Hi all.  SoCal college student here.  Just finished my MSF Basic Rider Course a week ago and looking into purchasing my 1st bike before I go and forget everything.  So I might be getting a '01 GS here soon, no fairing.  I originally fell in love with the SV650 (naked of course), but this will be my 1st bike and don't want to overdo it (plus it's cheaper).  Figured I will be able to ride the GS until I'm ready to step up to a bigger bike and then maybe that will be an SV.

How are maintenance costs on these puppies?  The one I'll be looking at only has 12k miles on it, but anything in particular that is a common problem with them that I should look out for?

How practical is 2-up riding on these smaller bikes?  I'm a pretty small dude (5'9" 155#) but once I some time under my belt I'd like to expose my girlfriend and siblings to the joys of a motorcycle.  Who knows my girl or sister might inherit this GS from me when I'm done with it (they've both expressed an interest in taking the MSF course).

Looking around here briefly I can tell that this bike isn't one to be modded up the wazoo, but any common ones that you guys would recommend?  Are most of the posts on here generally referring to the newwer fully faired bikes?

Ok look at me ramble.  Take it easy, back to studying!

-Matt

Welcome Matt, you're definitely headed down a good path if you choose the gs. A lot of people here have moved on to an sv after owning a gs, which is a great learning bike and a lot of fun. You won't be disappointed.

Maintenance costs are very low, especially if you can do the work yourself. Just keep the oil fresh and plenty of it!

I know you're fairly light when it comes to weight, but a lot of people (including me) regard a suspension upgrade as the best mod you can do. If you want to ride two up, maybe consider installing a katana 600 rear shock. They can be had for around $25.

Don't be so quick to assume nobody mods these gs's! Check out Jim Knopf and Dgyver's bikes just to see a couple examples. There are many more.

Anyway, welcome. This place is a wealth of knowledge.

hey welcome to the board , can't go wrong with the gs , low costs just do regular checks and oil changes , as for upgrades just look at the wiki http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Main/Upgrades


i,m 5-9 and 180, and i don't have any problems with the wife on the back , upgraded to a kat 600 shock

Welcome..um again!  Well, the discussion here has to do with the GS.  Faired or nekkid.  We don't discriminate here, well some do!  Most of the info here applies to most any GS and this is a great place to get info.  There are a lot of guys on here that really, really know their stuff.....and they're willing to help out a newcomer as well!

Quote from: lewismug on May 09, 2008, 07:39:07 AM
Faired or nekkid.  We don't discriminate here, well some do!

Naked is the only way to go! 

the only thing i like nekkid is my wife. 

dont do it..get a katana or something with 4 cylinders..trust me

Quote from: drowningbird808 on May 09, 2008, 09:24:03 AM
dont do it..get a katana or something with 4 cylinders..trust me

Hahaha, I'm being told not to get a GS on a GS forum?
Thanks to everyone for their replies thus far.  Why not a GS though?  What's your reasoning?

Quote from: drowningbird808 on May 09, 2008, 09:24:03 AM
dont do it..get a katana or something with 4 cylinders..trust me

katana the queen mary of bikes 

well here are the 3 I've found.  I'm in San Diego and the only local 1 said they've got 4 people coming to look at it tomorrow already.  So that doesn't sound too good.  The other 2 are about 90min away.
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/671757209.html
http://www.cycletrader.com/find/listing/2001-Suzuki-GS500-89934780        <- too good of a price?
http://www.cycletrader.com/find/listing/2002-Suzuki-GS500-88791691

I'm at school right now, "studying", so I haven't gotten a chance to call yet but asking under 1500 for an '01 seems really low.

and ajax... what do you mean by the "Queen Mary"?  The big ole ship?

I got my 2001 for $1500 and it is great. $2500 seems high but I'll keep it in mind if I ever sell my bike

GS are as low maintenance as you can get without buying a single cylinder bike. Still means you gotta buy a good one. 12K miles means maybe tires as it is probably well through the 2nd set. Ride the old tires first, as old tires stick better than new tires for the 1st 100-200 miles (depends how you ride). Any used bike might be expected to want fluids, filters, chain, sprocket, brakes, carb clean, and tuneup/valve adjustment. Since you are probably not going to test ride the heck out of it, bring a more experienced rider to look it over and ride it. For instance, shifting can be poor, you might not have 2nd gear, etc, things you find only by wringing it out for a couple of minutes local and highway, not things you find out going twice around the lot. They can handle 2 up, just don't expect to roar past an R6 going uphill. Should be able to crush Saturns and Civics though.....lol. If you do go 2 up, get some good gear for the GF. A disapproportionate numbers of girls ride Buddha Loves You with sandals and a tshirt, while their boyfriend is Joe Racer. All good, til the bike gets dropped.

Naked looks better. Sucks if you do mostly highway. Past 50mph on a naked bike, it feels like you are going to get blown off. You get used to it, but it is never as relaxing as on a faired bike.

Quote from: wreckhog on May 09, 2008, 11:28:57 AMIf you do go 2 up, get some good gear for the GF. A disapproportionate numbers of girls ride Buddha Loves You with sandals and a tshirt, while their boyfriend is Joe Racer. All good, til the bike gets dropped.

Naked looks better. Sucks if you do mostly highway. Past 50mph on a naked bike, it feels like you are going to get blown off. You get used to it, but it is never as relaxing as on a faired bike.

1)Already working on the gear for the gf.

2)What about a windscreen?  I've come across plenty of bikes on this board with those mounted.

Here's Dgyver's build.  http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=34220.0
I've seen his bikes in person.The posts do do not do his work justice.They are a lot nicer in person.Craftsmanship is top notch,better than most custom shops.


Here's a pic of my bike when I bought it.It still looks some what the same.Still has the fairings.Just a lot of upgrades that aren't as noticeable.
Here's link to my photobucket pics. http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb17/ben_2_go/

Quote from: Yenool on May 09, 2008, 09:25:54 AM

Quote from: drowningbird808 on May 09, 2008, 09:24:03 AM
dont do it..get a katana or something with 4 cylinders..trust me

Hahaha, I'm being told not to get a GS on a GS forum?
Thanks to everyone for their replies thus far.  Why not a GS though?  What's your reasoning?

That opinion comes from Florida where the roads have 11 turns in 318 milles.

The sporty handling GS500 has a modestly powered engine so even in the twisties the bike requires a rider or a bigger engine, either will do it.   

Quote from: Yenool on May 09, 2008, 10:02:20 AM

and ajax... what do you mean by the "Queen Mary"?  The big ole ship?

the kat is alot heavier

I live in Orlando and love my Gs faired version. I like it because it is light when it fell on my ankle it just sprained it can't imagine what a "heavier" Katana would have done. I'm much in love with my "flick" ( yeah I named my bike). And if one day your are looking to pass it on to your gf or sister as a woman I can handle it really well!

Mary S.

Welcome ,

here you will find all things to do to a GS, & we have the search list to help you find anything ( just hit Search then put in any name" like K&N, ) & you get allot of info..
Here the help is very good.       [p51.