My wife just bought a 2004 GS500F and it is a hoot to ride.  I ride a '95 Triumph Trophy 900, but her bike is a different kind of fun.  It says, "please flick me thru the twisties."

Anyway, it only has 400 miles (great eBay deal!) and we're taking the precaution of not exceeding 5k rpm, but it recently began an intermittent knock knock at idle after I rode it at 63mph/5krpm for 15 consistent miles.  I'll do the 600 mlle maintenance when the time arrives, but I'm wondering if these bikes' valves are typically loose at that range.  Of course, the sound might not be a valve, so any other ideas from experience are welcome.

~ JP 

these motors are known to be excessivly noisy from the factory.

in the 04+ they have had problems with the cams needing a shim so it maynot be the valves.  suzuki did issue a mainance bulitin about this, and you need to mention that to the dealer.  initial 600 service, i'd do it now if you feel it is too noisy, that way if there is a problem you aren't going to make it worse. then after it comes back go for a few short 30 min. rides over a period of a day to see if the noise comes back, and if it does i'd take it right back to the stealer.


on a second note,  after you have the warrenty varified at the stealer, (it's alot easier to make the claim later if the steeler does the initial service.)  i've never had bad service from a brit bike dealer, and when i was living in NC they were the only ones to stock the valve shims. and i'd never take it back to a japanese bike dealer.

What part of the engine does the sound appear to be coming from?  If it's the valves it'd be coming from the top.  Also since it's intermittent, it could just be a bolt that needs tightening.

That sounds like the standard camshaft sideplay knock, my 97 did that off and on for 80k miles.  The 02 used to do it occasionally but haven't heard it for a long time now.

Knocks only when hot and at idle and knock stops when engine speed is picked up to a fast idle?  If that's it, there's no need to worry about it. 

Quote from: badkarma506 on July 31, 2006, 07:22:54 PM
in the 04+ they have had problems with the cams needing a shim so it maynot be the valves.  suzuki did issue a mainance bulitin about this, and you need to mention that to the dealer.  initial 600 service, i'd do it now if you feel it is too noisy, that way if there is a problem you aren't going to make it worse. then after it comes back go for a few short 30 min. rides over a period of a day to see if the noise comes back, and if it does i'd take it right back to the stealer.

Do you have a website to back this up?  If not, do you think a dealer will still do the maintenance after two years?

yea mine does this too, (2004, and fresh valve ajustment 14k on clock)

as coming to a stop and down shifting to 1st i hear a nocking about 5-7 nocks in a good rithem.

i figured its the oil, has about 4k on it know and the summer heat is just thining it out a lot. i may run 15w-40 or what ever is the next step up from 10w-40.

working at CYCLE GEAR is great. i can get all sorts of good stuff. and i am about to do the finder thing as we have some lights i want to use.

no one?

Yeah that sounds like the camshaft sideplay knock like others have said.  Even though my 05 has the 'updated' wavy washer that is put in there to correct the problem it still knocks a little at idle, just not as load as those without the 'fix'.  Mine came with the fix from the dealer.

so how does one get this fix? i am sure it has never been done.
i have had the bike since 1700 miles (15,000 now) so is it free or beeeing a 04 will i have to pay for it?
is it even needed, what can/will happen with out the fix?

Thanks for all the replies.  The camshaft idea sounds most likely as that's what it sounds like to me.  Valves tend to clatter, not knock like this.  After a ride last night it knocked about 7 or so times, then only intermittently when falling back to idle after revved a little.  It only knocks when hot after a ride.

We have extended warranty, so I'll look into that maintenance bulletin mentioned.  Again, thanks.

- JP

Quote from: rangerbrown on August 02, 2006, 06:22:55 AMis it even needed, what can/will happen with out the fix?

It will go on making strange noises, as GSses are wont to do.

No functional consequences whatsoever.

ok great, i can keep on the gas, jesse out