How do you feel about a GS500 (E OR F) that was fuel injected and had a shaft drive? I would buy a new one if Suzuki would build them. How do you feel about this? I have no idea how much this would cost new if these changes are made but I sure would like to see Suzuki selling the GS500 again. Thanks much and ride safe my friends.
FI, of course. Shaft, nah. Not worth it.
Looked at a new 2013 CB500F the other day...basically a GS with all the improvements I want. FI, ABS, and room for longer legs. May be in my garage some day. NEXT to my GS, not a replacement.
Aside from lower maintenance what are advantages of shaft drive?
Quote from: Twism86 on June 01, 2013, 10:13:48 PM
Aside from lower maintenance what are advantages of shaft drive?
Absolute direct power to the rear wheel with no chance of the chain breaking. :dunno_black:
The biggest disadvantge of shaft drive is whats known as shaft effect or torque reaction.
Under hard acceleration the bevel gears try to climb over each other and the rear rises or throws the bike to one side making it unpredictable and difficult to control.......ever wondered why sports bikes and racers dont use them?
Consider also the increased weight and complexity (and therefore cost) both in the drive from the gearbox and to the rear wheel and in the rear suspension, the fact shaft drives are less efficient and sap more power, the need for regular oil changes, the inability to quickly and easily alter final drive ratios and remove/refit the back wheel.
They do have their advantages, no cleaning and adjustment/alignment and the abilty to transmit high amounts of torque but thats about it. They are best suited to large heavy tourers, not sports bikes....... or bikes pretending to be sports bikes.
no thanks on the shaft drive. Disadvantages? where to start, too heavy, robs too much hp to start.
I have a bmw r1100s with shaft drive. While its nice to have no chain maintenance, on a small light bike like the gs, id much rather have a chain. On a heavy touring bike, the extra weight of the shaft drive system is negligible
Agreed with above post, CBR500F is about as close as we've got to a new GS500. It's a really nice bike, my girlfriend has her eye on one as her first bike.
Also agreed on the shaft drive comments. On a small and nimble bike, what's the point?
I'll stick to my GS500 though. Just something about the simplicity of it, air-cooled, and just old enough to be retro and a little rough around the edges. Exactly what a motorcycle should be in my mind.
I'd like to see a drive belt set-up!