Alright, alright, let me explain
I've had Lacey (an 02' 500e) for about 10 months now, and naturally this is the point where most people begin wondering about their next ride, something bigger, badder, faster, stronger, whatever.
So I've been looking at bikes...and looking...and looking...and the more I thought about it the more I realized - I may already actually own my dream bike!
More power? I don't even use everything mine has to offer, usually keeping her at 120 kp/h, maybe doing 130-140 if I feel like getting an adrenaline rush. Every new bike comes with EFI, and a bunch of electronics that can go bad in a while...and I'm usually the one fixing my ride as I love tinkering with her.
She has a "retro"-ish look to her and a real retro engine :icon_lol: , does great gas milage and is cheap to fix, not as light as a kite but not too heavy and will filter through traffic with ease.
So what about you guys, is your GS kind of a dream bike?
I've only had my GS for 7 months, enough time to put just over 1K miles on it and have done a ton of work on it. I kind of agree. I am not sure the GS500 is a "dream bike" but it does check a lot of boxes for me.
I think the story is quite different for the naked-bike fans vs. the "entry-level sports bike" people.
For me, and why I tend to agree, the GS500E really hits the marks:
- Naked street bike styling, comfortable sporty-standard riding position
- Simple, reliable and durable engine with easy owner servicing and cheap, abundant parts
- Lightweight for its class
- Air-cooled!
- Adequate power for purpose, along with reasonable fuel economy and a pretty good range
You mentioned EFI as a con against newer bikes but truly EFI is a huge improvement over carbs for reliability and ease of service. If you think EFI involves more electronic things to break, you obviously haven't experienced the challenges of making carbs work right. I can't imagine modern EFI on a 500cc twin will require any repair or service within the lifetime of the motorcycle engine. You'll be getting a bottom end rebuild before you'll have to touch the EFI. But carbs are a constant battle.
That said, even for me, and I'm quite the fan of my own GS500E, there are a couple of newer bikes on the market that I'd happily take but it's simply not worth the extra money. So when considering a $6-8K upgrade, it certainly feels like investing $1K to make the GS pretty much perfect is a better way for a tinkerer like me to spend money.
I didn't mean EFI could break,I meant that a lot of modern bikes have a TON of additional features such as traction control, engine modes, whatever. I rode mine through storms with 60 KPH sidewinds on the highway while in heavy rain, she does it well like any other modern bike would.
And I totally get your point. Newer bikes aren't really worth the extra money IMHO. If I wanted a touring bike I'd go with an old Harley or something like a Goldwing. But as a solo rider the GS is plenty enough
I love my GS, but I'll upgrade one day. A new car is in my future before I can get a new bike, but I would love something with EFI and a little more power. While I haven't ridden one yet, the FZ-07 is atop my list, and should be well within my price range in a couple of years. For now, I'm perfectly happy with what the GS has to offer, and will probably kick around the idea of keeping it when I buy something new.
A better GS would be my dream bike. Wheels with cheaper tires, belt drive, EFI, water cooling etc almost in that order.
They could have built it quite cheap if you ask me, instead, they seem to have lost the battle to Honda and Kawasaki and not even bother to compete.
Cool.
Buddha.
I think I just disagree with you guys about the definition of "dream bike" lol. Yes, my GS checks all my boxes for what I need out of a motorcycle at the current time and upgrading is probably less cost effective than improving my GS. I love my GS, and I think its a great bike, but a dream bike doesn't have to be cost effective. A dream bike isn't simply "what bike is right for your riding ability and budget", its "what bike would you buy if you were an expert rider with unlimited money." For me, the answer is almost unquestionably a brand new BMW S1000RR or Ducati 1299 Panigale. Will I ever get one of those? Probably not lol. But a man can dream.
Quote from: qcbaker on March 02, 2017, 09:00:39 AM
I think I just disagree with you guys about the definition of "dream bike" lol.
Yeah excellent point.
My "dream bike" would be a fully-custom motorcycle that I built myself. The dream is being able to control every single choice.
I think maybe what I should have said is the GS500 is, for me, right now, the right bike. Others may be better but not enough to justify the increased cost.
If someone wanted to give me a new Ducati Scrambler, I wouldn't complain. I would even happily give up my GS. Ditto that if someone gray-market imports a Yamaha XSR700, although I'd prefer the Duc because it's air-cooled. Once they start showing up gently used and can be had in nearly perfect low-miles condition for under $6K I'll probably buy a Scrambler. More comfortable, much newer, more dependable EFI, better suspension, ABS... about the only downside is extremely high maintenance/repair cost and maybe limited range.
I had the same feeling about 12 months into ownership. So, while visiting friends in LA, I rented four different bikes. Two Ducatis, one BMW and a Yamaha...all with price points far above the GS. They were all a blast. After I flew home I started looking into cost of ownership and insurance, etc. Financially it didn't make sense, so I decided to keep my GS and improve it's performance as best I could. Over the past year I've done a lot of work on, learned a hell of a lot from folks out here, and now I enjoy it even more. It's more running more powerful and smoothly than when i first got it, and I'm not even done yet.
Quote from: qcbaker on March 02, 2017, 09:00:39 AM
I think I just disagree with you guys about the definition of "dream bike" lol. Yes, my GS checks all my boxes for what I need out of a motorcycle at the current time and upgrading is probably less cost effective than improving my GS. I love my GS, and I think its a great bike, but a dream bike doesn't have to be cost effective. A dream bike isn't simply "what bike is right for your riding ability and budget", its "what bike would you buy if you were an expert rider with unlimited money." For me, the answer is almost unquestionably a brand new BMW S1000RR or Ducati 1299 Panigale. Will I ever get one of those? Probably not lol. But a man can dream.
Honestly? If you gave me 100K USD right now and said "alright, build a dream bike" - it would be either my GS Frankensteined to a full on scrambler to take on every terrain, mad-max style with a tracker-ish front (which is what I plan on doing after I'm done with my degree and won't depend on her as a sole means of transportation).
Either that or a lighter bike, V-twin engine, 10-12K redline, low end toque monster, offroad tires, basically a custom scrambler.
I have no choice, I've put maybe twice as money into my bike as I originally paid for it, and it's value has decreased exponentially, so if/when I do get a new bike, I'll be adding to the stable, not replacing the steed. I've always wanted an SV650, since I was 18 anyway so that's 12 years of wanting. What I like about that situation is the SV range are like the other Suzuki, where as the GS/GSF/GSX all come from the same roots.
The GS500 will be with me for a long time though and I think with each little project I complete it's getting closer to a bike that I want to keep for a long time. I'm quite sentimental and this is my first bike, it's the first vehicle I've worked on mechanically, aesthetically and electrically. I don't think it'll ever be my dream bike, but it's definitely my baby.
Chris
O0
How crazy, since I posted this, the guy I bought the bike off is looking for another GS500 because he misses Sookie. Feel kinda bad I can't give it back to him to be honest.
Quote from: TundraOG on March 02, 2017, 10:51:24 AM
Honestly? If you gave me 100K USD right now and said "alright, build a dream bike" - it would be either my GS Frankensteined to a full on scrambler to take on every terrain, mad-max style with a tracker-ish front (which is what I plan on doing after I'm done with my degree and won't depend on her as a sole means of transportation).
Either that or a lighter bike, V-twin engine, 10-12K redline, low end toque monster, offroad tires, basically a custom scrambler.
This thread is relevant to your interests: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=71224.0
4 years into owning my GS and the honeymoon isn't over for us :kiss3:
Great thread TundraOG
Two bikes later and 700ccs bigger and I still pine after my GSs.
Would I call them a dream bike? Not for me. They do a lot of things right, and I like that, but they do leave quite a bit to be desired. I would prefer EFI, the style is a little dated, you don't need the power but lately I've been having so much fun on a bigger machine that I wouldn't want to go back down that far full time, and while I prefer twins to 4-cyl I prefer Vs to parallel. So while the GS is a great little bike, I would absolutely love to own another one, and I 100% recommend them to everyone, it's not really a dream bike of mine.
A dream bike would be "If price is no object what would I like to ride every day." Considering features, power, and aesthetics, I think the list of my dream bikes includes: the new KTM 790 Duke, an Aprilia Shiver 750, of course anything from EBR, and, actually, my Buell Lightning. I wouldn't have necessarily considered it a dream bike before I bought one but after owning it... It's just freaking cool! I don't want to see it go. It's definitely quirky, and it being an oddball has a little more appeal to me.
If the GS is a bike you'll be happy riding the rest of your life, that's great! 3 cheers for you. :cheers:
If you want an updated version, the Honda CB500F is basically the same bike with modern styling and features. It has an electronic cluster, you can get them with ABS, but they don't have a ton of extra BS like traction control and throttle modes and stuff. I wouldn't hesitate to get another one of those myself.
I do agree that EFI is a better system. I won't say it's bulletproof, but it's definitely less finicky than a carb, and if something goes wrong it's typically a simple replacement.
Quote from: Watcher on March 02, 2017, 11:45:10 AM
If you want an updated version, the Honda CB500F is basically the same bike with modern styling and features. It has an electronic cluster, you can get them with ABS, but they don't have a ton of extra BS like traction control and throttle modes and stuff. I wouldn't hesitate to get another one of those myself.
I'm starting to think you're a honda sales rep.... CB500f really not doing that great on sales huh? :icon_lol:
I can admit, hands down, I liked my SV650 [curvy] more then the GS500.. GS500 just has too many design flaws, its known to be bulletproof. but man I would like someone here to define "bullet proof" because a .30 vs a 1/4 plywood at 100 yards is what I would consider the GS. maybe "bullet resistant." doesn't fall apart after the first shot... lol
now for my dream bike, I'm going to say the Vstrom1000, currently within the obtainable price range.
now if money wasn't a factor.. hard to say, tbh probably a gold wing. [im 23 years old btw] I enjoy doing hard long miles, then go fast, stop light to stop light. and I think while there is some features on the goldwings that "defeat" the motorcycle feel,its right up my ally.
Quote from: Watcher on March 02, 2017, 11:45:10 AM
I think the list of my dream bikes includes: the new KTM 790 Duke, an Aprilia Shiver 750, of course anything from EBR, and, actually, my Buell Lightning.
I'm with you on the Shiver 750. I'm going to add that to my list. With a round headlight it could even come close on styling. It's hard to not like a Monster 797 even more, though, for the same kind of money. I think the Duc is a better looking bike.
But I think you need to dream bigger :)
The MT (FZ)07 is a current equivalent of the GS and is a better bike, but the old GS500 is still one of the great basic bikes. A modern EFI would be a big benefit though. The GS carbs don't keep tune very well and you shouldn't really use ethanol fuel in them ( brass jets). Efi would adjust itself better and stay in tune, use way less fuel, give you more mid range and a cleaner running bottom end ( functions of PROPERLY tuned modern EFI). Proper shocks and USD forks would improve the stability. It would also remove the problematic fuel line mess.
If Suzuki continues this model ( and I hope they do), they will have to fuel inject it to meet new emission regs anyway. I suspect it will die though as it isn't water cooled and that makes it hard to get the emissions clean.
Other than that perfect bike for a commuter small tourer ( and they are very fine tourers with better suspension). Even the old style frame is easier to attach panniers to than a lot of modern frames.
It could use a modernization of components to make it a lot lighter though. That is my current project . ( see my thread in the projects area.)
Initially, after a year or so of riding my naked 2007 bike, I thought that a GS500 with EFI, ABS and liquid cooling would be the ideal machine.
My wife bought a Honda CB500X - and that ticks all of those boxes. It's a damn fine machine.
Recently we've had some ridiculously hot weather and I've been doing a lot of long days on highways at highway speeds. A radiator to more evenly dissipate the heat would have been an advantage. I think I've been asking a lot of the GS500, but (touch wood) it's been up to the task.
My brothers and brothers-in-law frequently ask when I'm going to get a grown-up's bike (they ride V-Stroms, a 650 and two 1000, and a variety of BMWs). However, every time I go out with them, I arrive at the destination at the same time they do - give or take a couple of minutes. I spend less time wondering where the next fuel stop is. My tyres and brakes seem to last longer. When their bikes are sitting in the shed mine is taking me to work. Because it gets more work it gets more care and attention - more frequent oil/filter changes, more frequent general clean-ups, more general maintenance. It thrives on work and oil changes.
The GS500 maybe isn't my dream bike, but it can really do the work and have some fun doing it.
Quote from: TundraOG on March 02, 2017, 07:47:24 AM
Alright, alright, let me explain
I've had Lacey (an 02' 500e) for about 10 months now, and naturally this is the point where most people begin wondering about their next ride, something bigger, badder, faster, stronger, whatever.
So I've been looking at bikes...and looking...and looking...and the more I thought about it the more I realized - I may already actually own my dream bike!
More power? I don't even use everything mine has to offer, usually keeping her at 120 kp/h, maybe doing 130-140 if I feel like getting an adrenaline rush. Every new bike comes with EFI, and a bunch of electronics that can go bad in a while...and I'm usually the one fixing my ride as I love tinkering with her.
She has a "retro"-ish look to her and a real retro engine :icon_lol: , does great gas milage and is cheap to fix, not as light as a kite but not too heavy and will filter through traffic with ease.
So what about you guys, is your GS kind of a dream bike?
Well, I'm with in in spirit at least. :)
I totally agree that the latest, greatest, shiniest, trickest thing out there isn't necessarily the best bike for you (or for me :)) Often, something that just flat out works for YOU, a bike that you feel totally at home with and comfortable on, no matter what it's age or spec level is, that's the bike you really should dream for.
For me, that's a first gen SV650.
Quote from: RichDesmond on March 02, 2017, 04:18:38 PM
For me, that's a first gen SV650.
I would be with you on that if it was 30 lb lighter and air-cooled.
Of course, then it'd be a Ducati Monster ... or quite similar to a GS500E.
Yeah KTM 790 Duke is def on my list to replace my useless GSXR.
But I will always have the GS in my garage, such a versatile fun workhourse :)
Speaking of dream bikes, I went to a Bike Night at the local CycleGear. They host one every first Friday of the month. Usually they have a raffle, and sometimes do a motorcycle related game. Today was "Write your favorite, or the motorcycle you think is the most unique, out of all the ones here today on the back of your raffle ticket, and we'll pick the one that's the most popular."
I was there a little early and was getting a lot of attention from a few people who were already there so I figured I was a shoe-in for this victory.
But then as the bulk of the people started showing up here comes a guy on a Zero and another on a KTM 1290 SuperDuke. No chance :sad:
As rare as a Buell tends to be, it doesn't stand up to an electric or a KTM. Especially since almost everyone these days knows what a KTM is, but a Buell is still relatively unheard of...
KTM ended up being the winner. But he got a backpack, and I wouldn't have used it anyway. But, I could have sold it for some $$...
Des is right... 1st gen SV650.
Brilliant. Light and chuckable as a 250, handles, well powerful enough (with nice v-twin ballsy torque), pretty. Cheap, Suzuki.
What more could you want. (Bugger, my son had one and when he sold it I let it escape... Damn!!!
look i love my gs's (iv got 4)
they are bullet proof and cheap to run
BUT
the suspension and breaks are terrible, now i should point out that my bikes are very well maintaind so its not a lack of maintinence issue, its just that the factory built the suspension to commute, not buzz thru traffic at 150kph....
so on my "trophy" bike im fitting a suzuki gk76 front end and a meguelli 250r rear end, iv alredy changed the dash to digital but after this ill be happy with the bike, now my outher 3 i will probibly sell at some point but my "trophy" bike will stay with me forever, yes shes the ugliest one i own lol
bottem line?
keep your gs, shes not fast or pretty and will never out corner a vfr400, but she will always get you where your going and back home again