributed. If you have big rear end you may also find the seat less than comfortable. The stock shape doesn't fit me too well and I've got some junk in the trunk.
It is OK for around town but can get uncomfortable around 100 miles.
Just to add more. I'm 190 naked and I bottom out very easily. Even when I didn't think I would. It's a new bike, so I haven't changed anything yet until I know I will be able tell a difference.
Quote from: leo..... I'm 190 naked and I bottom out very easily. Even when I didn't think I would.......
I hope you do not ride naked.
Thanks for the feedback!
My weight's mostly spread evenly except my gut. I'm 6'2" with a large frame. My wife says I have no ass. :)
I've sat on one at the dealership, and it felt good, but I have no idea how it'd feel after an hour. I'm mainly looking for something to commute 10 miles to work on, run some errands, and to have some occasional fun rides on the weekends. Not looking to do any aggressive riding or racing.
The problem with a bigger bike is I don't want anything too heavy to start with. Plus, I'm on a limited budget.
What would you think about a Nighthawk 750? I'm worried they might be too much to start on.
I'd hate to not be able to do the GS500 just because of the suspension. It feels great, and I don't really care for most cruisers. Naked standards are my preference.
If it's max load is 400 lbs, you'd think they'd put shocks on it that could handle 400 lbs....
Buy mine!
Sorry. Vermont's a little too far away for me. :)
What kind of bike is that? Looks nice, but those passenger backrests make it hard for me to get on and off.
Quote from: dgyverQuote from: leo..... I'm 190 naked and I bottom out very easily. Even when I didn't think I would.......
I hope you do not ride naked.
Only when the husband comes home. :o ;)
Quote from: VTNewbBuy mine!
I second that ... 750 nitehawk may be OK, Maxim's and old virago's and most old cruisers and standards ... OK you dont want to get too big cos it might overwhelm ya, and not too small cos it might look like its a toy ... Maxim gets my big :thumb: ... vtnewb will cut ya a deal, worth the drive I think ... I will work on it if you need ... I make atl trips often and have a Maxim in a restorative state currently ...
Cool.
Srinath.
QuoteI'm 6'2" with a large frame. My wife says I have no ass
yeah, i get that too, im running a close 300 myself, the engine will move you well enough jetted and piped, but yeah, its worth puting out the extr 70$ for progresive springs for front and 40$ for a GSXR rear shock, and 30 or so for braided front brake line for better feel of brakes. the extra weight does effect stoping aswell as moving. i can still get mine up to about 110mph and have a ball with hard cornering, not that i expect you to do those things. the stock stuff even on most bigger bikes arnt enough half the time.
It's now for sale for whatever I can sell it for. Unfortunatly a while back a friend crashed it, fortunatly it has highway bars, but the sissy bar, which is now removed pushed into the fender creating a weird little indent shaped like the bracket, and the footpeg needs to be heated up with a torch and banged a little bit to straighten it. :(
I hope I can get 800 for the silly thing. Always runs perfect, now it has those two issues.
Well I'm 240lbs and my Girlfriend is >100lbs (see discretion and everything)
With us both on board the stock rear suspension on max preload is ok,
perhaps a bit overloaded.
However your weight will be further forward so won't have the same leverage on the rear shock.
The front shocks bottomed out with just me onboard.
However once I put progressive springs up front everything was fine.
I'd say the lil GS will cope fine with you if you splash the $50 odd for new front springs. The rear shock should cope, but you might want to upgrade it anyway as it doesn't cost the earth to do.
QuoteWell I'm 240lbs and my Girlfriend is >100lbs (see discretion and everything)
With us both on board the stock rear suspension on max preload is ok,
perhaps a bit overloaded.
However your weight will be further forward so won't have the same leverage on the rear shock.
The front shocks bottomed out with just me onboard.
However once I put progressive springs up front everything was fine.
I'd say the lil GS will cope fine with you if you splash the $50 odd for new front springs. The rear shock should cope, but you might want to upgrade it anyway as it doesn't cost the earth to do.
+1 :thumb:
Thanks again!
Where are you gettingthe progressive springs for $50?
Pfft. I think you'll be fine. I'm right at 6' tall and hover around 300 myself. My GS500F is completely stock. I have not had any problems with the suspension. The front end bottomed out once when I hit a pothole while braking when coming into a parking lot, but other than that it seems fine. I run the preload one stop down from max in the back and I am comfortable on rides up to about 200 miles. After that and I'm pretty much ready to be done for the day.
Now as for the bear-riding-a-tricycle look, I don't really care. But big fat guys like us do usually 'fit in' better on a cruiser-esque style bike. It doesn't matter to me if I look goofy to other folks (I already do, I wear a helmet :lol:). But it might make a difference to you.
My previous (first) bike was a 2002 Yamaha Virago 250. It was a little bike. The GS500 feels like a Goldwing compared to it. Pegged 65mph with the throttle wide open. :thumb: Fun as heck little bike though. My GS500F has no problem getting up into tripple-digit (indicated, I know my speedometer is a little off) speeds.
As everbody has said, with the shock preload set up and progressive fork springs you should be fine. The stock springs are mush no matter how light you are. the GS should be alot of fun for a new rider with plenty of power and good handling. If you want a little more zoom you can get a slightly smaller front sprocket, maybe one tooth less. These bikes are geared a little too high anyway. Enjoy! :cheers:
Quote from: PACNow as for the bear-riding-a-tricycle look, I don't really care. But big fat guys like us do usually 'fit in' better on a cruiser-esque style bike. It doesn't matter to me if I look goofy to other folks (I already do, I wear a helmet ). But it might make a difference to you.
:thumb: Agreed!
I'm a big guy myself and notice I get a lot of looks and even a few snickers by jaggoffs who seem to think that fat guys riding sportyesque bikes is verboten. When I tell someone I ride, I guess they picture me in leather vest, assless leather chaps, and kaiser novelty helmet, sittin on a H/D.
Eff em :nana: