I've been wandering through the GS500 Wall of Fame and have observed that many folks don't identify the model year with their pic.

What are the identifying characteristics of each model year?


Things that can be seen in a photo or from 10 ft away from the real thing.
Not the ID placard.

1989, Clip-on bars, that's easy. Also, it looks like there is no access hole in the frame, left side, for access to the top bolt of the rear shock.
If it has white body paint it has to be 1989.

1989 - 1995,  front brake top cylinder larger than bottom cylinder.

1990 - 2000, rear plastic meets fuel tank, front of seat rides up on fuel tank

1991, Green body paint (but not all '91s are green)

1996, charcoal black frame

1996 - up, front brake cylinders same size

1998, orange body paint

1999, Phiolina Yellow (chartreuse?) paint

2001, Metallic Abyss Blue (robins egg blue?)

2001 - up, new seat butts up to fuel tank, side plastics do not meet fuel tank

2003, no production for this year

2004, full fairing, yellow or blue

2005, full fairing, black or blue

Help

oh there isnt really any thing that is distinctive i dont think other than fairing changes, and maybe the color of the wheels.  I know 94 model came with white wheels with red paint, dont know for the other colors though.  I havent erally looked into it much.

John Bates already mentioned that the 2004 & 2005 have the fairing.  The only other info I can offer is that at least for a US-spec bike, if it's a yellow or blue fairing, it's a 2004.  For 2005, the US colors are black or blue.

Added to the original post:

I added colors to the full fairing years. Also added some details for the 1990 - ? years.

Don't forget the Colors By Year chart.

Quote from: KerryDon't forget the Colors By Year chart.

I did Kerry, thanks.

From the chart it looks like only two years had unique single colors.

1999 Phiolina Yellow, kinda like chartreuse.

2001 Metalic Abyss Blue, similar to robins egg blue.

From looking at the bike pics the engine paint was changed at some point.
Does anyone know what year the silver metal paint was started?