:cheers:
I'm new to this forum........so now formal intro......
I'm 50 something years old.........Was a pro bicycle racer in my teens to 30's.......never rode a motorbike until two years ago........got a Honda scooter, 1984.........for commuting.........rode that thing EVERYWHERE.....200 mile rides etc.........8700 miles in two years!
Then one year ago got a Honda Rebel 250.........for just a little more power........put on 7000 miles in one year.......Rings went bad, burning oil............loved the bike but it had to go........
Got a new ('09) GS 500 F ...exactly 3 weeks ago...Was 1 mile ........ now 1700 miles...I LOVE THIS BIKE!!!!!!!!!
I like everything about it!
Plenty of power
Plenty of speed
Handles like a dream
Shifts smooth
Looks good, looks cool
Very comfortable
great gas mileage
great commuter
great for road trips
Not expensive
Insurance cheap
What's not to like?? :woohoo:
I commute 50 miles Mon ~ Fri and 180 miles on Sat and Sun.
This is the PERFECT bike for me
Cookie
What was you '84 Honda scooter? It didn't happen to be an Elite 250 did it?
Quote from: twocool on July 08, 2010, 07:27:03 PMot a new ('09) GS 500 F ...exactly 3 weeks ago...Was 1 mile ........ now 1700 miles...I LOVE THIS BIKE!!!!!!!!!
I like everything about it!
Plenty of power
Plenty of speed
Handles like a dream
Shifts smooth
Looks good, looks cool
Very comfortable
great gas mileage
great commuter
great for road trips
Not expensive
Insurance cheap
What's not to like?? :woohoo:
I commute 50 miles Mon ~ Fri and 180 miles on Sat and Sun.
This is the PERFECT bike for me
Cookie
I can only agree, although I strive to have a touch more power it really is the best all rider for all the reasons you posted. I only really ride mine Mon-Friday but manage 125 a week plus the odd ride out. Last night I did a 90mile ride out with my brother in law and my father in law. My BIL had a tuned 40hp Aprilla 125 RS, my FIL had a Honda Silverwing. Mine was the best of both worlds, a nice grunty machine leaning more towards sport handling but with the comfort of the silverwing without being too lardy...
Enjoy.
Agree all around. I just stand there in Garage and look at it when only 5 minutes are available (my 45th bike).
I need to get rid of the mild-medium handlebar buzz, and add some luggage (have heavy aluminum ATV bar and rubber bar mounts, and 25 year old soft luggage from my 83 Vision to use). All doable.
Otherwise its a really sweet 40hp semi modern wonderbike.
Coming from bicycles, as I also do, 40 hp feels like starship power. I like the 60 mpg too, keeps me away from gas stations, and towns, on my days off.
Boy, I thought I loved it... you may love it even more. I'm not "outgrowing" mine and I've had it 2+ years and 11,000 miles. Bought it for a commuter and to get back into riding after raising kids. I haven't been bitten by the horsepower bug either. That's the only thing I see that would make someone tire of it.
A co-worker is learning a lesson. He asked for my advice before getting his license and ignored it. He sold the 1986 750 Vulcan he bought from another co-worker two years ago. It was more powerful than the 2006 Vulcan 900 he bought last year for 6 grand on payments (he doesn't read) only to find if he's not cruising at 50 mph he doesn't like it very much. Never mind my 500 can outrun his 900. He wants a bigger engine. :icon_rolleyes: He is still ignoring my advice as you can see, and he still isn't reading. I learned a lot with two magazine subscriptions. That was long before the internet.
Had he listened he would have spent $65 for a cam chain tensioner his old bike needed. Then he would ride it for two years while learning what he really wants out of motorcycling since it's different for everyone. Had he listened he would have spent a total of $1,065 + consumables. Instead he's making payments and isn't happy. At this point his favorite thing about his 900 is his girlfriend likes it. I've heard that one before. That means he'll be trying to sell it next year, and since the economy is in the toilet and will be worse next year everyone will low-ball him thinking he's in financial trouble. This will force him to keep a bike he doesn't really like. It's too late for him to listen now. That is why I haven't told him the rest of the story. Why rub salt in the wound? I have 3 bikes, the GS, a touring bike, and a dirt bike, so I have a bike for every occasion. I spent a grand total of $3,500 including repair parts and have no payments. If I told him that he'd probably stick his head in the oven!
Quote from: 007brendan on July 08, 2010, 09:05:49 PM
What was you '84 Honda scooter? It didn't happen to be an Elite 250 did it?
No Elite CH 125 really cool looking futuristic / retro styling...........the 250 is fast but...Butt Ugly! Looks like a vacuum cleaner tha went wrong.........
Cookie
Welcome to the forum :D
GS500F has to the best kept secret in motorcycles :woohoo:
Outfit with luggage and a taller windscreen and you have sport touring "light"
(http://i47.tinypic.com/317ayp1.jpg)
Post a pic and let us know where you are.
Keep the shiny side up,
Chuck
Quote from: Chuck500 on July 10, 2010, 04:37:53 PM
Welcome to the forum :D
GS500F has to the best kept secret in motorcycles :woohoo:
Outfit with luggage and a taller windscreen and you have sport touring "light"
(http://i47.tinypic.com/317ayp1.jpg)
Post a pic and let us know where you are.
Keep the shiny side up,
Chuck
Thanks Chuck!
I am working on some photos, but the Bike is now bone stock so it looks just like every other one!
I really dig that luggage! The design and graphics fits the bike........Looks "sleek" not clunky.....
I have been simply using one of those "spider web" stretchy deals to hold my flight bag onto the passenger seat.....Holds just enough for work, not for touring however..........
That windshield looks nice too.........one of the things I miss from my scooter. It had a really tall windshield........easier on long rides and it's warmer in winter........
I guess I stumbled on the GS 500 sort of by accident.........
A friend of mine got a '09 Ninja 500.......explained to me that it is not really a crotch rocket, just a nice sporty bike, etc.........He got a big discount at the dealer........
So I looked at them, one used one in rough shape, and local dealer had no more, and wouldn't give a real big discount anyway..........
So I started internet search of other 500 cc bikes out there..........Really the GS 500 is the only other one......Maybe a little less performance than the Ninja, but no less in the areas important to me, and better in fuel economy which is important to me.........The more I read about the GS 500, the more I liked it......In person ,I liked it even more, and then riding it, I liked it even more!!
So I checked out the local dealer and found that Suzuki made a big price cut on the '09 leftovers, and my dealer does not add extra "fees" or charges" like dealer prep or destination........
So it took only two days from the inspiration, to unload my Rebel and my scooter and the rest, as they say, is history!
Cookie
Well Chuck, looks like "Cookie" prefers not to reveal his/her location at the present time.
Cookie,
I totally agree :cheers:
I have had my used 06 about six months and am loving it! Here is what I like:
* Not to fast but plenty fast enough!
* You ride it, it doesn't ride you. ( Like someone said. It's more fun to ride a slower bike fast! )
* Im averaging 60 MPG ( Nice fuel capacity )
* Handles fantastic
* Ultra light Mini Touring Machine ( Bar risers and tall windshield made it a beauty! )
* Simple, air cooled engine, Nice analog guages
* Looks so nice I cry when I see it!
I just wonder how much longer they will make it? :dunno_black:
Quote from: ojstinson on July 10, 2010, 06:01:04 PM
Well Chuck, looks like "Cookie" prefers not to reveal his/her location at the present time.
LOL.........Top secret!
Washington......no, not DC.......no not the "state"...........
Washington, NJ.......sort of in the northwest of the state......
I ride all around three states.....NJ, PA, NY
Cookie (A "he")
I love this bike as well. I started riding about 4 months ago just before my 57th birthday. I bought a zuma 125 scooter. It was a lot of fun but it was not quite fast enough. It is hard to avoid 55mph roads around here if you want to go anywhere. The zuma would go 55 but just barely and it did not feel safe.
I went to suzuki dealer to look at burgmans but my wife loved the way the gs500f looked that was standing next to the burgman and I decided to give it a try without knowing much about it. It was a very lucky day for me. The gs has better handling than the scooter at any speed over 30 and not bad handling at slower speeds. It accelerates a faster than I need to even at the break in rpm max of 5500 and it is stable at highway speeds. I like the fairings and short windshield because it allows you to ride for a long time without getting tired but you still know that you are on a bike unlike the big touring bikes which feel more like riding in a car. Other than fuel injection for those cold mornings, I can not think of anything else i would ever need in a street bike.
Quote from: rger8 on July 10, 2010, 08:45:50 PM
Cookie,
I totally agree :cheers:
I have had my used 06 about six months and am loving it! Here is what I like:
* Not to fast but plenty fast enough!
* You ride it, it doesn't ride you. ( Like someone said. It's more fun to ride a slower bike fast! )
* Im averaging 60 MPG ( Nice fuel capacity )
* Handles fantastic
* Ultra light Mini Touring Machine ( Bar risers and tall windshield made it a beauty! )
* Simple, air cooled engine, Nice analog guages
* Looks so nice I cry when I see it!
I just wonder how much longer they will make it? :dunno_black:
I thought its over....09 last year.....I know it is for Ninja 500......this size bike does not sell in usa......
Riders who are "inadaquate" must buy big CC's to make up for it..........
Cookie
Quote from: twocool on July 11, 2010, 03:26:15 AM
I thought its over....09 last year.....I know it is for Ninja 500......this size bike does not sell in usa......
The 2010s are out. Haven't seen one on the street. I think Kawi stopped selling the 500 to boost sales of their new 250. It also encourages people to move up faster. Unfortunately for them, most people I see selling there ninjette, move on to a gixxer. So Zook gets the best of both worlds. They get the sensible 500 riders, and the I've out grown my 250 crowd! :thumb:
Quote from: rger8 link=topic=53141.msg600205#msg600205 date=1278819950
...I just wonder how much longer they will make it? :dunno_black:
/quote]
Although it's not selling well in the States at this time, it's been selling well around the world for 21 years. High fuel costs and high taxes on big bikes in many countries make this bike a smart choice. I don't see that changing anytime soon, so you can expect the GS 500 to be around for years to come.
In Europe for instance, when you're paying the equivalent of $9 US per gallon and face thousands in extra taxes if you want something bigger, the GS 500 is the perfect place to stop.
Some of you guys have my story almost exactly. I didn't start riding on 2 wheels until I was 44. Started with a 1971 CS3 (RD) 200 Yamaha. That little 2 stroke was a blast. Then I got a 06 F model and I feel you'd be hard pressed to find a bike that incorporates economy, ease of use, power, affordability and light wiegth like the GS does. I had to do some redneck engineering and buy a few things to make it a more comfortable sport cruiser but I'm very satisfied with what it's turned into. The closest bike I can find (BMW F800GS) that shares all these attributes costs 3Xs what the GS does and has some concerning issues for what it costs. I had wanted another bike for better touring capability but then I told myself just slow down and enjoy the ride.
Nice to see another central jersey member. I am from flemington, nj. The only thing to add to your list of reasons to love the gs500 atleast for me is the cheap easy to do self maintenance.
Quote from: redhawkdancing on July 11, 2010, 09:52:43 AM
Quote from: twocool on July 11, 2010, 03:26:15 AM
I thought its over....09 last year.....I know it is for Ninja 500......this size bike does not sell in usa......
The 2010s are out. Haven't seen one on the street. I think Kawi stopped selling the 500 to boost sales of their new 250. It also encourages people to move up faster. Unfortunately for them, most people I see selling there ninjette, move on to a gixxer. So Zook gets the best of both worlds. They get the sensible 500 riders, and the I've out grown my 250 crowd! :thumb:
2010 GS 500 F ?............The Suzuki website does not show this............Only 2009 as "newest".....MSRP $4399
Can you give a link to 2010 GS 500? And List price?
thanks
Cookie
Been riding my er-6n and gs650f the past 10 days. Deciided to ride the gs500f into work today. Wow! I'd forgotten how responsive and fun it is. Best seat of the 3. Suzuki would be foolish to drop this bike from their lineup.
Quote from: twocool on July 12, 2010, 04:46:00 AM
2010 GS 500 F ?............The Suzuki website does not show this............Only 2009 as "newest".....MSRP $4399
Can you give a link to 2010 GS 500? And List price?
thanks
Cookie
My bad....looks like it isn't selling in the US. Probably too much left over from 2009. I think someone mentioned they had just bought a 2008 leftover.
Here is a link with the 2010 in the top picture. The rest look like '09. It has the Canadian price at the bottom.
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2010models/2010-Suzuki-GS500F.htm
That Total Motorcycle link shows one 2010 in the first pic with the white on top and the others are some 2009 pics they used. You can see the 2010 GS500F colors at Global Suzuki:
http://www.globalsuzuki.com/motorcycle/moto/street/gs500f/99999-A0118-1L1.pdf
The 2010 naked GS500 sold on some world markets comes in Phantom Gray only, looks like black to me:
http://www.globalsuzuki.com/motorcycle/moto/street/gs500/99999-A0103-1L1.pdf
Suzuki Canada shows the 2010 GS500F:
http://moto.suzuki.ca/Product%20Lines/Cycles.aspx
But none for the US, we have too many left over 2009, 2008, and 2007 models.
Quote from: gsJack on July 12, 2010, 03:41:08 PM
That Total Motorcycle link shows one 2010 in the first pic with the white on top and the others are some 2009 pics they used. You can see the 2010 GS500F colors at Global Suzuki:
http://www.globalsuzuki.com/motorcycle/moto/street/gs500f/99999-A0118-1L1.pdf
The 2010 naked GS500 sold on some world markets comes in Phantom Gray only, looks like black to me:
http://www.globalsuzuki.com/motorcycle/moto/street/gs500/99999-A0103-1L1.pdf
Suzuki Canada shows the 2010 GS500F:
http://moto.suzuki.ca/Product%20Lines/Cycles.aspx
But none for the US, we have too many left over 2009, 2008, and 2007 models.
Yeah I saw the phots of the '10 with the blue and white reversed of my '09.......but figured this is for the world market but not USA..........Suzuki Web site lists 2009, 2008 and even 2007......must be some leftovers still around.....
One website said that int he USA Suzuki will try to market some models of '09 bikes as '10..........
Cookie