Thinking about getting one of these for a first bike, but I need something I can use to commute after I get comfortable with it. One of the criticisms of this bike is its low speed on the highway, but could someone quantify that for me? Obviously it will get to freeway speeds, but does it accelerate too slowly above 65? Is the engine just doing too much work at freeway speeds for it to be practical? I would probably need to be able to do 10 miles on the freeway going 75 or so (if I'm late). If someone could give me an idea of what I can actually expect from it on the freeway, I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

alw

I ride on the freeway all the time, it has no problems at higher speeds.  I am usually anywhere from 70-80 mph on the freeway.  Sometimes even more.  These things make great first bikes.  I say get one!!

You are going to have no problems with acceleration or speed at all if your bike is up to spec.  It will beat a car in acceleration at any RPM.

If you're in 6th, at 65, a long decent hill will require full throttle. Going to 5th fixes this of course. Everywhere else you'll have no problem keeping up. 

I find that just cruising with traffic I'm usually going 80 mph. I don't have any power issues

i agree i ride mine on the freeway to get to work every day and it takes everything in stride
believe me i was once sceptical of it too that sceptacism will be eraticated as soon as you actually ride one on the highway

GS does 80 comfortably. At 6th gear and 6500 rpm - it does 80 mph. Still plenty left and mine is bone stock 

Quote from: DriveALW on August 06, 2008, 11:00:33 AM
Thinking about getting one of these for a first bike, but I need something I can use to commute after I get comfortable with it. One of the criticisms of this bike is its low speed on the highway, but could someone quantify that for me? Obviously it will get to freeway speeds, but does it accelerate too slowly above 65? Is the engine just doing too much work at freeway speeds for it to be practical? I would probably need to be able to do 10 miles on the freeway going 75 or so (if I'm late). If someone could give me an idea of what I can actually expect from it on the freeway, I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

alw

Dude.. did someone on a R1 tell you this??? If your looking to go 130+ mph then this bike is not for you.. if your looking to commute at a reasonable speed (70-90mph) then you have a winner.

I"m with natewesselink. You'll be shocked by how capable (and noob-forgiving) this bike is. I do 80-100 miles five days a week at 70+ average, mainly on 2 lane rural highway. Several long hills with passing lanes, and if I go down a gear or two I have no problem blowing past the VERY surprised kids driving their GT Mustangs and whatnot, and I still get 50-55 MPG.

You won't have a problem until you get way beyond speeds that are legal... I ride on the freeway to work every day and have never had a problem... On a side note, the freeway is way more scary on a bike, and it took me a few months to get used to it when I first started riding. I don't think it would be wise to think you could feel comfortable doing 10 miles on the freeway every day right when you start riding...

Highway is a little intimidating at first.

the freeway is a little intimidating at first.  I rode around my local back roads to get used to the ol GS500 and slowly progressed to congested city traffic.  after I was comfortable with city traffic I did my first 70 mile trip down the I-15 and it really wasn't bad at all.  just remember how much fuel you have before venturing out on a long ride and get comfortable switching your petcock to RES without looking and you'll be fine.  the wind can be a little weird at first, but you get used to it, cruising at 70 is nice (naked gs, no fly/windscreen).

Quote from: LeafyNarc on August 06, 2008, 02:39:19 PM
You'll be shocked by how capable (and noob-forgiving) this bike is.

So true, so true.
But seriously, I ride my bike to work almost everyday in St Louis (I travel 3 highways - 70, 170 and 40) and I can get to work faster by about 10 minutes as compared with my car (BMW 318is). I like riding to work better than driving because the bike is more capable than my car.

Awesome bike.  I rode a 250 and then nothing for about 5 years.  Crawled on the GS and it all came back.  Freeway is a little intimidating at first but I just finished a 2 hour trip there and back on the freeway cruising between 70 mph and 85 mph.  No problem accelerating through traffic.

well then pull what 115 stock or something like that?

mine isn't running 100% and i've done VERY little to it...

it still gets my 250lb butt to 100+

(probally could go faster but i dont wanna get in trouble)

i drilled out the stock pipe jetted and went 2 teeth down up front.

+1 on everything said.

You bet.  Plenty of real-world power and speed.  No problems at highway speed.  It's right in it's stride at 70-80mph (and 50+mpg!!!)  Seems like this thread is unanimous and gives thumbs-up to your choice of bike!!   

acceleration doesn't start to dwindle until the 85-90 mph range... for passing though, I usually use 5th

Just downshift and then you'll have usable power.  When you need acceleration, keep it above 7,000 rpm.  On a bigger bike, it's not necessary.  It's actually one of the things that I enjoy about the GS500 -- you have to RIDE it.

Actually if you buy your bike brand new.  Then you really wont be able to go past 60 mph.  That is if you follow the suzuki way of breaking in your motor.  But after 600 miles it is as people state above.. you will not have any problem. I pass cars with no problem.. only thing stopping me is my common sense.