Would you take your GS500 2UP on ~300 mile days via back roads with no more than 65 indicated(don't trust those country coppers). Weight would consist of light packing in saddle bags, tank bag and gear for both riders. I have done back roads before 2UP maybe a hundred miles or so, with gear and tank bag and it did fine, just concerned about extending that ride. I would never major highway it at 80 indicated and I wouldn't want to back road it without both suspension mods. I ask because that's how these trips were done on these then large displacement bikes and I think it would be fun, almost nostalgic yet would I risk myself and passenger chasing an archaic past?
Packing would consist of flip flops, undies, rubbers, tools, oil, few shirts, rain stuff, scotch, granola bar, paper docs - the important stuff. Hotels would be where we would spend the night, food would be dine out(in:house::out:restaurant?) and keepsakes would most likely be mailed depending on size/weight. I figure no more than 50 lbs between the two sets of bags. I'm sure we would exceed that weight limit of the bike yet who doesn't? Riders without gear about ~400 lbs, gear XX lbs, <50 lbs stuffs. GO or NO GO?
O0 :cool:
When you chose the chick for a long trip like this, go for one of the light-weight models. There are some coming out of Japan now that are around 45kg total and the light weight and the scale of the unit makes for a most satisfactory ride on the trip. Enjoy :-)
I wouldn't hesitate, I have a neighbor with a Honda 250 Nighthawk ( 2003 ) with around 80,000 miles of almost exclusive two up touring with pretty close to that weight, he has taken the bike through every state in the continental U.S. at least once and then some. His only breakdowns during all that time have been two flat rear tires ( tube type ) and he rides his tires till you can see the air. I've seen him leaving on trips looking like those Vietnamese families and all their belongings on a Honda 50, does anyone honestly believe a GS500 would have a problem doing the same thing a 250 could do.
Ignoring the fact that you're probably exceeding the specified weight limit of the bike by 30 lbs or so, the bike generally isn't the limiting factor. If the rider and passenger can tolerate it, it can be done.
Google search finds a post elsewhere on the GS500 forum about this exact question:
1) Consult the VIN plate on the frame to find the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of 845 lbs:
2) Locate the appropriate Dry Weight figure (372-373 lbs) for your model year on the Suzuki GS500E model history page.
3) Figure out what all of the fluids weigh that make the bike ready to ride:4 to 5.5 gallons of gasoline (at ~6.2 lbs/gal) = ~25 to ~34 lbs
3 quarts of oil = ~5 lbs
brake fluid = ~1 lb ...[/list:u]... and add everything together
4) Add the dry weight and fluids together to get the bike's "Wet Weight":373 + ~30 lbs + ~5 lbs + ~1 lb = ~410 lbs[/list:u]
5) Subtract the Wet Weight from the GVWR to determine how much extra weight you can "safely" put on the bike (including yourself and your riding gear):845 lbs - ~410 lbs = ~435 lbs[/list:u]
Make sure that:
1. Do not exceed the weight limit (Looks like someone is checking on the value).
2. Your tires are properly inflates for 2-up riding. Under inflated tires are dangerous.
3. Make sure your passenger is used to this type of riding and is comfortable on the back. Most of my passengers want off after 20 minutes. Your experience may vary.
4. Your luggage is evenly distributed on the bike.
Most of all, have fun!
I never went anywhere significant with a passenger on our GS500F, but the 2up riding we did do the bike was OK, just underpowered. Prepare to be passed a lot. Which never bothered me ~ life's not a race to some imaginary finish line. The little GS is so mellow, there was never any temptation to even try to go fast ~ just find a comfortable cruising speed and enjoy. Kind of like touring in a Smart car ~ as long as you are OK with being limited to a more sedate pace, you are good to go.
Try and keep off roads with lots of traffic and take more time to get where you are going and take more rest stops along the way :) I have done 11hr. days 2up on my VFR800 where you go steady all day and it takes some of the fun out of it.
300miles/500kilometres is about the longest 'enjoyable' day I can imagine 2up on a bike with less than 1000cc displacement. There is just a lot more shifting and/or higher rpms involved to keep a smaller motor making enough power to haul its max weight around that it gets more tiring.
I'm travelling this weekend 2Up from Chicago to St. Louis. We weigh about 350 combined. That combined with a rear GIVI case and a tank bag I'm not worried about overloading. And I'm in no hurry to get there. I'll let you know how it goes!
Two-up feels a lot safer if you upgrade the stock suspension.
GS 2-up is only for two "tiny folks" IMO..
TJ
Went for a nice long ride 2 up yesterday. Rode about 250 miles round trip, and it took a little over 4 hours total touring to and around a state park. Had a blast with no complaints from the fiance other than the heat while in a short bit of traffic, and she is already planning the next one! Only things I did to prep for riding 2 up was added a bit extra pressure in the tires and turned up stock rear suspension to 7. Bike felt solid all day and we weigh about 275 together. Even had to hard stop in a twistie for a couple deer to finish crossing the road and it felt smooth, controlled, and stable.
- Bboy
Quote from: kbankovi on May 18, 2012, 01:33:49 PM
I'm travelling this weekend 2Up from Chicago to St. Louis. We weigh about 350 combined. That combined with a rear GIVI case and a tank bag I'm not worried about overloading. And I'm in no hurry to get there. I'll let you know how it goes!
I am curious to know how it went. I have decided to scrap the idea and it's mostly because of my physical limitation. I took the bike out on a day trip and she did fine, oil was lowish once I returned but I could not for the life of me be comfortable after the first hour. My knees could not take it on my way back and I had to repeatedly stand to stretch them. If I am uncomfortable, she would have to be miserable.
Other than that it was a nice ride, 2.5 hours for a bomb-ass burger, some sight seeing and then my way back. 80MPH indicated most of the way(6K gets ouch after a while). I'll probably plan the trip solo and then return with her, with a significantly more comfortable bike.
No more sportbikes or standards for me,
O0 :cool:
He made another thread about it.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=60584.msg699390#msg699390 (http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=60584.msg699390#msg699390)
- Bboy