alright i just read the post on highway speeds and i also ride 50-85 miles a day mostly 70+ Mph. im stock 05 right now but it's 100+ degrees outside. so my question is im not sure how the bike should sound. it almost sounds like it ticks a little but i dont know if this sound was always there or not. I have only had my bike for a month changed the oil at about 3000 miles ago w/ suzuki oil and replaced the plugs with irridium plugs other than that i put a lunchbox on i bought rode maybee half a mile to see what it felt like then put stock filter and airbox back on. also how do i know if the bike is running hot?

I hear that sound too. I guess this is normal but I'm not totally sure
I hope that someone with more experiece will chime in.
I'd love to hear GSJack's opinion since he has done +80K miles on 2 GSes.

cheers
Kamel

Clickity clackity goes the valvetrain on a well-tuned GS...but it should be that sound, nothing really metallic

Just search gs500 on youtube and watch some videos to hear the engine noise as well, yours should be similar to most

Yep, a healthy air-cooled engine with overhead cams acting on buckets should go clickety-clack.  Remember that the valve clearances TIGHTEN UP with wear until eventually there's no clearance left.  When the clickety clack ends you've got problems!!  Clickety clack is a GOOD sound   

yeah i got a slight click...


very quiet...


compared to my can  =-P