are over 200 lbs, I am a big guy, 6 foot 4 and about 250lbs, I was just wondering how the bike handles, runs and accelerates, but what I am more concerned with is my weight plus a 120 to 180 lbs passenger. Is that to much for the bike?

I am looking at a 99 GS500 in my area, good deal.

Oh yea I just created this account but I was browsing this forum all summer as I just got my motorcycle license and am looking for a good bike.  Yes I did take MSF, it was great and I have gear  

more background info for those interested, I learned to ride early this summer on a 86 Yamaha Big Wheel 200, my Dads old dirtbike, got my permit and put 600 miles on a Vulcan 800 very nice bike, and even ridden my dads Concurs a few times (sport tourers with 100+ hp and over 600 lbs are not for noobs)

any comments will be appreciated

When I got my gs500f I was 280ibs (still 6'1), I've managed to loose a few pounds since then but even at that the gs still accelerated with plenty of pep and still got up to around 100mph before it started to feel like it was loosing its umph.  

Riding 2up with my wife (which put the bike right at its gross weight limit) wan't real fun, but since then I have added a kat 600 rear shock and prog springs up front to really help the suspension out.  I just haven't been able to ride 2up since then to test it out (wife out of state atm) but the solo ride is much nicer feeling.

I'm about 6 ft. 2 and 195 pounds. With my 150ish pound girlfriend on the back, we're around 40 or 50 pounds shy of the gross vehicle weight limit. It accelerates OKAY with two people, it's much more fun to accelerate when it's just me on it though. Although I don't mind at all going through the twisties with my girl on the back. The bike loves the added weight to the rear end going through curves. Get one, you won't be dissapointed, I promise!  

Oh, and also... as long as you bump up the preload on the rear shock, you'll probably be fine with a passenger. From the factory the shock is set at 4, I raised my '05s the other day up to 5, and just that one notch made QUITE a difference.

I am 6ft4 200 run fine with me I rode my friend she 120 with not proably did not even know she was there but I do have the Kat shock it's a must got a lot of bounce with the stock shock.

[hand up] Okay, I resemble that description -- 6'4", 227 lbs.  Don't have any trouble with response on 2001.  Once the engine revs over 4K, it hauls my butt with plenty of zip. [/hand up]

I'm not interested in pulling wheelies -- touring is my style.  But I can break any speed limit in Michigan with my bike, and have done so on occasion.  Ride is reasonably good with just rear shock preload -- a little soft up front.  For the money I couldn't have made a better choice.

i'm 6 1  220  my bike pulls like stink(but ive got over 10grand invested in mods)

I'm 6'4 and all of 140 pounds, isn't that sad...
I take my girlfriend on the back all the time and don't really notice any difference in power accept that it takes afew more revs off the line to get the thing going. although thats not really saying much because she ways all of 100 pounds soaking wet, if that. I have to do something about that supension though, way to soft. I gotta get around to getting some progressives in the front and bumping up the preload in the back.
I aslo notice that taking a passenger stretchs the chain out way faster than solo riding, *I do have the cheapst available chain on my bike right now... but thats not the point!*
any of you tall guys notice that your knees don't fit in the tank inlays? they only way mine fit is if I put the balls of my feet on the pegs. and you can't do that when you have a passenger. EVERYTHING IN THIS WORLD IS MADE FOR SHORT PEOPLE!

Hi Dragnfyre23,

Quote from: RedShift................ a little soft up front. .............

With stock front suspension, my '92 is way too soft and uncomfortable with two full size adults for anything but short trips.

For some easy two up cruising , I'm looking at Suzuki's C50.

I have a 2004 gs500F and I'm 6 ft 212 lbs.  It hauls me around just fine and with my wife on it with me its ok.  It could use a little more umph but it is was it is, a twin 500 cc class bike.  

But this spring I'm going to try to get a little more out of it.

Quote from: RedShift[hand up] Okay, I resemble that description -- 6'4", 227 lbs.  Don't have any trouble with response on 2001.  Once the engine revs over 4K, it hauls my butt with plenty of zip. [/hand up]

I'm not interested in pulling wheelies -- touring is my style.  But I can break any speed limit in Michigan with my bike, and have done so on occasion.  Ride is reasonably good with just rear shock preload -- a little soft up front.  For the money I couldn't have made a better choice.

isn't that the truth...ya I'm 6-2 @ 180lbs...ok so i'm not heavy and I could deal with the "5" preload spacing as being just about right...the front way to soft...put in the progressives and it's pretty much fixed the front end....if you on a budget or thinking insurance wise ya I'd go with the GS500 again with out even thinking about it. I hauled myself and girl [at GVW] around a bit....the bike takes the abuse but dosn't win any style points that's for sure. :lol:  *I would have kep the GS had I done more single riding that 2up....It seems like I was only riding 2up there for awhile and that's why I sold the GS and got the FZR...*if and **when** I get it back together from the paint i'll be sure to compare the two for everyone....a mild I4 600 v 500 parallel twin.

If it's a good deal buy it...In the worst case scenerio you find out it's not what you want and resale of these bikes are very good. Everyone wants a 500 in the spring......

bad news, went to the dentist wensday for a toothache and had a root canal yesterday.  It was easy 40 minutes no pain except my insurance ran out in june and my new plan doesnt start until January So I got stuck with a $1250 bill  

That plus my jeep softop I needed at the end of summer has brought my Bike Savings to $0.  Damn Damn Damn, I know my dad will help me if we find a good deal but I really wanted to do this myself.  

well we will see what happens

:dunno:

Hmmm....motorcycle, root canal...motorcycle, root canal...it's a tough call.

That sucks, though.

By the way, have you seen this (popped up last week):  http://boston.craigslist.org/mcy/107160110.html

It's in Haverhill.  And it's yellow.     I think they're asking for too much, but looks like that's negotiable.

Quote from: streetsweeperAlthough I don't mind at all going through the twisties with my girl on the back. The bike loves the added weight to the rear end going through curves. Get one, you won't be dissapointed, I promise!  

Get one what?  A GS or a girl??  :lol:

Yeah, lets start a poll which is better to have if you had to choose only one, a girlfriend or a motorcycle?

A MOTORCYCLE IS BETTER TRUST ME !