I am thinking of looking at GS500, instead of an SV650s.

What is the cruising speed of the GS500, and its top speed?
(I don't want it to be toooo slow, and not outrun my Gilera scooter )

I currently own a SV, having sold my GS a few months back.  The est top speed of the SV is 125, give or take a few mph.  The top speed of the GS is much closer to 100 (some here claim to have gone 110 downhill).  I enjoy freeway riding 100 % more on the SV because I don't feel like I'm stretching the top limits of the bike when I'm just flowing w/ traffic.

are you looking for a street bike or for a race bike?  If you want a cheap learner, go for the GS b/c you can get decent used ones for under 2k.  SV's can be had for under 4k if you look hard.

LOL I don't know what I want.
Well, I want to spend the least amount of money to get:
* Thrills (no spillz )
* Good looks
* Comfortable cruising/motorway work
* Reliable
* Good around town

I had a 2k1 SV650s. I liked it. Felt I needed more top end, and sold it.
Ever since I've been happy with a Gilera Runner 180 scooter. But lately, I hanker for twisty bits "proper" motorbike fun, and nicer cruising.
(thinking of riding across france or central europe)

The semi naked SV didn't appeal to me, although the 2003 looks nice (even though most SV owners prefer the old models looks LOL)

I realise now that top end doesn't mean that much, as long as you can cruise at say 90 ok for long periods. Mile munching.

I'd like a CBR600 or ZX6R, but I am pretty sure I would not like the race riding position, although on my way home tonight a CBR600F looked prettty upright.

And the Aprilia Falco looks nice, and its a twin LOL So many choices.

The GS500 will eat up 90kph. I'm assuming your talking about Kilometers, because you would have to be insane to ride holding 90 MPH. You'll have no prob with this bike. I can see how some would feel like it is maxing to hold higher speeds. IT'S A 500!   Duh, it's not going to jump to 100 instantaniously. But it will cruise at a good rate. (especially with mods) I recommend. They make it almost feel like a different bike.

 -Anti

My '01 model will cruise comfortably at an indicated 90, which equates to ~80MPH actual speed.  The GS speedo is about 10% off to the high side.  This is with the front sprocket changed from 16 teeth to 15.

i get to 100mph on the freeways easy, according to my speed-o-meter, but not often since i can't afford them damn speeding tickets.  if it's 10% over on the meter then i guess it could reach 90mph easy.  guess i'll have to push it to 110mph next time.

I probably shouldn't get in on this since I have so little seat time.

However, I was going against the wind in an 02 sitting about 95mph before I hit 8000rpm, and then I backed it down....(under the 8000rpm break in period).

I think it  will get up well enough with the rest of them, certainly fast enough to be stupid.  

Good luck deciding.

Quote from: rommiI am thinking of looking at GS500, instead of an SV650s.

What is the cruising speed of the GS500, and its top speed?
(I don't want it to be toooo slow, and not outrun my Gilera scooter )

According to Bike Magazine actual test of the GS500 and the SV650

GS500
Top speed  112 mph
1/4 mile     14.2 @ 92.5 mph
HP             51 @ 9200 rpm
Torque       30 @ 7500 rpm
Claimed Weight   173 Kg

SV650
Top speed    129 mph
1/4 mile      12.9 @ 103.3 mph
HP              67 @ 9250 rpm
Torque        42 @ 7400 rpm
Claimed Weight  165 Kg

Quote from: rommiLOL I don't know what I want.
Well, I want to spend the least amount of money to get:
* Thrills (no spillz )
* Good looks
* Comfortable cruising/motorway work
* Reliable
* Good around town

You're describingthe GS to a "T"
Not as much ooomph as an SV but plenty to have fun with. A few weeks ago I held 120mph for about 5+ minutes on a flat straight road out in the desert (on our Angeles Crest Ride couple weeks back). Tucked behind my little fairing I felt fine (laying on tank too). I often comfortably ride the freeways at an indicated 90-95mph. either one is great, SV or GS but which is cheaper?

Quote from: rommiAnd the Aprilia Falco looks nice, and its a twin LOL So many choices.

Yeah, looks real nice (like an expensive Italian SV650). One of my favorites actually but it's a liter v-twin. Sounds stonking too.

This topic is widely 'bullshitted', and we've gone over it TONS of times.

The FASTEST I've ever had my bike going [according to the speedo] is a slighly impressive 190 km/h.  This was on a four lane highway, with no traffic around.  Who knows what the wind was doing, but it wasn't blowing hard, and it wasn't downhill.  100 mph is 160 km/h, so the GS WILL go faster than the much told 100 mph.  

My bike is jetted, with a K & N clamp-on filter....and 220 lbs. me on it.  Oh yeah, I don't advise going this fast.....not on a GS anyway...if you need to go faster, get a bigger bike.

Top speed is a small factor anyway, since you're sure as hell not going to be holding any speed like 190 for any amount of time....on ANY bike.  

Just my two cents though....and it's $CAD$, so use it as you will.

P.S. SV's aren't much faster......200 km/h plus, maybe.

You are right.  190km/h = 118.1 mph.  -10% for the inaccuracy of the speedometer = an approximate "real" top speed of 106.2 mph.  I have personally seen about the width of the speedo needle shy of 120mph.  I weigh 225 lbs. and am at sea level.  Full gear on and it's an '01 model with a stock engine.

I dod this a couple of times just to see what the bike would do.  My "usual" top speed is an indicated 90mph on the Interstate.

I got mine up to 126 in stock trim.  My buddy is a cop and I convinced him to clock me on a old backroad.  Took a while to get up to speed and the bike was shaking pretty bad.

If your going to try and break a ton on a regular basis and hate that quivery feel the bike gets...try radial tires.  I see this as a must have mod if you like to go fast.  Also a safety issue.  The stock rocks that the GS rolls on are very inadequate as is the suspension....my .02 worth

You guys will think im bending the truth, but like i said earlier on a post, my GS with me (150lbs) has run a CONFIRMED 210kmh. I have gone way faster on it behind an M3 (previous post), either my GS is strangly fast (it will run the 1/4 mile quiker, way quiker than the test), or yours are slow. mine is a 2002, with a few good mods, a light rider, and little fear of anything. that cobination wwill get some good speed outta these things, also an aerodynamic position with tight fitting gear. maybe its the low air resistance way up here in calgary.  
PS i need some people to ride with so anyone from alberta who reads this msg me or leave a reply.

PSS: i know im gonna get grilled for this, but today with my passenger (girl friend who is obsessed withgoin fast) we attained 170+ km/h, and i coulda gone faster, way faster, but why bother, ill take my camaro Z28 convertible with her in it if i wanna go real fast

I commute into Boston everyday... I never rode my bike in until a few weeks ago (missed my bus and you know what I said!    )

I would like a bike with a tad more power only because riding up 24 the avg speed is about 85.  I am comfortable at that speed and I can scoot up to 90 pretty quick etc, but I always feel like I am working the bike so hard.

Anyway thats just my thought.  I love my GS, but I will be on the look out at some point for something like the SV650S when the time is right.

My 96 has done 111 MPH with me on it.  200 lbs.. coming back down I-95 in florida after the 00 bikeweek superbike races.  i easily kept up with a stock bandit 600? 650?  it did shake a bit after 95 mph..little wind and drafting begind the bandit and a ninja in the lead.

then kids came..i comfortably commute at around 75 mph and can move in and out of all traffic easily.

til then

kentuck937 is your 96 gs completly stock cause mines a 96 to with a cobra f1 pipe on it and a sport screen

Ok.  So we all agree that our favorite bike isn't a speed queen. That's fine with me, the damn thing goes way faster than I will ever actually NEED it to anyway. Having said that, I have had mine at 120mph. Defecating on myself, holding on for dear life, practically making love to my gas tank, and none of this was helped by the fact that my helmet weighs as much as  a bowling ball!! No windscreen either. Needless to say, I don't do that a whole lot! Other than that, she goes more than fast enough for me.

For long trips I'd find a good used Kawasaki Concours. Big fairing, comfy, 1000 I4 motor, hard lugage, but no where near as heavy as some monstrosity like a Gold Wing or Road King. New they're about $9000 US but I just saw an OLD (1986) one in CycleTrader.com in my area for $2750. I'm thinking it would make a great commuter/road-trip bike and will pick it up if I can find stable work and it's still available.

2001 GS500 - 100 @ 8.5, all stock red lines at 11, only wind was what i was making. 'nough said