Hey All,
I'm Silverfoot from Long Island NY, I am looking for my next bike
and am seriously considering the DL650 and the GS500F (yes I know they are completly different). I would like input as to weather the GS500F would be a good bike for me.

I am 5'8" and 180lbs. I would consider myself an upper-begginer
to intermediate rider. Most of the miles I put on the bike will be
commuting the 80-mile RT to work everyday. Here on LI, Traffic Jams
are almost a given (and splitting lanes is illegal). If you get on
the highway and there is no jam, then something is really wrong with
the world. I want a machine that is quick, nimble, easy to handle,
gets good milage, and is a pleasure to ride. Everything I have read
says that the GS500F might be just the right combination of fit and
function.

At the dealers the other day I got to sit on one (no test rides
allowed in NY.. grrrrr). Noticed that it felt very similar to my current 1988 Honda Hawk.  But I feel that going backwards in power might be a bit hard to get used to..  LOL

At this point, before I make the big commitment to drop any $, I want to
hear some feedback from the GS peanut gallery. General
information, suggestions, pointers, advise..etc... Should I get it,
should I not... All help is welcome in this.

Cordially,

Silverfoot-   :x

The GS500F does everything you need it to do.  As far as power goes, you may very well want more.  You should try to ride one and compare to a Ninja 500 which is faster.  I got the GS cause I like the way it looks and it has the right ergos for me.  I am very happy with it.  Fun to drive, very nimble, 50-60 mpg depending on how you drive and bullet proof.  Feels very stable at 120mph (indicated).        

'Scuse my ignorance, but the Honda Hawk, that's a 400 twin?  I'm not sure.  A lot of the bikes we get here in Oz are different from yours over there.  If it is what I'm thinking of, then you are in for a pleasant surprise with the GS500.  Power to weight is about the same ballpark, but the GS is streets ahead in comfort, handling, braking, all the things you said you wanted.  I'm 6'2" and 240lb and have owned my GS for nearly 4 years.  It has always done everything I have wanted and the only reason I am even considering replacing it is because my knees are getting old.

Welcome,

I'm 5'8" and about 170 lbs so not much different to you. I use mine for a short commute and a lot of around-the-town stuff. It is very economical about 12.7m to the litre (I will leave mpg alone as our gallons are different) and quick/nible enough to leave most traffic wondering what the h*** was that. I would think, from the info provided that a GS would be ideal for your 40miles to work and there is enough in her for some fun at the weekends on the twistees too. If your commute will be all weather consider a big windscreen for comfort and rain deflection. Mine is a Turbo Spitfire (see avatar) and on Kerry's site you will find a picture of his National Cycle screen, if a big screen is not trendy enough there are plenty of small ones that help.

I'm 5'7" and 190 pounds and my Y2K GS moves me around very well and 80 miles on the highway should not be a problem, specially if there are daily jams, then won't need more power, and GS power can get you 100 or 110 MPH.

As said, you can check the Ninja 500, which has 10 HP more, but I read that working on that bike requires dealing with the cooling system, so working on the GS might be simpler, however it seemed to me the Ninja has a simpler valves adjusting system since no need of shims, but again the cooling system. I like better the doble-beam GS frame, looks closer to modern sportbikes, but I guess Ninja twin engine is better in performance. Brakes seem very similar and tyres are same sizes.

The DL650 is a more expensive bike and also more modern, and only 40 pounds heavier, and for what I've heard a very good option. If money is an issue I'd buy the GS500 otherwise the DL650... if you'll fix your bike a GS500 and if not a Ninja 500.

Much as I love my 2002 GS 500 I'll be a trator and suggest You look seriosly at the DL 650, Sure wished I had but of course the DL wasnt born in 2002 and the SV 650 wasnt quite me,loved the preformance though,as does every one by what Ive heard,The DL has nearly the same motor but tuned to more low end torque so the dealer tells me.
Pluses for the GS 500,cheaper in price to buy and in running cost's eg. insurance serviceing, bullet proof , certainly good on fuel, the naked GS can survive a slide down the road quite well {How do I know this,don't ask,lets just say my poor bikes been there a couple of times} handleing is very good,near test road a SV 650 into the gutter the other day when it didnt turn anything like my GS, but most people do outgrow the GS and go looking for bigger and better from what I've seen.
Some how you need to get a ride on both before you buy,that's a must,also if you go the GS I'd check out near new second hand, Here in Australia  the naked GS dont hold there value, plenty that are like new at half the price so if you do decide to move up you should go close to getting your money back.
One other thought would the GS air cooled motor be a problem when stuck in traffic, only ask because my own's manual warns not to run the motor for long if the bike is not moveing,thankfully not an issue where I live.

the Honda Hawk is a 650 v-twin, a sv650 before its time. its got about 55 hp at the wheel and a HUGE cult following.

Silverfoot-
Are you really unhappy with the Hawk? What about it makes you think of getting another bike. I personally wouldnt go backwards to a gs500f. I would seriously consider the DL as it gets really great mileage and would be an exceptional commuter. Also consider second tier sportbikes (cbr600f4i, yzf600, katana, etc).

welcome!

From the two I would get the DL650 - it has more grunt, it's liquid cooled (which is nice in traffic jams), it's taller and probably has a more comfortable position...

 D.

Quote from: pantablothe Honda Hawk is a 650 v-twin,

Thanks, Pablo.  Now I know what y'all are talking about.  We got that one here under the label of Revere (not sure if they meant Paul- most Aussies wouldn't get the connection).  They were pretty special in their day but we haven't had them here for nearly 10 years.

Quote from: MichaelThey were pretty special in their day but we haven't had them here for nearly 10 years.

been at least that long here too. They were pretty special here too- a trackday tool like no other from what I hear. They were what the sv has become (on the track that is). As a street bike the timing of the release was all wrong-everyone was after big bore street bikes (and turbos) at the time. The sv is basically an updated version of that bike but released to a hungry-to-start-riding public...

5'10" 185lbs.  I never feel starved for acceleration in the city.  Far more than necessary.  I've just recently purchased my GS and have made most of the major mods except for the gsxr/katana rear shock and the gsxr/katana front end.  On the freeway so far I have gone 90mph but I didn't want to go faster because it was damp and it was dark.  I know that will go faster but I just havn't had the chance yet.  Like Cal said, the only traffic you will experience in the city is waiting at red lights.

Then again there is the whole air-cooled thing in the stop-and-go.  I would probably opt for the water-cooled Ninja or DL.  Then again, I can't really imagine that the bike would stress too hard...I drive an air-cooled VW in stop and go all the time and havn't experienced any symptoms related to overheating or running too hot.  Just use synthetic oil.

Welcome to the board  

If you don't lanesplit in traffic jams or in extremely slow moving traffic I think the aircooled GS500 engine can overheat. It's not the same as a VW beetle engine, they use forced air cooling with a big fan.

When you're often stuck in traffic I think the DL650 would be a better option. It won't overheat because it's liquid cooled and I think the seating position is even more relaxed, which is a good thing if you're in slow moving traffic.

Moved from a GS500 to a BMW K75 and am thinking the DL650 (baby 'strom) is the perfect meat for the sandwich.
The 500 was a cold blooded bike, took a lot of warming up, but I miss it around town; on the highway the K75 is perfect with the full screen and fat-ass solo saddle, but is a heavy bugger in the city. The Vstrom I rode was the K1000, but I'm intending to get the 650 and read that it is has all the power I need (165/5'9") plus can carry 2 in reasonable comfort for shorter rides up to 2 hours with the passenger.
For your riding the GS would do the job, but you would likely enjoy the Vstrom more, the visibilty would be better and the torque is nice to have in traffic.