Well not really, but I am new to the forum. I bought my 2002 GS500 a few months ago for $1200 with 18k miles. The first owner laid the bike down once on each side. It has some cosmetic damage but runs well.
I am a new rider and this is my first bike. I recently completed a MSF course and got my license. I love every minute of riding.
In my first month of having the bike, every once in a while it would stick around 4k rpm and never come down. I would kill it and then it would start back up fine. I figured it was this way because the bike had been sitting around for a while and had old gas. A few months later and it does not stick anymore.
My GS has been a little difficult in the colder weather. I have to choke the thing to death for several minutes before it idles around 1.5 consistently. Sometimes it will die even with full choke and I have to give it throttle with full choke just to get it going. Once it gets going I usually see no problems though every once in a while I will hear some blips and small backfires. 99% of the time it runs beautifully.
From what I have read on the forums I will clean my carbs and jets soon with my buddies who are experienced with motorcycles and see if that helps clear up some of the little bugs.
The forks bottom very easily (I am 6'3 195lbs). I am still searching around for the best solution for that. The bike runs very flat 3-5k rpm but that seems to be normal. Other than that this bike is a ton of fun.
Anyways, here are some pics:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v518/MysticalMoose/GS500122309_1.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v518/MysticalMoose/GS500122309_3.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v518/MysticalMoose/GS500122309_2blur.jpg)
I shortened the signal stalks and cut the fender. I also removed the front signals.
Thanks all and I'm sure you'll see me around plenty asking for all your input. :)
Welcome... & thx for the pics.
You seem to be missing bar ends on both sides - and - have no front signals.
As for warming up... the idea is NOT to ride while the choke is on. So... put choke on FULL, while it is on full and revving somewhere around 3k+, start to put on your jacket, attach bag to bike if doing so, get helmet ready get gloves ready. After a minute or so of 3k, turn down the choke to around 2k or just above. Let it be at this for another few minutes. THEN your bike should be w arm enough to ride. Put it in gear, turn off the choke, ride off.
Michael
I got the bike with only one bar end and it was bent, so I took it off. Are they necessary? I never ride my bike with the choke on. I wait till it idles around 1.5k.
I damaged my bar ends in a crash, so my '01 has no bar ends either. No problem with that. I do have two plastic end caps to plug up the ends of the handlebar.
Quote from: Gary856 on January 02, 2010, 01:40:48 AM
I damaged my bar ends in a crash, so my '01 has no bar ends either. No problem with that. I do have two plastic end caps to plug up the ends of the handlebar.
where do you get the plastic plugs?
Looks like your rear body panels have been repainted, here's original 02 GS pic:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/02-Suzuki-GS500.jpg)
Here's my 02 GS with smaller summer shield and larger winter shield:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/summer-winterGS.jpg)
I find the level of vibration in the handlebars annoying without the bar ends. That's their purpose they are not just decorations. Also the vibes get annoying if I get the bar ends too tight. I've replaced mine as needed.
The 01-02 are the best of the GS500 years. Last naked ones without full bodywork and first ones with 2 circuit carbs. :thumb:
I put Progressive front springs in my 97 GS and then transferred them to my 02 GS and with about 150,000 miles on them now they are just right. They're a bit stiff out of the box. I have weighed 240# up to 255# and now down to 220# and gone from 6' 2" down to just under 6' during my almost 11 GS500 years.
Welcome to the addiction! The GS is a great bike. :thumb:
Quote from: Pilotpwr on January 01, 2010, 11:48:11 PM
I got the bike with only one bar end and it was bent, so I took it off. Are they necessary? I never ride my bike with the choke on. I wait till it idles around 1.5k.
It helps keep the handlebar vibration down. I have a pair just laying around if you want them for pretty cheap.
(http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs169.snc3/19669_721140815951_9028788_43113900_1175235_n.jpg)