So, while at the motorcycle races here in Road Atlanta this past weekend... I decided to go over to the Suzuki tent where they had about 2-dozen '06 bikes on display (I will put some photos up later today after I get home from work... )

After walking past the Boulevard Cruisers (some bone stock, and 3 very customized jobs), I walk past Gixxer after gixxer... and then finally realized that there were no gs500's to be found!   Confused, I ask one of the Suzuki folks, "Sir... sir...  are there no gs500's".  Ashamed and embarrassed, the gentleman shook his head no, and then proceeded to shamefully stare at the ground.  

Tears in my eyes, I ran to the Suzuki gear/souvenir part of the tent to hide myself among the racks of merchandise and memorabilia.  After a minute or two... a strange realization dawns on me.   I went to the lady working the register and asked "ma'am... could you point me to the gs500 stuff.  Please?".  She reared her head back and cackled!  Among all the suzuki hats, shirts, bags, and riding gear... there was no gs500 merchandise to be found!  

Just at the moment, the sky was split open by a huge clap of thunder and rain started to pour down outside.  Unable to deal with the emotional trauma... I ran from the tent,  fell to my knees in the rain and screamed, "why?? hast suzuki doeth forsaken me??"

-The End

All embellishments aside... is Suzuki embarassed of the gs500 and the katana?  There *are* other people at motorcycle races besides racers, you know!

GSs (and Kan-o-tunas) don't sell as well in the US as bigger cruisers and sportbikes.  And especally at a specalized event like the GNF/Suzuki Cup, its understandable why they were left out if space on the truck was limited.

Sad but true. Funny write up thought.

One thing I'm kinda annoyed with Suzuki is that they didn't bring back a GS500F class to Cup promotion. Especally with the new fairings, I would think they might give at least a slight nod to one of their old reliables...

Maybe we should start a letter campaign to American Suzuki asking to offer a GS500 cup?

Quote from: JamesGMaybe we should start a letter campaign to American Suzuki asking to offer a GS500 cup?

I'd participate    The GS might not bring in tons of sales, but it plays an important role in motorcycling. Suzuki knows this, or else they would not have brought back the GS500 in the "F" version after the 2003 hiatus.

Quote(and Kan-o-tunas) don't sell as well in the US as bigger cruisers and sportbikes

all them Kat 600's running around of various years have me fooled. still plenty of them around and plenty forsale.