I just got a bike and haven't gotten to ride it much(on vacation for 2 weeks).  I put the valve on pri before I left because I assumed that was off seeing as how I saw the on and reserve.  I didn't know pri meant primary.

So which do you use when riding, primary or on???  What's the difference between the two and when should they be used?

I read in one post that the off is in a hard to reach place near the petcock.  I have no clue where that is.  Could someone help me?

I'm going to call home tomorrow and have someone switch it to off for me.

Also, I read in a post saying if you're not driving you should keep it in on or reserve, is this true?

PRIme will allow gas to flow when the bike isn't running...

You want to leave it set to ON, not PRIme.

When ON runs out of gas, you switch to REServe.  You only need PRIme if there's no gas in the carbs...

Oh wait...  I mean...  ->  Try using the SEARCH function for stuff like this.  It's a pretty common question that's been answered a lot.  (Then no one will get mad at you )

just leave it in the on position...... if you begin to sputter and die while driving down the road switch it to reserve

Which reminds me...  I need gas.

Thank you a lot and sorry about that.  I found a few posts on it, but they weren't too helpful.  

It wouldn't do damage to your bike if you've had it on pri for 2 days will it?

Maybe flood it.

Does it start?  If so... You're all good...  If not, leave it set to ON and try starting it in a few hours.

So what would be the point of having pri?

don't know always had mine on ON

Cr@p!!!!  I really hope it didn't flood.  What's the worst damage it could've done?  It's only been two days.  I hope it's fine.

the point of prime is if it has been sitting for a long time and there is no gas in the carbs at all.

I just called home and had it turned to the on position.  So what's the worst that could've happened?....maybe a carb cleaning?  I don't know, I'm pretty new.

Sorry can't help you there but Go BoSox!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't worry about it until you have to worry about it.  Leave it on ON and try to start it when you get home.

If it doesn't work, try to start it a few hours later......  Flooding it is not that big of a deal.

Thanks a lot Vertigo.  You put the fears to ease and I'm going to bed now.

It'll probably just start right up...

If not, you can call me names.    :nana:

The only way the bike could flood sitting still is if a float valve in the carb doesn't work-not likely to happen. If that does happen, you have to drain the oil since it will be loaded with gasoline.

If you want to be super-careful, change the oil before you ride and smell to see if gas made it into the old oil. If so, check & clean the float valves.

Thanks everyone.  I'm sure it'll be fine.  Actually when I get back I was going to change the oil anyways....on my own.  hehe, but I have the haynes manual with the perdy pictures to help me out.

So no one answered me yet.  I already have the bike's petcock in the on position, but how do you actually turn it off?  I read in another post that it's in an akward position.  I think inside under the seat and you have to use a screw driver.  That sounds terrible if true.  Can someone let me know please.  I'll search for a different post that might be of more use.

There is no "off" setting on the fuel petcock on Suzukis - you can stop fuel flow from the tank at the tank petcock ("Off" is when the slot for the flathead screwdriver you're using to adjust the petcock is horizontal).  To reach that petcock, you have to take off the side plastics and unbolt the tank at the rear.  Or have magic hands.

Just leave the fuel petcock in "ON" while the bike is parked - the GS500's have a vacuum-operated petcock, so no fuel will flow while the petcock is in the "ON" position unless the motor is running.

Thank!  Now I understand.  I still think an off would've been better than a pri.