I'm used to Dual sport bikes but I'm really enjoying my 2006 GS 500. I took it on a 125 mile jaunt ( longest I've gone with it ) this weekend and had a really good time. I was wondering if this thing might make a nice Mini Sport Touring machine. I like it's size and flickability and though she is not the fastest thing on earth I am amazed at how well the engine pulls through all the gears from bottom to top. Uphills seem to be no sweat, crusing at 75-80 no problemo! I'm thinking some nice soft bags ( recommendations? ) and a tank bag would be good. I just got the Zero gravity wind screen and that seems quite nice though not quite high enough.
I would like to maybe put a 1000 mile round trip on it. Anybody think this is a good idea or maybe I'm :cookoo:
I thought it was a good idea, I took trips to the Honda Hoot in Knoxville TN in 2001, Lake George NY in 2002, and Maggie Valley NC in 2002, 03, 04 on my 97 GS500E and 02 GS500 from home in NE Ohio. Did 75-80 mph 400 mile first and last days and rode around a couple days in the mountains while there. All trips were about 1500 miles total. I thought the GS was a touring bike. :icon_lol:
Had an assortment of soft luggage on the 97 GS for the 01-03 trips and a Givi 33L hard trunk with a tank bag on the 02 GS for the 04 trip.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/gs500t.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/02GS500wPlexi2-2.jpg)
I made once a 300 miles trip with a 17 liters tail bag and a backpack. My '00 bike has a TCP full fairing but then was using only the top fairing which made the wind bearable. What surprised me was that my butt didn't get extremely sored as I'd expect after a 5 and a half hours long trip with only two short refilling stops. But I only can compare with the softer seat of the Ninja 250, which after a couple hours really hurt my butt.
When I ride solo my GS500F is one of my favorites for long rides :thumb:
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/mcamp03.jpg)
Hey everyone thanks for the fast feedback! Suzuki Stevo, I like those bags, what kind are they? So far looks like I'm not to crazy based on the feedback and what I see. Sounds like 1000 miles isn't to much to ask out of her.
This is my my first semi sportbike and parallel twin. Man these things are really stable compared to my dual sports, big difference!
PS- I noticed that my butt doesn't get sore on this bike either. Not sure, but so far no problems. :)
Keep those comments coming in!
All the luggage is Fieldsheer Expander except for the tankbag, and that is a Fieldsheer
Access Tank Bag (Magnetic)
The only problem I have found with the GS500 when touring...is when I tour with liter bikes, they can pass large groups of cars on a mt pass with ease, the GS rider must be patient and wait for the right amount of road to do it safely :angel:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/317YVcLs2mL._SL500_AA300_.jpg) (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/ProductImages/300/2009_Fieldsheer_Access_Tank_Bag_Black.jpg)
(http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/dir/image.php?id=26301)
IMHO the question shows you are viewing the bike correctly. Cool.
Take the GS500!
I've ridden mine on a 1,900 mile round trip from PA to WI a few years ago.
One of my favorite trips.
I rode 450 miles a day, two days there, and two days back.
I had a small fairing, a tank bag and rear soft saddlebags.
I can't wait to do it again.
:)
Best wishes,
Trwhouse
I've done a few day trips of over 300 miles. With ease. Great seat for long distance riding.
Some on here, and living down in Oz, have also done road trips of a few thou on their GSs.
And our main mag down here - Australian Road Rider http://www.roadrider.com.au had a feature about turning a GS500 into a Cheap Tourer. I don't have that issue, unfortunately. But by all accounts it was quite good. And they simply added some panniers and a rear bag with a tank bag and were done.
I think the GS500 is the most underestimated bike out there. Ok, sure it ain't a liter bike or even a racing 600, but for sheer riding pleasure and comfort with versatility - and for the price - I don't think it can be beat. Triple plus is that you can wrench on it yourself if so inclined.
Michael
You're nuts ! No really, its fine to tour on. I/we didn't want to do more than 150 miles at a time. The wind and rain made things less fun on the gs. For out n back adventures of 100-200 miles, she's just right. Soft bags like those tourmasters worked fine for us. We've since sold the gs and are waiting on the next great eal to come along. Likely a dr, klr, sv, or similar comfy bike. All I do is commute anymore, and getting home FAST to my babies is priority over touring.
Carry a quart of oil, a puncture kit, and an extra battery for your cell/gps and you're golden. There are a couple threads about adding a 12v outlet for charging devices. Take lots of pictures, geotag if you can, and log log log !
:)
I definitely agree with the 12v outlet mod; I use mine all the time. any trip I take longer than about 45 minutes I plug in the GPS which is also my mp3 player.
Here is the all time best place to mount the 12v plug in - http://picasaweb.google.com/dohabee/12vOutlet?authkey=w0kSf1S1kyQ#5258269259245921122
Although I could be biased slightly :D
Suzuki Stevo,
Nice Pics! I see you have the twisted throttle "Bar Backs" on your bike. Or at least that's what it looks like. I ordered mine a couple of days ago and am waiting for them. Did you have to mess with you cables to get them on. Also, did you notice a big difference? Any tips on install appreciated! The bike looks great!
I agree with the others. I took my 06 when it still had fairings round trip from Seattle to San Jose. A lot of it was slabbing down I-5. No problems. I picked up a gel seat pad for the trip and had all my gear in tank, tail, and saddlebags. The other thing I used was the throttle lock.
Quote from: rger8 on April 02, 2010, 11:42:56 AM
Suzuki Stevo,
Nice Pics! I see you have the twisted throttle "Bar Backs" on your bike. Or at least that's what it looks like. I ordered mine a couple of days ago and am waiting for them. Did you have to mess with you cables to get them on. Also, did you notice a big difference? Any tips on install appreciated! The bike looks great!
I had to remove the front brake hose from a holder/stay to get a little length, but other than that it's a bolt on opperation, I can take a photo when I get home if you want.
Agreed, a 12V outlet is a must for charging Zune, Ipod, GPS, Phone, or hooking up yer Battery Tender :thumb:
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/mod01.jpg)
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/mod02.jpg)
GS500 is definitely a Mini Sport Tourer. I always compare it to traveling in an MG Midget, which I drove once from coast to coast. Here are some shots of a 270 mile day ride I took around Lake Livingston and Huntsville near Houston Texas.
(http://i36.tinypic.com/w163gg.jpg)
(http://i36.tinypic.com/28lum29.jpg)
The gear is Firstgear Silverstone saddlebags and tank bag. The tank bag zips free of the base which makes it handy to keep with you at longer stops.
Keep the shiny side up,
Chuck
Quote from: dohabee on April 02, 2010, 09:05:12 AM
Here is the all time best place to mount the 12v plug in - http://picasaweb.google.com/dohabee/12vOutlet?authkey=w0kSf1S1kyQ#5258269259245921122
Although I could be biased slightly :D
Ignition noise being that close to the coil would worry me a little. I'm probably paranoid.
Here's another good spot (I may also be biased, slightly) attached to the battery box.
(http://www.familyjones.org/paul/power.jpg)
Hey Stevo where did you get the outlet from? I've been looking around town and not been able to find one that looks like yours.
Mary
Mary,
You may be able to find one at an auto parts store. Or Radio Shack (but they have reduced some of their products in that area).
Quote from: Toogoofy317 on April 04, 2010, 11:50:35 AM
Hey Stevo where did you get the outlet from? I've been looking around town and not been able to find one that looks like yours.
Mary
Amazon.com, any auto store should have one...mine is of uber quality though.
http://www.amazon.com/Marinco-12VRC-SeaLink-12-Volt-Receptacle/dp/B000NI1BI4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1270416791&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.com/Marinco-12VRC-SeaLink-12-Volt-Receptacle/dp/B000NI1BI4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1270416791&sr=8-1)
I absolutely treat my bike like a mini-sport tourer! I have done two 5,000km and a 2500km trips, plus a number of of 2-4 day trips. The biggest ones were through New England and the second doing the classic Blue Ridge Parkway-Hellbender 28-Tail of Dragon-Chenandoah. 450-600km common in a day, I think we did 700km or more a couple of times. We're planning a one month or longer trip through Western USA later this year and maybe even Alaska. Although a dual sport may be more sensible, my bike handles things well enough (including dirt and gravel roads) that I think I'll stick with it. Yes, not as great acceleration but I never find it problematic and enjoy having to work a bit harder and be a bit sharper than just moving my hand a little on the throttle and feeling like a passenger on a more powerful bike! Besides, the fairing is pretty cheap....
For luggage I first went with Helen 2 Wheels (now sold by another company but is branded the same) waterproof roll bags, 2 soft sidesaddle bags and a funky hard tank bag (no longer produced). Still love the Helen 2 Wheels bags.
Now have a Givi E370 monolock 29 litre top case (with matching lid although the blue is so dark it looks black until you see it next to a truly black one!). with SW Motech plate which looks good without the case. Still use the tank bag and a roll bag, not intending to buy hard cases (husband is getting some for his v-strom which will do for all but long trips).
Modifications:
Stick-on waterproof clock, very handy for timing arrivals at hotels etc. When the battery runs out I can't get another one put in fast enough. I put it right under the windshield (I have a faired '06) on the front of the black plastic, in direct line of sight over the instruments. Stick on version of: http://www.formotionproducts.com/images/GA-75100_web.jpg
Laminar Lip. I consider this the single most essential item that makes it tourable. Before that the freeway was just too tiring, resisting the wind. Now depending on wind direction it's between a burbling breeze and a solid breeze, neither of which bother me although it's still not as much fun on the freeway as off. I can do 4 hours on the freeway if need be. See my other posts about the lip. http://www.laminarlip.com/gs500f.php
There's another version, about $100 more, that allows you to adjust the positioning of the lip (not by Laminar, can't remember the brand).
Butt Buffer. This stopped me carrying around little foam cushions! It's 2nd on my list of musts for touring. I can do 8 hours in the saddle and only ache as much as I used to at 2-3 hours. I never get to that horrible stage where it's hard to get off the saddle because it hurts to decompress. I will note though that it hurts less when I go to the gym when not! I had it installed into the seat.
Power Outlet. Third on my list. I wanted a decent looking one (female, I'm allowed to be like that). So I got a very nice unit from Twisted Throttle.
Can't find it on their site anymore so there are probably better ones out there now. Nope, just found it!
Unit: http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/3899
Ring holder: http://www.twistedthrottle.com/imagecatalogue/imageview/8993/?RefererURL=/trade/productview/3899/16/
GPS. Rather than the still-expensive Zumo I just mount my Nuvi 770 to the handlebar using a Ram mount. A friend is about to make me a perspex rain cover - although I'm going to play with Fimo bakeable plasticine to see if that works! I don't even dampen it and have had no problems.
Unit holder: http://www.ram-mount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045072079076045071065050054085/Default.aspx
Ram mount like they show here: http://www.ram-mount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045066045049052057090045065045071065053/Default.aspx
Heated grips. I've found myself (not on longer trips, they are Summer/Fall) riding in 0-10degrees more than I ever intended (pick your riding buddies wisely!). Plus I get cold! I was mindful that the GS has very little power capacity for add-ons so I got the Oxford Hot Hands wrap around warmers. These have a very small power draw and because they sit on the rubber handlebar, which acts as insulation, they get very hot for the power consumed.
I do try to turn them off a few km from home (the residual heat is enough) to allow the battery a bit of recovery time. I also use a battery heated vest to keep drain off the battery, and those little packet foot/hand warmers if needed.
Hyperlites. These aren't a touring necessity but a general safety measure. Again we chose them because they had a very small draw on the power system and were vastly cheaper than most of the alternatives out there. We set the brake lights to flash for 5 seconds then hold steady. They give 2 extra points of light, small but very visible to cars behind. I'm like others who found that the problem with cars stopping too close ended when the lights were installed and tapping the brake a great advance alert that you're slowing down. I also put on white hyperlites at front for the triangle effect which helps cars judge your speed of approach. They were way too white for the headlight color so I got some translucent orange glass paint (for painting light globes so it can take heat) at a local art place and painted them - they still glow a bright yellow despite using orange paint. They can't really be seen if the headlight is on high beam though.
http://www.hyperlites.com/stdsf.html WebBikeworld.com reported another set of LEDs brake lights recently, can't remember the brand.
Finally, not really a bike mod, but Interphones. If you're travelling with someone bluetooth headsets save a hell of a lot of time pulled over to communicate, and you can switch them on and off at will. We check routes, keep them on at dusk/dark in deer territory to warn each other, choose restaurants as we drive past, decide where to pull over for views etc. etc. I would not tour without them.
See webBikeworld.com for lots of reviews of battery powered bluetooth communication. We love ours.
Well, you got me going - but I love touring on the bike and a lot of research and thought went into the above mods, which by now have the bike set up really well for me.
PS one other - crampbusters, the wider ones, on both handlebars. This is instead of the throttle lock/cruise control that some use. Give my hands and elbows enormous relief and make freeways way better. No tingling fingers or numbness any more. But can't use them with the Hot Hand heated grips.
What size seat pad did yoou get from Butt Buffer. That's really the last thing I need on my GS. I've done bar risers, Zero Gravity sport tourer wind shield, gel grips (Florida, no real need for heated), Tour Master side bags, power outlet (under seat), gel battery, Megellan Triton 2000 GPS on ram mount foward center of gauges. Plus a padded sissy bar and rear rack (made by me) for wifie and extra stuff. Avon Road Riders make the ride much smoother and stable too, they make the stock Bridgestones look like wagon wheels.
I do most of our touring with the wifie and we have a grand time. We're heading to the Blue Ridge mts again this summer for a thousand miles of fun. I goptta try this road called the "Snake" in eastern TN, it's suppose to make the DRagon look like a surbubran lane. I have another ride later this month with my son from Gainesville FL to Warren Robins GA and would love to get the pad before then. Who knows what route we'll take, I'm pretty sure it will be generally north then sort of south to return. Besides that we don't really have much of a plan for either trip.
I knew it and finally found it...
There's a guy in Aust riding around the country on a GS500. He's blogging about it. You can follow him here http://www.adrianpower.com
Michael
Quote from: mister on April 04, 2010, 06:17:50 PM
I knew it and finally found it...
There's a guy in Aust riding around the country on a GS500. He's blogging about it. You can follow him here http://www.adrianpower.com
Michael
i've been tracking his progress daily on youtube. Looks like fun, tho i thing he stuck in broome for a while.....
so good to see someone is lapping oz on the humble gs. Who's next? you or me?
Quote from: CanadianRider on April 04, 2010, 04:35:02 PM
GPS. Rather than the still-expensive Zumo I just mount my Nuvi 770 to the handlebar using a Ram mount. A friend is about to make me a perspex rain cover - although I'm going to play with Fimo bakeable plasticine to see if that works! I don't even dampen it and have had no problems.
Unit holder: http://www.ram-mount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045072079076045071065050054085/Default.aspx
Ram mount like they show here: http://www.ram-mount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045066045049052057090045065045071065053/Default.aspx
I've been using my Garmin Nuvi 760 in a Aqua Box for about a year and a half and am constantly annoyed by the diminished visibility of the water resistant membrane. It does it's job and has protected my Garmin in torrential downpours, but sucks for viewing.
This looks like the ticket for nice weather usage. Does that ram cradle for the Nuvi still use the Garmin supplied cradle? Does it have power connections with the standard Garmin adapter?
Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on April 02, 2010, 03:27:42 PM
Agreed, a 12V outlet is a must for charging Zune, Ipod, GPS, Phone, or hooking up yer Battery Tender :thumb:
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/mod01.jpg)
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/mod02.jpg)
Any walk through on this? It brings cold sweats boring a hole in my faring but this looks nice and factory so do like....
Quote from: lilwoody on April 04, 2010, 05:40:25 PM
What size seat pad did yoou get from Butt Buffer. That's really the last thing I need on my GS. I've done bar risers, Zero Gravity sport tourer wind shield, gel grips (Florida, no real need for heated), Tour Master side bags, power outlet (under seat), gel battery, Megellan Triton 2000 GPS on ram mount foward center of gauges. Plus a padded sissy bar and rear rack (made by me) for wifie and extra stuff. Avon Road Riders make the ride much smoother and stable too, they make the stock Bridgestones look like wagon wheels.
I do most of our touring with the wifie and we have a grand time. We're heading to the Blue Ridge mts again this summer for a thousand miles of fun. I goptta try this road called the "Snake" in eastern TN, it's suppose to make the DRagon look like a surbubran lane. I have another ride later this month with my son from Gainesville FL to Warren Robins GA and would love to get the pad before then. Who knows what route we'll take, I'm pretty sure it will be generally north then sort of south to return. Besides that we don't really have much of a plan for either trip.
Sounds like you have the same approach to touring as I do! I don't actually know what size. I took it to a guy in Toronto who installs them, he picked the best size and dug out enough foam to put it in. He couldn't put it right to the front as there is a shape plastic rim you need to preserve, but I'm perfectly happy with it. If I had to guess it would be a medium or small size. He showed me some for the cruiser and they were much bigger! If you're buying new I'm sure the Buttbuffer people will have a list of bikes and tell you which to get.
Quote from: jfinstrom on April 05, 2010, 12:06:45 PMAny walk through on this? It brings cold sweats boring a hole in my faring but this looks nice and factory so do like....
Get a Hole Saw Kit from Harbor Freight $6.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38425 (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38425)
(http://images.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/38400-38499/38425.gif)
An inline fuse with a 1.5A fuse in it, that's really way more amperage than you will need to charge your cell phone or Ipod.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11D12MJEBBL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Put the inline fuse as close to the positive terminal on the battery ase you can, use 16 AWG wire or larger if you like. Mine is wired straight to the battery so I can use the socket for my battery tender while the bike is in storage and off. You can use any place on the frame by your socket to get your ground. Don't try and power a spotlight or anything that requires allot of amperage, you will pop the fuse. The above will work just fine for charging your personal electronic devices.
(I didn't tell you this, but I know a guy that wired his accessory socket to his headlight wiring, when he wants to use allot of amperage he just unplugs his headlight, works just fine, again I did not tell you this)
On the fuse, I say don't use one.
Use a circuit breaker. They come in fuse shape/sizes and go into same housing. I mean, the two bladed fuze style housing not the glass tube style fuze housing. . $5 or so at NAPA.
All the rest is great.
Your legs will get a bit cramped and the vibes will get to your hands eventually, but it'll do just fine.
Quote from: ACDNate on April 05, 2010, 07:37:45 AM
I've been using my Garmin Nuvi 760 in a Aqua Box for about a year and a half and am constantly annoyed by the diminished visibility of the water resistant membrane. It does it's job and has protected my Garmin in torrential downpours, but sucks for viewing.
This looks like the ticket for nice weather usage. Does that ram cradle for the Nuvi still use the Garmin supplied cradle? Does it have power connections with the standard Garmin adapter?
Yes, the ram is a ball that attaches to the handlebar, and a ball with plate that screws into the back of the Garmin cradle. The cradle itself doesn't have a connection, the power cord attaches directly into the Nuvi at the side (not like the car mount versions). I'm planning on basically shaping a biggish box that comes about 2" past the screen, with enough room to put my hand in and get the unit out. It will be shaped in at the back to screw in between the ram mount and the garmin cradle. I'll post photos if it works!
Quote from: jfinstrom on April 05, 2010, 12:06:45 PM
Any walk through on this? It brings cold sweats boring a hole in my faring but this looks nice and factory so do like....
No need to drill through the fairing if you don't want. My link above was wrong (fixed). Have a look at this:
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/imagecatalogue/imageview/8993/?RefererURL=/trade/productview/3899/16/
The ring holds it stable (and it looks good!) on the handlebar.
Quote from: CanadianRider on April 06, 2010, 04:27:15 AM
Quote from: jfinstrom on April 05, 2010, 12:06:45 PM
Any walk through on this? It brings cold sweats boring a hole in my faring but this looks nice and factory so do like....
No need to drill through the fairing if you don't want. My link above was wrong (fixed). Have a look at this:
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/imagecatalogue/imageview/8993/?RefererURL=/trade/productview/3899/16/
The ring holds it stable (and it looks good!) on the handlebar.
I like both methods however this option is better as it does no permanent mods which I like as they can move to future bikes
I made a mount for the GPS mount foward center of the gauges for my F model. It seems safer to me to have it closer to line of sight.
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/liloody/triggerjob011.jpg)
It's a 12" peice of SCH 40 SS 3/4 pipe heated and bent into a 90. I attached it to the head light bracket with a 3/16 U bolt that I bent out to 75 degrees and ran a nut onto it for a stop for one of the fender washers. then used another fender washers to secure it to the bracket. I then slid a gromet out of a 1" dresser coupling on the bent pipe to damben the vibration from the bike onto the mounting pipe.
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/liloody/triggerjob014.jpg)
Here it is with a Garmin GPS V on it. I have since got a RAM mount for a Megellan Triton 2000. I haven't mounted it yet but it ought to be neat. The Triton has a 8 MG card, has MP3 player, more detailed topo maps of the southeren US, it tells the difference between paved and unpaved and does vidieo.
sorry for bringing this one up, wanted to share a thought...
GS500 on suzuki site is presented as sport/touring bike so not dumb at all, but i think they are refering to F model.. anyways i am using my gs500 naked version for touring..
(http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/9127/photo0494.jpg)
its old pic with new tank, before paintjob...
me and my lady pack all the things you will or wont need into these :D
theres a tank bag now included.
longest for now 500km, but in 19 days we go for a 3000+km
Hope you give that chain some loving before you head off on that trip. :thumb:
Also don't forget about the straps!