Some of you may not have noticed, but I said I found that review on http://www.powersportsnetwork.com.  It was a review of a 2001 GS500.

I didn't write the review, I just posted it here because it cracked me up.

I love my GS and I'm 38.  Maybe my post wasn't clear, but it did say i found it on the powersports site.

I thought some of you thought I was being a trolll, and that i was the moron who felt that way about the GS.

Oh no, I know that you love the Baby G very much. I've read reviews of the little bike that were less than gushing with enthusiasm before. I really don't see how anyone could get bored with the thing...unless they are afraid of what their friends would say. It's like the littlest Ninja over on Ninja250.org; they love that little bike and don't seem to get bored with it at all. I love my Baby GS, Antarctica (just leave that place alone for God's sake), and this forum.

C....... (still got the hic-cups)

Fortunately, not all the press is like that site.  When the GS was re-released here in Oz in 2001, Two Wheels, the most influential general bike mag here had this to say: "This is the ideal bike as a step between a 250 and a 1000, or if your ego is not the major factor in your life, this is the ideal bike".

A couple of years ago (2002) the GS came out as overall best of a very large cycle world review of bikes under 5k, including the EX500.  The brakes were praised, as was the chassis and handling.  Styling got very high marks as well.

As far as consumer reviews, there are a lot for the GS (powersports network) and most of them are very good.   There are always a few like the one I started this thread with, who complain about it not being a 1000cc I4 and how they outgrew it in a day, week, month,  fortnight etc.

Personally, I like to think I am growing with the bike.  As I improve, I am improving the bike such as suspension, performance etc.  When I 'm finished with it, I may find that I spent enough to buy about half an SV650, but I plan to keep this bike even after I buy a new one.

Quote from: crashi must be the only 20-something that wants to move from the gs to a cruiser...

go figure

But "I'll be right where I want to be. . . when I'm riding down the Boulevard.  If you want to just come with me. . . riding down the Boulevard."

That boulevard song is catchy.  I like the tremolo on the guitar.

Should have had Chris Isaak do it though.....Then they could make a combo advsertisement/music video...starring Chris Isaak and some hot chick...on bikes!

Quote from: RVertigoIt's something about the toaster tank and the flat seat...

Like not hurting yourself on the tank...

...and that's why I like the '90-'00 models.

Quote from: Rema1000

Quote from: crashi must be the only 20-something that wants to move from the gs to a cruiser...

I'd love to have a Vulcan 500 for longer rides, so I could have the inline-twin, and also have a cruiser riding position.

And, I'd like to have a 650 V-Star, 750 Vulcan or a Rocket III (I know - two extremes, but I fell in love with the Triumph at the bike show, not to mention I used to own a '78 Bonnie.)

Quote from: pantablo

Quote from: SeanG2the gs500 is my first bike also and i wish i would have went ahead and got the gsxr 600 instead because now i am stuck riding the 500 for a while. The 500 is a very capable bike but i am one of those young guys that wants to part with the bike and move up. What a great first bike though, just don't buy a brand new one and get stuck in financing.

if you feel like you are stuck riding it you're not riding it hard enough. I took my gs500 out with my buddies on a weekly basis into the canyons and until we hit a straight they couldnt keep me away, and many times I would embarass them but leaving them behind.

I used the gs to learn to ride. when I was at the limits of what the bike could do I moved up. I wanted a sportbike and when I got one I knew how to ride it fast. I'm still one of the fastest riders in my group (that means nothing to you but you need to know they are a fast group).

Motion seconded.  I'm a couple of years out of my corner carving youth but I would still race most any bike on my GS in the twisties.  

Not counting straights, if the GS is too slow for you, well....  I think that says something...  You've probably never had your butt pucker on a decreasing radius turn with 1ft. of gravel between you and a who-knows-how-far drop off.  

The GS is kind dude...

The GS abides, dude. . . The GS abides.

Hey, I'm 24 I've had my GS for about 3.5 years and I love it.  I never want to get rid of it, but I hate taking it on the interstate.  I get blown all over the road, and 80mph in top gear is about 7k revs.  I'm just not comfortable doing that for a long time.  That is why I want get a bigger bike, so I can ride home to see my folks without taking three hours to go 150mi.

Quote from: MichaelI think fashion, peer pressure and the media have a lot to do with these young guys (and gals, but less so) wanting to be seen on the latest sex substitute.  That and the adolescent, testosterone-fuelled need to constantly feel like you're accelerating to warp speed (in everything you do).

Hit the nail on the head with that one.  Don't be fooled, this mindset is pervasive in older people as well.  Why does a 60 year old guy buy a brand new corvett? Or Boxter?

Why do stores like the Brooks Brothers or The Sharper Image exist?

I've mentioned before that I'll probably move up to a bigger bike in the next 2 years or so.  Its not because I need more power - its because I like to turn heads.

We don't grow out of our need to be accepted by our peer groups, its only our peer groups, their expectations and the entries to acceptance that change.

Quote from: V8PintoThe GS is kind dude...

The GS is Da Kine, dude.

Quote from: oppy0080mph in top gear is about 7k revs

It's only a little lower on the SV.  And anyhoo, it'll do it - all day long.  I've done Seattle to Portland on my old GS any number of times, and since it's 70 almost all the way, I've done 80-much higher for the three-hour trip.  Warm it up, and it'll do those revs with no problems.  Only halfway up the range, after all.

V8Pinto,

I have the disagree.  

Either you're riding hair-pin 10 MPH turns (Fontana dam road in NC maybe?) or your friends can't ride worth a damn.  I just bought a Ninja to REPLACE my GS and all I can say is it beats the GS hands down.  I can do anything better and faster with the Ninja EXCEPT the MSF course.  Unless I'm trying to turn within a 10 foot box the Ninja wails on the GS.  Sorry, but its true.  The GS is a great beginners bike or a re-learner bike but once you get the skills and can handle it, the 600 class I4s just womp the GS.  Unless you're an INCREDIBLE rider, if you and I went out riding "normal" roads I'd leave you so far behind...

Sorry, it's just the way it is.

Quote from: scratch

Quote from: RVertigoIt's something about the toaster tank and the flat seat...

Like not hurting yourself on the tank...

What...  You don't like that FREEZING COLD TANK smashing your junk? :lol:

It doesn't get to me when I'm riding my 2001...  But, walking it is AGONY...  :x

Quote from: joerockerV8Pinto,

I have the disagree.  

Either you're riding hair-pin 10 MPH turns (Fontana dam road in NC maybe?) or your friends can't ride worth a damn.  I just bought a Ninja to REPLACE my GS and all I can say is it beats the GS hands down.  I can do anything better and faster with the Ninja EXCEPT the MSF course.  Unless I'm trying to turn within a 10 foot box the Ninja wails on the GS.  Sorry, but its true.  The GS is a great beginners bike or a re-learner bike but once you get the skills and can handle it, the 600 class I4s just womp the GS.  Unless you're an INCREDIBLE rider, if you and I went out riding "normal" roads I'd leave you so far behind...

Sorry, it's just the way it is.

Actually, I was talking about turns exactly like that (Salmon Falls rd. in El Dorado county, CA and highway 89 up around Tahoe).  Not quite 10mph but maybe 30 (10mph to cars).

I used to have a CBR600 so I know why you say the I4's are king.

Respectfully agree to disagree.

My SV is way faster than my GS.  The GS is a better 'round-town and local backroads bike.  If you wind out the SV, you're illegal fast.  I want to have fun without getting into trouble.  So that's the SV on the track and the GS off of it.  I never really used the SV until I did a track day - and now I know how very, very little of it I can use on the street.  What fun is that?

Just another opinion...no offence intending!

But - there is no best bike.  There are bikes which an individual prefers over others, and that will change with the individual.

If you are one to believe the stats put out by companies (and btw 93.7% of all stats are false ) those numbers are only there because they have people who do demographic studies, lurk around forums like this and find out what people use to judge their bikes - top speed, 0-60, maintenance ease - how many compliments - whatever.  Then they twist their numbers around so their product ends up being number 1.

In the end - are you happy with your bike?  If you are, then it just doesn't matter what Valentino Rossi rides, or what Bubba with the Hog sez.  Go out and enjoy!  And, it doesn't mean you can't go out and drool over some other bikes - they all rock....saw a Monster S4R last week - yum!

Illo

V8Pinto,

Agreed, I stand corrected.  For REAL tight turns tthe GSs lightness is great.  If I had roads like that near me I might have kept the GS.