Since everyone is always talking about how much they love the GS, tell me what you don't like about it.
No matter what you do to it, the little GS is still underpowered. The gauges/controls could be jazzed up a bit too.
And the horrible graphics on the early models.
Quote from: octaneAnd the horrible graphics on the early models.
what you don't like the tiger stripe graphics :lol:
the fact that mine is broken :bs: :guns:
The stock tires are made of rubber dog shaZam! (I'm not joking they are!); the front forks are mush; oh that thing that doesn't work right under the seat called a fuel petcock. They have the most beautiful rear fender I have ever seen! It really makes the rear tire look bigger. :bs: Rear shock is too soft unless you weigh 100 lbs. It's jetted way too lean (I guess whitened spark plugs on a stock motor are good?) Other than that it's great. :thumb:
Im just starting to LIKE my gs...whatchu talkum bout willis~ :?
hehe, its just starting to run right... and im actually haveing fun now.
But if i had to say, it would be headlight, gauges, lack of fairing, handlebars being too cruiserish, and the front part of the frame in front of the motor.. makes the bike like wussy in that one area. Otherwise the rest of the frame is hott! :thumb:
Needs to be moded = bad
Can be modded and cheap = good
Things I didn't like about my GS but have since been corrected:
Wind protection
Front springs
Rear shock
Uneven throttle response. Mine had already been rejetted (but I rejetted again when I got a K&N clamp-on and full exhaust).
Things that I don't like about the GS and I am about to fix:
Unreliable vacuum opporated fuel petcock.
Things that I don't like about the GS and can't fix:
No stock size tires in radials.
Might eventually go with a bigger rear rim but that mainly depends on how well I end up liking the Sport Demons that I'm going to put on after my long haul to Branson and how cheaply I and find a rear wheel for the swap.
Quote from: Black SnowmanNeeds to be moded = bad
Can be modded and cheap = good
Things I didn't like about my GS but have since been corrected:
Wind protection
Front springs
Rear shock
Uneven throttle response. Mine had already been rejetted (but I rejetted again when I got a K&N clamp-on and full exhaust).
Things that I don't like about the GS and I am about to fix:
Unreliable vacuum opporated fuel petcock.
Things that I don't like about the GS and can't fix:
No stock size tires in radials.
Might eventually go with a bigger rear rim but that mainly depends on how well I end up liking the Sport Demons that I'm going to put on after my long haul to Branson and how cheaply I and find a rear wheel for the swap.
Hey man, i LOVE my Avon azaro's.. the rear is a 140/80/17 i believe. Why dont you give it a shot? About 100 bucks, awesome grip and handling, killer looks and its a radial! :thumb:
The Avon's are a Radial? I didn't know that. I already have the Demons in my living room so the Avon's will have to wait a few thousand miles ;)
Stock+
Springs
Shock
Chop that damned rear to the seat!
Mirrors
My tires I can live with until they expire.
Lean stinks a little (verry little on my '02) but mileage rocks.
What I COULD do (but don't need to as the GS I have now kicks ass)?
GSXR 750 USD front end & GSX-R front wheel wheel
Tokico 6-pot front caliper
Braided front brake line
400 Bandit rear wheel
Michelin Pilot Sport - Front 120/60ZR17 Rear 150/60ZR17
GSXR 750 adjustable shock
Carbon slip-on
K&N Filter
Re-Jet Kit
Carbon Fiber Monster Fairing
Buell turn signals front and rear
Bandit 400 Hugger
GSXR Passenger Peg Brackets
Suburban Machinery Type 2 Bars
Most of "why it's cool" is that I CAN do the above to it.
How boring would it be to be square with a bike that wants nothing?
Quote from: bbanjoStock+
What I COULD do (but don't need to as the GS I have now kicks ass)?
GSXR 750 USD front end & GSX-R front wheel wheel
Tokico 6-pot front caliper
Braided front brake line
400 Bandit rear wheel
Michelin Pilot Sport - Front 120/60ZR17 Rear 150/60ZR17
GSXR 750 adjustable shock
Carbon slip-on
K&N Filter
Re-Jet Kit
Carbon Fiber Monster Fairing
Buell turn signals front and rear
Bandit 400 Hugger
GSXR Passenger Peg Brackets
Suburban Machinery Type 2 Bars
Or for about the same money and a lot less time buy a used SuperSport and have all that plus a lot more power ;)
Not that I'm much of one to talk. I've put a lot of money into my little GS. I don't often find myself wanting more power. Just that I'm in the wrong gear :oops:
QuoteGSXR 750 USD front end & GSX-R front wheel wheel
Tokico 6-pot front caliper
Braided front brake line
400 Bandit rear wheel
Michelin Pilot Sport - Front 120/60ZR17 Rear 150/60ZR17
GSXR 750 adjustable shock
Carbon slip-on
K&N Filter
Re-Jet Kit
Carbon Fiber Monster Fairing
Buell turn signals front and rear
Bandit 400 Hugger
GSXR Passenger Peg Brackets
Suburban Machinery Type 2 Bars
Somebody's been spending a lot of time in Pablo's site :nana:
My personal favorites are the stock turn signals that look like yard sticks with oranges stuck on the ends of them, and the brick size rubber foot pegs, real cool. Oh well, for the money and the fun you cant bet the GS. :thumb:
There's nothing really wrong with that the GS is. It is a budget, entry level bike. And as such it will have budget suspension, tires etc. just like any other budget bike. It will also have stuff most US bikes have (lean jetting, etc).
Accepted for what it is the GS is quite a good little bike. Some niggling problems and some areas for improvement but all in all a good ride. I'm enjoying riding the shaZam! out of mine in the canyons.
Its not the bike...its the rider.
besides, all the "niggling problem" can also be seen as opportunities to improve your bike by working on it yourself.
Quote from: Black Snowman
Or for about the same money and a lot less time buy a used SuperSport and have all that plus a lot more power ;)
Not that I'm much of one to talk. I've put a lot of money into my little GS. I don't often find myself wanting more power. Just that I'm in the wrong gear :oops:
OK My first GS cost me $800 back in 95, my second cost me $900 in 98, and my third was 550. Say I spend $500 modding them (a huge number that $500 cos I did it all super cheap - but of course I dont have GSXR USD on it and heve never sent it to a shop)...Lemme see where I can get a supersport (meaning modern 600 right) for $1400 or less. Cheap to mod, huge knowledge base thanks to John and over the years Michael Moore, and Joris and Munnin and of course Pablo You never have to look far to fix it. My vulcan and virago 535 and all others (except the eli's and KZ440) have no support. Stoopid suzuki should have realized they have a harley/hawk style following here and tried working with the bike to make somehting of it. A more cruiserish baby triumph Bonneville america would have made sense too in fact instead of killing it.
Cool.
Srinath.
Damn Srinath I wish I could have found deals like that. Not counting consumables (tires, oil, filters, gas, etc . . . ) I probably have almost $3000 into mine. I don't like to keep exact track. It's bad for me ;) Of course it has been crashed once and dropped twice.
OK, I'll go over it anyway.
Lets see:
1992 GS500E w/ 4800 miles, targa fairing, and small rear turn signals $2,000.00
Bar ends $12.00
Braided steel brake lines $100.00
Brake levers (from crash and drops) $40.00
Cargo net $10.00
Case guards $53.00
Center stand (missing) $22.00
Clutch and throttle cable $35.00
Fuel filter and line $8.00
Fuel line "Y" fitting $3.00
Fuel valves $30.00
Gasket $13.00
Grips $8.00
Handle bars $22.00
High-temp paint $8.00
K&N filter and kit $150.00
LED tail light $37.00
Mirrors $15.00
National Cycle F-15 windscreen $70.00
O-rings $3.00
Progressive springs: $65.00
Rear shock with materials for mods $90.00
Replacement gauges (crash) $85.00
Sprockets $53.00
Used exhaust w/shipping and matrials to clean up the rust $150.00
Exhaust gaskets $14.00
Total: $3,096.00
And once you start on all the racing level mods (engine internals and USD forks, bodywork, etc . . . ) it's pretty easy to go over the $3500 I routinely see SS bikes from the mid 90s go for.
Of course the experiance I've gained riding and working on my GS has been invaluable and I'd do everything the same if I had to do it over.
man, the only thing i really don't like about my GS is that it doesn't pull hard btw 5-8rpm's. i wish there was a cheap fix for that. i really don't want to spend $300+ for a jet kit, filter, & exhaust -i'd rather spend it on new tires.
but i do love riding the bike hard. it's soooo much fun wringing the sh*t out of this bike. it pulls pretty good above 8 & the brakes aren't bad either...
For low RPM grunt a pipe, filter, jet, etc won't help. In fact it might hurt you. About the only thing you can do for low-end power is the ignition advancer.
Quote from: octaneAnd the horrible graphics on the early models.
They designers where still in the 80's :)
Quote from: Black SnowmanFor low RPM grunt a pipe, filter, jet, etc won't help. In fact it might hurt you. About the only thing you can do for low-end power is the ignition advancer.
and a smaller front sprocket (15t instead of 16t)
the only problem i have with the gs is that it's starting to feel small. not in power or performence necesarily, but just in physical mass. i'm about 6'3" and 225 or so and it just feels tiny. i sit on bigger sport bikes and even on cruisers and i just feel better. the tank on the gs is pretty narrow (especially on pre 01 models), the seats are kind of narrow, and without a fairing or anything it just seems really small. however, the positives of it as a first bike far outway preference in bikes size. i'm still glad i got it as my first bike, but a change would be nice sometime. even if i did get a bigger bike, if i could spare the cash, i would still keep the gs around.
I like the fact the bike is small... course thats cause I am. ;)
The color schemes and designs totally suck thats for sure. But I love the blue that mine is- just get rid of that pink stripe!
I think the bike is underpowered... a bit more zip would be nice...
A better rear shock that is easier to adjust.
It would be nice if it CAME with a 1/2 fairing.
Those signals... they look like clubs for goodness sake!
The stock seat... maybe I need more fat- but geez louise man.. ouch!
The handlebars... maybe the supersport bars would be better... a little lower but not too low.
Mirrors-
Better sounding exhaust...
Headlight- dual headlight would rock...
oh- and a gas gage please! :mrgreen:
Gosh sounds like I don't like my bike... but I do I do! I swear I do! :mrgreen: Course I have changes at least half og it... the other half I am mulling over. Must have a cash limit for each years mods. I think I have exceeded my limit this year already!
Some of you guys talk about lack of a fairing, lack of power. If you wanted fairing, then buy a bike with fairing. If you want more power, then why did you buy a 483cc bike. As a beginner? Ok then upgrade to a larger bike. I bought the GS500 because of all these things. It's just what I was looking for.
-Anti
Quote from: Black SnowmanFor low RPM grunt a pipe, filter, jet, etc won't help. In fact it might hurt you. About the only thing you can do for low-end power is the ignition advancer.
cool ...cuz i just ordered one today. ETA 8/25.
Quote from: lloydbanksQuote from: Black SnowmanFor low RPM grunt a pipe, filter, jet, etc won't help. In fact it might hurt you. About the only thing you can do for low-end power is the ignition advancer.
cool ...cuz i just ordered one today. ETA 8/25.
ordered one?
V&H dont make an Ignition advancer.. Bob Bussard Patent Pending V&H clone is the only one that I know...
But your going to have to wait in Q for it to be your turn. I believe bob is getting swamped.
I got mine from bob today.
Quote from: pantabloQuote from: Black SnowmanFor low RPM grunt a pipe, filter, jet, etc won't help. In fact it might hurt you. About the only thing you can do for low-end power is the ignition advancer.
and a smaller front sprocket (15t instead of 16t)
i'll give that a shot too -thanks.
Nobody mentioned the sssslowwwwwww warm up. I'm almost at work before it starts pulling strong.
Pillion ride (Brit-talk for 2-up) is uncomfortable.
Springs.
Other than that, beaucoup bang for the buck.
im sending bob an extra one :mrgreen: ... so im butting in line.
Quote from: The_good_guyQuote from: lloydbanksQuote from: Black SnowmanFor low RPM grunt a pipe, filter, jet, etc won't help. In fact it might hurt you. About the only thing you can do for low-end power is the ignition advancer.
cool ...cuz i just ordered one today. ETA 8/25.
ordered one?
V&H dont make an Ignition advancer.. Bob Bussard Patent Pending V&H clone is the only one that I know...
But your going to have to wait in Q for it to be your turn. I believe bob is getting swamped.
I got mine from bob today.
yeah i ordered one through
motoshop.net. they say they have some coming in on 8/25 ...unless they're f*&@ing with me.
http://www.motoshop.net/ignition.htm
Let us know if they really get them!
Quote from: snapperLet us know if they really get them!
most definitely.
Quote from: Black SnowmanDamn Srinath I wish I could have found deals like that. Not counting consumables (tires, oil, filters, gas, etc . . . ) I probably have almost $3000 into mine. I don't like to keep exact track. It's bad for me ;) Of course it has been crashed once and dropped twice.
OK, I'll go over it anyway.
Lets see:
1992 GS500E w/ 4800 miles, targa fairing, and small rear turn signals $2,000.00
Bar ends $12.00
Braided steel brake lines $100.00
Brake levers (from crash and drops) $40.00
Cargo net $10.00
Case guards $53.00
Center stand (missing) $22.00
Clutch and throttle cable $35.00
Fuel filter and line $8.00
Fuel line "Y" fitting $3.00
Fuel valves $30.00
Gasket $13.00
Grips $8.00
Handle bars $22.00
High-temp paint $8.00
K&N filter and kit $150.00
LED tail light $37.00
Mirrors $15.00
National Cycle F-15 windscreen $70.00
O-rings $3.00
Progressive springs: $65.00
Rear shock with materials for mods $90.00
Replacement gauges (crash) $85.00
Sprockets $53.00
Used exhaust w/shipping and matrials to clean up the rust $150.00
Exhaust gaskets $14.00
Total: $3,096.00
And once you start on all the racing level mods (engine internals and USD forks, bodywork, etc . . . ) it's pretty easy to go over the $3500 I routinely see SS bikes from the mid 90s go for.
Of course the experiance I've gained riding and working on my GS has been invaluable and I'd do everything the same if I had to do it over.
Hey that's not right....I dont count perishables, and I dont count crash repair. Upgrades and jetting etc I do count, seat upgrade etc also count.
OK My 89 has 2 extra large items. It cost $800 back in 95.
Corbin seat - 100 bux used and traded my seat.
Lindemann front end - 100 or so...they put in dustcovers and seals and at that time I would have had to pay someoone for that job. So the 180 they charged me was offset by the 80+ a seal job costs.
Other than that...
Pipe, filters and jetting - $100. - I had the exhaust fly off the first day I rode it...The bolt had come off and I noticed it but like a bone head didn't replace it and the welding cracked and the can disappeared on I 580.
Fork brace - $45.
Tail pack rack - $50.
Rear shock $25.
Disco lights $13 + $2 Both agruably due to crash, swapping body work, and being left with no T/S after a fender hack left me with no place to put it and mouse T/S's gone with the other body set and I didn't want to drill holes in the tail section.
powder coating assorted stuff...Well a lot of it had scratches etc...But $10...I paid like $100 for a big batch of stuff.
Steel braided front lines - $40 or so..
I have to think and see what else I did as just upgrades...8 years and 32K miles on it along with 3 crashed one of which I cashed in for $1400...I'd say the bike dont have $1400 in it.
I should say I have had some very good advice from my old mechanic and GSXR riding super smart friend, have had serious good fortune in buying parts both here and at wreckers, and have been very very tight fisted and have seen over priced jerk run stores unable to keep up payments and go out of business and show up on the last day and buy all the GS stuff dirt cheap etc...I dont yeild to temptation and I dont buy anything that I wont regret not using. Crash damage and mods were done right and on the cheap. However the $500 number is going to get blown up in the next mod I am making...16 inch rear wheel and belt drive. The bling bling bike is even cheaper on account of the fact it had a pipe in already, I can clean paper air filters, and the gel seat didn't require a seat in exchange.
Cool.
Srinath.