http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/CategoryDisplay.aspx?id=B3447AC7-BFAE-4AD3-A7EB-82C9A299EA45

check it out, its at the bottom,  but i think its kinda a back handed compliment

http://www.suzukifuel.com/

The number of motorcyclist in the US have exploded over the last couple of years, so this makes complete sense why manufacturers are highlighting their beginner bikes. The whole site really highlights the GS, and why wouldn't it? It's Suzuki's most sporty fuel-efficient bike. Anyone thinking the GS's time is almost up, think again. Gas prices, being what they are, have secured our beloved GS a place in Suzuki's lineup for years to come with hope of future minor improvements.

I'm pretty sure that I'm not getting 58mpg on my bike.

Gas mileage mainly determined by your riding style

i get 65-70 balls to the wall riding

mabye I'm getting better gas mileage than I thought 

I've never really taken the time to calculate my mileage 

I ride moderately rough and I get 45 EVERY tank

-Turd.

Quote from: roguegeek on July 09, 2006, 03:30:21 PMhttp://www.suzukifuel.com/

Interesting site!  I ran the Just how much can you save in one year by riding a Suzuki motorcycle? comparison, and it quotes an annual fuel savings of $984 (US) over an average 2005 light-duty vehicle at $2.90 per gallon.

But ... let's think about this.

1) To get that kind of savings you have to ride 15,000 miles a year.  I think there are one or two hard-core GStwinners who fit that bill, but it's certainly not the norm.

2) They forgot to mention the cost of replacing one front tire, almost 2 rear tires, and one chain in that year.  (That's

conservatively $100 per tire change including mounting, and $80 for the chain ... or $380 to subtract from the "savings".)

3) They also didn't mention almost 4 valve clearance checks / adjustments in that year.  Unless the average owner does it themselves, there goes the rest of the savings!

4) Also no mention of the initial outlay for gear.  $500 or so?

5) Do you live in a temperate climate?  A good portion of those miles are going to have to be ridden in the cold and wet.  Add more gear...!

6) You can't haul much on a GS500.  One passenger at most (another $500 for good gear), luggage space costs extra for a few dozen liters, etc.

7) Don't forget to add in a significant amount of discomfort and RISK.[/list]

Don't get me wrong -- all of the above would still be worth it to me.  (I've only been riding about 3,000 miles a year lately because of my shortened commute and fewer long trips, so I'm not really looking at those kinds of annual costs.)  I just think it's interesting what they choose NOT to tell you while making motorcycling look so good based only on fuel costs. 

Kerry, you're such a downer sometimes.

Nm, just joking. But man Kerry that makes it look pretty expensive.

But you're not looking at the other costs for the car too. Like I dunno, stuff.

Quote from: CirclesCenter on July 10, 2006, 03:44:11 AMthat makes it look pretty expensive.

But you're not looking at the other costs for the car too. Like I dunno, stuff.

Yep, I know.  I also left out the cost of 5 expensive synthetic MC oil changes, and the MSF course. 

'Course, most folks that buy a MC to save gas probably won't spend money on an MSF course, and certainly won't spend $500 on gear.  It's too bad, because those are pretty much one-time costs that won't hit you year after year.

The vast majority of them won't have all of the recommended services done, either....

I guess the bottom line is:  Don't buy a motorcycle just to save gas, unless you plan to ride it ALL THE TIME.  My oldest brother, who bought Ed_in_Az's 2000 from me, is doing just that.  He's had it about a year and a half and commutes ~50 miles a day.  He has gone through 2 or 3 sets of cheap, "commuter" tires and several oil changes, and he does all of his own wrenching.

On the other hand, how many of us really bought a motorcycle just to save on gas?  Which is kinda my point about the "Fuel Savings" site.

Yeah, all those things you listed don't have to be done every year

Fuel saving is a great BONUS and not the main reason to ride for me. If I ride easy I can get 63 mpg if the majority of the miles are on the highway. Around town and driving more agressively I get 45-50 mpg. I have had my GS around 8 months and have already put close to 7k miles on it. I ride it as long as the sun is shining and rarely when its not. I agree in the statement that it would be fairly difficult to achieve 15k miles in a year. Weekly I make a 240 mile round trip and when I commute to work it is a 100 mile round trip and I still dont see hitting another 8k within 4 months.

Quote from: unkron on July 10, 2006, 11:36:58 AM
Fuel saving is a great BONUS and not the main reason to ride for me.

Yep! 

Quote from: Kerry on July 10, 2006, 02:08:05 AM
But ... let's think about this.

1) To get that kind of savings you have to ride 15,000 miles a year.  I think there are one or two hard-core GStwinners who fit that bill, but it's certainly not the norm.

Hey....I'm a hard-core GSTwinner! I like the sound of that... Well...except that my main commuter is the SVS (500 miles/week, give or take)... and I just plain like to ride... saving on gas is simply a major bonus (if/when it happens....I don't really keep track). 

Quote from: pandy on July 10, 2006, 12:09:57 PMmy main commuter is the SVS (500 miles/week, give or take)

Wow - that's 26,000 miles a year, give or take!  Hard-core indeed!

The SVS isn't one of the bikes featured on the Fuel Comparisons page.  I wonder what kind of fuel efficiency it has?  Care to do a single-tank check?  I'm too lazy to find an SV forum and do a search! 

I've averaged it out to over 50MPG before, but I'll make notes next time I fill up and come back with someone more precise! 

I think thats pretty cool for Suzuki to bring the good ol GS out of the depths of their stable to the front page.  Ive grown to love my GS. We have been  on over 10k miles of rides and one crash together. she still takes good care of me. But I feel the motorcycle nerd coming out in me already  Thinking about a BMW sport touring bike next.  But you cant beat that high MPG.

I'm splitting my 300 mile/week commute between the GS and the CBR600RR right now. Have only driven my car in the last year if the weather forces me to. Only put 1500 miles total on the cage since a year ago so I'm doing pretty good staying on the bikes. Getting about 60mpg with the GS and 45mpg with the CBR600RR. That's a crap load better than 18-20mpg with my car.