Personally, I kindda do. I love it and by no means do I want to sound like I've mastered my GS...
I ride mostly with guys on bigger bikes. I've ridden 600's and even 1000's and I felt like I've really enjoyed the extra power provided by those bigger and faster machines (in the case of the 1K, I felt more intimidated than anything)
I feel like I ride pretty hard in the twisties and I know that this is where my GS performs the best. However I real enjoy the 600's because the extra HP's really made a difference in the curves.
I feel more confident because the 600's power made it very easy to shift weight the rear tire when I needed added traction. I also love the fact that extra power helped me stand the bike up out of the turn instead of using the body weight.
The GS has really tought me well and the manageable power has really helped me limit the mistakes. But I think this season I'm going to move up to a GSXR 600.
I've been reading Keith Code's "Twist of the wrist II" and I've been trying to use many of the riding techniques he teaches in his book. Reading this book has also tought me the significance & importance of HP and its use to control a bike. I feel a little bit limited with the GS500.
I've been ridding on the GS for close to 3 years now. I'm just wondering if anyone else out there feels the same.
I can understand your feeling. More power and more refined suspension are nice to have.
The GS has a different kind of fast than a 600 or bigger bike, more like a 125 GP (corner speed corner speed corner speed). It takes more work and thought, but is much more rewarding IMHO.
Face it, you just wanna pop power wheelies and polish your fairings don't ca?
:mrgreen:
I don't really feel that I've "outgrown" it, but I'm definitely getting the itch for #2. December will be 2 full years on the GS, and I'll likely keep it for 1 more for financial reasons. In really tight twisties, I keep up with the other guys I ride with for the most part, though they're a little faster. I don't really think this has to do with the bike as much as my unwillingness to push quite as hard as them. On higher speed sweepers, though, the only limit I've ever had is the bike. It just does not have the roll on power for me to keep up coming out of those corners. I've yet to go to a track day, so I don't even know where I really stand. I think I'll try to get to one this summer. I hear it's the only way to really measure up your skills, since you don't have to worry about as many outside factors.
I'll probably be looking for something sporty that I can ride for a lot longer than the GS though. Currently my longest ride, which became quite painful near the end was about 375 miles in a day. I was cramping up bad by the time I got home. I'll probably look into a YZF600R, ZZR600 or maybe even anolder Interceptor as replacement. I dig that FZ1 as well, but I think the 1000 is just a bit too big of a step up.[/list]
the FZ 1 is not too big a step up if youve ridden constanly for 2 years. it has a detuned r1 engine and is more docile than most 600ss. and used ones can be had for a steal!!
Quote from: JamesGI can understand your feeling. More power and more refined suspension are nice to have.
I have spacers, progs spring and a gix750 on the rear. Still I've gotta say that the supersport stock setup makes me feel more at ease around the cruves.
Quote from: JamesG
The GS has a different kind of fast than a 600 or bigger bike, more like a 125 GP (corner speed corner speed corner speed). It takes more work and thought, but is much more rewarding IMHO.
Those Grandprix 125cc two strokes would kill a GS. More HP and much lighter, not to forget the riders :lol:
Quote from: JamesG
Face it, you just wanna pop power wheelies and polish your fairings don't ca?
:mrgreen:
Well you make a good point here :thumb: I'm tired of frying my cutch to get the front up. However, I'd probably polish the
FRAME before I polish the
FAIRING !!! :?
Outgrown it............uh..........no
I just keep making it bigger and better. :mrgreen:
But then I do have a TLR
:nana:
Quote from: South East RocketThe GS has really tought me well and the manageable power has really helped me limit the mistakes.
Well this is very true. I also credit the gs500 for allowing me to advance my skills the way they have. I would not be the rider I am today if I had started on a bigger bike. Its true, maintaining corner speed vs. hard braking/turn-in/accelerate out, that's the difference between riding the gs and the 600's. You have to relearn how yo uride but you've gotten the confidence to do it by ridingthe 500.
I've moved up. That was my plan all along. The gs500 was just my learner. That's why I bought it. You'll enjoy the upgrade.
Last year I rode a Katana 750. It made 90ish HP, and 50ish TQ. Twice what the GS makes, but it was also heavyer. I miss the power, the ability to use 6th gear, 11 sec 1/4 miles, wheelies thru second gear, 145MPH highway runs, the windscreen, mirrors that don't move with the bars, clip ons, good brakes,, and a fuel gauge.
But the bike severly limited my riding. I was so afraid to push it, plus it was heavy, and powerful. This year I am concentrating on learning to handle the corners better. So that next year I can get an R6 and be confident.
Well, I'm ready for bigger better things. Problem is my wallets not. I like the handling, the power is too lacking and for a 6ft guy its too small. But its simple, fun, and looks good. No regrets here. On a side note my bikes at my parents house right now. I'm letting my Dad, who hasnt ridden a bike since his Honda 300 in college, ride it for a while. So now its getting someone else back into bikes, I like that idea. I am missing it tho. :(
-ash
my first bike was a 1981 honda cb750k... what a top heavy, nasty riding bike that was... but i didn't know it at the time... i'm looking forward to spending some time on this gs, it's been a few years since i've had any bikes at all, so this is like a "re-start" for me... but my first reaction was to how nice and nimble this bike is compared to my first 'beast'
Quote from: South East RocketI have spacers, progs spring and a gix750 on the rear. Still I've gotta say that the supersport stock setup makes me feel more at ease around the cruves.
Thats because no matter what you do to them, they are still skinny little 37mm tubes.
Quote
Those Grandprix 125cc two strokes would kill a GS. More HP and much lighter, not to forget the riders :lol:
I meant the way they make their power is similar. Not much torque and relatively low HP requires them to stay at high speeds.
A 125 GP bike only puts out around 40hp and weighs about 140 pounds.
I dont think i have outgrown it.. im still learning.. 3 years of riding and im still learning..
the bike is 3 years old sometime this early this may..
the thing is that i feel i learn something new everytime i ride.. so i don think i will ever outgrow it. I may get something faster, but the GS taught me a lot of what i learnt.. and the bikes i had before too.
Outgrow it?
I was already too tall when I first got it! :lol:
I rode my friend's 600 a couple weeks ago. As long as I kept the revs below 5-6k, it was very tame :)
I plan on using the rest of the year to practice my skills before I try getting a new bike. I wish I could take lessons or a track day to learn things properly and then apply them on the street! Well, you know what I mean... not the Basic Rider course the MSF gives...
I say do what makes you happy, its all about fun. I switched from an R6 to a GS 500 to a YZF 600 all in 12 months. If I had to do it all over again. Out of them all the GS was the most fun for and comfortable for any riding under 60MPH, particularly city riding. On open road though or Jersey back roads, I have more fun on the YZF suspension is just well... oooooooooh. lol. And the R6 was just too much power, too much insurance in that lil package. They YZF I got now even though its in mint condition is a '99 and only costed 150 more to insure.
If I didn't get that deal on the YZF though, I would have kept the GS for a year or two more then would have gotten a nice used F4i or an SV650.
Those two bikes are the bikes that whever I go to track days, people crave to ride, and beg to go for a spin on, especially on the short tracks like Summit Point. Not the R1's, or 1000RR's but the SV650, the F4i and the R6. F4i has the best ergos IMO.
The GS I miss for just zipping around in on slower speed trips, it was nice for that purpose.
the low power of the gs is about its only drawback, we need to find an engine that can be dropped in with minimal work/adaptation ,realatively cheap to find, and has a displacment of 600-750cc's i wouldwant to keep the narrowness of a twin, so parallel or V is up for debate, Now, i could even handle a 1000cc ver, say finding away to add 2 more cyl and instead of a CB shaft, have a sec crank running 180 out from first, turn first head around so all 4 intakes aim in and connect to a comon plenum manifol, then bolt a nice weber progressive 2bbl down onto it. yeah, thats the ticket, no more Syncing carbs. 1000cc V4 GS. ( ok chuck, time to take the green pill)
Who feels like they've outgrown their 500???
Not me, the GS500's load capacity is over 400# :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :nana: :thumb:
i certainly don't feel that I have outgrown the GS's power, after all I've only had it one month, but I do fell that I need better suspension. My chicken strips are fairly narrow and I feel that the underperforming suspension is holding back my confidence and cornering speed.
I know that I could spend a few hundred to upgrade the suspension, but I'd rather use that money for payments on a new SVS650 and get better suspension in the process.
Is my confidence and riding ability up to riding a bigger bike? Absolutely. But that doesn't change the fact that my GS is a rip to ride, and you're not going to find a bike with that grin factor that's cheaper to insure and maintain.
Quote from: Blueknytthe low power of the gs is about its only drawback, we need to find an engine that can be dropped in with minimal
One word, Turbo.
Quote from: Acelucki certainly don't feel that I have outgrown the GS's power, after all I've only had it one month, but I do fell that I need better suspension. My chicken strips are fairly narrow and I feel that the underperforming suspension is holding back my confidence and cornering speed.
I know that I could spend a few hundred to upgrade the suspension, but I'd rather use that money for payments on a new SVS650 and get better suspension in the process.
Two words, Progressive Springs. $46.99 from Chaparral. They're cheap, easy to install and work wonderfully. It's what the factory should have done. :thumb:
Quote from: octaneIs my confidence and riding ability up to riding a bigger bike? Absolutely. But that doesn't change the fact that my GS is a rip to ride, and you're not going to find a bike with that grin factor that's cheaper to insure and maintain.
The GS is also cheap to buy, particularly used. My experience and ability surpassed the GS the moment I got on it. That doesn't make it any less enjoyable, just more easily controllable. :) For another $1,000 the local dealer tried to sell me a 1200 Bandit. I would have loved the power wheelies and ripping acceleration. But I know how much trouble I could get in with that. I'm just too mature(or old) :roll: to do it. I don't want any more crashes, thank you, or tickets. I'm dangerous enough on the GS(or a Harley). The GS is a blast and soooo easy to ride. With an easy handling bike and lots of experience, you think and it moves. It's way cool. :thumb:
CHEAP???
I've bought two engines for it, V&H pipe, K&N airbox, Jetkit, progs springs, GSXR750 rear shock, got it repainted, swapped the 6ft blinkers, changed handlebars, replaced my forkseals, and all the other small things that I can't think of right now...
I'm depressed even thinking about it! :(
Quote from: South East RocketCHEAP???
I've bought two engines for it, V&H pipe, K&N airbox, Jetkit, progs springs, GSXR750 rear shock, got it repainted, swapped the 6ft blinkers, changed handlebars, replaced my forkseals, and all the other small things that I can't think of right now...
I'm depressed even thinking about it! :(
Well yeah, since you put it that way, I have been putting money into mine too. But, the initial cost of the basic machine is fairly low.
I've bought springs, regulator, stator, tools, and new tires I haven't even mounted yet. We must be having fun. :cheers:
Quote from: Ed_in_AzQuote from: Acelucki certainly don't feel that I have outgrown the GS's power, after all I've only had it one month, but I do fell that I need better suspension. My chicken strips are fairly narrow and I feel that the underperforming suspension is holding back my confidence and cornering speed.
I know that I could spend a few hundred to upgrade the suspension, but I'd rather use that money for payments on a new SVS650 and get better suspension in the process.
Two words, Progressive Springs. $46.99 from Chaparral. They're cheap, easy to install and work wonderfully. It's what the factory should have done. :thumb:
and a katana rear shock for $50 or less on ebay. Best $100 combined you'll spend on the gs bar none.
This bike would be perfect with another 20 horse power. :oops:
My low end is just soggy...
I wish the final gear was a bit taller too.
I need more power!!!
NEVER!
-Anti
I did until I put the GS down about 10 days ago.... on a stupid cornering mistake.
Prior to that happening, I was lusting after the Hondas 599/919, big time (like 'em naked and with big headlights :-)
Now I realize the GS's lack of raw power does a good job in preventing me from being the complete jerk that I know I can be.
So it looks like many more moons together for me and the GS
GOT one from factory on my seca650, but needs carbs. hopefuly cheap.
once i have them, it will be set. as to the GS still want a V4 or 650 Vtwin
I've been wanting a new bike since the beginning of this season... Partially because my GS seems to be lacking the power that I remember it having a year ago... That may just be the worn out chain though, as well as the sprocket.
This is my third season riding, with about 8000 miles on the bike going into it. Pretty even mix between highway and backroads.
I plan to keep the GS until it is completely worn out, and repairs get expensive. It's easy to work on, no radiator, no computers, not much space in the garage. And, I still make plenty of mistakes.
I have read that many of the sportbikes are unforgiving about mid-turn line corrections. I don't know about you, but I still adjust my line through corners all the time. Plenty of blind corners around here that prevent you from looking all the way through.
Are the bigger bikes really that unforgiving?
Trev
I think that's BS. They are neither forgiving or unforgiving. However if you hammer on that throttle on a sport bike before coming out of the apex you might get yourself in trouble quicker than not.
Some are more forgiving than others. they're generally not firgiving of ham-fisted newer riders that dont have exceptional throttle control under duress.
duress... thats a good word.
-Anti
I definetely haven't outgrown my golden GS, actually after the accident I had 2 months ago I feel like a beginner again... Need to re-gear myself and re-learn to ride... and I have had the GS for 3 years...
Anyway, there's no budget to outgrow anything...
I feel like I've out grown the gs. I'm either going to buy a new sv650s or a gsx-r600. I just bought a house so the sv price is looking better than the gsxr. This guy at work who always rips on my gs just bought a cbr600 rr. I have to admit its a pretty nice bike. Then another guy at work has a harley and seems to know nothing about horsepower just how many cc's the bike is. Typical Harley guy. If I buy the sv I hope it's enough power to keep me satisfied for at least a few years.
Outgrown ... probably not. I just want something new. My 97 has 18,500 miles on it. SV650 or YZF600r ........ very different and I still can't decide.
QuoteI think that's BS. They are neither forgiving or unforgiving
Try asking the 86-88 GSCR750 pilots that, they wernt called HIGHside bikes for nothing. they were Very unforgiving in corners