I stopped at the local Kawi Suzook dealer, well they sold "my" black GS! D'Oh!!!! :icon_rolleyes:
I suppose I could order an 07 purple and blue which is what I really want.
The dealer said, "those bikes are slugs". Probably comparing to 750's or 1000's, of course.
Do you GS people think they are "slow"? Or are they competent enough?
I am thinking for solo riding only. I don't need to go 100 mph. Just get from A to B, with some long trips thrown in.
Also, what is a realisitic gas mileage for GS?
Thanks
No, the GS is not "slow". It might be "slow" to the dealer, as it's a matter of perspective. The GS handles just as crisp as a GSXR750, it may not accelerate as fast, but it is most definitely not a slug, by any means. The dealer obviously doesn't know that it's the rider that makes a bike a slug, and I'll bet he has no idea how to ride a GS properly; utilizing it's strengths to compensate for it's weaknesses. The GS is competent enough, it depends more on the rider.
Bone stock mileage for a GS is 65mpg, that is with no carburetion modifications.
Most dealers are slugs, their salesmen are less than slugs.
There are no slow bikes, only slow riders. The GS is more than competent enough.
I get 60 mpg in the summer, 50-55 mpg winters here in NE OH.
120,000+ GS miles under my belt including 400-500 mile Interstate days getting to the mountains to play with the big boys (and girls:-)
Well, in my opinion the GS is a slow bike, not slow in absolute sense maybe (I don't feel that safe going 90-100+ on ordinary roads),but slow if compared to 4-cyl 600-750+ bikes.
Though,I too don't need to hit high speeds, I usually ride solo tooling around my town and in the countryside,so we share the same POV I suppose. :thumb: :icon_mrgreen:
I regard GS'es as all-purpose bikes,and as all "all-purpose" vehicles/things they do pretty well in many fields, but excel in none. :icon_mrgreen:
As for the MPG, I obtain (stock 2001 bike) an average 17-18 km/litre (=roughly 48-50 MPG), but as of today I still have the missing air-filter issue,so I expect things to change (hopefully for the better :icon_mrgreen:),after I'll have my carburation checked out.
Above all, I'm very satisfied with my purchase up to now. :icon_mrgreen:
Byez!! :cheers:
Ahh yes, the "Old, slow, and ugly" speech. I got it from a couple of places when I was shopping for my GS. One salesman was trying to push me onto a GSXR600 until he saw I couldn't flatfoot it. So he drags me over to the 800 cruisers after I specifically told him I had no interest in them. Finally I asked the guy: "What's wrong with a GS 500?" I'll never forget his response: "Oh, you'll have to shift down to pass cars!" Right there I realized that even though I was straight out of the MSF course I likely had more riding experience than he did.
Oh, if you're in the right gear you don't have to shift down to pass a car on the gs. (You should cruise between 5-7k RPM)
I also second Scratch's post. Riding a motorcycle is 75% rider 25% motorcycle. If you read books on road racing technique you will notice one thing they all preach: When lap times are high the rider needs tuning, not the bike.
MPG-wise 60 or so for a stock GS. Once rejetted with a pipe and other mods 50-55 MPG is normal.
Back in the 50's and 60's real riders rode all over this country on bikes like the Bonnie 650. The GS500 is like a Bonnie 650 with brakes:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500vsT120.jpg
I think this video of D-day at the track sums it all up. It's the rider who makes a bike go fast, you can see throughout the video he passes several guys on bigger 600 sportbikes.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7848723937557327814&q=gs500&hl=en (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7848723937557327814&q=gs500&hl=en)
The GS is a great bike and will do everything you need. It is capable of 100mph speeds for when your feelin a little jumpy but it's not insanely powerful like the Gix1k ( Holy F Local Suz dealer dynoed one of his stock ones at bike night.....161 at the wheel :o :o he told me I could have it for 10.5k out the door, I'm resisting the urge to go to the bank for a loan :cry: )
I love my GS, it's fun to modify and grabs attention once modded cause no one knows what the hell it is :laugh: :laugh:
And if you ever do get a little more into speed it's a perfectly Track-Capable bike :thumb: :thumb:
motion is relative, no? so if you're standing still, the gisser will scream past you. If you're on a litre sport bike, it'll scream past the GS. But yeah, I've had mine up to about 110mph on the highway (NOT RECOMMENDED UNLESS ON THE TRACK!!!!) before I swapped out sprockets, to gain accel at the price of top speed. I'll smoke about 90% (at least) of the cages I pass on the road, and the little bike is unassuming. People expect sport bikes to be flying all the time, but the upright little GS is deceptive. Add lite weight, low cost, learning curve, easy mods, probably could turn around and sell it easy if you get bored... Great all arounder... It's no where near the power of the 600-class race reps, but straight RWHp isn't everything... I'm still smiling about the extra couple grand in my wallet, and that I'm not dead cause I bought too much bike too early...
Thank you all.
bucks1605- This damned Linux system (my son's) won't let me watch videos... :mad:
I think the GS would be a great bike for me. Will have to chat with the dealer some more. I suppose they would cut some $$$$ off the list? I mean, if I ordered it and it didn't set on the floor for a year like the black one did....
This is a great forum :thumb:
The little GS is kinda deceptive :icon_mrgreen:
With the exception of those damned new 500hp vettes it'll take a vette off the line, especially with a 14t front sprocket. She'll also kill all those little import tuners and MB's and BMW's.
She's more than capable of making you appear to be a squid to cagers :laugh: I get the craziest looks as I scream by people on the interstate all hunched over with the engine wailing about 10k rpms in 6th............God I need a speedo soon :icon_confused: :icon_confused: :laugh: :laugh:
Mmmmmmmmmmm, 140 x 10/11 x 14/16 = 111 mph approx
Possible!
:thumb:
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Yeah I need a friggin speedo. I think I'm gonna order one of those Acewells :thumb:
I dont think it is "SLOW" of course if you compare it to a busa, yep its slow...
if you looking for a nice sporty bike with decent acceleration, stable at 70-100 MPH speeds (get avons av45/46 on that puppy youll never regret it) the GS is a great bike...
I ride daily for work, and I love my gs.
Quote from: bucks1605 on May 19, 2007, 08:45:41 AM
I think this video of D-day at the track sums it all up. It's the rider who makes a bike go fast, you can see throughout the video he passes several guys on bigger 600 sportbikes.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7848723937557327814&q=gs500&hl=en (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7848723937557327814&q=gs500&hl=en)
It is actually a video of my son chasing me. We are both on GS 500's and the first bike we pass is my youngest brother, also on a GS 500
Hey GS Jack what is that equation mean? :dunno_white: All that engineering schooling makes me cringe when I see an equation without units....CARRY YOUR UNITS ALONG WITH YOU!!!!!!! I can still hear reverberating through my skull after having been driven in a million times.... Isn't that why the Hubble Telescope broke??? Somebody measured something Metric instead of SAE cause somebody did'nt carry their units?....
I always carry my unit, but haven't gotten to use it in a while..hehehehe....
It's gear differentials :icon_rolleyes: he's calculating the theoretical top speed of my GS based on the modifications to my drive sprockets :icon_rolleyes: :icon_rolleyes: Loosen up :laugh: :laugh: you should have been a geology major the only units we're truly worried about are pints..................of beer :cheers: :cheers:
Thanks... i figured it was a top speed calc., I'm not a moron... at least not all the time :flipoff: I really am curious how he got those numbers, but was trying to sound extra anal as I've seen other engineers on here go crazy on theoretical rants and calculations and fluid dynamics and blah blah blah.... Cracks me up how defensive people get about what the do and do not know. I'll admit... THE ONLY THING I KNOW IS THAT I KNOW NOT! Been called everything for dumbass to recently "gullible clown" on this site, just for asking questions. Relax y'all!!! We could all use a few pints, or pounders or 40's or whatever the hell is your poison. In fact, I'm already late for my first Saturday beer.... :thumb: :thumb:
Ehhh..........Like the song says 'Take it Easy'
Me I'm partial to suitcases :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :laugh: :laugh:
I've been called everything from Squid to Baby-Killer :laugh: Life goes on, at least for me :laugh:
+1 brother.... Love them Eagles... "Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive ya crazy"
Yes the GS is slow.
It's still faster than most cars and it'll do 100mph but compared to almost any other bike (except 250s and 400s) it's slower than just about any other new bike. It's fast enough to cruise on the highway at 70+ and have some fun on but slower than most bikes.
They handle okay with stiffer springs and it can be fast on tight corners with good tires but the stock springs suck. Of course in tight corners it's more the rider than the bike.
Ya, the 111 mph is the calculated speed of a GS500 with 14T front sprocket at 10k rpm in 6th gear. Wanted to see if what Terry said he was doing was possible. :laugh: Started with the 140 mph theoretical top speed in 6th of a stock GS500, data taken from first road test ever published back in 1989 of the original GS. It's on the bottom of my GS500 test log sheet:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tests.jpg
The x10/11 is rpm correction and the x14/16 is front sprocket tooth correction.
Quote from: D-Day on May 19, 2007, 10:27:44 AM
Quote from: bucks1605 on May 19, 2007, 08:45:41 AM
I think this video of D-day at the track sums it all up. It's the rider who makes a bike go fast, you can see throughout the video he passes several guys on bigger 600 sportbikes.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7848723937557327814&q=gs500&hl=en (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7848723937557327814&q=gs500&hl=en)
It is actually a video of my son chasing me. We are both on GS 500's and the first bike we pass is my youngest brother, also on a GS 500
Very cool D-Day, you guys look like good riders! Great vid...
As for the GS being slow, I just can't get over the stupidity. It's all relative, it's faster off the line than alot of pretty powerful cars, and it's a BIKE, how fast do you want to be able to go in a straight line?? I mean really, isn't 100-105 MPH fast enough (especially sans fairing!)? I mean you'll disintegrate only slightly less on the road at that speed than 130 and up LOL. Is it slower than a liter bike? Sure, but most of those are silly fast. I keep up pretty good with my buddy's SV650. Is it faster, yeah... but not really all THAT much. I just can't get over those types of comments. The sales manager at the local Duc dealer, you know what he said to me? (Because I think there's a Monster in my future don't ya know 8) ) He asked me what I had currently when I stopped in there, I said, oh just a little GS(thinking he would sneer)... he says: "The GS is a GREAT bike, really just a great all around bike". And I said yeah, I agree!
Quote from: MikeNW on May 19, 2007, 09:18:06 AM
Thank you all.
bucks1605- This damned Linux system (my son's) won't let me watch videos... :mad:
I think the GS would be a great bike for me. Will have to chat with the dealer some more. I suppose they would cut some $$$$ off the list? I mean, if I ordered it and it didn't set on the floor for a year like the black one did....
This is a great forum :thumb:
apt-get install gmplayer
or maybe
time emerge -uav world ; time emerge -uav gmplayer mplayerplug-in ; killall firefox ; firefox &
then you should be able to use any online video archive, provided they aren't using some DRM'd to the gills crap. :thumb:
Since you didn't name the distro you're currently using, I can't provide much more so far. :)
To the others:
Ya, the GS is a slow bike. Slow if you're cruising in a jet plane, lambo, or skydiving.
It's QUICK no matter what the land based vehicle is.
FAST (top speed) is just silly.
Quote from: MikeNW on May 19, 2007, 07:55:46 AM
The dealer said, "those bikes are slugs".
What the dealer knows is that at $5199 the GS500 doesn't deliver
bang for the buck off the showroom floor. If I was a salesman, I would also steer you away from this motorcycle for that reason because I know that I could get you more for your money even within the Suzuki line-up.
SV650 ($5999). This is a significant upgrade from the GStwin and a very respectable motorcycle with good resale value. The GS500 should not be priced anywhere near $1000 of this machine. :cookoo:
S50 BLVD ($6499). This is an 800cc watercooled, 4-valve per cyl, shaft drive cruiser with loads of style. :thumb:
DR650 ($5099). This versatile dual-purpose thumper is lighter, thinner, and faster than the GStwin. 8)
And from th competition....
Ninja 500R ($5049). A little less money, a lot more horsepower. Enuff said. 8)
Ninja 650R ($6399). If you like the GS500 you would
love this bike. This is an up-to-date GS500. :bowdown:
Vulcan 500LTD ($4999). Like all the others listed, a better motorcycle for the money. 8)
Take a look at all these before you plunk down your hard earned money at your Suzuki dealer. It's too much money to not weigh your options carefully. Consider buying a used GS500 for thousands less as well. :cheers:
Good point Gisser, the GS500 is a great tried and true bike, and used you cannot beat the bang fer buck.
But Brand new? I would never recommend someone to buy a GS500 for the price they go for new (Well, or a Ninja 500 for that matter). And the choices he listed are very good(well, except I don't like the Ninja 500), the SV650 new is a GREAT buy as is the EX650 (Ninja 650r). Honestly, I really, REALLY would love to find an EX650 that some newb dropped and scratched up the plastics and turn it into a dual headlight streetfighter. The black with the red frame is GORGEOUS. And I like the ergos and engine, it really is like a hopped up GS.
Kick in $2K over the price of a new GS and you can buy a left over 06 cbr600f4i off the showroom floor, better engine handling suspension and you won't outgrow it any time soon. If you have to stay in that price range look at the sv but I just hate the way friggen twins run personally. My wife is 10x happier on the F4i than she was on a gs. If you just have to have a beater pos then buy a used gs. There's too much out there better if your going to buy brand new.
I Dont No If Its Just Me , But 19 , One Years Lieince Holding , If i tryed to get insured on any 600 they laughed and gave me like a £2000 - bout 3700 dollar quote, a joke , the GS500 . A Modest 500 Pounds, 900 Bucks Or So , I Chose The Gs On Looks, Looks Like A Little Beast , And i Was upgrading From A Tzr 125 , Sounds Good , Handles Good , And Smokes Almost Every Single Car On The Road , And At Petrol 1 Pound, 1.85 US , A LITRE . yes Thats Right A LITRE!! . Its Good On Petrol , Even With Mods,
Its A Winner Overall ,
Jay
I wish I had video of my track day at the big track at Willow Springs Int'l Raceway.
I had a Pilot Road up front, and a Pilot Activ (I didn't have a choice, had to run this as I got a flat while loading up the bike the night prior) in the back. One of the sessions, I headed out first and took one lap to get my tires warmed up, and then just let 'er rip. 10/10ths, balls to the wall as fast as possible.
Now...there were 4 Ducati litre superbikes, 4 control riders that race in the Expert class on 600s, and my co-workers on a 600RR and '02 GSXR1000. My bike has Progressive springs and 15WT oil up front, stock (worthless) shock in the back, clip-ons, Yosh pipe/K&N Pods (rejetted). I had it fairly stripped down, no headlight or brackets up front, and no centerstand.
It took 5 laps for the first control rider to catch and pass me, and only 8 people out of the 30 that were in the 30 minute session ever got by me. This, my first time riding at a track advertised as "The fastest road in the west". I lapped all of the other 500s there, and 2 of the Ducatis. Remember, my tires were commuter tires, at street pressure.
It's all in your mind, not the bike's fault.
I don't think it's a bad thing for the GS500 to have a reputation for being an Entry Level motorcycle. Doesn't slight it as being slow or underpowered -- as others have said it depends on how it is ridden. Also depends on what you are looking for in a bike, and how much it is worth to you.
I bought my GS500 to get into motorcycling. It allows you to learn throttle and brake control without having mistakes cause wheelies or stoppies. It's relatively light and comfortable for a wide range of riders.
As others have said, the GS500 can do a great many things. It does have some flaws -- suspension could be better, fuel injection would be nice -- but it holds up well to abuse and in my opinion is as fun to ride as any motorcycle that could pull your arms out of their sockets.
I like a bike that doesn't cost alot to buy and insure, gets great gas mileage, and helps me be a better rider by letting me learn at my own pace. I could have upgraded a couple of years back but this GS500 has gotten under my skin. Have started running some 2K higher on the tach and it brings out a whole new personality.
Ride what you like, not what someone else like you to ride. :)
On second thought I may have been too negative in my assessment of the comparative value of a showroom new GS500F--which should be seen as a $4399 bike with an $800 fairing. This may be the least expensive motorcycle available with a sportbike fairing (I consider the Ninja 500 fairing to be non-functional cosmetic bodywork) for those who demand that feature. In that light, the Ninja 650 may be the only competition within $1500 that doesn't sport the nickname can-o-tuna. :icon_rolleyes: Fairings are nice for those chilly early morning commutes. :thumb:
No-one likes to hear negative comments about their bikes but what cant be deinied is the fact the GS5 is something of a dinosaur. Its design is almost 20 years old now and the engine has been around a lot longer. Suzuki have dropped it in most parts of Europe due to emission regulations and poor sales brought about by increased competion and superiour alternatives. It must be on borrowed time in other parts of the world.
Would I buy one new??? no way, If I had that sort of cash to spend there are plenty of good used 2/3 year old bikes about that offer far more in the way of performance, style, handling image etc for the same price. However it has to be said the GS5 is a cheap bike and a good choice for a learner/1st bike, its probably why it has survived for so long.
[5
I know its old tech, even low tech, but the 2007 GS500 is a blast to ride. I think its a great all around bike. This one is my first 500, but it fits in between my kawasaki KZ440 LTD (custom bobber/barhopper) and my Kawasaki GPz 550. My GS550 was cool but a 4 cylinder, totally different different bike.
We cant really compare it to those bikes, look at other twins. The fine tunings over the years have made this bike a main stay in our riding community. I think that it will receive an exhaust/emmision upgrade within the next few model years.
As far as fast, I rode east on I-40 at an average speed of 100. Ive topped it out, me not the bike, at 125.
We all know what opinions are like, but I feel some people dont give this bike a chance.
Quote from: Wrecent_Wryder on May 20, 2007, 04:21:57 AM
QuoteRide what you like, not what someone else like you to ride. :)
Most riders.. most PEOPLE are just not that secure.
You have to wonder why guys like the ones above just don't get another GS, if they enjoyed it more than what they're riding now. I think it's mostly peer pressure.
I'm not sure what my next bike will be, but the "fun" factor will be a big part of my decision. It's not like there are a whole lot of other reasons to be out there on two wheels instead of four.
I think you're right on with this. Many are goated to pick a bike based on emotion rather than well thought-out reasoning. I've seen the process in motion.
In the climate I'm in a motorcycle is a seasonal form of transportation. I ride it for the smile it places on my face, a result of the enjoyment just being out there on a bike seems to bring on me.
Ride on safely...
I enjoyed the 80k miles I put on the 97 GS so much that I bought another one. The 02 GS has 48k miles on it now.
Not only do I still respect the GS500, but a lot of other riders around here have come to respect it too! :thumb:
The 97 GS is gone now, it is being used again by another rider.
[q5
the gs a slow bike . . . . maybe , but anything to fast and i would get carried away and i have a family now . Ive had super fast bikes in the past and at my grand age i feel safer that it's not a bullet .
Quote from: Wrecent_Wryder on May 20, 2007, 09:46:34 AMIt wouldn't have bothered me if the GS had carb ticklers, a fully-manual petcock, compression release and a kick starter. As it is, those are things I'll probably never experience now, and that's sort of sad.. I wish I had started earlier.
I don't miss kick starters. They suck! LOL
Kick Starts Are Great, On my first bike , i had one , if it didnt start on the button , or uve drained ur battery, Just Kick It :P
Quote from: Johnny5 on May 20, 2007, 04:05:05 PM
Quote from: Wrecent_Wryder on May 20, 2007, 09:46:34 AMIt wouldn't have bothered me if the GS had carb ticklers, a fully-manual petcock, compression release and a kick starter. As it is, those are things I'll probably never experience now, and that's sort of sad.. I wish I had started earlier.
I don't miss kick starters. They suck! LOL
Ahmen!!!! I don't miss kickstarting my CB750F with the cobra motor kit in it.....The least little weather change since the last carb tuning and the biotch hated to start.