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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: ROD gs rider on November 03, 2007, 07:54:33 AM

Title: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: ROD gs rider on November 03, 2007, 07:54:33 AM
hello my friends it's a long time since i posted here anyway here's my question which model or year you think it's the best suzuki has to offer and if it is esay to keep them running and maintain ??? thanks  ;)
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: The Buddha on November 03, 2007, 09:30:09 AM
This is sooooo complicated, OK its not.
Pre 04 has no plastic. Pre 01 had a tail and tank that dont hit the ground when dropped.
Pre 96 was made a wee bit better internally (like gear position switches that had 6 pegs instead of 1 etc ...) Pre 90 had clip on's.
I'd do 95 and earlier with an eye on clip on's when people post them for sale, or heck like GSJack or Kerry you may want higher rise and say screw the clip on's.
89 motors are supposedly harder to get out due to the removable link in the frame being in a different spot. However we struggled with a 95 and a 96 and I did a 93 GR swap like it was nothing with the thing horizontal. Maybe a bunch of hooey that 89 being harder.
Look for rust and overall maintenance, waaaaay more important than year.
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: Affschnozel on November 03, 2007, 10:18:20 AM
Well that one is easy it's the 97 model   :icon_rolleyes:  and it has the  clip ons as well
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: Kerry on November 03, 2007, 10:40:18 AM
Quote from: Affschnozel on November 03, 2007, 10:18:20 AM[...] the 97 model [...] has the  clip ons as well

Oh?  You must be in Europe.  In the US, only the '89 model was sold with clip-ons.  (http://bbburma.net/Smilies/dunno_black.gif)
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: Affschnozel on November 03, 2007, 10:50:28 AM
Yeah it's a euro model ,and it's got that not so likable IMO spanish made full fairing ,that a 1/4 of which you see in my avatar

I make plans to go naked with some dual headlight setup maybe...
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: GeeP on November 03, 2007, 11:40:24 AM
The best year GS-E is the year you own.  They're all about the same, all will last you at least 80,000 miles.  All you need to do is pick a color.   ;)
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: Affschnozel on November 03, 2007, 11:50:41 AM
Exactly ! That's what I was saying the 97 is the best !  :laugh:

But I still wish I got the model with the fuel gauge , darn it !  :icon_mrgreen:
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: ROD gs rider on November 04, 2007, 08:27:14 AM
thanks for the help  because i want to start lessons for the linsence and i love to start ride the gs-e and learn more . :thumb:
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: bobthebiker on November 04, 2007, 09:55:06 AM
They're all excellent bikes, PROVIDED you take care of them.   mine seems to leak oil somewhere and I havent figured it out yet.
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: warpzone on November 04, 2007, 04:29:49 PM
Quote from: seshadri_srinath on November 03, 2007, 09:30:09 AM

Pre 01 had a tail and tank that dont hit the ground when dropped.


Damn am I glad I have a '94, then! I thought I was just getting lucky.   ;)
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: kml.krk on November 04, 2007, 08:07:45 PM
2004 of course!!
it's the first model with fairings, it's jetting is better than previous models, midpipe is wider in diameter, and most important: it comes in Yellow which is most visible of all colors  :thumb:
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: Chuck on November 05, 2007, 03:09:38 PM
I was going to say 2001, because it has the 3 circuit carbs, but without the fairings and useless extra vacuum thingies. (Emissions crap?)
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: recursive_name on November 05, 2007, 10:47:44 PM
+1 for 2004!  Although I confess that's just because it's my bike.  The pre/post-2004 divide really comes down to personal preference, as the addition of fairings dramatically changes the look of the bike (and dramatically changes the expense of dropping it...)  I think it looks good both ways, but I can see why some folks really prefer one or the other.
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: kml.krk on November 06, 2007, 11:05:25 AM
Quote from: Chuck on November 05, 2007, 03:09:38 PM
I was going to say 2001, because it has the 3 circuit carbs, but without the fairings and useless extra vacuum thingies. (Emissions crap?)
As far as I know the "emmissions crap" is added mostly in CA models to meet the CA emmision standards.
There are some extra vacuum hoses in 2004 but I think they were added before the faired version (to all models with 3 circuit carbs (since 2001 propably dunno for sure tho))
cheers
KaMeL
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: Chuck on November 06, 2007, 11:07:32 AM
My 2001 has a single vacuum hose to the petcock.  I have a 2006 carb with an octopus of vacuum hoses.  I don't know what happened in between. 
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: The Buddha on November 06, 2007, 04:32:13 PM
OK screw ya all ... arguing over trivia ... 89 is the best. Aluminum linkage and triple clamps that went on forever ... yea like the Humphrey Gocart movies with women whose "and legs that went on forever"
In case any of y'all come up with some witty sheiete I'll counter that too with more 89 stuff.
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: Chuck on November 06, 2007, 04:34:21 PM
As usual, I'm awed and baffled.
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: pandy on November 06, 2007, 04:45:53 PM
Quote from: GeeP on November 03, 2007, 11:40:24 AM
The best year GS-E is the year you own. 

:thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :laugh:
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: The Antibody on November 07, 2007, 05:01:22 AM
'02 was the best. Why? This was the last year before the production scare. The Gs's value increased dramatically (2-5%) briefly, and the '02 was the the newest, the greatest, the flagship. Then they made all the plastic. Ewe, I just threw up in my mouth a little. Also... I own one.

  -Anti  8)
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: WREX on November 07, 2007, 09:19:28 AM
Quote from: Chuck on November 06, 2007, 04:34:21 PM
As usual, I'm awed and baffled.

LOL  :laugh:  it's true.  He is the master and the maniac all in one - go srinath  :thumb:
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: Dan02GS on November 07, 2007, 10:49:34 AM
I liked the" one you own" answer that is great, but I have a unfaired 02 GS500Ek2 with all the emissions hoses. I think emission controls is in the future for all states, I dont agree with it, especially when I live next to one of the most polluted unregulated shipping lanes in the US. But CA is usually the first state, then the rest follow, maybe because of all the lawyers here I dont know :dunno_white: We will probably be the first state to have to smog our bikes as well :cookoo: For you out there who have taken your emission controls off in CA well.....Personally I think the pre 00 models. But I like the answer that is most spirited....MINE :thumb:
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: lancemclaughlin on November 07, 2007, 11:30:31 AM
i know the question is about the "E" models, but i prefer the post 04 f's (which basically become E's when you remove the plastics). all i can say is "black frame."
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: Kurlon on November 07, 2007, 02:49:53 PM
Quote from: seshadri_srinath on November 06, 2007, 04:32:13 PM89 is the best. Aluminum linkage

Ah ha!  More items to find for my Production Twins racer... a lighter linkage off an 89!
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: bubba zanetti on November 07, 2007, 02:51:09 PM
I'd have to say that the '93 is the best, cause thats what I've got.  :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: toyopete on November 07, 2007, 04:38:03 PM
Stop dreaming 2002 is best,..
always starts never lets you down doesn't mis a beat even if you put diesel in it,..( never tried though )
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: The Buddha on November 07, 2007, 04:45:05 PM
Quote from: Kurlon on November 07, 2007, 02:49:53 PM
Quote from: seshadri_srinath on November 06, 2007, 04:32:13 PM89 is the best. Aluminum linkage

Ah ha!  More items to find for my Production Twins racer... a lighter linkage off an 89!

Oh yea ... the steel linkage weighs like 65 lbs. Aluminum is like 6 grams. Yea.
BTW, you upgrade the shock, the steel linkage will need a deep clevise shock unless you grind up the linkage a little. That is the real advantage of the aluminum clevise.
The headlight ears are aluminum as is fork brace on an 89. Later ones are cheap ass steel.
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: bubba zanetti on November 07, 2007, 04:46:05 PM
Quote from: toyopete on November 07, 2007, 04:38:03 PM
Stop dreaming 2002 is best,..
always starts never lets you down doesn't mis a beat even if you put diesel in it,..( never tried though )

They stuffed up the bikes this century, went and put a crap load of ugly plastic on it.  :laugh:
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: Jay_wolf on November 07, 2007, 06:32:12 PM
How about 96? Charcoal Frame and Wheels  :thumb:
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: bubba zanetti on November 07, 2007, 07:34:22 PM
Quote from: Jay_wolf on November 07, 2007, 06:32:12 PM
How about 96? Charcoal Frame and Wheels  :thumb:

:flipoff: :flipoff:

What colour is your bike, Jay. I'll be respraying mine during my chrissy holidays and your bike colour is one of them that I'm thinking of.
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: Jay_wolf on November 07, 2007, 11:19:09 PM
At the moment . Black Belly pan , black headlight , black undertray , one charcoal wheel , one silver wheel . 1990 GSX front Fender Blue

and the 1996 Standerd Green/Blue colour....

haha , its why i neeeed it painted and the silver 4.5 inch rear wheel to replace the charcoal wheel , but i havent bothered fitting it yet, Probs midnight blue ,. but as i got blue bolts , i wanna try and match it , im sure my colours on the wiki ,under 1995/1996  :thumb:
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: Kurlon on November 12, 2007, 01:17:08 PM
Quote from: seshadri_srinath on November 07, 2007, 04:45:05 PMOh yea ... the steel linkage weighs like 65 lbs. Aluminum is like 6 grams. Yea.
BTW, you upgrade the shock, the steel linkage will need a deep clevise shock unless you grind up the linkage a little. That is the real advantage of the aluminum clevise.
The headlight ears are aluminum as is fork brace on an 89. Later ones are cheap ass steel.
Cool.
Srinath.

Heh, it's not much, but when you're restricted to back/updating from all years of one model for production class racing, and those are the ONLY mods you can make... well, every little bit helps. : )  I'll have to snag some headlight ears too.

Not sure what I'm going to do on the fork brace front... The EX500 racers hate the braces, they even remove the stock one and run fenderless, the claim is any form of bracing induces chatter in a couple of the faster turns at Loudon.  Given they run similar geometry and 37mm fork tubes as well... I'm curious if the GS responds the same way.
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: yamahonkawazuki on November 13, 2007, 11:16:16 PM
Quote from: Affschnozel on November 03, 2007, 11:50:41 AM
Exactly ! That's what I was saying the 97 is the best !  :laugh:

But I still wish I got the model with the fuel gauge , darn it !  :icon_mrgreen:
i agree. i had a '97, and a '92, and a ( for a week) '90 the '97 was awesome . far superior to any of teh others which are the same essentially  :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: best year/model gs-e 500
Post by: The Buddha on November 14, 2007, 02:19:27 PM
Quote from: Kurlon on November 12, 2007, 01:17:08 PM
Quote from: seshadri_srinath on November 07, 2007, 04:45:05 PMOh yea ... the steel linkage weighs like 65 lbs. Aluminum is like 6 grams. Yea.
BTW, you upgrade the shock, the steel linkage will need a deep clevise shock unless you grind up the linkage a little. That is the real advantage of the aluminum clevise.
The headlight ears are aluminum as is fork brace on an 89. Later ones are cheap ass steel.
Cool.
Srinath.

Heh, it's not much, but when you're restricted to back/updating from all years of one model for production class racing, and those are the ONLY mods you can make... well, every little bit helps. : )  I'll have to snag some headlight ears too.

Not sure what I'm going to do on the fork brace front... The EX500 racers hate the braces, they even remove the stock one and run fenderless, the claim is any form of bracing induces chatter in a couple of the faster turns at Loudon.  Given they run similar geometry and 37mm fork tubes as well... I'm curious if the GS responds the same way.

On the street - never, I would cardoard index and drill it so its a tight fit, not the egged bolt hole fit like stock. Its nothing but firm and nice ...
Cool.
Srinath.