Great forum!  It has answered almost all of my questions just by searching, but I still have one.  I just bought my bike last weekend, it's my first since I was 13, and am looking forward to getting the carb jets cleaned out this weekend (it sat for a while) so I can ride!

Anyway, I went to my local independent auto parts store yesterday.  I wanted to get some oil and a filter for my 99 GS500E since it has been sitting.  They carry Wix filters.  They look my bike up in their little book, and they find two filters listed.  One is  the type of oil filter that I expect.  This is supposed to fit a 1989-2003 GS500E (http://www.wixfilters.com/filterlookup/PartDetail.asp?Part=24931).  However, they list another filter for a 1999 GS500EX (http://www.wixfilters.com/filterlookup/PartDetail.asp?Part=51359).  You can see for yourself (http://www.wixfilters.com/filterlookup/motorcycle.asp#SUZUKI).  Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but in everything I've read, including my new Clymer manual that I bought through clicking the link here, says that each model year has its own letter designation, with 1999 being X.  So is there a separate GS500EX bike, does the 99 have a screw-on filter, or is Wix on drugs?

Welcome!  Glad you find the board helpful.

The oil filter for the GS is not a screw-on, so I suspect a '99 GS500EX is a different animal (like maybe a '99 EX500 Kawasaki with a spin-on filter).  You already know the Fram p/n is CH6000, cross reference that with what Wix suggests.

Wix is on drugs.  The CH6000 cross references the same one you came up with; the 24931.

Quote from: scratch on February 03, 2006, 09:16:21 PM
Welcome!  Glad you find the board helpful.

The oil filter for the GS is not a screw-on, so I suspect a '99 GS500EX is a different animal (like maybe a '99 EX500 Kawasaki with a spin-on filter).  You already know the Fram p/n is CH6000, cross reference that with what Wix suggests.

Wix is on drugs.  The CH6000 cross references the same one you came up with; the 24931.

Well, I ended up coming home with the 24931 because the fiches I've found showed a canister filter, but I wanted to be sure that I wouldn't get my bike drained and get to the filter and find a spin-on. 

I thought that Wix would be on drugs.  I mean, they do brag about the fact that they're the official filter for NASCAR or somesuch.

I have a question about oil filters while there's a thred on it.
On eBay I've seen things advertised as "high flow" oil filters.
Is there any difference between these and regular filters? Better? Worse?

Just use a STOCK oil filter that's designed (and recommended) for your bike.

Tried, true and tested by Suzuki engineers who's whole life is devoted to checking and rechecking a  stock filter is does it's job.

Quote from: gsmetal on February 04, 2006, 06:08:41 AM
Just use a STOCK oil filter that's designed (and recommended) for your bike.

Tried, true and tested by Suzuki engineers who's whole life is devoted to checking and rechecking a  stock filter is does it's job.

The thing I'm worried about is that these are the same engineers that thought a fuel filter was completely unnecessary.  I just cleaned out about a quarter of a teaspoon of rust out of my carbs today. 

Check this out: I went to AutoZone about a couple months back looking for an oil filter and they gave me an STP SMO-18. But it is a screw on. And the GS's don't take those. They need to update their comps. But it was kinda my fault cause I didn't check it until just a week ago.
AdvanceAuto Parts didn't have anything for the GS.
Lastly I tried O,O,O, Orileys and I ended up getting the Wix 24931. Fit like a charm! First time I shopped there and it won't be the last. They showed me a 24932 and it looked the same but It seemed it had more pleats in the filter.

I'm not an expert in this subject, but personally, I wouldn't go to an auto store for motorcycle parts.  I may go there for generic stuff, but for a filter, I'd go to the dealer.

HiFlo oil (and airfilters; green box packaging) are another brand, they're good; I used 'em on my '78 Triumph, and am using the oil filter in my GS.  And, you'll be fine using filters that are made for your motorcycle, buying them from an auto parts store.

Quote from: Egaeus on February 04, 2006, 05:50:44 PM

Quote from: gsmetal on February 04, 2006, 06:08:41 AM
Just use a STOCK oil filter that's designed (and recommended) for your bike.

Tried, true and tested by Suzuki engineers who's whole life is devoted to checking and rechecking a  stock filter is does it's job.

The thing I'm worried about is that these are the same engineers that thought a fuel filter was completely unnecessary.  I just cleaned out about a quarter of a teaspoon of rust out of my carbs today. 

Different guys.  They have engineers that work only on the engine, others, the frame, and so on.

The Autozone in my town stocks motorcycle/ATV filters.  They're open 7 days a week and usually until 9pm. The bike shop is either closed the whole day or closes at 5 or 6pm.  Autozone wins.

Automotive places are usually less expensive, too.

Yeah... Drugs...

I was given a screw-on type once...  I was pretty upset, since I didn't look in the box until I had already drained all the oil...

It's the first one for sure.

I just purchased two oil filter for the GS here in Australia frimn Matt Mladin Motorcycles Narellan.

$10.90 Australian each.

4d

Quote from: budget speed demon on February 04, 2006, 12:32:30 AM
I have a question about oil filters while there's a thred on it.
On eBay I've seen things advertised as "high flow" oil filters.
Is there any difference between these and regular filters? Better? Worse?

Ya, like Scratch said, they're probably talking about HiFlo filters.  The GS takes the HF133.  I get 'em for $6.99 CDN at Racers Choice in Brantford.  The box includes the o-ring too