Now at US Suzuki site.  Won't have to close gstwins.com.   

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/GS500FK8/Default.aspx

ya i forgot to post that.  we got our 08 catalogue in at work and the gsf is there.

WOOHOO!!!   

Look at those antennae!    

Think the mirrors are tall enough?

Bummer! No new 650 I guess.

yupi viva GS500F

yyyyy but what's up with those mirrors?? is it just photo or they really are that odd??

yaaaayy!! Suzuki would have made a bad move if they were to abandon one of their oldest and most reliable "sportbike" models. 

I'd be getting annoyed that after the 18 years (?) its been around it has hardly been updated other than cosmetic changes. No new suspension, no engine overhall. Its about time i think.

>Kasumi:
Probably that's where the GS' strength lies.
An entry-level bike, cheap, simple, strong, lightweight, affordable, easy to upgrade, good for learning (), commuting and much more.
This is a model where manufacturers see no point in spending too many resources for upgrading, except for necessary changes (emission regulations, learners' restrictions and so on).
You want a more modern, spicy twin?
The SV is good for you. Also available in semi-faired and now (I suppose) fully faired version.
Would you like a nice touring-capable naked? Le voilà, c'est le Bandit pour toi. 650, 1250, naked, or semi-faired.
Want a full-faired? New GSX 650 F.
And this if you only look at Suzuki's model range. Other brands have excellent bikes too, of course

After all, look at all-time cult cars like Alec Issigonis' Morris Mini. Ferry Porsche's VW Beetle. The Citroen 2CV. The 1980 Fiat Panda. (You're English, Kasumi, so you know what I'm talking about )
They were simple cheap cars, but remained unchanged until the end of their lives. Because they all were essential and unique. As is the Suzuki GS (well, to a lesser extent maybe, but I'm sure you got the point )
Well, maybe in a few years the GS will have to be dropped for good for some reason, but it can still be a good choice as is for now.

IMHO.
Cheers mate

Yea i can see your point but the GS only really works over in the US because of the much better weather. Owning a GS over here is financial suicide unless you buy an old one. You stand to lose loads of money because in a year they rust to hell, im not kidding new bikes 1 year old with everything rusty. I understand they want to keep the price down but it doesn't cost a lot to rust proof coat the bolts and frame properly. Suspension is expensive to change and so is the engine but still i think they could redesign the bike using the same budget to get a better deal - technologies moved on

^^^^^^
Good point, I agree.
Old design is one thing, build quality is another.

Anyway, I have a theory as for rusting GS'es.
Are old ones rust-prone, too?
The thing is, I'm a member on another GS-related Italian subforum (definitely smaller than GSTwins.com).
I've heard of many people there complaining about rust, and they all are owners of (as strange as it may seem) newer GS'es. Made by Suzuki of Spain. After a few months of use, they started developing rust spots.
Mine, '01, for example, bought used last March, was spotless. And so at least another board member. Our bikes? Made in Japan.

It might be absolute , I know.
Is it just a coincidence?

Cheers

I dunno i just know i was totally put of buying a GS after i looked at a few back in 2006. I looked at an 05 model and it had seen one years riding. Every bolt on the whole thing was rusted. Parts of the swingarm were developing rust. It was terrible.

Also if you keep building a bike for 18 years without modifying anything then the cost to manufacture will effectivly increase. I bet if they did a full overhall on the bike, new engine style, new frame, new all sorts they could altogether build a better GS500 for the same price. I mean technologies has moved on leaps and bounds and so has materials and the cost of stuff has come down. I reckon they could make a far better GS for the same money if they totally overhauled it now. But i guess they just dont want to invest the time and money in designing an overhauled one although its by far due and the amount of GS's sold since 1989 is bound to have paid for it.

I have an 04 and I'm the second owner. I don't see rust anywhere. During the winter I don't ride but I keep bike outside covered with cheap fabric cover...   
maybe it is the Japan thing...  maybe it's the mileage - only 1500 miles on the bike so far.

No offense to you F lovers, but I just don't see the attraction to the fairings. They should make an E and an F model. I think they would have a good response.

..those mirrors look ridiculous 

i think it is just the position they are in

When i bought my 06 it had two rusted bolts on the fork clamp and a rust spot on the headlight bracket thing- it only had 2 miles on it 

Ok.....I thought everyone was being just a BIT picky in criticizing the mirrors so much, but then I saw them!  Carry on. Criticisms warranted! 

M-I-C-K-E-Y         

M

O

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S

EEEEEEEE!!!!!!!