GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

was wandering what the max safe weight when 2 people are on the bike. my wife and I together weigh 360lb is it to hard on the bike

Thanks
Mike Kelly
houston texas

Quote from: mk1271was wandering what the max safe weight when 2 people are on the bike. my wife and I together weigh 360lb is it to hard on the bike

Thanks
Mike Kelly
houston texas

The gross vehicle weight of the GS500 is 845#.  The wet weight is about 420-430#.  Leaves about 420# for passengers and anything else your carrying.  Should crank up the rear spring preload a couple of notches with that load and inflate rear tire to the 2 up pressure spec of 41 psi.

also at the weight i described i like to travel about 70

If you want to check the figures yourself, you can ...

1) Consult the VIN plate on the frame to find the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of 845 lbs:

(http://www.bbburma.net/MiscFotos/100_1226_VIN_Plate.jpg)

2) Locate the appropriate Dry Weight figure (372-373 lbs) for your model year on the Suzuki GS500E model history (http://www.suzukicycles.org/GS-series/GS500E.shtml) page.

3) Figure out what all of the fluids weigh that make the bike ready to ride:

4 to 5.5 gallons of gasoline (at ~6.2 lbs/gal) =

~25 to ~34 lbs
3 quarts of oil = ~5 lbs
brake fluid = ~1 lb ...[/list:u]... and add everything together

4) Add the dry weight and fluids together to get the bike's "Wet Weight":

373 + ~30 lbs + ~5 lbs + ~1 lb =

~410 lbs[/list:u]
5) Subtract the Wet Weight from the GVWR to determine how much extra weight you can "safely" put on the bike (including yourself and your riding gear):

845 lbs - ~410 lbs =

~435 lbs[/list:u]Wasn' that fun?  ("Ah-choo!")

================================

BTW, did you know that MANY of the larger bikes -- even bikes designed for touring -- don't have that kind of extra carrying capacity?  Granted, the GS500 can't move that much weight very "quick"ly, but it's funny  to think that the larger bikes can't move it very safely.... :?

EDIT: Changed link from sisna.com to bbburma.net

Wow, I can carry an additional 300lbs on my bike besides me?  :o That's mindboggling.

-Kel

Hell...i would put some Joe Rocket saddlebags and go do a weeks grocery shopping at pathmark.  The bikes a little utility vehicle i tell ya..... :cheers:

Quote from: mk1271also at the weight i described i like to travel about 70

Well, I weigh 240# and carrying another 30-40# of soft luggage for a week of traveling, I run all day at an indicated 80 mph on the interstates.  Probably an honest 70-75 mph considering speedo error.  Never attracted any attention from LEO's at that speed.

And don't forget you have a 6 speed tranny there for a reason.  The GS500 will go over 100 mph in 4th gear w/o hitting redline, so don't hesitate to downshift to 5th or 4th gear if you need more power for passing or hill climbing.

Cruisers were designed for riders that don't know how to shift gears.  :lol:

Quote from: juggernaughtThe bikes a little utility vehicle i tell ya..... :cheers:

Hmmm... I would also call it sporty.... A Sport-Utility vehicle!  Suzuki could make millions marketing this concept!  

Oh, whats that you say?  They already have sport-utility vehicles?   And they are big pigs that suck gas for no other purpose than to look 'good'?  Well we can throw that one out the window I guess.  We'll just have to call our bikes the underground movement sport-utilities that are actually sporty. :roll:

Sorry for the rant.  SUV's are nice and all, but if you are buying an off road vehicle, it should actually be taken off road.  I guess I'm just too practical minded :dunno:

something that concerns me about loading down my gs500 is the tension on my chain it worries me.  I have my suspension set to 8. If you havent noticed yet i dont have alot of confidence in my bike when it is loaded down because it is a small bike. Dont get me wrong i love my bike its just when it is loaded down that worries me.


Please help me become confident in my loaded down bike

Thanks Mike Kelly

Houston,Texas

My wife and I (310 lbs total) + maybe 15 pounds of luggage have done several day trips (up to ~240 miles) on the bike.  I have NEVER adjusted the shock on my bike, but that's more because I'm lazy than because I think it's unnecessary.  I DO try to put the extra air pressure in the rear tire for long 2-up rides.

If you're worried about the chain tension, why not loosen it up a bit before you go?

1) Straighten and pull the cotter pin from the rear axle nut.
2) Loosen the nut until you can turn it with your fingers.
3) Turn both chain adjuster nuts about 1.5 turns counter-clockwise.
4) Kick (or otherwise push) the wheel forward until the adjuster plates are solid agauinst the swingarm ends again.
5) Test the tension by both of you sitting on the bike.  If it still seems tight, loosen the adjuster nuts a little more and retest.
6) Tighten the axle nut (50-80 Nm on the torque wrench).  Make sure you line up one of the cutouts with one of the holes in the edn of the axle.
7) Push the cotter pin back through and bend it enough so it won't vibrate (or fall) out.[/list:u]Personally, I have rarely bothered with the chain tension for 2-up riding, but if it helps you to feel better about your ride, by all means!

(http://www.bbburma.net/MiscFotos/100_1434_ChainAdjuster_LeftSide.jpg)

EDIT: Changed link from sisna.com to bbburma.net