I want to buy a GS500. It will be my first street bike.

I plan to ride the bike for commuting a few times a week and maybe a few longer trips eventually. I would also use the bike to take more motorcycle rider training courses to try to advance my skills.

- Should i buy new or used? I'm not having a lot of luck finding used ones. The only used ones I can find are only a few hundred dollars under the cost of a new one usually.

- GS500F or GS500E? I know if i buy a new 2006 model, i don't really have a choice, and i'll have to get the F model.  Are the 500F models a lot nicer to ride than the E models becuase of the faring?

Those are about the only two questions i have outstanding, I was able to answer all of my other questions by reading these forums.. Thanks folks  

I only 'enjoy' the fairing whenever is raining or when going 80mph trying to save gas (then I can duck).

I bought a '04f in August '05 with 1500 miles on it.  Got a great deal on a great looking flawless bike.

The only thing I worry about is the first time I'm gonna lay it down on it's side...  Fairings a expensive.

In my opinion, 500E vs 500F...  No difference in riding...  It all depends on your preference in the end.  I prefer sport w/fairing and I'm looking into getting a new bike this coming year.  Hopefully I can find a great deal and possibly keep the GS500f too!  

Quote from: mike_mike- Should i buy new or used? I'm not having a lot of luck finding used ones. The only used ones I can find are only a few hundred dollars under the cost of a new one usually.

Buying a new bike to learn on is never smart.  Your first bike is the one you will most likely drop and damage the most.  Buy old, used, cheap and then learn.

Quote- GS500F or GS500E? I know if i buy a new 2006 model, i don't really have a choice, and i'll have to get the F model.  Are the 500F models a lot nicer to ride than the E models becuase of the faring?

That's preference.  The fairing is only for asthetics.  Naked bikes are cheaper when you drop them.

How about the windshield?

I see a lot of people putting the windshields on their naked GS500s

Quote from: mike_mikeHow about the windshield?

I see a lot of people putting the windshields on their naked GS500s

I personally don't dig shields on naked bikes...looks goofy.  If you've got a good helmet and gear, foward wind-shear will be the least on your list of things to worry about.

hold out for a good used one.  buy a cheaper mid 90's and use the remainder on your gear.  make sure to get a quality helmet, jacket, gloves, and maybe even boots/pants if you so please.  

congrats on choosing the gs.  it is an awesome bike

Have you taken the MSF course yet?  If not, I highly recommend it.  And I'm sure I'm not the only one who does.  I'm 24 and I paid $255 here in MA.  Inexpensive way to learn to ride properly.

Quote from: annguyen1981Have you taken the MSF course yet?  If not, I highly recommend it.  And I'm sure I'm not the only one who does.  I'm 24 and I paid $255 here in MA.  Inexpensive way to learn to ride properly.

Yeah. I have taken the course. I plan on taking some more courses once I have my own bike. I have raced motocross for years, so i'm familar with motorcycles.

I'm planning on taking the Advanced MSF course this summer, but hopefully I can find a scratched up bike to complete the course on.  My dad took this last year, and he said it's a lot of hard manuvers.  I'm not 100% willing to risk dropping my baby.  

At some point, I want to take the stunt riding courses they offer in the southern parts.  Of course I'd need a beefier bike for those.

I bought an '04 F and took the fairings off to make it an E. It's all about preferance. I got a good deal on the '04, but I like naked bikes better so I stripped it. Plus, dropping a naked bike is much cheaper to repair. And you will drop your first bike, one time or another.

Buy used. The GS is reliable enough that new/used isn't that big of a deal, IMO.

Gear for the street is an all of it always thing, not some of it sometimes.

the F, sans fairings, is the same bike as the 01-03 gs500 (no e). the 89-00 gs500e has much narrower bodywork but is essentially the same bike.

you can dress up a naked with a headlight fairing (also called flyscreen), see my site for one or two types...they're surprisingly effective for their size.

definitely by used, even if you get a F model.

good choice too, btw-gs500 is a great first bike. I rode mine for almost a year and a half before moving up to the RR.

welcome!

I'm thinking new 2005 model GS500E. I can find very few used ones around here (Toronto, Ontario, Canada). The ones i do find used, are the F models, and i can buy a brand new 500E for the price of a used 500F it seems.

I live in the toronto area as well...i bought a new 05' F as my 1st bike and i havent dropped it yet!

I only bought new b/c i scored it for $4999 cdn which is pretty good...but there is a few used ones for sale but they dont usually hang around too long...I called a handful of people who had them for sale and pretty much all of them were sold!

Quote from: monopolyI live in the toronto area as well...i bought a new 05' F as my 1st bike and i havent dropped it yet!

I only bought new b/c i scored it for $4999 cdn which is pretty good...but there is a few used ones for sale but they dont usually hang around too long...I called a handful of people who had them for sale and pretty much all of them were sold!

I'm thinking i'll pick up an 05 500E new for high 4Kish, will start the hunt today.

Welcome!

I was going to ask what about last year's model, but you have already covered it. Gear is more important as that you can take from bike to bike.