Hello All,

Can any one help.  My 2000 GS500 can't maintain a steady idle.  After starting with full choke it runs high (3000 rpm and fluctuates to 4000).  As I start taking off the choke the rpm range lowers still can't maintain a steady rpm.  Opening the throttle only causes it to bog and die. I asked the local mechanics and they said they don't know what it can be, I don't know how much I trust them anyway as last time I took my bike in they reversed the fuel hoses and told me the reason it only worked on reserve was because I needed more gas   Any help will be greatly appreciated this circumstance is extremely frustrating.  I already checked spark plugs and gaps, fuel hoses connected properly, petcock is brand new...

thanks in advance

Have you cleaned the carbs?

I checked them a few months ago, they seemed clean,  I later had to take them to the mechanics above who said they cleaned them.  I have not been riding as much as I'd like (my bike sat in my garage for a month) is it possible they could have gotten clogged without me riding?  I would run the bike for 10 minutes or so every couple of weeks to make sure it was running fine and it did until yesterday...

Yes, it is possible for the miniscule jet passages to clog within a couple of weeks.  Since you seem to only have time to run it once every couple of weeks, I'd suggest adding Stabil every time you fill up, and hope that'll prevent you from having further problems.  Or, drain the carbs.