Hey Everyone,

     This is my first post here  I am a new rider and want to eventually purchase a used gs500 for my first bike.  I'm looking for something with the newer redesign (2001+), but I really prefer the naked bikes.  So far, it seems that the 2001 model is my only choice because anything 2003+ has the full fairing.  I am also considering doing a naked conversion for one of the newer faired models.  My question is this:  is there any difference between the 2001 naked and the later faired models, other than the fairings and the headlight?  I also noticed that they added an oil cooler to the 2003+ models. Any problems with this oil cooler?  Did they add this because the 2001 version overheats a lot?

Thanks in advance for your input!

-d
 

I don't think you need to worry about overheating.  This engine design has been around for years.

Welcome!

No problems with non-oil-cooler bikes. Suzuki simply added it on the faired "F" version to improve cooling, because fairings decrease dynamic air flow to the engine. I assume you're from the USA because in (all?) other markets, 2003+ naked versions were sold and didn't get oil coolers either. The only naked GS's with it on are surely faired-from-naked aftermarket conversions, you'll see many of them here.

If you plan to ride a lot in hot weather condition, just keep an eye on your oil level more often. Oil means life to an engine, especially to an air-cooled design.

A LOT of people, including me, buy the F and convert to an E without fairings.  You can do that for less than $100, and in the right circumstances, a LOT less.

yes I am from the US. hmm maybe i can get a newer naked bike from canada.  but now that i think about it,  it almost makes more sense to just buy the F regardless so you always have the fairings around if you want to go back.  plus you could always sell the fairings to recoup the cost of the conversion.  Thanks everyone for the advice! 

Hey,

I'm new to this form, because I just bought a 1999 GS 500E and it is naked. I know a lot of you guys are talking about taking the fairings off the GS500F.... But what about added fairings to my GS500E? Do I have to try and find custom fairings for this or could I buy someone's F model's and put it on to my E?
I'm a big fan of how the fairing covered bikes look but I love the GS500 as a bike, its solid:)
Thanks for your input.
Josh

From what many have said on here you will have to do quite a bit of modding and welding on of tabs but a few have done it here!

I have a "F" myself!

Mary

Quote from: Josh Payne on April 16, 2009, 01:15:18 PM
Hey,

I'm new to this form, because I just bought a 1999 GS 500E and it is naked. I know a lot of you guys are talking about taking the fairings off the GS500F.... But what about added fairings to my GS500E? Do I have to try and find custom fairings for this or could I buy someone's F model's and put it on to my E?
I'm a big fan of how the fairing covered bikes look but I love the GS500 as a bike, its solid:)
Thanks for your input.
Josh

look here
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=47494.0
it's a 89 -90