Hi guys,

I just got my M1 and I'm going to be taking a motorcycle safety course next week, and I'm looking to get my first bike.  I was looking at the '06 GS 500F as a good starter bike that I can get used to for a couple of years until I develop my riding skills.  What do you guys think of this bike as a first-timer?  I've heard that it isn't really ballsy -- which I like because I don't want to get into too much trouble -- but what I'd like to know is if it's ballsy *enough*.  Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.  Thanks!

Hey, welcome, I've got an 06, my first bike also.
it's definitely ballsy enough, unless your only interest is killing yourself.
I've made plenty of mistakes on mine which I know wouldn't have been forgiving on a more powerful bike.
Plenty of power for 2-up riding, if you intend to do any of that eventually also.

Besides, insurance is so much cheaper than a 600cc supersport. 

Yeah, it's a good first bike, it won't wheelie out from under you when you accidentally dump the clutch but it still has plenty of power to cruise at 80mph all day long without strain. It also can carry a passenger without problems, and handles pretty well. So you won't get bored with it right away.

I'd recomend getting an older bike without fairings as a first bike, you'll probally drop it a couple of times and fairings are spendy. Of course if you really want a new bike you could remove the fairings and then after you've figured out how to ride it without dropping it, you can but them back on to cover up all the scratches 

The bike is essentially unchanged from when it first came out in 1989 so prts are plentifull and cheap. The weakest link on the bike is it's cheap and soft suspension, but that can be fixed for not too much $$.

Enjoy 

If you can find a used naked GS (pre'03), that's your best bet...  'cause then when you drop it, there's no fairing to crack open...  And being used, it won't cost as much.


Any GS is a great first bike.

I got the yellow and black GS 500 F 2004 model - in 2005! I fell in love with it when I saw it and it just had to be my first bike (plus I trained on a GS500E). And I still think it looks great - actually, I find my bike turns more heads than many other more powerful beasts as it stands out and looks so good. Joe Public doesn't know any better afterall!

Only 'accident' I've had with it is taking off with a disc lock still in place [I gather every1 does this once...] I went over with the bike but as it was a slow start I was able to nurse it to the ground without damaging it. 1 year on and it still looks as good as new (only done 1100 miles though!).

Quote from: RVertigo on October 06, 2006, 02:27:02 PM
Any GS is a great first bike.

And welcome! 

Welcome!

It's ballsy enough to keep a 20 year riding vet entertained.  Is that ballsy enough for you?

Quote from: scratch on October 06, 2006, 02:45:28 PM
It's ballsy enough to keep a 20 year riding vet entertained.  Is that ballsy enough for you?

Depends on what you're talking about? 

Thanks for all of the input guys! 

Does Honda, Yamaha, or Kawasaki have any bikes that would compete with this one for a first-timer?  What are your thoughts on those ones?

And on a related note, what do you think of these bikes (for me).  Are they too big?  Too powerful?  I know this is a GS forum, but please be honest .
- Suzuki SV650S (a demo bike, I can get it for the same price and the salesperson said it was a great first bike too)
- Honda CBR600F4I
- Kawasaki Ninja 500R
- Suzuki Katana 600
- Kawasaki ZZR600
- Yamaha YZR600R

Thanks guys!

Quote from: Mhaddy on October 07, 2006, 01:25:20 PM
And on a related note, what do you think of these bikes (for me).  Are they too big?  Too powerful?  I know this is a GS forum, but please be honest .
- Suzuki SV650S (a demo bike, I can get it for the same price and the salesperson said it was a great first bike too)
- Honda CBR600F4I
- Kawasaki Ninja 500R
- Suzuki Katana 600
- Kawasaki ZZR600
- Yamaha YZR600R

SV650 - MAYBE a good beginner bike if you have experience in the dirt, but the GS is better suited as a proper beginner bike.
CBR600F4i - Definitely not. This was Honda's old race replica. Definitely not what you need in a starter bike.
Ninja 500R - Excellent starter bike, very comparable to the GS. It has a bit more power, but people say the GS handles better and fits more people.
Katana 600 - Don't waste your money on this piece of crap.
ZZR600 - The new '05+ one is the old '99-'02 ZX-6R, the full on race replica. The Previous one is the old ZX-6E. Similar to the F4i, I would advise against this.
YZF600R - Similar to the ZZR and F4i, this second tier sportbike wouldn't make a good beginner mount, I don't think.