I'm a newby to GS's and I'm looking to buy one soon. What is the difference between the 500E and 500F configuration other than the obvious fairings? I've looked all over the forum and I cannot find a thread that addresses the differences. Are the handlebars on the F in a lower sport configuration? I know this is a really basic question and wouldn't ask if I could find it on the threads. Thanks for your help.
Here's what I can think of:
The F has a larger gas tank than the E.
Larger gas tank = different seat shape and tail plastics.
Different turn signals.
Mechanical drive tachometer on the E, switched to electronic drive on the F.
Front calipers were upgraded on the F model too IIRC.
Most of the changes occurred during the '01 model year when the different tail plastics, seat and tank were done but not the full fairing.
Suzuki also added an oil cooler with the addition of the fairing on the F -- this also changes the sump and sump gasket shape.
Handle bars are the same as far as I know, except for the 1989 US version had clip on style bars. The controls handlebar controls themselves look different but offer the same functionality.
Different petcock designs. The F model design is more reliable.
Different fork design; the F model fork has slightly stiffer springs (still need to be upgraded if you weigh much over 150 lbs) but is harder to change the seals.
Different color wheels, frame and engine.
3 jet carbs instead of 2 ('01 and 02' had different carbs than '04+).
Different ignition timer, so the old ignition advance doesn't work on the new bikes (I think 1st and second gear timed differently than the rest, to meet emissions requirements).
Early model E's had a front fender extender that helped keep road gunk off your headers and engine.
1989 E's had a nice aluminum shock pivot knuckle; later models had steel.
The Epoxy in the early generator rotors was different. Not sure if it was better or worse in regards to Goats. I don't know if this changed during the early E years or later on.
At some point Suzuki switched from adjustable levers to the non-adjustable type we see on the F models.
Note that although some of the parts are different, they are usually interchangeable with little to no modification.
http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Main.YearChanges
Some of that can be found here. bluesmudge, if you don't mind, can I add some of that stuff to the wiki (with your credit)? Or you can add it in.
are you looking for differences in the year, or just the different configuration (naked vs. faired) within the same year?
some countries sell the 2004+ model in the naked version. If I recall, the only difference was the front fairings/mirrors and oil cooler on the faired version.
Thanks for the information and the wiki link. danofthejungle, to answer your question, I was leaning towards a naked bike because I thought I read it had a more standard upright riding configuration. I don't want a sport bike where I'm leaning over all the time.
I'm just not seeing that many 500E's out there in good condition and if the 500F has some improvements over the E's that may be route to go. What I'm hearing from Bluesmudge is there's not a big difference in riding configuration from the E to the F - if I'm understanding you correctly.
Riding position is the same '01+ E or F. The narrower seat and tank on the older E's has a very different feel. The bike feels smaller, and its easier to flat foot if you are short. There is also a different feel with a stationary fairing vs naked.
EdChen, you can add whatever I said to the Wiki but for half of it I was only half sure about what I was saying.
Thanks for all your help. It sounds like the 500F is the way to go.
Quote from: Big Rich on August 12, 2015, 10:29:39 AM
Here's what I can think of:
The F has a larger gas tank than the E.
Larger gas tank = different seat shape and tail plastics.
Different turn signals.
Mechanical drive tachometer on the E, switched to electronic drive on the F.
Front calipers were upgraded on the F model too IIRC.
3 jet carb (pilot, mid, main) compared to 2 jet (pilot, main)
I think the things you're mentioning are specific to model years, not just E/F. These are all things changed on the '01 and up (I added some things as well).
The only real changes that the F has over the E (besides the aforementioned fairings and headlight) is the external oil cooler on the engine. This is because the fairings block much of the side airflow around the engine so it needs the added cooling in the front. The F is also a little heavier. I can't remember the exact specs but it's not much, I think 25lbs or so.
I put 80k miles on my 97 bought new in 99 and it was totalled in July 03 and I then bought my 02 with 4k miles on it. I mention the mileage because of the difference in performance between the two bikes, I bought back the totalled 97 a couple months later and fixed it up except for superficial body work damage and then could ride both back to back the same day. Both remained completely stock except for a front sprocket change 16-15T on the 97 for the mountain trips.
The 02 was much stronger thru the mid-range with it's 3 circuit carbs than the 97 with the 2 circuit ones, much nicer in everyday riding about, I really didn't like riding the 97 then until I went far enugh to get use to it again. In spite of the mid-range difference the old 97 with 80k on the clock still felt stronger on the top end, I always suspected a cam change was also involved although I never could confirm it. Suzuki began listing the cams as an assembly about then an I couldn't see the part numbers of the newer cams.
Took the 97 to the Aderondak (sp?) and Smoky mountains in 01-02-03 and took the 02 to the Smokies in 04 and running for hours at 7-9k rpm in the mountains I really never noticed the difference in the 2 bikes, both were total fun. Still liked the 02 best back home for every day running about.
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