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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: SS Adrenaline on March 30, 2012, 03:37:38 PM

Title: Suzuki GSF400 < What do you guys think?
Post by: SS Adrenaline on March 30, 2012, 03:37:38 PM
Hey there guys, as the topic states what do you guys think of that bike.  Im thinking about looking for one to play around with.  I am not getting ride of my GS or my CB Im just want another to tinker with.  Anyone have any experience with them?  pros? cons? 
Its a good looking bike I think.
Title: Re: Suzuki GSF400 < What do you guys think?
Post by: BaltimoreGS on March 30, 2012, 05:24:36 PM
An awesome bike that is unloved by the masses.  It is one I4 you can tach the gears out for fun and not be breaking the speed limit   ;)  They are a bit tight to work on but no specific problems stick out in my mind.  All the guys that want to shove an I4 into a GS frame should just pick up one of these bikes   :laugh:  I would snatch one up if it was in decent shape at a fair price.  I rarely see them or the FZR400's for sale in my neck of the woods.

-Jessie
Title: Re: Suzuki GSF400 < What do you guys think?
Post by: SS Adrenaline on March 30, 2012, 07:07:13 PM
Quote from: BaltimoreGS on March 30, 2012, 05:24:36 PM
An awesome bike that is unloved by the masses.  It is one I4 you can tach the gears out for fun and not be breaking the speed limit   ;)  They are a bit tight to work on but no specific problems stick out in my mind.  All the guys that want to shove an I4 into a GS frame should just pick up one of these bikes   :laugh:  I would snatch one up if it was in decent shape at a fair price.  I rarely see them or the FZR400's for sale in my neck of the woods.

-Jessie

Ohh really....where is your neck of the woods exactly?  Im in Canada, Manitoba so I hope there are some here for me to snatch up.  Are they reliable as the gs? 
Title: Re: Suzuki GSF400 < What do you guys think?
Post by: BaltimoreGS on March 30, 2012, 07:27:30 PM
I'm east coast USA.  Small displacement and naked bikes just aren't popular here.  Like I said, there aren't any common problems that stand out in my mind so I wouldn't say they are unreliable.  They are a lot more complicated than a GS so there is more that could go wrong.  Liquid cooled, 2 more carbs and 12 more valves to deal with.  Don't know if it was the only color they offered but every one I ever saw was red.  The trellis frame is Monster-esque.

-Jessie
Title: Re: Suzuki GSF400 < What do you guys think?
Post by: dynasty17 on March 30, 2012, 09:18:07 PM
Quote from: SS Adrenaline on March 30, 2012, 07:07:13 PM
Quote from: BaltimoreGS on March 30, 2012, 05:24:36 PM
An awesome bike that is unloved by the masses.  It is one I4 you can tach the gears out for fun and not be breaking the speed limit   ;)  They are a bit tight to work on but no specific problems stick out in my mind.  All the guys that want to shove an I4 into a GS frame should just pick up one of these bikes   :laugh:  I would snatch one up if it was in decent shape at a fair price.  I rarely see them or the FZR400's for sale in my neck of the woods.

-Jessie

Ohh really....where is your neck of the woods exactly?  Im in Canada, Manitoba so I hope there are some here for me to snatch up.  Are they reliable as the gs?

I wish I could call the GS500 reliable without lying. Mine has been nothing but trouble so far.
Title: Re: Suzuki GSF400 < What do you guys think?
Post by: SS Adrenaline on March 31, 2012, 07:35:52 AM
Quote from: dynasty17 on March 30, 2012, 09:18:07 PM
Quote from: SS Adrenaline on March 30, 2012, 07:07:13 PM
Quote from: BaltimoreGS on March 30, 2012, 05:24:36 PM
An awesome bike that is unloved by the masses.  It is one I4 you can tach the gears out for fun and not be breaking the speed limit   ;)  They are a bit tight to work on but no specific problems stick out in my mind.  All the guys that want to shove an I4 into a GS frame should just pick up one of these bikes   :laugh:  I would snatch one up if it was in decent shape at a fair price.  I rarely see them or the FZR400's for sale in my neck of the woods.

-Jessie

Ohh really....where is your neck of the woods exactly?  Im in Canada, Manitoba so I hope there are some here for me to snatch up.  Are they reliable as the gs?

I wish I could call the GS500 reliable without lying. Mine has been nothing but trouble so far.

Ohh sorry to hear that.  Maybe your luck will turn around once you iron everything out.  Has anyone seen them very much in Canada?
Title: Re: Suzuki GSF400 < What do you guys think?
Post by: 5thAve on March 31, 2012, 07:50:08 AM
They were sold here, but the price was close to that of a Katana 600, and the ergonomics are definitely on the small side, so they never did sell very well. However, the air/oil cooled engine is from the same family tree as the rest of the suzuki GS/GSX line and is generally bulletproof unless it's really abused (no oil changes, etc.)

They are one of the "secret" bargain bikes, especially if the owner is 5'10" or less. Can be had relatively cheap and TONS of fun.
Title: Re: Suzuki GSF400 < What do you guys think?
Post by: BaltimoreGS on March 31, 2012, 10:09:17 AM
Quote from: 5thAve on March 31, 2012, 07:50:08 AM
However, the air/oil cooled engine is from the same family tree as the rest of the suzuki GS/GSX line and is generally bulletproof unless it's really abused (no oil changes, etc.)

Unlike the larger Bandits, the 250 and 400cc versions were liquid cooled.

-Jessie
Title: Re: Suzuki GSF400 < What do you guys think?
Post by: SS Adrenaline on March 31, 2012, 05:43:27 PM
Quote from: BaltimoreGS on March 31, 2012, 10:09:17 AM
Quote from: 5thAve on March 31, 2012, 07:50:08 AM
However, the air/oil cooled engine is from the same family tree as the rest of the suzuki GS/GSX line and is generally bulletproof unless it's really abused (no oil changes, etc.)

Unlike the larger Bandits, the 250 and 400cc versions were liquid cooled.

-Jessie

So are you saying that the larger bikes didnt have liquid cooled capabillity?  Only the smaller cc.
Title: Re: Suzuki GSF400 < What do you guys think?
Post by: dropitlow88 on March 31, 2012, 05:59:30 PM
Checked one of these out on youtube.  sweet sounding and high revving. Found one on local craiglist for $500. A 94. Wish I had the $
Title: Re: Suzuki GSF400 < What do you guys think?
Post by: BaltimoreGS on March 31, 2012, 06:00:12 PM
The 600cc and bigger bandits have an oil cooler like the GS500F, the smaller ones used a radiator with antifreeze like a car (or a modern sport bike).

-Jessie
Title: Re: Suzuki GSF400 < What do you guys think?
Post by: SS Adrenaline on April 01, 2012, 06:14:01 AM
Ahh IC.  I would totally get one if one came up for that price.  I love america.  I always woundered due to the hight reving if it wears out fasterter then a slower reving engine?  Any truth to that?
Title: Re: Suzuki GSF400 < What do you guys think?
Post by: BaltimoreGS on April 01, 2012, 06:16:17 AM
Quote from: SS Adrenaline on April 01, 2012, 06:14:01 AM
I always woundered due to the hight reving if it wears out fasterter then a slower reving engine?  Any truth to that?

I have no idea on that one.  Twocool would probably be a good one to ask.

-Jessie
Title: Re: Suzuki GSF400 < What do you guys think?
Post by: speedfreek on May 30, 2012, 09:03:31 AM
I would love to see more small bore four cylinders being produced for sale in the USA.  GSF400, VF500F, etc.

It's a better "second bike" for a gal or smaller guy than a R6/CBR600/etc.

TJ
Title: Re: Suzuki GSF400 < What do you guys think?
Post by: termlifed on May 30, 2012, 07:39:30 PM
I would personally love one. A cheap, light weight, high revving bike seems like it would be tons of fun for around town and tight twisties. Wish they would have been more popular in N.America. Infact I just saw one on sportbikes.net that was pretty badass
(http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/attachments/pictures/205126d1303328124-post-some-pics-your-bike-warbike2.jpg)