Hello all,
I have searched in the data base to no avail. I am seriously thinking of buying a GS500 and wonder if there has been any quality change with the shift to production in Spain? As an aside i am a self employed bike painter (40 years) and sidecar installer (18 years) and am happy to answer any questions in those fields.
thanks, bob wark
I have a Spanish built '06, only complaint is less than wonderful chrome on fork legs (made in Spain), and general paint finish on the frame. I live in a coastal environment, but the bike is always garaged. There is rust pitting on the forks, rust coming through on the front of the lower triple clamp and rust areas in corners of the frame where the paint coverage obviously wasn't good.
Previous bike was a Yamaha SR250 Classic, also made in Spain, same issues.
My "Made In Spain" runs sweet as. No rust spots. And I do ride in the rain and nor is the bike always garaged nor ridden by a little old ladies on the weekends. :thumb:
No complaints from me on my K9
Michael
Thanks for the input. I lived near the ocean years ago and had similar problems on a Dt400 Yam, ended up slathering it with grease! When i asked my friend who is the service manager at the local Suzuki shop about the GS500 he kind of went blank. Basically they sell them, they come back for service and there are no issues, no recalls, no service bulletins. Generally a no news is good news. I live in S.E. Ohio, no ocean, lots of twisty, lightly traveled roads.I am encouraged.
Quote from: bobwark on June 02, 2010, 04:21:27 PM
Hello all,
I have searched in the data base to no avail. I am seriously thinking of buying a GS500 and wonder if there has been any quality change with the shift to production in Spain?
The wiki says there was but I've not noticed any.
QuoteAs an aside i am a self employed bike painter (40 years) and sidecar installer (18 years) and am happy to answer any questions in those fields.
thanks, bob wark
What sidecar kit would you recommend with the GS500? Costs? How much to repaint a GS500 tank?
- Porkchop
Porkchop,
Thanks for the input on the Spain-Japan question.
I'd recommend small/light sidecar, a Velorex 562. They cost $2899 plus shipping from Tampa. A diligent search can turn up used ones at wildly varying prices. A proper install always involves custom brackets for the 'mule', i've not developed a kit for this bike yet, no one has asked. Once i have my own GS500 i'll be able to use it for a mockup mule,,,the fairing lowers would likely have to go south. A one color, single stage paint job (no clear, no bodywork, no tank lining) would start at $450. There are many variables to paintwork and a phone discussion is the hot ticket there.
bob wark
PS i do have what i'd consider a pretty good website but i'm hesitant to put my address, i don't want to be viewed a mercenary capitalist.
Quote from: bobwark on June 03, 2010, 07:02:15 PM
PS i do have what i'd consider a pretty good website but i'm hesitant to put my address, i don't want to be viewed a mercenary capitalist.
Not hard to find your website :) In fact the paint jobs are fantastic!!! I hope to see a GS500 on the site one day to :cheers:
thanks for the nice comment on my paintwork.
I bought a 2009 GS500F a month ago. It has been in a lot of rain here in Seattle. Overall, everything is fine. I am extremely happy with the bike and the performance.
The only spot that seemed to miss a little paint is an inner inside corner of the bracket that holds the faring on. Very minor and not visible unless you're really looking hard. A dash of paint or even a wipe with some T-9 would take care of it.
I was surprised it was Spanish made until a friend read the sticker on the right side.
Go for it! It runs great and rides well. Smooth as silk even at 80 mph.
So far I have a little over 800 miles on her.
Hey Bob I'm a GS rider and a Ural rider, we have some common ground :woohoo:
Peace,
Syzygy