Hello,

I live in Romania. I'd like to buy a Second Hand Suzuki GS 500 from 1997-1999. For now i have a MZ ETZ from communist era.

I don't know anything about this motorcycle (GS500). I'd like to know if it's reliable and if the people that own it are satisfied with it.

What does it lack? What problems can occur?
Is it powerful enough.?
What is the safest top speed?
I orientated towards GS 500 because i'm not a speed maniac.

Anyway, i doubt whether to choose Suzuki GS 500 or Yamaha XJ600 Diversion.....

Thanks

The GS500 is a very well designed bike, reliable and simple.   As for top speed, when I had mine I only went up to around 90mph on it, MAYBE 100 but I didnt have a speedometer to confirm this.

From 89-02 they're relatively unchanged bikes and a VERY great deal of parts will interchange.    I never found any problems with mine, other than an ignition coil going bad for some reason, but thats uncommon.  The major issue I've heard of is the petcock on the frame not flowing enough fuel, or just plain sucking.

Its got plenty of power for the average rider's needs, unless you WANT to go blazing down the highway at 120+mph.

Overall, its a very comfortable, quiet and smooth bike, with few problems if taken care of well.

With the community you found here of GS owners. I think you will enjoy riding a GS and working on it. There is always an answer and a helping hand here 

well ive seen Indicated 130 mph , and so that makes u feel like u could be going it ,

cheap to run , loads of parts to swop around , and cheap to buy

Its a Winner... Or Twinner , what ever way u wanna look at it

Don't get Xj600 (Seca 2 in the US) if you have a choice, it's not a bad bike ,just that GS is lighter,better handling and has 2 less cylinders to worry about while making almost the same power

The seca 2 made much more power than a GS. It also was easier on chains and tires than the GS, it was also easier to get work done on, like havle covers - come off without having to take anything off ... yes, nothing else comes off for a valve adjustment. You can take the weight and a seca will trounce a GS in all other aspects. more torque, more power, narrower at the point where it matters, and lower to the road. Like I said, get over the extra weight and its a piece of cake.
It has adequate brakes and a good front suspension which is the opposite of a GS. Great brakes and lousy suspension. In all other aspects the seca 2 will bury the GS. BTW the paint on a seca's frame is near impossible to tear up - I believe it was powdercoated, and its also welded and cleaned much better before they powdercoated it.
Cool.
Buddha.

Thanks for your answers. i see that it's a good motorcycle. I'm only afraid of how the preowner took care of it.

As for taking care of it. I'm an expert. I have a 2 stroke MZ that i keep in very good shape. Many people say that old 2 stroke engines are not reliable and break down when you are riding and you have to leave it in the middle of nowhere.It's nothing like that if you take care of it....The probllem is that i can't find original parts anymore...  I'll put a pic of it because i'm proud of it...

http://www.bikeshop.ro/uploads/file_102403_phpEe8EID.jpg


Coming back to GS500: if i can find good quality parts than it's OK. Some people told me that because it has 2 pistons it lacks power, but you are right, i have less trouble...

Why do i need power? If i want to pass a car i need power to increase the speed fast. I don't want to ride near the car for long distance. I want to pass fast near the car.

If i can ride on long distance at 120mph than it's OK. Anyway it's a dangerous speed if you fall...

The second problem i was aiming at : if it's confortable to ride. You say that it is...Good for me. I don't want to ride like on a sport bike...

Anyway, when i'll buy it, the first thing i'll do is to change oil. I'll put Castrol or Motorex. I consider  good oil is the key of good maintainance...

And i want to ask if it's stable in curves....

The GS is, in my opinion, much more comfortable than the Diversion for longer rides. I don't know if it's any better for shorter riders (I'm 6 foot 1), but the GS can be ridden either upright (comfortable for hours) or in the crouched over sports position (not comfortable) - the Diversion can't (for me at least).

Im 6ft 3 and i find the gs really comfy , even with clip on's

I'm 5,93 ft so i think it'll be confortable for me....


As i've seen a little on the forum, many users say that they need a quart oil (almost 1L)  between changes . DOes it burn oil as new or oil consumption is caused by worn out rings and pistons... ?

As they get older some tend to burn more oil. I have a '96 and it hardly burn any oil between changes. Just keep on top of checking your oil, and the motor will be bullet proof.

I'm getting my first GS(98) next week. I've been on here doing my homework and prodding around just like you. I've sat on a brand new one at the dealership and it felt great(I'm 6'1). Everyone on here is real cool about helping fellow riders out, and the bike seems to be an awesome platform. I'd say go for a GS500.

Well i see that everyone is positive about GS 500. I hope mine won't burn oil. And if it burns i think the cause is the worn out piston rings...

Mine has burned oil ever since I've had it...but only a little bit. It depends on the kinds of trips you do. When I was commuting on it (<10 miles each trip) I burned about 200ml every 1000 miles. When I rode it hard for a long distance  (1500 miles over three days) I hardly burned any oil. I think it burns oil only on start up and once it warms up the rings seal and no more oil is burned.


By the way...love the MZ Don't get rid of it!

Quote from: augustin87r on June 07, 2008, 01:57:59 PM
Well i see that everyone is positive about GS 500. I hope mine won't burn oil. And if it burns i think the cause is the worn out piston rings...

Air cooled engines have looser tolerances because of uneven metal expansion.There fore air cooled engines burn a little oil.mine goes thru a pint every 500 miles.

Since i've overhauled my engine it doesn't eat oil at all,i'm starting to worry 

Quote from: Affschnozel on June 08, 2008, 03:49:16 AM
Since i've overhauled my engine it doesn't eat oil at all,i'm starting to worry 

If you broke in the engine right it won't for a while.