Quote from: ArcaneI can't just buy a bike every 2 or 3 years

*whistle*  

It's a view that everyone is tired of hearing from me, but IMO it's more of a bike than most out there (me included) are riders.
Oh, and 30" inseam ain't 'short,' my friend!  

I'm a 28 or 29 " inseam and I have no problem with the seat height.

I think the other stuff is personal preference.

I don't think you have to worry about it lasting, the engine has a good reputation for reliability

I think the general consensus here is that the gs500 is indeed a bike that will last you for years, not something you will outgrow. I know the GS will be my first bike, and I plan to buy new, and make it my last bike, for many, many years. I don't know much, as I'm just a stupid nood, but I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in here.. good luck making your decision, and either way, have fun with the bike and keep the shiny side up!

Quote from: callmelennyI'm a 28 or 29 " inseam and I have no problem with the seat height.

I think the other stuff is personal preference.

I don't think you have to worry about it lasting, the engine has a good reputation for reliability

but, do you think i'll get "bored" with it in 3 years?

whoops, nm...that guy posted while i was posting.  anyone else feel free to post your opinions.  i appreciate them all.

I have the GS and a DL650.  I'll "outgrow" the 650 but will not sell the GS.
That one is a keeper.  My younger son is 10 years old and he say it's his.
The GS is what it is.  You make it what you want out of it.  It's a pisser to ride.

THe GS500 and EX500 are actually the bikes I refer most people to who jump blindly into the Game.  I've known many people to start on an EX or GS and never move up because the bike fills their needs adequately.

Being bored with a bike is subjective.  I get bored with bikes and have had a tendency to only keep one bike for a year, then move on to another.  Some people never experience that.  Most people who "get bored" do so because their current ride is not meeting all of their needs or wants...something some of us will never be cured of.  The first thing you must do is determine what exactly you will be wanting from your ride:

Cruising?
Daily transport?
Track riding?
Back roads?
Stunting?
Bling?
Show?
Garage queen?
Performance?

...and so on.  Having a firm grip of what you're wanting a ride for is the first step to picking your ride.

double post...sorry

The point was made - and I'm trying to remember who made it?  Pantablo?  Heck, I can't remember.  Anyway, it was a good point.  To the effect that, when you first start riding, there is often a very real sense of absolute terror at going those speeds without a seatbelt and metal around you, at leaning, at the crazy crap cagers pull, etc.  But you get comfortable at some point.  And many people equate this comfort with boredom and look for a bike that will terrify them again - instead of settling in now that they're comfortable and developing their skills.
Track days are good for that - it gives you a benchmark.  You can feel like you're pushing the bike's limits - and then an instructor passes you like you're going backwards, and you realize you're still working with your own limits.

Quote from: RoadstergalThe point was made - and I'm trying to remember who made it?  Pantablo?  Heck, I can't remember.  Anyway, it was a good point.  To the effect that, when you first start riding, there is often a very real sense of absolute terror at going those speeds without a seatbelt and metal around you, at leaning, at the crazy crap cagers pull, etc.  But you get comfortable at some point.  And many people equate this comfort with boredom and look for a bike that will terrify them again - instead of settling in now that they're comfortable and developing their skills.

Excellent point!

Welcome!

Some people get "bored" because they're not trying to do more with the motorcycle (i.e.: riding it in a gear lower, reving it to redline, while riding the same road that they did in a higher gear, slower). Did I mention that I had a 250 for 14 years? During that time I rode a 550 Vision, a '78 Triumph 750 Bonnieville and raced an FZR400, all of which I sold and kept the 250. I've been riding 19 years now, and the GS is a hoot! Don't know about the 650R, I was at the International Motorcycle show this weekend and sat on the 650, and while the seating position felt more comfortable, the seat didn't. And, I could feel that it was heavier (but not by much, and it could'ave been the carpet). If you get the GS or the 650R, post back here and let us all know what you think. Please.

Edit: Also, I used to be a m/c saleman, and the question I would always ask somebody who's never ridden before and doesn't know what they want, is what kind of riding do they think they'll be doing. And, then direct them to a bike that is suitable.

thanks for the input and i think i've decided.  i'll post with what i pick up within the next week or so.


oooooh, the suspense!

seriously though, thanks all for your insights.

Whatever you decide on, stick around.  We're good people.  (most of us)

I've stuck around.. and I went to an 05 zx6r 4 months or so ago.


Personally..  I kind of outgrew the GS.  I was ok with the speed, per se..   It was the suspension and general 'lack of technology' I didn't like. I like things that are complicated, I guess.

If I were you, I would buy an older GS.  4-5 years at least. It won't be much $$, so if you end (for whatever reason) not liking it - no big deal.  They don't depreciate THAT much.


IMO, the best route is GS500 then SV650/650R.  If you're satisfied, great. If not, move up again.. but you will know after a year of the GS if you're stay or gonna go to something bigger.  Just so you know, a GS will outrun almost anything on 4 wheels.  It's from about 75-80 on up that the GS kind of lags behind.  Some places.. (like atlanta) routinely has traffic that goes 80+.

If you do a LOT of highway riding then plan on going to an sv650, at least.  If most of your riding is around town, get a GS and don't look back.

Quote from: RoadstergalThe point was made - and I'm trying to remember who made it?  Pantablo?  Heck, I can't remember.  Anyway, it was a good point.  To the effect that, when you first start riding, there is often a very real sense of absolute terror at going those speeds without a seatbelt and metal around you, at leaning, at the crazy crap cagers pull, etc.  But you get comfortable at some point.  And many people equate this comfort with boredom and look for a bike that will terrify them again - instead of settling in now that they're comfortable and developing their skills.
Track days are good for that - it gives you a benchmark.  You can feel like you're pushing the bike's limits - and then an instructor passes you like you're going backwards, and you realize you're still working with your own limits.

Cool. Never thought about it like that. I'm going into my 3rd year with my GS500, and it can still scare the #$% out of me and the whole bike is stock!

The GS 500 like everybody said is very reliable confidence inspiring.  You probably wont become good enough to push it to its limits.  The 650 is faster people will be genrally more accepting in the sportbike community.
Alot of my freinds ride real fast bikes r1's Busa's exc and they are the guys who told me to buy the gs first.  I intend to be riding 15years or more like them.  Jump on a faster bike and you take the risk of getting in over your head in a hurry.  Not that you cant do similar on the GS but throttle control wont be a big worry on the GS as it will on a 600 or higher

Sometimes I want my Stock GS to faster...  But, the rest of the time I'm glad it's not.  I don't ride it to its full potential now...  So, more HP would only make it a bigger deficit and more squidly.

Quote from: RVertigoSometimes I want my Stock GS to faster...  But, the rest of the time I'm glad it's not.  I don't ride it to its full potential now...  So, more HP would only make it a bigger deficit and more squidly.

Yeah a GS with more top end would be perfect!

I agree with Roadstergal.  After my first trackday/school, I realized how little of the GS's potential I was using.  

I can see roadstergals point that people mistake being comfortable with being competent.  They've stopped being scared by the GS and so now they think they've outgrown it.  I think another reason people outgrow the GS is the stigma of having a 500cc bike.  It seems like you are a wuss unless you have a 600 or preferably a 1000.  

I just got my Katana 750 on the road at the beginning of November this year I rode it for about two weeks before the snow started to fly.  On the last day of good weather, I took the GS out to fill up the tank.  Of course I had to empty it first (= long ride).  I was surprised how agile the bike was compared to the Kat  (= fun).  It doesn't have the top end rush of the Katana but it is way more fun to bend it around corners.  

I've been riding the GS for over 5 years now.  I haven't totally made up my mind yet but I may be letting her go next year.  I will be sad to see her go but I am looking to buy a Hawk GT IF I can find one at a reasonable price.  Honestly I'd be better off getting rid of the Kat but I just finished rebuilding it and I want to get some use out of it.

I get bored really fast and have ADD.

Im new the the bike world and the Gs500F i own is my 1st bike. ive only put 25kms on it so far b/c i got no plates for it yet nor a license. :lol:

I went thru 6 cars in 5 years. something tells me bikes is going tobe somewhat simular