I just bought a '96 GS500E a couple weeks ago.  Yesterday it broke down on me while I was out enjoying the nice riding weather.  Originally I thought I ran out of gas since it was sputtering in 2nd gear and then the engine stopped.  I added more gas and started the bike. It started fine but when I eased the clutch out and tried to accelerate up the hill it died immediately.  The bike seems to run a little farther on a flat surface but dies instantly going up a hill.  
Do I have a bad clutch? :dunno:
What can I look for or test?

I was told it could be carb problems.  Would setting the intake to prime make a difference for testing purposes.

So you were riding along fine and then the bike just ... kinda ... quit?

My first guess would still be fuel.  How much did you add in?

Quote from: legendsfanWould setting the intake to prime make a difference for testing purposes.

Yes, I would start by switching to the PRIme position (that's UP on a '96) for about 15 seconds.  If you have any fuel at all in the tank this should fill your float bowls again and allow you to start and run.

Let's say that you start up and are able to ride normally down the road using the PRIme position.  At some point, reach down and switch the petcock to the REServe position (that's FORWARD on a '96).  If the bike goes a few blocks and then starts sputtering you know that you're WAY low on fuel and need to get to a gas pump.

But if the bike purrs along happily in the REServe position for a full mile or more, reach down and switch the petcock to the ON position (that's DOWN on all models).  If the bike goes a few blocks and then starts sputtering you know that you're somewhere into the REServe portion of the tank.  You have roughly a gallon left at most so it would still be a good idea to get to a gas pump.

After filling up, set the trip meter to 000.0 and the petcock to the ON position.  The trip meter is basically your fuel guage, and with the petcock set to ON you have reset your "low fuel early warning system" for next time.  After you go through a few tankfuls you'll have a good idea of how far you can expect to go before hitting REServe.