Apparently the '06 line is jinxed or something.  Our new GS500F was delivered today and my wife took it for a ride along with my father-in-law.   They both said it sounds like the engine is missing.  Father-in-law has been a mechanic for 30 years so he's probably right.  The bike has 7 miles on it and problems already.  Anyone else heard of this happening?  I'm out of town so I can't vouch for what they are hearing.

That's gonna suck if there really is something wrong with the '06 model.

I hope it's nothing, for your sake.
Good luck

Did the other guy with the Blown head or something get a new bike... I think he was trying to encact the lemon law.

Boy I hope it's not an overall '06 problem. I've only gotten 140 miles on mine so far, but no problems yet.

-James

My 06 had 2 blown gaskets.  Also a cracked oil filler cap.  At least suzuki paid for labor parts and towing.

Signs that your engine may be missing:

1.  extremely quiet operation

2. significant lack of power

3. gaping hole in the middle of the frame

Quote from: Egaeus on August 17, 2006, 09:22:38 PM
Signs that your engine may be missing:

1.  extremely quiet operation

2. significant lack of power

3. gaping hole in the middle of the frame

4. feather-light GS500

lol 

Quote from: tussey on August 17, 2006, 09:23:50 PM

Quote from: Egaeus on August 17, 2006, 09:22:38 PM
Signs that your engine may be missing:

1.  extremely quiet operation

2. significant lack of power

3. gaping hole in the middle of the frame

4. feather-light GS500

Thats what I was thinking when I read the title of the post


______________________________________

More on topic, I don't think I could say whether the engine was missing without hearing it.  But do remember that it's a air cooled twin, so it doesn't run quite as silky smooth as a modern inline-4.  Also, these bikes take a while to warm up and it may seem as if it is jerky and missing if you try to ride off before it is somewhat warmed up

Well, you all probably know the reported Qantas maintenance log:

Problem: "Engine No 3 missing"

Corrective action: "Engine Nr 3 found after a brief search on right wing."

Get it straight back to the dealer if you suspect there is problem with the bike. DONT try to sort it out yourself or you may invalidate the warranty, they cant argue its your fault after such a low mileage. Similar thing happened to a pal of mine, he bought a brand new bike and 2 days later it was missing and cutting out. Turns out there was water in the petrol the dealer filled it with. BTW I am not saying this is whats happened in your case, a missfire can be down to numerous things but you have paid for a warranty along with the bike so let them sort it out.

Quote from: arcsecond on August 17, 2006, 06:24:14 PM
Boy I hope it's not an overall '06 problem. I've only gotten 140 miles on mine so far, but no problems yet.

-James

I've just rolled over 6000km on my 2006 (a little less than 4000 mi.) and I've not had a problem yet.  Knock on wood.

Thanks for everyone's replies.

I called the dealer where we bought it and described the problem.  They said that sometimes these new ones sit on a truck for a while or in storage for a while and the plugs can get messed up.  He said to try this:

1. Start the engine for 3-4 seconds and shut it down.
2. Feel the exhaust header pipes.
3. If one pipe is cooler than the other then that cylinder is probably missing.
4. Change the plug on the cylinder that is missing.

So I now know how to get the fairings off and change the plugs .  The engine sounds much better.  It's hard to tell power wise because I am trying to keep it below 5000 rpm for the break-in period.  I'm guessing that the powerband is in a much higher rpm range. 

That was good information about how twins sound and act in general.  The last engine I heard up close was the engine on my brother-in-law's Yamaha FZ1.  So yeah, compared to that engine the GS twin sounds a bit more throaty.  Went on a nice hour and half ride last night.  Only 429 miles until I can open her up a little more

The only other thing I can think of is that the carburetion may be too lean from the factory.

i dont know only thing coming out of your pocket to start out is your gas. any other problems i would take to the stealer . if you do all your mantince your self keep all your paper work from when you buy the stuff !!! that way if any thing goes wrong you can have say so in what has been done .  you cant void your warnnty for doing your own work . you have to rember that you only void your warrnty if it comes to be thats the reason why it borke i.e. you put a K&N filter on your bike . you where on a dirt road later down the line it ate a piston . you take it to the shop they look . and say .. thats why it happend ( i use to work at ford and K&N is a no no they suck in more air yes. but they suck in alot more dirt to )  and theres a good chance that they will use that . so .... what have we learned .. keep all the old parts that way when somthing goes wrong you put it back to normal and they never know

Just so you guys know...I haven't got a new bike yet. The POS 06' is hanging out in the garage. My court case has been sent to Suzuki stating My attorney is demanding a trial by jury. Very nice 10 page or so complaint they wrote for me. We shall see if Suzuki settles or wants to go to court. They will probly try to settle by giving me a new bike. If that is the case then I intend on going to court and receiving my refund from the jury. Suzuki isn't winning this one. There are quite a few 06' shitty bikes out there. Feel VERY lucky if you got one that actually runs. Come to think of it mine has always sounded like it was missing. Just thought it was normal though because it's a bike not a car,they sound different and run different. Who knows? Oh well heres to everyone lawsuitting against suzuki!    haha