Hi everyone just found this site, looks like lots of great info. Been reading some of the post in the forum, sounds like the GS500 is a fun bike.

I just got my bike license last fall something I have been trying to do for 15 years, not a bad rider just bad at finding time for things. Got smart and took once of the weekend course at a local collage to save some insurance money. I saw the GS500E 2 years ago at a manufactures bike show and was impressed by its sporty looks and normal seat height for a 500, my only beef was the gauges they look very out of date, but for the price of the bike you can't complain too much.

Anyways I spent last fall riding my kid brothers old 78 Honda CB750 as it was in my garage road ready well he was at sea (Navy guy) But now he is back and moved to the west coast and the bike went with him.

I found an old copy of Cycle world from 2003 or 2004 that did a test on bikes for $5000 and under. The GS was part of that test. They rated it in the top 2 or 3, but said for bigger rides you have to rev it and slip the clutch a lot to get moving. But like everything else I find mag tests very one sided.

So here are my questions, I'm looking at a 2006 GS500E (have the money may as well spend it on something new) I have sat on one and the size is just right.

I'm 6'3 and around 190lbs (with out my gear) was the test rider smoking something when he wrote that article? And you really can't believe the dealer as most just want to make a sale

As well being it's only a 500 how does it run on the highway at normal speeds 65-70MPH. I drive 230km (140miles) round trip to work on the highway no traffic most days. I've also seen some post about fuel mileage but I guess the question is what is the average distance you normally see on a tank of fuel.

2005 F here, unmodified.

It's perfectly happy at 65-70 MPH.   It's even happy up to 80-ish.   No problem keeping up with busy, fast-moving traffic.   More power would be **nice** but isn't necessary.

I get about 60 MPG, depending on conditions.   You can really baby the engine and get 70 MPG.   The worst I ever got on a tank was 52.

I can comfortably get 200 miles between fillups.   The only time I've ever needed to switch to reserve was at 226 miles.

Great choice for a first bike! 

140 mph round trip, forget it, buy a water cooled cruiser. Suggest a Vulcan 1500 or a 750 or a virago 1100 or a 1400 intruder or a shadow 1100 etc. 1 year will make the GS into a crying mess with that sorta useage.
Cool.
Srinath.

Have put 4k of the 30k miles on my 93.  Use it for commuting, pleasure, and even an overnight trip here and there. People here have toured on them, raced them, and modified them to be whatever they wanted. Thats one benefit for me - resources!

Its no rocketship but if you shift often to keep it in the powerband it is more than entertaining. First time I was WFO in 3rd gear I was briefly scared and then found some more onramps!! Good times.

If you're looking at a 2006 GSE you must not be in the states, faired models only here.  Lots of small fairings available for the E to keep the windblast down at speed, there's a targa 1/4 fairing on mine.  

Srinath is a little pessimistic on wear and tear IMO, but 700 miles a week is a lot of riding, and a lot of highway. I'd be after something like a DL650 or ER-6F for the fuel injection and wind protection. Just less to deal with.

What else do you want to know?  

70 miles one way ? that dont sound bad to me . when me,stray,and css went to big bend last month once we got on 1-10 we stayed at 80-100 the whole time ! (222 miles ) and the gs never did kick spit or spuder one time ! this bike is a trooper . i love it . i ride it in tot he dirt and she stays strong . i'm not easy on my gs but i keep up with the stuff that needs to be taken care of .   i was worryed about the lack of power my self but once i got on it . and roade it . i feel in love with it . it was like it was said before . having more power would be nice but its not somthing that you need . 

Quote from: seshadri_srinath water cooled cruiser

Yuck, sorry nothing wrong with cruisers just not a bike for me  . Has to be some what sporty looking, I've been looking at 20 year old Honda VFR500 and 750 but can't find many with a good cam , funny thing on that one  and if they do run well, the guy wants more then what the bike cost new. Sad thing is they are getting the money they are asking.

I'm hoping that because it looks like they have not changed the engine in 16+ years this model its means its kind of bultet proof

Grainbelt, I'm in Canada about an hour and a bit east of Toronto ON. And my misstake its not an E its an F model 

If I have been reading things right all we get is the F model for 2006 in Canada

Here is the bike I've been looking at.

Here's my opinion.    The bike will do 80 all day no problems.    It will go over 100 without that much effort (and I'm 215 pounds).   I have the 2005 GS500F.   The bike would work for what you want to do but it's not that comfortable.   With the amout of miles your looking at putting on it I would think about something more comfortable, maybe a Kawasaki ZZR-600 or hell even a Katana.

I would strongly recomend a Suzuki VStrom 650.....

3d

Thanks for all the info, going to see if the dealer will let me test ride it around the block. Most don't here 

I've heard the V-Strom 650 is super machine my dad has tried a friends and wants one now, I've sat on one and it seems ok, feels a little too upright for me, but hard to tell when it was sitting on the centre stand.

Quote from: dweese on April 02, 2006, 03:59:28 PM

I found an old copy of Cycle world from 2003 or 2004 that did a test on bikes for $5000 and under. The GS was part of that test. They rated it in the top 2 or 3, but said for bigger rides you have to rev it and slip the clutch a lot to get moving. But like everything else I find mag tests very one sided.

That $5000 and under comparo was in the Dec 02 issue of Cycle World.  They took the same comparo, reworked it for the 03 CW Buyers Guide, called it Deals on Wheels, and ranked the bikes 1 thru 10.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/CWDealsOnWheels/deals1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/CWDealsOnWheels/deals2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/CWDealsOnWheels/deals3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/CWDealsOnWheels/deals4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/CWDealsOnWheels/deals5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/CWDealsOnWheels/deals6.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/CWDealsOnWheels/deals7.jpg

The GS500 will run 75-80 mph indicated all day long and due it for 80k miles or more if you put something better than the 80 cent a quart Walmart oil in the crankcase..  Overall gas milage runs about 60 mpg.   

Whether it is comfortable enough to do it depends more on the rider than the bike.  I find 400 mile days comfortable enough.

I'm 6'2, 160 lbs and I love to ride 06 500f as fast as I can EVERYWHERE I normaly get about 50 mpg but thats only cuz I do push her hard.

Normal crusing speed for me is about 80ish and she has no prob with more power if I need it.

*Edit* I do baby her it the citys where Ill see about 62 MPG

For over 2 hours of commuting per day, I'd place cruising comfort as a high priority.  A Vstrom/DL650, or an old Yamaha TDM800 are still sporty, but more oriented towards covering the miles.  A late-model Nighthawk would actually be pretty comfy. 

Some benefits of the GS are that it is inexpensive, nimble and rugged.  But "nimble" is a negative factor on the freeway.
Since the GS may be what you can afford, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.  A used one will hold its value, and it will be an excellent bike to (re)learn your skills on.  But you may want to move on to something heavier, with more protection later on.

The GS is not that bad of a commuter bike. It has an upright seating position, and decent ergos. I cruise 75-80 on the freeway on my daily ride.

For the money it is quite versitile.

+1 on the v-strom. It will probably be my next bike.

I love reading articles about the GS.  THanks for posting that, Runsilent.

What more do you need, man.  The GS is the best overall.  I personally used her the first two years to commute rain or shine 80mi round trip, in Atlanta Traffic.
IMO she is a comfortable bike (I don't understand the naysayers, but opinions are opinions) My longest trip was 1200miles. My biggest problem was handle bar vibration, because I did not have bar ends.

check out Kerry's site. http://www.bbburma.net/ he has documented his long distance trips. 

I no longer live in ATl, so I take every chance I get to make a long run. (Panama city here I come)

On top of a comfortable good looking ride, she is a breeze to work on.  That why I own three GS500's.
You won't be disappointed, unless you pass up the chance to own a GS.

but thats not what you wanted to hear, I guess.

I have a 99' and an 01' (the 95' isn't running yet)

They both behave about the same.

- #1 they are too cool to cruise below 80mph. (yeah the cop thought it wasn't funny either) my bikes are naked and I am very comfortable at this speed. I don't have rearview mirrors, and I can comfortably turn and look behind me at 80mph+ (could be just me though)
-max speed 100-112 (stock)  some say this is off by 10-15% I don't know yet. but will run some tests
-gas milage.-  low end 45mi, high end 60ish
-front forks a bit sluggish and soft. easy fix though.
-corners like a pro. (i have outcornered an experienced rider on a GSXR1100 and a my buddy on a KAWA Z1)
-accelerates great (especially if you have never been on a bigger bike. if you have, the acceleration is fun at best - not scary) You will be left behind by the bigger bikes though. I hope your ego doesn't bruise easily
- comfortable (I vouch for it)
- easy to wrench - Clymers is great. 

And there is always GSTWIN.com.  Most problems I have had were already discussed in this forum.  I have also been able to find parts way easier since I have been a GSTWINNER.

Buy the bike and post a pic. happy riding!!

I've done a 200km trip on my bike with average speeds being 80km/h to 110km/h. Handled it like a charm, and it was comfortable to boot.

Quote from: dweese on April 02, 2006, 03:59:28 PM
They rated it in the top 2 or 3, but said for bigger rides you have to rev it and slip the clutch a lot to get moving.

Not sure what they mean by slipping the clutch, but I start moving just fine on my GS, and I weight over 300 lbs.  Rev it up to about 4000 and ease off the clutch.  Off you go.   

I hear alot of you rev your bikes to 4000rpm or higher for take off. I hardly rev mine past 3000 (unless I want to launch).

Why so high?

I thought a slight slipping of the clutch was normal for small (engined) bikes. 3000-4000ropm sounds a bit much though.

who cares, anyway.