About 8 months ago, i bought a 4 wheeler and my dad bought a bike, he rides his everyday, my quad sits in the basement.  i decided i wanted a bike, a sport bike, not a huge cruiser.  i looked at gsx r's and the like, i decided i could afford the bike, but woah at the insurance.  that leads me to my next issue.  i found out i would get a huge break on insurance by getting a 500cc bike.  i am now looking heavily into the GS500F.  I like it's visual appearance much better than the Ninja 500R, and so does everyone else i show it to.  I said all of that to ask this...

how is the size of the GS compared to a gixxer 600?  as far as actual size, riding position and the like.  i've been on a GSX R, and i was just wondering how the GS stacked up, perhaps parked right next to a larger cc sport bike.

thanks
Josh

First off, have you rode motorcycles before? If you don't have much experience on them then I can't believe you would even consider a GSXR as a first bike. Second, the Baby GS is smaller than the GSXR and has a little more upright riding position (actually better ergos for the street, riding every day and such). Third, the Baby GS will do anything the GSXR will do, albeit at a more relaxed pace. Get a little GS and LEARN to ride it to the max before considering something like a super-sport 600. I love my Baby G and this forum too.

C.......

thanks for the quick reply, i was actually considering a Yamaha YZF600R.  but i thought i would use the gixxer for my example, since this is obviously a Suzuki Biased website.  hopefully i'll be going to check one out this weekend.  I'm looking at the black 05 or maybe the yellow 04, i'm just not real crazy about the blue ones.

I would absolutely recommend the GS500 to a new rider.  I'm new myself and the bike is VERY forgiving of us newbies.  There have been plenty of times when I've popped the clutch or downshifted too quickly.  If I had been on a bigger bike, I'm sure I would have been in trouble.  The GS500 also has enough speed that you won't get left behind in most cases.  The larger bikes take off like lightening, but the GS is plenty fast enough for what most people want to do on a bike.

P.S.  I also considered the YZF600R when I bought my bike.  I'm short, so the higher handle bars on the GS500 were the deciding factor for me.  You should sit on both bikes and see what is comfortable for you.

Quote from: JoshPthanks for the quick reply, i was actually considering a Yamaha YZF600R.  but i thought i would use the gixxer for my example, since this is obviously a Suzuki Biased website.

Actually, one of the reasons I love this group is that I don't see much evidence of a brand bias. If you look at the sigs for many posters you will see lists of many non-Suz bikes including the one's in which you are interested. Heck, many members don't even own a GS500 anymore.

I'm new here myself (less than a year). I like the feeling I get from the group. We are big on self repairs and saving money, cautious about new riders on overpowered bikes, and rarely discuss stoppies and wheelies.

You will see that many people have found that the GS meets their riding needs even after years of experience. Others have a sportier bike to meet their thrill needs or a cushier ride for longer hauls.

If you don't have much time on a 2-wheeler, be careful of all that plastic on the 500F

how does the 500 run on the highways.  my dad has a big Yamaha Road Star 1700 and they usually go on rides on the weekends.  how would the GS run on an occasional 200 mile roud trip on a saturday.  with breaks of course.  but does it seem to struggle when at highway speeds, round 65-70mph?  most of it will be for commuting to work about 12 miles one way, and riding it around town.  but i may decide to ride on a few weekends.

thanks
Josh

I run mine hwy 1hr each way to work, running at least 80mph(speedo indicated), no problems at all

I've done many 500-600 mile days on my bike without incident, and 200 mile days are a nonissue.  I blasted across the Southwest, at about 85 mph for extended periods, and the little twin had no issues whatsoever.  The GS is no touring bike but it's game for long trips if you are.  The windblast can be tiring when fighting a headwind, but with the F model this shouldn't be much of a problem.  I have a 15-mile commute each way, mostly highway, and the GS is always able to squirt around and stay out of trouble as long as you're capable with a bit of shifting.

I rode mine on a long road trip.  Down to the desert.  I was on a dark highway.  The was wind in my hair and it was great.  There was a strange smell, so I stop and decided to spend the night.  I checked into a hotel and I've been here ever since.  

The GS is a good motorcycle.  Easy to work on, built like a tank, well the motor anyway.  Made for many miles and lost of abuse that new riders dish out.   Wait and get a 600 next year.  You won't lose much money on a GS.

Quote from: Jake DI rode mine on a long road trip.  Down to the desert.  I was on a dark highway.  The was wind in my hair and it was great.  There was a strange smell, so I stop and decided to spend the night.  I checked into a hotel and I've been here ever since.  

The GS is a good motorcycle.  Easy to work on, built like a tank, well the motor anyway.  Made for many miles and lost of abuse that new riders dish out.   Wait and get a 600 next year.  You won't lose much money on a GS.

You never left?  But can't you check out any time you like?
waka waka woooow wawao weeee.... waka waka wana wee waka wana weee...

Quote from: conflicttheorist

Quote from: Jake DI

You never left?  But can't you check out any time you like?
waka waka woooow wawao weeee.... waka waka wana wee waka wana weee...

Dunno.  I'll have to check that out.  I think mostly they are programed to receive.

Is it a lovely place? Do you like it there? See Jake, yer thread is already turning interesting. Love the little twin and this forum...any time of year.

C.......

I must say I never rode a cycle before..got my 04 GS500F yesterday and rode her for the first time today.  2 hours in a parking lot getting it all down and then some empty back roads just up to 3rd gear.  But I did have a wolvie quad a few years back too, so if you ride that...you will be able to ride the GS in no time.  I still cant believe how nice it was today to me...not getting too cocky here, but it is veru forgiving as others stated.  Maybe get er up to 4th gear this weekend!  )  haha

And just FYI...I found my 04 with a small gas tank dent and 2K miles...other then that the bike is flawless and I got mine for $3200!  Sell the quad and get the GS...def worth it!     If you tried to get a GSXR, the insurance would be so high and well you would be paying $5500 or more Im sure.

-Matt H

Ps - hey callmelenny, how do I do a stoppie on my GS500F?   haha, jk!!!

Quote from: JoshPhow does the 500 run on the highways.  my dad has a big Yamaha Road Star 1700 and they usually go on rides on the weekends.  how would the GS run on an occasional 200 mile roud trip on a saturday.  with breaks of course.  but does it seem to struggle when at highway speeds, round 65-70mph?  most of it will be for commuting to work about 12 miles one way, and riding it around town.  but i may decide to ride on a few weekends.

thanks
Josh

ya my 90 gs is fine at that speed i usally ride at around 6k on the tac.
and the speedo reeds 75.

last night i abused the hell outa her all night, goosen it in all the gears did a blip under 115  for 4and a half miles, it was all she had. but she never faded, and was'nt even cranky afterwards.

I've had my 2000 GS for almost two weeks now. 28 mile each way commute on the highway. Really bought it for the fuel mileage. Getting around 46-47 mpg.Didn't know how she would do, but no problems yet. Was well taken care of by Ed-in-AZ before my brother Kerry, yes, THE KERRY!!, sold her to me at a loss and included lots of extra goodies. Everyone should have a little brother like him. If you notice my avatar you'll see that they can be toured on. The pic was taken two springs ago when we toured on his then current two bikes from Utah across Nevada on Hwy 50, the "loneliest road in America", across California to the coast, up 101 then into the redwoods thru Oregon ,Washington into British Columbia, back down into Idaho, Wyoming, Idaho again to Salt Lake Area. 11 days, mostly tent camping, two KOA Kabins, two motel rooms. The one I rode then would just make 85mph downhill with a tail wind. But look at the load! We had a blast! Rode thru a snow flurry on the way out of Utah and in close to 100 deg heat by the time we got home. This is the 5th bike I've actually owned but have ridden many. Heck, Dad has seven different bikes in his shop right now. He's had bikes as long as I can remember. Got my license at 14 and have lots of miles under me. As I ride the little GS more I like it more. Never ridden one that liked to rev so high. And handle!! It loves to turn. It is a perfect beginner bike but as you can tell from the forum has lots of potential. Endless mods to take you to greater heights of performance to keep up with improving skill levels. Will never see the horse power numbers of the GSXR's or FZ1's but you can make it handle well enough to keep up in the twisties. Buy it, "You'll like it, Hey Mikey!"

I have to agree. one of the best first bikes around. You will be much better off in the long run by starting on the gs and riding it for a year or so. then upgrading to a sportbike. thats what I did. I rode my gs500 for 16 months and 9k miles in the canyons.

then I upgraded to the cbr600rr and love it. I am fast on this bike because I learned to ride on the gs500. You will be a better rider.

This is me at a trackday I did 2 days ago...only been riding 2 1/2 years.



And this group is a great group. I am a moderator here and I dont even have the gs anymore...