I realize the GS500 is not a rocket bike, but I've read a few reviews at places like epinions.com etc, where some say its real slow. I used to have an ex500 that was plenty fast for me. Is the GS500 slow? Or are these people off base?

   Jon Neet

very subjective statement
and you've only mentioned a review by one website

generally,
it's considered a beginner bike
and the aftermarket is very very limited right now

if you're basing that on the stock bike,
you're getting what you're paying for

it's not a 600
but at the same time
it's not a 250
it's a beginner bike

i found this link on the superbikeplannet site.

http://superbikeplanet.com/2004/Dec/041202c.htm

added attraction if you were allready planning on going. too bad i'm at school in iowa.

Quote from: BirdmoveI realize the GS500 is not a rocket bike, but I've read a few reviews at places like epinions.com etc, where some say its real slow. I used to have an ex500 that was plenty fast for me. Is the GS500 slow? Or are these people off base?

   Jon Neet

speed is more or less relative on an individual basis.  what may be slow to them could be fast to you.

and you're an opinion website....you know what they say about opinions, its like an @$$hole, everyone has one.......or two  

The EX500 has a few horsepower on the GS, buI wouldn't think it'd be enough for you to care. If the EX was fast enough for you, I think it'd be a very safe bet that a GS500 will be too. Don't forget that you can do some small mods to the GS to make it a bit faster.

Also, dont forget that while the GS is fairly slow by bike terms, its still pretty damned fast by car terms.

Quote from: EisenfaustAlso, dont forget that while the GS is fairly slow by bike terms, its still pretty damned fast by car terms.

Exactly!

It has enough go to get you to freeway speeds, and to get you pretty far above them pretty quickly if you need to get yourself out of a situation.

if two bikes both go 100 mph what does it matter?  I think as stated above its all relative, of course the GS isnt a gsxr, and unless you do some serious engine mods and turbo/nos its not going to be.  but why drop 10gs doing that when you can buy a gsxr for that price.  The gs is reliable, relatively simple to fix, and great for beginners, but yet has enough go and agility for advanced riders.  Unless you want a 250, i think the GS would be the optimum choice

In bikeland, the GS is pretty slow.  There, I said it.

I don't think the authors of those epinions reviews are off their base.  They're just looking at the GS differently.  Maybe they have different goals, experiences, and needs from their bikes.

Gus has treated me real well.  He's taken corners like a champ.  When I lane split to the stoplight, he takes off from the line faster than the cars to my left and right.  He delivers me to work smiling.  Giggling sometimes.

Gus is slow, but I'm still slower.  When I finally catch up to Gus, my throttle/brake/clutch/steering control will be pretty good (I hope).  Then my Dad can go to work giggling too.  Gus is money well spent.  There, I said it.

I think the GSs power is pretty much perfect for day-to-day use.  With a decent set of tyres and your suspension set up properly, you can really nail it and open the throttle up in a lot of situations where you couldn't on a higher powered bike.

Not to mention...
the GS500F is the best looking of all the beginner bikes out there!  

Great performance for a beginner and, as mentioned earlier, relatively easy to keep in great shape.

Ok I went to the dealer and they pointed me to the direction of the 600's....went home found this forum and compared numbers and INSURANCE and woooo glad I did that.

Ok so 40hp isn't all that great compared to the field of all the bikes [duh] but I tell you want a rookie like me got some confidence one day when out into the open country and peged the little 500cc motor till about 9k and wooooosh I'm convinced 40hp is plenty for me. Day-to-day the 500 is reliable and economic and I think overall is a better deal than a 250 [strictly city riding].

the gs500 engine is...  1977 technology.  Makes a little less than 40 horsepower.  The GS500 makes MUCH less horsepower than the EX500.  (20% if I remember my dyno numbers right)  But.. the GS500 is a bike I would rather work on.  

The chassis however, is quite up to date.  (makes my gs550 look pretty ancient..)  I can't vouch for the handling ability.   but my money is it's pretty good.  Look at all the guys who race them  the brakes never get bad reviews..

I have ridden bikes that this "beginner bike" decended from.  A GS300 and a GS450.  Both bikes were quite cappable of getting you in real troubble.  And other than the fact they were both "l" models, they were quite fun.

Keep in mind that top speed isn't a big question.  The bike will do more than the legal limit everywhere.  And three  times the speed limit where it counts.  The corners.  

I guess it all depends on how kinky you are.  The GS500 you can reasonably expect to make real improvements upon.  and you have a huge support group.  

I dunno if there really is such thing as a beginners bike.  Other than maybe weight considerations.  

Enough rambling.  Other than speed...  Where the EX500 will sumarily spank the GS500.  What are you trying to compare?

the GS is slow for a motorcycle....

it'll run about 13.5-14.5 on the quarter mile @ about 93 mph

i had mine on the strip and after a lot of runs my best time was 14.2@93 which isn't bad since mine has a 150 rear tire (heavier) and i'm about 200-205 lbs

mid 13's is very respectable.  The fastest you can get on my bike is a 12.9.  You'll still beat most cars out there...    Especially those race happy rice boys.