So far i have to say as a new rider i am liking the GS500 (93) with newer forks/tanks/rear  But im already looking forward to replacing it with a Fuel injected and more powerful bike. 

Thoughts so far- SV-650 or a Sportster (black version) this will be next year though before i can really justify the ride rime/learning experience from the GS's purchase and investment.

Quote from: jebz240 on February 25, 2011, 05:39:15 AM
But im already looking forward to replacing it with a Fuel injected and more powerful bike. 

Thoughts so far- SV-650 or a Sportster

Either way sounds like a good direction if that's what you want, just make sure you spend some time looking into anything you buy. A GS500 has about 45-50hp and weighs 375lbs. A sportster 883 makes about 50hp and weighs 555lbs. Even the 1200 only makes about 60hp. The sportsters have more torque, so leaving a stop sign or redlight will be a little easier, but once you're moving they're probably gonna feel about the same/slower than the GS because of the extra weight they're pulling around. Not picking on the bikes, it just caught my eye when you said you were thinking about a more powerful bike, and then listed a sportser as an option.

I LOVE the SV650, and if I were looking for a more powerful bike, that would be the direction I'd go.
However, I tend to scoff a bit when people say that they are "bored" with a bike.  The way I figure it, my GS is quick enough to be fun, but slow enough that I can legally use pretty much 100% of the power band.  I've personally just never understood the desire to have a bike that you can only use 50% (some supersports are more like 20%) of its capabilities without coming to a trooper's official attention. 

Obviousy, to each his own.  Just don't be one of those guys who upgrades due to "boredom", only to ride the new one like a complete moron and doing something stupid.  Stay careful.

But to answer your actual question, I'd take an SV loooooooooooong before a Sportster.

I have an SV650S and absolutely love it.  My girlfriend has one too, also loves it.

Its more fun to ride a slow bike fast, then a fast bike slow 

More powerful bikes will only be faster on the strait roads.

Quote from: Twism86 on February 25, 2011, 07:55:53 AM
Its more fun to ride a slow bike fast, then a fast bike slow  

Thanks...that's what I was trying to say; you just did it better in fewer words.  

*ETA*
Seriously...I love that I can roll the throttle 100% from a red light, and get good, smooth acceleration without having to worry about the wheel coming up. You can thrash this thing as hard as you want, and it never runs away with you gets scary. Getting a speeding ticket on the interestate?  Fuggidabowdit.  

I felt the same way within a month or two of riding my GS...but really the only place where the GS lacks in on the "interstate" or "super slab"...it runs out of steam at those speeds...it still accelerates, but at a more leisurly pace...my advice is to get some miles under your belt (I put on over 9000kms...5600miles...last year) and then do the upgrade once you have some experience...the only time I really have an issue with the power of the GS is on long straights, around town it is a blast to ride...

Later.

Quote from: murf425 on February 25, 2011, 08:02:18 AM

Quote from: Twism86 on February 25, 2011, 07:55:53 AM
Its more fun to ride a slow bike fast, then a fast bike slow  

Thanks...that's what I was trying to say; you just did it better in fewer words.  

*ETA*
Seriously...I love that I can roll the throttle 100% from a red light, and get good, smooth acceleration without having to worry about the wheel coming up. You can thrash this thing as hard as you want, and it never runs away with you gets scary. Getting a speeding ticket on the interestate?  Fuggidabowdit.  

Yup. I used to race and ride dirt bikes, 125 (2-stroke) class. When just playing around off-road and on trials i always jumped on my younger brother's little honda 4-stroke 125 (half the power and smaller). Why did it like it? It was easy to beat up and have fun on without the fear of killing yourself 

I used to feel that way. I've had a few bikes that I used to use the entire power band and definitely had some fun on them, but I'm not always in the mood to wring a bikes neck to get the power. I like a bike that you can ride at half throttle without having it sputtering coming out of a turn. I used to always come out of turns on the GS in the wrong gear because I didn't feel like hearing the motor screaming all the time, it's nice to have a bike you can just ride without always breaking a sweat. You would think more HP would mean you would always be going faster, but keeping my RPMs low keeps the bike feeling relaxed, which keeps me relaxed, and lets me have more fun at normal speeds. Out of my 2 bikes, I don't ride the faster bike any faster than the GS. I never go over 100, I never cruise on the highway any faster than 70-80, and I still take off from redlights just about the same speed as cars, I just do it all without the bike bouncing off the redline.

I used to have a 250 for 14 years...and that's after 1 year of racing (an FZR400).  I've been riding 24 years, and hope to keep this GS for the rest of my life.  It's kinda fun when some younger riders, on GSXRs, R6's and R1's, ask me why I ride the GS.  My answer: "Can you keep up?"  And, "It's cheaper insurance, tires, maintenance..."

Most riders of GSXRs, R6's and R1's go through tires every 3000 miles.  I can get 15,000 miles out of a set of tires for the GS.

I'm on-board with the GS500 generally being the most bike most people will ever need. It's perfect for my needs: commuting and one-day outings. I've put on 34,000 miles in the last two and a half years, and seldom have I felt the need for anything more powerful. And just when I think I might be getting bored, a good stretch of twisty road sets thing right. It's a very forgiving bike for beginners, and can be ridden hard for thrills for excitement.

The only reason I would consider something different is because I would want to do some multi-day touring.  I plan on just wearing-out my 2007 before I get another bike.



Mike

Thanks guys.. i just figured the bikes close to 20 years old/near end of life IMO and if im going to upgrade why not get something that looks and performs a little better.

Ahh...I missed that it was a '93.  However, age isn't what matters; how many miles are on her?

Quote from: madjak30 on February 25, 2011, 09:42:14 AM
............but really the only place where the GS lacks in on the "interstate" or "super slab"...it runs out of steam at those speeds...it still accelerates, but at a more leisurly pace...........

I stay in 5th gear with my GS on the freeways when running with my big twin friends to match their roll-ons.  The GS with stock gearing and tires will go over 100 mph before it redlines in 4th, makes a good passing gear.  I traded in my first bike 27 years ago, a CB400T, on a new 82 CB750K six months and 6k miles after I got it because it had no guts on the freeways.  The GS is all I need now since I learned how to ride a 6 speed small engine bike.

Quote from: scratch on February 25, 2011, 11:07:43 AM
................hope to keep this GS for the rest of my life..............Most riders of GSXRs, R6's and R1's go through tires every 3000 miles.  I can get 15,000 miles out of a set of tires for the GS.

I expect to keep my current 02 GS for the rest of my life too but yours will have to last a lot longer than mine for you to do it scratch.   

Quote from: murf425 on February 25, 2011, 11:47:17 AM
Ahh...I missed that it was a '93.  However, age isn't what matters; how many miles are on her?

Odometer and DMV say 10k but who knows for sure.. it looks like a wreck-rebuild given its got 2000+ seats,tank,forks and rear

Quote from: jebz240 on February 25, 2011, 11:40:38 AM
Thanks guys.. i just figured the bikes close to 20 years old/near end of life IMO and if im going to upgrade why not get something that looks and performs a little better.

Well, as for that my bike (1989 Kawasaki Ninja 250) is 22 years old and with 61k miles and it still starts every morning and gets me to work. So you ought to be fine, unless you're really just wanting to upgrade.
Tony

Quote from: applecrew on February 25, 2011, 11:22:46 AM
I'm on-board with the GS500 generally being the most bike most people will ever need.

It's not he engine size that matters, I love bigger bikes but I would trade my GS for a new Duke 125 any day of the week. Bigger bikes have their own kind of fun though. Light handling and long tire life are great, but so it almost having your arms yanked out of the socket when you twist the throttle. Just gotta go with what you want.

GS is awfully hard on tars and chains. I blame the crappy rear shock for chain life, tars - no idea must be the fact that the 17's are usually all "high performance"
Cool.
Buddha.

More fun riding a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow?

I disagree with it as a blanket statement. Each person has different ratings of what Fun is.

I've relegated my GS to commuting duties. Cause at the rate it was being ridden I would be lucky to get five years riding out of it - almost 38,000 on it now and less than 2 years old. Since I've had the Honda 919 I've put about 2,500 on it - not bad for a tad over a month. So with the two bikes I can spread the workload. Honda 919 for weekend rides.

I don't ride the 919 any faster than the GS except for passing cars, completing the move sooner. I actually enjoy riding it the same speed without needing to Work the bike to do it. And with top box and hard panniers, touring is More of an option. Not that the GS cannot do it. It can. But the 919 came with it so it's already set up that way - so it's more of an option.

As I mentioned in the Review thread, the 919 is just like a more powerful version of the GS (naked GS anyway). Almost the same riding position. Bike handles without needing to make Adjustments.

SV650 are alright. I prefer the naked to the curvey/pointy sport version cause it's riding position is more upright. And the SV has a HUGE following so Advice is readily available. Of the Sportster and SV, I'd go the SV. But don't just limit yourself to those two bikes - a cruiser vs a middle sport twin. Have a look at other options too. You might find Them to be more comfortable.

Michael