I didn't want to hijack Roy D's thread about buying a left over 2008 model. But this tangent came up and I'm too curious to let it go.
Fred, sorry to put you on the spot, but this is an interesting point you bring up, and I've picked up hints in other posts that you're not alone in your assessment:
"The dealers around here are all about selling people bigger bikes. It is as if they don't treat the GS as a "real" motorcycle. They're happy to sell you a scooter or a GSXR 600, but I think they don't really know what to do with the GS. The dealer I go to for parts usually only has one GS sitting way off in a corner of the lot pretty far away from the other street bikes and close to the dirt bikes and scooters... They also never ever have any GS parts in stock, which leads me to believe they don't think the GS is important enough to actually have things on hand for fixing them. I'm talking about simple parts too, like oil filter cover gaskets, they never have them and always have to order them. They also don't stock any valve shims, which means there is an annoying 3 day wait every time I need to change a shim (although I'm working on avoiding that all together by learning how to make my own, but that's a different story). One more parting piece of evidence: when I ordered a new rear tire for my GS, the lady on the phone said "so, this is a front tire, right?" and then was amazed there were bikes out there that used such a small rear tire..."
Don't get me wrong. I take it as a point of pride that after being away form motorcycling for 14 years, I come back attracted to the very sort of machine that apparently defies conventional wisdom. But I have to ask: is the GS500 really such a stretch from the norm?
As far as horsepower and acceleration are concerned it is way different. Assuming the norm is a 600+ I4 crotch rocket.
yep top speed on a gs is like 2nd or 3rd gear on a 600+ bike. kids dont want a little old gs500f i know a high school kid bought his first bike last year he got a YZF600 this year he already bought a newer bigger bike why? because he out grew that little bike. i really wish honda and suzuki would come out with a 250 sport bike like the ninja i would buy one for my wife in a heart beat and it would bring the price of the ninja down.
It's not so much that they don't respect the GS500 as a cycle. It's simple numbers. They sell lots more GSXRs and they make far more profit on those more expensive bikes. They probably also sell more parts for them (one squid can destroy lots of parts), so they keep more of those in stock.
We're a small market bike. We're underpowered, old technology. BUT it's a great bike to learn on, it's fast enough in the hands of a good rider, it's FUN to ride. What more does one need?
hmm depends on the dealer, I think for the most part you are right. but we have a couple dealers around here that welcome the gs , one even owns a track back that is you guessed it a older gs500. there are a decent bit of parts in stock and they always love to talk about my gs when I come in. I guess for the money when you are looking at a brand new bike, why not spend the little bit extra and buy the bigger bike? I am not really a fan of the new GS500 I dont think it was a wise decision to put fairings on it. they should have gone with the naked deal or I think they are on the right track with the new gladius .
to be honest if I didnt own a bike and I went into the dealer to buy a new one, the GS would not be on my list. not because its not a great bike. maybe if it was the way it looked years ago yea but I am not a fan of it new. plus modefying it voids warranty and all that crap.
GS500's are the number 1 selling model in Australia atm :woohoo:
Quote from: Susuki_Jah on February 11, 2009, 01:46:42 PM
hmm depends on the dealer, I think for the most part you are right. but we have a couple dealers around here that welcome the gs , one even owns a track back that is you guessed it a older gs500. there are a decent bit of parts in stock and they always love to talk about my gs when I come in. I guess for the money when you are looking at a brand new bike, why not spend the little bit extra and buy the bigger bike? I am not really a fan of the new GS500 I dont think it was a wise decision to put fairings on it. they should have gone with the naked deal or I think they are on the right track with the new gladius .
to be honest if I didnt own a bike and I went into the dealer to buy a new one, the GS would not be on my list. not because its not a great bike. maybe if it was the way it looked years ago yea but I am not a fan of it new. plus modefying it voids warranty and all that crap.
Aww, I want to go to your dealer.
The most annoying thing people ask me is if the GS can go on the freeway. As if it might be so underpowered it might not go 65... Happens all the time.
Quote from: fred on February 11, 2009, 04:17:38 PM
Quote from: Susuki_Jah on February 11, 2009, 01:46:42 PM
hmm depends on the dealer, I think for the most part you are right. but we have a couple dealers around here that welcome the gs , one even owns a track back that is you guessed it a older gs500. there are a decent bit of parts in stock and they always love to talk about my gs when I come in. I guess for the money when you are looking at a brand new bike, why not spend the little bit extra and buy the bigger bike? I am not really a fan of the new GS500 I dont think it was a wise decision to put fairings on it. they should have gone with the naked deal or I think they are on the right track with the new gladius .
to be honest if I didnt own a bike and I went into the dealer to buy a new one, the GS would not be on my list. not because its not a great bike. maybe if it was the way it looked years ago yea but I am not a fan of it new. plus modefying it voids warranty and all that crap.
Aww, I want to go to your dealer.
The most annoying thing people ask me is if the GS can go on the freeway. As if it might be so underpowered it might not go 65... Happens all the time.
haha the GS can go faster than most cars are governed too so what are those silly fools thinking!
Quote from: galahs on February 11, 2009, 03:43:25 PM
GS500's are the number 1 selling model in Australia atm :woohoo:
really ? wow. where did you pull that info ? cool.
Quote from: Majorhavoc on February 11, 2009, 01:28:11 PM
I didn't want to hijack Roy D's thread about buying a left over 2008 model. But this tangent came up and I'm too curious to let it go.
Fred, sorry to put you on the spot, but this is an interesting point you bring up, and I've picked up hints in other posts that you're not alone in your assessment:
"The dealers around here are all about selling people bigger bikes. It is as if they don't treat the GS as a "real" motorcycle. They're happy to sell you a scooter or a GSXR 600, but I think they don't really know what to do with the GS. The dealer I go to for parts usually only has one GS sitting way off in a corner of the lot pretty far away from the other street bikes and close to the dirt bikes and scooters... They also never ever have any GS parts in stock, which leads me to believe they don't think the GS is important enough to actually have things on hand for fixing them. I'm talking about simple parts too, like oil filter cover gaskets, they never have them and always have to order them. They also don't stock any valve shims, which means there is an annoying 3 day wait every time I need to change a shim (although I'm working on avoiding that all together by learning how to make my own, but that's a different story). One more parting piece of evidence: when I ordered a new rear tire for my GS, the lady on the phone said "so, this is a front tire, right?" and then was amazed there were bikes out there that used such a small rear tire..."
Don't get me wrong. I take it as a point of pride that after being away form motorcycling for 14 years, I come back attracted to the very sort of machine that apparently defies conventional wisdom. But I have to ask: is the GS500 really such a stretch from the norm?
My real take ? They don't love motorcycling. I've met bicycle dealers that are in good shape, will race occasionally, but don't have that glint in their eye. You know the one I mean. "New Rider" eyes. Happy, full of expectations, full of dreams of riding into the sunset with some chick... all the fun stuff you fantasize about before you own a bike. :)
Where did it go ? Maybe those 1400CC bikes blew it away. Maybe all the long days and nights trying to over-sell pimply kids with daddy's plastic ? Maybe they just don't give a shaZam! anymore because of other reasons ?
I'd bet there are a few dealers (owners) that still love to ride. I mean love - like LOVE to put the gear on, thumb the starter and even wait for the bike to warm up. LOVE - like can't wait for their first "hey there biker!" wave of the day.
Now and again I'll get that "f%$k I LOVE THIS MACHINE !" feeling... love the waves, love the kids hanging half out of a car to hear my pipe.
There is so much to love about two wheels. I'll settle to just enjoy mine a few more decades if I'm allowed. Let the rich-guy dealers spoil it for themselves- I remember where the fun (GS !) is at.
- Kyle
Quote from: galahs on February 11, 2009, 03:43:25 PM
GS500's are the number 1 selling model in Australia atm :woohoo:
The reason being (for those of you outside Aus) is that learners and P (provisional) riders in Aus have to conform to power/weight ratio of 150Kw/tonne (or other similar restrictions) in most states meaning the GS500 is about the cheapest/fastest bike you can get while you're learning.
The GS is "old tech" and I kind of like it that way. It was never cutting edge but that doesn't mean it is not a great fun bike to ride. That also means parts for it are cheap and pop up on Ebay all the time - I picked up a complete rear fender for $1 and those little chrome foot guards behind the pegs for $1 each too. Can't do that with Gixxer spares.
Quote from: Majorhavoc on February 11, 2009, 01:28:11 PMBut I have to ask: is the GS500 really such a stretch from the norm?
In a word..yes... Like it or not its a Dinosaur and people dont want them anymore.......You cant escape the fact that its 20 years old now and the engine and g/box go back even further. Its outlived numerous other models because of the fact its simple and cheap to manufacture and it makes a decent enough profit for Suzuki to keep giving it a stay of execution. It probably works out cheaper to keep making and selling them than it does to shut the production lines down. The bike was left behind by its rivals years ago and its only saving grace is it that its popular with and sells well to learners because it fits in with the various learner laws that exist around the world. A few years ago you could make a fair profit buying and selling the right ones but now values have plummeted, you cant give them away and they are worth more in bits on ebay.
I am not a GS5 hater but I can see that its had its day, markets change and manufactures need to make profits. Ask yourself a question........If you went out to buy a brand new car would you want one thats not changed since 1989?.
Quote from: sledge on February 12, 2009, 06:19:07 AM
In a word..yes... Like it or not its a Dinosaur and people dont want them anymore.......You cant escape the fact that its 20 years old now and the engine and g/box go back even further. Its outlived numerous other models because of the fact its simple and cheap to manufacture and it makes a decent enough profit for Suzuki to keep giving it a stay of execution. It probably works out cheaper to keep making and selling them than it does to shut the production lines down. The bike was left behind by its rivals years ago and its only saving grace is it that its popular with and sells well to learners because it fits in with the various learner laws that exist around the world. A few years ago you could make a fair profit buying and selling the right ones but now values have plummeted, you cant give them away and they are worth more in bits on ebay.
I am not a GS5 hater but I can see that its had its day, markets change and manufactures need to make profits. Ask yourself a question........If you went out to buy a brand new car would you want one thats not changed since 1989?.
There's a lot of merit in what you say and I agree that the air cooled vertical twin has it's roots in a different decade . Back in the day a vertical twin was the hot ticket and nothing was able to touch them. Honda used the vertical twin for ages in their CB450, CB350, CB400, CB450 bikes and sold millions. It wasn't until Honda developed the CB750 inline four that the world changed and the inline four became the defacto standard.
Lately, we've seen the resurgence of various motor types including singles and V-twins in various guises from cruisers to sport bikes. The venerable vertical twin has also been making a comeback and modern examples can be seen in the Kawasaki Versys and BMW F800S which both use a newly designed water cooled vertical twin.
The GS500 uses old technology perhaps, but it has been refined over the years and it's still a viable motor. If they were to develop a water cooled 500cc vertical twin the GS500 would surely continue for many more years. There's nothing wrong with wanting a simple bike that does all things well and is cheap to own and maintain. I've had all kinds of bikes and they were all good but were more than I was using, hence by decision to dumb down to the GS500. I'm still faster than virtually any four wheel vehicle out there and the cost to fun factor is about as low as it gets.
Cruisers to the left of me, crotch rockets to the right, here we are - the closest thing in current production to a UJM.
That's Universal Japanese Motorcycle, for all you folks that were not born when they were firmly in style. A bike that can do pretty much anything pretty well.
The GS is also one of very few bikes in production (or shipped to the US) without an oversized, overweight, gas-sucking motor. 900-this, 1200-that, 1500-the-other oh-my-goodness. Not to mention my aching back and wallet. A 1986 honda hatchback gets better milage than most of those....
Could it be better - sure. But as the dealers don't bother with it, neither does the factory. The decision not to ship E's here anymore clearly does not suit a segment of our population.
For the factory, fuel injection would be easy. Fall right off the log - swap the carbs for a throttle body, modify the exhaust for the sensors, upgrade the computer, leave the rest alone and away we go. As an individual project it's daunting, and you can just go buy a FI bike so much easier and cheaper. Scale it up and it's easy and fairly cheap.
I'd be happy to see something like a "SV 500" (or 400) - injected, liquid-cooled, V-twin - but I was quite happy to buy a GS last year in part because it's been made with pretty much the same parts for 18 years, so they are easily available. Not that I bought a new one, or would - for the price some folks want for a used F, I'd have to give strong consideration to a used BMW F650 - not that I've checked one out to see how it fits. As posted in July, I'm not quite happy with the fit of the GS500, but I haven't yet made the modifications to improve it - and spring is coming, so I should do that. Than get back to the old bike, which actually fits quite well.
-Rambling observations-
A lot of people buy motorcycles not because they enjoy riding them, owning them, or working on them, but because they enjoy being seen on them. Therefore, they must buy something that looks good. The GS-500 doesn't fit into that category. It doesn't look like a repli-racer, and the engine is definitely too small for "street cred". Same thing applies to Harleys. Very few guys will buy a Sportster, because that's a "girl's bike".
Personally, I don't care. A motorcycle, ANY motorcycle, is all I need for enjoyment.
Just last weekend, I went out for a few hundred miles on the SV before work. It was 65F out, so a number of the "fair weather weenies" were out. When I left town, a small group had gathered just off the highway. They waved for me to join them. I gave them the "no thanks" wave and headed out of town. Four hours later when I came though to head the other way, they were still there, seeing and being seen.
Quote from: SteveM on February 12, 2009, 07:06:37 AM
The GS500 uses old technology perhaps, but it has been refined over the years and it's still a viable motor. If they were to develop a water cooled 500cc vertical twin the GS500 would surely continue for many more years.
Unlikely.....and in fairness you could say the same thing about any air cooled twin from any manufacturer from the last 35 years, they all did the same thing.
The relative simplicity and the age of the GS5 will be its downfall, it has a huge sword hanging over its head in the form of the Tier2 (USA) and Euro3 emission regulations.
http://www.bikersrights.com/epa/EPA_emmissionsHistory.html
http://www.aimag.com/epa/Nov04-pt2.htm
There is no K9 model listed for the UK for 2009, and the K8 (2008) was identical to the K7 (2007) so any remaining UK stock will be K7. It got a stay of execution here in the UK a few years ago when it was dropped from the lineup, then reintroduced when the dates for Euro3 compliance were put back by 2 years. This tells me Suzuki have no intention of modifying it to comply. Particularly as since then they have introduced the GSXF650F and the Gladius both of which do meet the requirements as Suzuki are keen to point out in all the adverts and sales blurb.
I am certain we will without doubt be saying goodbye to the GS5 and its 30+ year old engine for good when Tier2 and Euro3 does finally become law in 2010.
I dont see why we cannot make a tighter GS with full electronics in it. Exhaust sensors, temp and O2 sensors, FI, a tighter set of rings, decent valves and good bearings everywhere to prevent its wear from ruining the motor's clean burning.
I'd actually not even mandate the bikes to conform to EPA when new. I want it to conform to EPA when it has 20K miles on it.
Anyway they can build a tighter motor load it with some tech and conform to anything. But will it sell ... or will they think it will sell. That is the final factor in its continuation/death. we could bombard suzuki and see that they continue it. Or heck I'd like a ninja 650 style GS. Parallel twins rock. V twins suck IMHO.
Cool.
Buddha.
Quote from: The Buddha on February 12, 2009, 09:53:06 AM
I dont see why we cannot make a tighter GS with full electronics in it. Exhaust sensors, temp and O2 sensors, FI, a tighter set of rings, decent valves and good bearings everywhere to prevent its wear from ruining the motor's clean burning.
I'd actually not even mandate the bikes to conform to EPA when new. I want it to conform to EPA when it has 20K miles on it.
Anyway they can build a tighter motor load it with some tech and conform to anything. But will it sell ... or will they think it will sell. That is the final factor in its continuation/death. we could bombard suzuki and see that they continue it. Or heck I'd like a ninja 650 style GS. Parallel twins rock. V twins suck IMHO.
Cool.
Buddha.
Agreed......it wouldnt be difficult at all. The issue is as you say, would it sell in enough numbers to make it worthwhile?.........I think not, if it was, Suzuki would have done it by now.
I suspect they will make one ... except it will be like ... crappier and cheesier.
Perimeter frame - out.
High end suspension (its 37mm right ) - out, it will ahve cheesy spindly crap.
17 alloy wheels - out, shitty crap 15/16's.
That light spindly bike will be powered by a 450 CC fuel injected twin with modern FI and exhaust sensors etc etc and it will run 75mpg on any fuel and make no emmissions. It will have variable length intake tract and exhaust etc etc which will need extra room behind the motor and get it very fuel economic.
Cool.
Buddha.
Quote from: The Buddha on February 12, 2009, 09:53:06 AMI dont see why we cannot make a tighter GS with full electronics in it. Exhaust sensors, temp and O2 sensors, FI, a tighter set of rings, decent valves and good bearings everywhere to prevent its wear from ruining the motor's clean burning.
1: I can't see them doing all of that to the engine and not doing something about the budget suspension and heavy frame and gas tank.
2: Once the R&D costs for all of that are factored into the cost of the bike, people will say 'Bah, I can get a used GSX-R600 for less than that."
Just the way 'Merucans think. Bigger is better. I was so delighted when Yamaha made the WR250R/X - a new-school FI engine, light and peppy, with long service intervals; a light street-legal DP/'tard with a real suspension and six speeds. Once they did, what I heard over and over on forums was, "Geez, they should have made it a 450. I won't pay that much for a 250."
TBH, the GS fell in my lap, I was looking for a beat up or stunted CBR/R6 and I couldn't anything. My friend bought a Ninja 500 and I razzed him until I drove it. After having it for a day and checking out insurance costs I started searching for a 500 anything.
My GS looks like it survived a nuclear holocost, but I only paid $600 and it runs. It is really allowing me to hone my sporty skills, after riding a Shadow 1100 for a few years, I am glad I didn't get a I4. The GS gives me something in which I found a great community of helpful people (this site), cheap parts, and something I can wrench on.
I will most likely keep this bike for many years even if I go up a notch.
I love my GS. I love that it's simple and light. I even love that it's air-cooled. I've learned to do all my own maintenance on this and on my first bike (Honda XL185S) another air-cooled of moderate performance. If there had been liquid in the block and a radiator I might never have worked up the courage to tear into these engines and wrench on them a little. I love that it's a twin. Half as many bits and pieces to pay for now that I'm playing around with modifications. The only downside for me is that at 6' tall I'm at the limit of comfort and could use a physically larger riding position. But I've lived with my GS since '92 and plan on keeping it (though a future mod might be to relocate the footpegs).
Still, I understand that it doesn't sell in today's showroom (chalk that up to marketing hype and consumers who want to LOOK good instead of buy smart). I think the bike I'd buy tomorrow would be the Kawasaki ER6-n. It's got to be the modern equivalent of the GS500. A reasonable displacement twin without the frills. Decent quality suspension and parts, not exotic.
I plan on keeping my GS fer ever. If I ever feel the need for something bigger, I'd be in the market for a 4-cyl GS or an older (1980's) honda CB. These are the 4-cyl equivalents with all the virtues I like. They're solid as a brick and easy to maintain.
Long live the UJM.
i agree with 5th ave, the simplicity is a big reason i bought the GS. The little 250 ninja's are nice bikes, but although still carb'd i didn't want the water cooled, 8 valves, and even the V configuration- although they are technologically more current. i have 2 4 wheel vehicles i can't work on because of the complication/special tools & diagnostic equipment required, i sure didn't want to add a 2 wheel to the mix.
i would bet if you questioned the guys in the service dept at the dealerships the GS would get real good marks for doing what it does, as well as it does, and much fewer headaches when it comes time to service one out.
Quote from: ohgood on February 11, 2009, 05:01:04 PM
Quote from: galahs on February 11, 2009, 03:43:25 PM
GS500's are the number 1 selling model in Australia atm :woohoo:
really ? wow. where did you pull that info ? cool.
A mate said it was in a Suzuki press release.
+1 on what Farakin said, I have a bike that I can work on myself and get parts for pretty cheap - and it cost under a grand to buy and fix up, but it still does 100 mph without too much effort. Value for money per dollar and per CC? Pretty high, I would say.
Quote from: sledge on February 12, 2009, 09:40:22 AM
I am certain we will without doubt be saying goodbye to the GS5 and its 30+ year old engine for good when Tier2 and Euro3 does finally become law in 2010.
I am not so sure, there will always be a need for a 500 machine if nothing more then for the Direct Access course. The road tax break is at 600cc, most "middle weight" bikes seem to be coming out at 650cc which puts them into the higher tax bracket. While it may need some tweaks to get it to meet the Euro3 standard, the engine itself is one of the few left these days that the owner can actually work on, parts are cheap in the event something does go wrong.
On a personal level, I brought the GS as it looked better then the ER5 is dirt cheap to insure and is great fun to ride. Someone said that many bikers are in it just to be "seen", as I don't get many nods from other bikers in my local area I would tend to agree. I went out for a ride last summer and there were a collection of bikers sitting at the side of the road in their power ranger suits and fancy super sports bikes, I nodded but got nothing back, aside from one guy who looked at me with the expression "what the heck is that?!". Personally I don't care, I was having fun RIDING while they were sitting in a carpark ;)
Re: What is it about the GS, anyway?
Well it's certainly not the price! :cry: Went to the Cleveland bike show 2 weeks ago and the biggest surprise there was the increase in Suzuki prices. Both the GS-F and the Ninja 500R came out last fall priced at $5500 (approx) and now the GS-F is $5900 ($5899). The Ninja 500R is starting to look like a real bargain if your buying new. Better get one before they go up too or go away!
I was very dissapointed when the GS-F came out in 04 and the naked GS was dropped after the 02 year in the US. When my 97 was totalled in July 03 I went looking for a clean low milage (4k) naked 02 even though I bought back my totalled 97 and restored it to use. It had 80k miles on it and and now the 02 has almost 70k miles on it and is getting old and rusty looking from year around riding here in the NE OH salt capital of the world. I like naked UJMs. Buy a GS-F for almost $6k and throw the plastic away and spend even more to make it a naked GS? No way. I'd still rather ride a bike than work on it.
I saw a few bikes at the bike show I would like to ride (SFV650 for example) but none I'd like to live with and maintain like the naked GS has been. Maybe I'll just try to keep the 02 going till I'm 80 and then get a fuel injected TU250. That was one of the best looking and most comfortable bikes there, probably because that's what motorcycles looked like when I started riding. :thumb:
(http://www.suzukicycles.com/images/ProductImages/logo/500/TU250XK9.jpg)
GSJack - as much as I hate fairings - the fairinged GS runs better at speeds over 65. Accelerates better and has more top end, and almost certainly will turn in better fuel economy. That last part is almost vital to its survival - In a way its worst feature is what will sustain it in the long run.
FWIW I'll take a fully electronic GS complete with FI, exhaust sensors, a variable length intake runner etc + a better tighter motor that wont use so much oil and 16 inch rear tar and belt drive - the last 2 are dream list items, over no gs at all.
FI and tight motor with nikasil and better rings etc will help the fuel economy and emmissions more than anything else. The fairing will let it run with less loss to wind and it may just keep the GS alive for another few years.
Cool.
Buddha.
Quote from: grayghost on February 12, 2009, 02:56:33 PM
i have 2 4 wheel vehicles i can't work on because of the complication/special tools & diagnostic equipment required, i sure didn't want to add a 2 wheel to the mix.
Eh. Grab yer balls and make a call... you can work on just about anything. A friend of mine and I pull parts off his BMW 525i at least twice a month - without a manual - we redid the valve cover gasket on that a few weeks ago (he cracked it pulling it off and we used plastic weld to fix it... :) ). I've had the wheel bearings of a durango on my front lawn. My WRX intercooler sat for 5 hours on my parents' mailbox. Nothing is beyond him with the stones to wrench upon.
Buddha, the test results in the mc mags just don't show the GS-F to be any faster on the top end than the GS-E was, as a matter of fact they are a bit slower. And there really isn't much difference in the published gas milage figures either. I got/get a solid 60 mpg overall spring thru fall with a bit less in the winter on both my naked GSs.
I agree they could fit them a bit tighter to reduce the oil consumption on high milage engines.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tests.jpg
Here in Aus we have a Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme in most states (as mentioned by my compatriat before) which allows learners to ride a bike with a power to weight ratio of 150kw per tonne with a max 660cc. This means that the GS500e and F is the biggest, newest and cheapest learner bike you can get here. This means that GS's and GS parts a readily availiable. My local Suzuki dealer has 13 GS500E and F's on the showroom floor, with only 9 GSX-R bikes on the floor
Quote from: Helmet27 on February 18, 2009, 06:39:19 PM
Here in Aus we have a Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme in most states (as mentioned by my compatriat before) which allows learners to ride a bike with a power to weight ratio of 150kw per tonne with a max 660cc. This means that the GS500e and F is the biggest, newest and cheapest learner bike you can get here. This means that GS's and GS parts a readily availiable. My local Suzuki dealer has 13 GS500E and F's on the showroom floor, with only 9 GSX-R bikes on the floor
Wow, that is impressive. I don't know if you'd ever find a dealer like that in the US... Unless it was a really big dealer and there was just a rush on GSX-Rs...
Because in the US, the attitude is, "You can do a U-turn on a scooter? Cool, here's a license to ride street-legal race bikes!"
Yeah,it used to be like that here, where learners had 2 ride a 250 for a year, then they could get whatever they want. The new system is a bit better. To get your learners liscence you have to do a 2 day rider training course,then pass a written exam. You are then on your "L" plates for minimum three months with a 80Km/H to speed limit. You then have to go for your Provisional Liscence ("P" plates). the P's cousre is basicaly an obstical course in a carpark then an hour ride on surrounding roads so the testers can see your road using ability. when u pass that u the have a top speed of 90Km/H for a year then you get your full liscence. This liscence system works farely well with the Approved bike scheme. When i went for my "P" liscence a year ago we had to use our own bikes, and out of 10 students there was 6 GS500 owners! Thats how popular they are here, Suzuki sold something like 100 less GS500's last year than GSXR750's!
Quote from: gsJack on February 13, 2009, 10:09:03 AM
I saw a few bikes at the bike show I would like to ride (SFV650 for example) but none I'd like to live with and maintain like the naked GS has been. Maybe I'll just try to keep the 02 going till I'm 80 and then get a fuel injected TU250. That was one of the best looking and most comfortable bikes there, probably because that's what motorcycles looked like when I started riding. :thumb:
(http://www.suzukicycles.com/images/ProductImages/logo/500/TU250XK9.jpg)
I know it's apples-to-oranges with these bikes and the TU250--in displacement, performance, and PRICE (especially how I have them configured...go to Triumph's website and try the Configurator...really, it's fun.). These are the classic looks I go for when not in a sportbike state of mind. I thought you'd like the look of "my" Bonneville. The Thruxton's riding position is a bit more aggressive than the Bonneville's, but I like 'em both! I'll gladly take either... ...if anyone's offering... Other than that, I'll be content with my GS :woohoo:
(http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/n2brewha/CreateImage.jpg)
(http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/n2brewha/CreateImage1.jpg)
Just for the record... You won't look at motorcycles if you type www.triumph.com into your browser... :confused: :embarrassed: :icon_mrgreen:
Mmmm... Triumph... (drool) mmmm... For the longest time I wanted one... still do...
If I could have any bikes... I'd probably have the following.
In order of most wanted:
1. Kawasaki Versys
2. Suzuki B-King
3. Triumph Bonneville
4. Harley (I KNOW) Heritage Soft Tail Classic
5. Harley (I KNOW!) Nightster
6. Suzuki Gladius (That sticker would be the first to go.)
7. Honda CBR1000RR
8. Yamaha (Star) Warrior
9. KTM Duke
10. Kawasaki KLR650
Near as I can figure I have the best of all worlds. Because the GS500 is a lot of things.
1. Hooligan bike... no question.
2. Commuter.
3. Has a good rumble with proper exhaust.
4. It's naked.
5. It's comfortable.
6. It keeps up with traffic.
7. And it's cheaper to maintain than probably all of those bikes above (with exclusion of the KLR because that's been around as long as the GS almost.)
Therefore GS beats all.
Hmmm...I just noticed it didn't take the standard equipment mirrors off of my Bonneville when i added the bar-ends.... Oh well...
Triumphs don't do anything for me.
I rode a 675, and was whelmed; I'd rather have my old R6 or my nonstock GS on the track, and my FZ on the street. I rode a Bonneville T100, and it was highly blah. If I have to have a faux dualsport, I'd take a V-Strom over a Tiger. If I could get a real dual-sport, I'd take an F650GS Dakar.
Those are totally sweet looking Triumphs. I never could figure out what the heck the Triumph designers were smoking when they came up with their engine design though. Why would you build a two cylinder engine then have 360 degree timing? It makes no sense. It is like a super extra complicated single cylinder engine. I don't understand...
i love my bike don't get me wrong but i could def see my self getting say an SV650 in the next 5 years
Quote from: fred on February 18, 2009, 11:05:22 PM
Those are totally sweet looking Triumphs. I never could figure out what the heck the Triumph designers were smoking when they came up with their engine design though. Why would you build a two cylinder engine then have 360 degree timing? It makes no sense. It is like a super extra complicated single cylinder engine. I don't understand...
That would be true if it was a two stroke, but being a four stroke a cylinder fires every 720 degrees, so a 360 degree firing interval would mean the cylinders fire at an even spacing with one cylinder firing while the other is starting it's intake stroke.
Quote from: sblack on February 19, 2009, 01:19:10 AM
Quote from: fred on February 18, 2009, 11:05:22 PM
Those are totally sweet looking Triumphs. I never could figure out what the heck the Triumph designers were smoking when they came up with their engine design though. Why would you build a two cylinder engine then have 360 degree timing? It makes no sense. It is like a super extra complicated single cylinder engine. I don't understand...
That would be true if it was a two stroke, but being a four stroke a cylinder fires every 720 degrees, so a 360 degree firing interval would mean the cylinders fire at an even spacing with one cylinder firing while the other is starting it's intake stroke.
Hmm, yup, definitely time for me to go to bed before I say more dumb things...
Haha, my dad had an '06 Bonnie, he loved it and turned it into the bike he wanted when he was 18, but then he started out performing the brakes, and he couldnt justify using it as a commuter, so he sold it :cry: and bought a '00 SV650 with 15000km (9000miles i think,something like that) for $3500 Aussie Dollars ($1400US roughly) and he hasnt looked back at the Bonnie since :)
I fell into my GS, too.
I wanted a bike in part because of gas prices, and in part because I was grown up, out of my parents house, and my dad couldn't stop my anymore.
I had narrowed it down to a Ninja 500R or a GS500F for a first bike, because I wanted something cheap and tame to learn on. I sat on a Ninja in the showroom, and it was brutally uncomfortable due to the gas tank ridges being in the middle of my inner thigh. I sat on the GS and fell in love.
I wandered into a used bike shop a few weeks later, and found my '06 for $3k even and had to grab her up.
I personally love the engine. It's got enough power to suit me without being so much I get myself in trouble. It's efficient, comfortable enough (I'm 6'5") for short distances, and, in my opinion, looks pretty darn good.
I do, however, wish that the bike was physically larger, so it would fit me better. I am eventually going to have to go up to a larger bike just for comfort alone, but that's also going to require a larger engine which I don't need/want.
When I finally get ready to upgrade from my GS, it will probably be an SV650 or an FZ6. Those are the two most comfortable non-cruisers I've sat on to date.
My GS will be paid off when I get my tax return. Maybe I'll try to unload it and get something newer/nicer then.
On second thought, I'm getting married in December, so it's probably best to keep my paid-off bike and just keep wrenching on it myself. THAT is where the fun of a GS lies.
Quote from: gsJack on February 13, 2009, 07:38:32 PM
Buddha, the test results in the mc mags just don't show the GS-F to be any faster on the top end than the GS-E was, as a matter of fact they are a bit slower. And there really isn't much difference in the published gas milage figures either. I got/get a solid 60 mpg overall spring thru fall with a bit less in the winter on both my naked GSs.
I agree they could fit them a bit tighter to reduce the oil consumption on high milage engines.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tests.jpg
I dunno may have somehting to do with the 04 being almost 100% different form the 89-00 series. Or even the 01-02 set.
I did a test on a 89 that was jetted perfectly to start with, I rode it a few times, tuned it a little while doing so etc and it was set perfectly. A week later I had slapped fairings on it, essentially the same bike, and ran it. to 50 it was slower, 50-65 it was about the same, 65 and up the fairings really helped it accelerate faster and get up to a higher indicated speed.
Now I never counted gas mileage but it gained over 8 mph indicated on top as well as get there quicker from 65. Possibly it was slower to there cos it was slower to 50 which possibly is where you spend a lot of time as well as most of your fuel consumption.
Quote from: murf425 on February 19, 2009, 08:53:41 AM
I fell into my GS, too.
I wanted a bike in part because of gas prices, and in part because I was grown up, out of my parents house, and my dad couldn't stop my anymore.
I had narrowed it down to a Ninja 500R or a GS500F for a first bike, because I wanted something cheap and tame to learn on. I sat on a Ninja in the showroom, and it was brutally uncomfortable due to the gas tank ridges being in the middle of my inner thigh. I sat on the GS and fell in love.
I wandered into a used bike shop a few weeks later, and found my '06 for $3k even and had to grab her up.
I personally love the engine. It's got enough power to suit me without being so much I get myself in trouble. It's efficient, comfortable enough (I'm 6'5") for short distances, and, in my opinion, looks pretty darn good.
I do, however, wish that the bike was physically larger, so it would fit me better. I am eventually going to have to go up to a larger bike just for comfort alone, but that's also going to require a larger engine which I don't need/want.
When I finally get ready to upgrade from my GS, it will probably be an SV650 or an FZ6. Those are the two most comfortable non-cruisers I've sat on to date.
My GS will be paid off when I get my tax return. Maybe I'll try to unload it and get something newer/nicer then.
On second thought, I'm getting married in December, so it's probably best to keep my paid-off bike and just keep wrenching on it myself. THAT is where the fun of a GS lies.
If I were 6'5", I'd find a Versys to sit on. Higher than average seat height for something semi-sporty, with a majorly relaxed seating position by sportbike standards. For that matter, I'm 5'10" and would still love one! A good dual sport will give you some more leg room too! ...like a DR-Z400SM :thumb:
1. The GS500 is cheap, so the dealership doesn't make as much money per bike.
2. They don't move very many units of the bike.
3. The guy selling you the bike probably took the job so he could purchase a more expensive bike with his employee discount. He probably isn't that enthusiastic about entry level beginner bikes.
4. Pushing 20 year old technology isn't that much fun.
-I like my GS500, but I bought it as an inexpensive fixer upper, and a first bike that I wouldn't mind dropping. Within one year I hope to have an '07 FZ6 parked where the GS500 currently is.
Quote from: theUBS on February 19, 2009, 04:02:37 PMIf I were 6'5", I'd find a Versys to sit on. Higher than average seat height for something semi-sporty, with a majorly relaxed seating position by sportbike standards. For that matter, I'm 5'10" and would still love one! A good dual sport will give you some more leg room too! ...like a DR-Z400SM :thumb:
The Versy's are just TOO ugly from the front for my liking. Now the V-Strom, on the other hand...yeah...that would definitely work.
SV, FZ, or Wee-strom...that's where it's at for me. Unfortunately, it would definitely be irresponsible of me to take on a monthly payment when I'm about to get married. As is, my only debt is my mortgage and a small student loan; I should probably keep it that way.
I like the Strom's engine better than the Versys's. I wouldn't call either of them a dualsport - too road-oriented. The Strom was the bike I cross-shopped with my FZ, and it really came down to what was available.