Yesterday I finally finished the mega-maintenance/ semi-rebuild of a bike a friend purchased about 5-6 weeks ago.  She got the bike for a steal, however it had been sitting for a while and needed a ton of work.  Why did it take 6 weeks you ask?  Well... I totaled my bike the week after we brought her bike to my place.  I've been working on hers a bit here and a bit there as I can and finally its done.

Up until the other day, I'd never ridden a GS500.  I tour a bit and used to (sniffle) have a ZZR1200 for a sporty touring mount.  Yesterday I'd finished the tweaking of the carbs and engine on her GS and hopped on for a ride.  My first ride on a bike in 6 weeks... My knee is still messed up, but I sucked it up and stuffed myself onto the GS.  I've been jonesing so hard its not even funny.  Anyway I went out and took a little 50 mile run to see if it was indeed finished and up to par.  

I LOVE this bike.  Its been a while since I had a light smaller displacement bike and I've forgotten how much fun they are.  I'd forgotten how snappy the handling of a a small bike can be!  Absolute blast.  She has to commute about 15 miles on the highway every day and I think this is an excellent bike for beginners and well beyond.  Plenty of power to cruise on the highway at 70-80, pretty smooth and again, tons o' fun in the twisties.  

I found that it feels most comfortable sitting at 70-75 on the highway.  Its an 01.  What kinda mileage can she expect to get at this speed on the highway?  

If I find another one of these for what she got hers for, I'm gonna snatch it up and fix it for myself.  

Bun

Addicting, aren't they? Sorry to hear about your bike.

Between 70-75mph, I would expect a 60mpg average.

I weight about 170 and I was commuting 15 miles each direction in the summer, mostly 70 MPH freeway, with a stock jet/pipe...  I was getting about 54 MPG.  On a longer commute with warm weather (short warm-up time), you could very well get up to 60 MPG...  You can slightly better mileage with a 17T front sprocket...  But, only slightly.

I've since moved a lot closer and it's cold...  I just hit my reserve at 158...    Long warm-ups and short trips == Sucky MPG.

I ride a zrx1200 normally but love riding my son's GS500.  It is so flickable and a treat to ride.

I commute about 70 miles a day.  About 45 miles on the HOV lane at 80-85 mph, and the rest stop-and-go traffic in downtown Houston.  I get between 45-50 mpg.  I have a windscreen and 15 tooth front sprocket.  It's a terrific little commuter.

Quote from: xtalmanI commute about 70 miles a day.  About 45 miles on the HOV lane at 80-85 mph, and the rest stop-and-go traffic in downtown Houston.  I get between 45-50 mpg.  I have a windscreen and 15 tooth front sprocket.  It's a terrific little commuter.

What windscreen do ya have?  We got her an F-16 shield and I am kind of disappointed with it.  Unfortunately shr still wants it to 'look cool' so a true touring shield or windjammer style is out.  Any others that compliment the looks of the bike w/o making it look goofy and still provide at least decent protection?

Bun

Quote from: Bunbun
What windscreen do ya have?  We got her an F-16 shield and I am kind of disappointed with it.  Unfortunately shr still wants it to 'look cool' so a true touring shield or windjammer style is out.  Any others that compliment the looks of the bike w/o making it look goofy and still provide at least decent protection?

Bun

It's a Givi A750.  I think it looks pretty good.  Kind of expensive though, I think new it's about $120.  How tall is your friend?  I'm 5'9" and it helps out quite a bit on my chest, not so much with my helmet.  I think others have used a Givi A770 or Givi A755 as well.

Here's a link to the A750 on an SV650:

http://www.azmotorsports.com/Examples/givia750.html