was talking with friends who all ride bikes and they were saying the "little" GS500 are so slow they would only do a high 15 sec 1/4 mile.
I know they are not fast but high 15's? Has anyone been on a drag strip on a GS500
Unless you have done some pretty decent mods...I'd say sure, 14-15 would be average. It's a 25 year old 500cc motor...what do you expect? :dunno_black:
just was surprised when they said high 15's
I think low 14's would be pretty easy even on a stock bike. They're pretty easy to launch and have plenty of grunt for a decent 1/8 mile. The last 1/8 is where you're going to see the bike start to trail off, especially a naked GS.
Maybe I'll bring mine to track and see how she does. I could also do some dynolicious runs on my phone as well for a fairly accurate basis.
Quote from: Wagoneer on June 16, 2013, 07:26:19 PM
I think low 14's would be pretty easy even on a stock bike. They're pretty easy to launch and have plenty of grunt for a decent 1/8 mile. The last 1/8 is where you're going to see the bike start to trail off, especially a naked GS.
Maybe I'll bring mine to track and see how she does. I could also do some dynolicious runs on my phone as well for a fairly accurate basis.
dynolicious?
It's a 1/4 mile, 0-60, top speed etc. timing app for any phone with GPS. The 0-60 always reads a bit 'optimistic' and the trap speed in the 1/4 mile isn't very accurate (usually +/- 2mph), but I've found the ET to be extremely close. I've tested it alongside actual time slips at the track.
And the horsepower readings are obviously garbage. Not a bad tool for getting an idea of your 1/4 mile times though.
sounds like a cool app, reckon you can give it a crack on your bike?
my drag strip experience is limited to cars only
I know my GS is definitely slower than my car. My car also has a better power-to-weight ratio so it is hardy surprising.
However the bike is still more spritely than the majority of cars on the road.
They way I feel about it is this, the GS5 is MORE than enough to kill you if you dont respect it. I dont need anything bigger so I can go faster
My last car, modified Volvo 850R 5spd, did the 1/4 mile in 13.8. I really have no idea how to compare that to my bike since the feeling going from a bike to a car is completely different. I can't say my GS feels much slower though except for highway pulls.
I'll rig up a mount for my phone on my bike and see if I can get some runs in. My GS isn't too modified, just has an exhaust, K&N drop-in and jets, and I'm not the most experienced rider out there yet, so should be a pretty honest 1/4 mile time.
Quote from: Wagoneer on June 16, 2013, 08:16:45 PM
My last car, modified Volvo 850R 5spd, did the 1/4 mile in 13.8. I really have no idea how to compare that to my bike since the feeling going from a bike to a car is completely different. I can't say my GS feels much slower though except for highway pulls.
I'll rig up a mount for my phone on my bike and see if I can get some runs in. My GS isn't too modified, just has an exhaust, K&N drop-in and jets, and I'm not the most experienced rider out there yet, so should be a pretty honest 1/4 mile time.
thanks mate, that would be cool
looking forward to see how she goes.
I have a 11sec street car and our family car is a '07 Falcon which my daughter to to a street meet and ran 14.8
but like you said different feel.
I don't care what my bike does in a 1/4 mile... I didn't buy it for drag racing, and I'm guessing you didn't buy it for that either. I bought it because I was a newer street rider. I wanted a bike I could learn from. I wanted a bike I could lean over without scraping the exhaust all over the pavement.
Don't let anyone put you down for riding a GS500 because its 'slow' or for 1/4 mile times... They shouldn't ride on the street at all if thats their reason for riding... No one buys a GS for that, and if they did, they weren't looking to win... Besides, anyone can ride in a straight line... You want a decent argument on race times, look toward real racing (NOT pathetic drag racing) and tracks with a lot of turns and the GS will actually have a shot over 'faster' bikes.
- Bboy
Quote from: BockinBboy on June 16, 2013, 09:22:52 PM
I don't care what my bike does in a 1/4 mile... I didn't buy it for drag racing, and I'm guessing you didn't buy it for that either. I bought it because I was a newer street rider. I wanted a bike I could learn from. I wanted a bike I could lean over without scraping the exhaust all over the pavement.
Don't let anyone put you down for riding a GS500 because its 'slow' or for 1/4 mile times... They shouldn't ride on the street at all if thats their reason for riding... No one buys a GS for that, and if they did, they weren't looking to win... Besides, anyone can ride in a straight line... You want a decent argument on race times, look toward real racing (NOT pathetic drag racing) and tracks with a lot of turns and the GS will actually have a shot over 'faster' bikes.
- Bboy
hear hear :cheers:
According to the August 1989 issue of Cycle World the stock GS will do a 1/4 in 13.39 seconds at 98mph, according to March 1990 issue of Motorcyclist it will do a 13.69 at 94.6.
According to the real world, who gives a damn? Enjoy your bike and don't worry about what other people say. They're probably just jealous about how much fun you are having without spending near as much as they did.
Quote from: BockinBboy on June 16, 2013, 09:22:52 PM
I don't care what my bike does in a 1/4 mile... I didn't buy it for drag racing, and I'm guessing you didn't buy it for that either. I bought it because I was a newer street rider. I wanted a bike I could learn from. I wanted a bike I could lean over without scraping the exhaust all over the pavement.
Don't let anyone put you down for riding a GS500 because its 'slow' or for 1/4 mile times... They shouldn't ride on the street at all if thats their reason for riding... No one buys a GS for that, and if they did, they weren't looking to win... Besides, anyone can ride in a straight line... You want a decent argument on race times, look toward real racing (NOT pathetic drag racing) and tracks with a lot of turns and the GS will actually have a shot over 'faster' bikes.
- Bboy
the thing is BockinBboy with a 1/4 mile time people anywhere can get a good idea how it performs, while a track time somewhere in say England wont mean much to any one else around the world. I never said anything about arguing about race times only trying to gauge acceleration.
You say anyone can ride in a straight line that's a pretty dumb thing to say.
.... not to fan any fires.... but .. around the local university lately... there seems to be a lot of riders who cant ride in a straight line!!... no matter how hard they appear to be trying!! .. :icon_rolleyes: .. how some of them have missed the hedges and parked cars remains a mystery!! .. its a brand new crop of overseas students by the look of it... :D
Quote from: ausgs on June 16, 2013, 09:47:39 PM
the thing is BockinBboy with a 1/4 mile time people anywhere can get a good idea how it performs, while a track time somewhere in say England wont mean much to any one else around the world. I never said anything about arguing about race times only trying to gauge acceleration.
You say anyone can ride in a straight line that's a pretty dumb thing to say.
LOL Ausgs, my comment is not true at all no doubt... A lot goes into drag racing, and its a universal race with more skills involved than most realize... yada yada... I know this, but you are on GS forum and this bike doesn't belong near a drag strip is all I'm saying. I was just emphasizing that this bike is well suited for twisties, and if your friends want a decent conversation about 'which bike is faster'... the only conversation the GS has a chance involves turns. It can outperform much 'faster' bikes in that scenario, but a straightaway the GS will never win.
Hell, I thought I was sticking up for you against your friends comments about a 'slow' bike! Guess I read that wrong... lol
Anyways, it just seemed like you were trying to defend your 'slow' bike... So I gave you something to chat with them about where your 'slow' bike had a chance...
- Bboy
Quote from: ausgs on June 16, 2013, 07:02:10 PM
was talking with friends who all ride bikes and they were saying the "little" GS500 are so slow they would only do a high 15 sec 1/4 mile.
I know they are not fast but high 15's? Has anyone been on a drag strip on a GS500
And I can recall talking to a friend after a group ride down in the Smoky Mtns 10 years ago who said "I never knew a GS500 was that fast." That was riding thru the mountain twisties with a small group of bigger bikes, not lining up for a drag race.
GSs run about 14.5 sec @ 90 mph quarters now, not quite as fast as the earlier ones. Here's a list of data from all the road tests I've found in the Moto Mags:
http://www.gs500.net/gallery/data/500/GS500tests.jpg
Its fast enough to get away from most cars at the lights
Its fast enough to overtake at motorway speeds
Its fast enough to make me loose my licence
Its fast enough to injure me if i mess around too much
Why would i want more power? :dunno_black:
Quote from: vinny on June 17, 2013, 09:22:46 AM
Its fast enough to get away from most cars at the lights
Its fast enough to overtake at motorway speeds
Its fast enough to make me loose my licence
Its fast enough to injure me if i mess around too much
Why would i want more power? :dunno_black:
And that's really all that matters as far as speed. More importantly though, if you want faster, you bought the wrong bike. I'll keep this old girl til she's dead!
Quote from: ausgs on June 16, 2013, 07:02:10 PM
was talking with friends who all ride bikes and they were saying the "little" GS500 are so slow they would only do a high 15 sec 1/4 mile.
I know they are not fast but high 15's? Has anyone been on a drag strip on a GS500
I think what you need is a GSX-R1300. Then you can run with the big dogs. It's a bit more spirited than a GS500.
There are Lots of gently pre-owned Busa's on Craigslist too.
I'm curious though... If you could dial in any number, what would you feel is a respectable 1/4 mile time for your GS500?
Just wondering. :dunno_black:
Thanks,
-Ej-
Quote from: Electrojake on June 17, 2013, 05:09:44 PM
I'm curious though... If you could dial in any number, what would you feel is a respectable 1/4 mile time for your GS500?
Just wondering. :dunno_black:
Thanks,
-Ej-
Mine will do 12 seconds.............................If I tow it with my car :dunno_black:
Fast enough to "just barely" kill you!
Cookie
Quote from: vinny on June 17, 2013, 09:22:46 AM
Its fast enough to get away from most cars at the lights
Its fast enough to overtake at motorway speeds
Its fast enough to make me loose my licence
Its fast enough to injure me if i mess around too much
Why would i want more power? :dunno_black:
Quote from: twocool on June 17, 2013, 05:19:24 PM
Fast enough to "just barely" kill you!
Cookie
LOL thats pretty funny for some reason tonight.
Quote from: Electrojake on June 17, 2013, 05:09:44 PM
I'm curious though... If you could dial in any number, what would you feel is a respectable 1/4 mile time for your GS500?
Just wondering. :dunno_black:
Thanks,
-Ej-
ooooh oooh!! .. i know this one!! .. the
lowest time you can do!! :thumb:
My GS ran a 15.4@85 with valves out of spec, unsyched carbs, old chain and old crap tires. Brought all maintenece up to date, ran again.. 15.3@87 was my best ever. Bike was stock save an emgo shorty muffler. Made it to the 1/8th pretty well, but it falls on its face then. Trapped 75mph in the 1/8, then crossed the finish at 85-87mph.
I find it hard to believe anyone can get a stock GS into the 13s, or to trap 11mph faster than mine.
13's would be..... :icon_eek: ...
do they make drag tracks on a downhill? ;)
also... i went on a bit of a spiel in another thread somewhere... but in drag racing... a second is a collossal amount of time!!! .. considering the speeds ... hell even on a circuit track nowadays a second is a pretty decent gap!! ..
i'll use a different comparison .. for drag speed newbies... (and i dont claim to be expert!... just this is what i have seen) ..
years ago at Eastern Creek Dragway, NSW Australia .. the top fuelers were running.... (not as cool as the "Wild Bunch/Doorslammers but still cool!) .. Back in those days Jim Reid was pretty much King of the drags in Aussieland... close competition but he won a lot! .. after the main meeting was done... the mechanics went hell for leather to do another rebuild/replace bits on the motor... jim was going to try for the Australian?... (or world.. i cant remember) .. sub 7 second 1/4 mile...
yes i know its waaaaaaay below that now... but this is ... oh crap ... 24 years ago roughly? :icon_rolleyes:
they had been running mid to low 7's for a real good run during the meeting... mostly they ran the cars enough for a win but without keeping it flat thru the trap... 5000+hp is a lot of energy and wear to put a motor through...
the report came over the speaker that the mechanics had finished and put as much boost and fuel flow as they dared for the current conditions... and Jim would just hold it flat through the second half of the track (if the launch was solid) to see what could be done timewise...
up in the grandstand near the trap sat my mates and me... the car launched hard... and those beautiful flames stayed bright and solid out the exhaust pipes... straight past us!! .. the noise was visceral .. yeah its usually LOUD .. but this was banshee! ..
he broke the 7 .. 6.93 IIRC .. (his best competition run during the evening was 7.23 again IIRC) .. the announcement came over the speakers and place went nuts!! :D
i was watching a interview on tv the next weekend (sunday motorsport roundup type thing) ...the team boss was chatting about the record and what it meant for the industry ... and some of what they had done with the motor... extra 9.5lbs of boost through the blower, extra 2 point something litres a second through the fuel pumps (again! IIRC) ... and a lot of other bits and bobs they had tweaked .. .. to gain .3 of a second!! ? ...
ok all my blabbering on is common... and at the time this was extreme power drag racing! .. but main point is... all that work/fuel/pressure .. combined with training/luck/experience/balls ... to gain 3 tenths of a second ...
even scaled riiiiiiiiiiight back to a humble GS500 ... on the subject of 1/4 times , a drop of 0.5 of a second is great .. and probably due more to technique than power... 1 second would be amazing!! ... and with enough internal mods and practice and luck and ideal conditions .. more is possible for sure!! .. with a turbo or N2O or special fuel .. even more again...
but you run your bike down a track .. (or a backroad .. but shhhhhhh :whisper: ) ... and tell me 15 sec bracket feels slow! ...
compared to a bigger bike yes!... but concentrate on your ride and your machine ... its not a slow feeling!! :thumb:
On the subject of speed !!!!!!! For those Twinners in Melbourne (Vic, Oz) you would have seen the front page of the newspaper (Herald/Sun) two days ago where the Boys in Blue (now Black due to a uniform change this week) clocked some "HOON MOTORCYCLIST" on their radar at 276kph (171mph) on the Hume freeway just North of the City. They could not catch him but got a partial Rego. They are trying to track him down. It MUST have been a GS500! Nothing else goes that fast. I have kept Suzi under raps in case they think it is me. LOL :police:
Macka
Quote from: prmas on June 18, 2013, 10:13:19 PM
On the subject of speed !!!!!!! For those Twinners in Melbourne (Vic, Oz) you would have seen the front page of the newspaper (Herald/Sun) two days ago where the Boys in Blue (now Black due to a uniform change this week) clocked some "HOON MOTORCYCLIST" on their radar at 276kph (171mph) on the Hume freeway just North of the City. They could not catch him but got a partial Rego. They are trying to track him down. It MUST have been a GS500! Nothing else goes that fast. I have kept Suzi under raps in case they think it is me. LOL :police:
Macka
:icon_lol: :icon_lol: :icon_lol: :thumb:
Slow in a straight line? Compared to most larger bikes, yes. Compared to the little cars most people drive, no, you will beat them off the line.
Slow where it matters, nope! I recently moved on to bigger 675cc bike. Over double the HP and much much faster between the corners. I say between because on the same stretches of twisty roads i rode the GS on my new bike is barely faster (if at all). When it comes to a nice twisty road with little straights, the GS will keep up with most. Just keep your speed up as it cant get back up to speed as fast as bigger bikes.
1/4 mile times are for bragging and squids. Run a GS through the dragons tail and it will keep up with anything if you know how to ride it.
South of Home we have a place called Arthur's Seat. It is a very steep twisty climb for about 1 or 2 Ks up to a Chair Lift/Ropeway and is a favourite haunt of riders. Melbourne riders will know it well. I have ridden it many times on the GS. I have a mate with a Ducati S3. He leaves me for dead on the uphill but can't catch me on the downhill. I am sure that there are better/faster riders than me but none of my friends can catch me going downhill and my GS is the least powerful of the group by a long shot. The GS clings on and I keep going that little bit faster until the back starts sliding a tiny bit and I then know that I have reached the limit. It it had ABS I would probably be faster still but it would not be half the fun!!! :woohoo:
Macka
Sorry if this is off topic, but how do you launch the gs at a drag strip? Just put the Rpms at like 7k and let out the clutch?