Just saw my first fellow GS rider a couple of days ago.  I was starting to think they didn't actually exist. 

Are they real prevalent where you are?

I dont think Ive seen a fellow GSer on the road... but then again, Ive only put about 400 miles on my own

I fell in formation with a guy on a Ninja 500R last week (had a really fun ride, actually).  That was the closest I'd come previously.

over the ~~4k i had my GS, i never once even saw one on the road.. (saw a few in various showrooms/dealers)
i too rode with a ninja 500r. but i think it was "we both had a somewhat similar route to our separate destinations" lol

i tried to join up/follow a few larger bikes 6's.. but i think they could tell i was on a poser bike (looks good, but has no go ) they quickly hit 16k and left me 

There's one or two here at the University I work at other than that I haven't seen many GS500s around. Now if you had said some sort of cruiser, well that'd be a different story as there are quite a few around here.
Tony

I saw one but I was driving my car.


Its hysterical how some people respond to me when I say I ride a 500.  Either they are surprised its not bigger or call me a wuss.


In Greece, a 500 is considered a monster lol.  If only these American cruiser guys can see what the Europeans do with low CC motors, they would understand. 

Quote from: NickyNumbers on March 17, 2011, 07:51:21 AM
In Greece, a 500 is considered a monster lol.  If only these American cruiser guys can see what the Europeans do with low CC motors, they would understand. 

Yeah, this is the only country in the world were 500cc is considered small.
Take Royal Enfield, for example. They make 125s, 250s, and 500s. The 500s are ONLY for export; they don't even sell them in their own country, 'cause no one wants on that big.

Quote from: murf425 on March 17, 2011, 07:53:41 AM

Quote from: NickyNumbers on March 17, 2011, 07:51:21 AM
In Greece, a 500 is considered a monster lol.  If only these American cruiser guys can see what the Europeans do with low CC motors, they would understand. 

Yeah, this is the only country in the world were 500cc is considered small.
Take Royal Enfield, for example. They make 125s, 250s, and 500s. The 500s are ONLY for export; they don't even sell them in their own country, 'cause no one wants on that big.

I'm not ashamed to admit, I don't know enough about motorcycle manufacturers to know who Royal E. was, but WOW does that 500 look crazy.  Are they the oldest in the world just like they claim?



link for others : http://www.royalenfield.com/Motorcycles/classic-500.aspx

I LOVE the look of their 500s...just wish I could fit on one.
They were a British company until, IIRC, sometime in the 60's.  Once all the Japanese bikes started taking market share, it got to expensive to build the Bullets in England, so they shipped the entire production to India.  They've been making the same bike ever since.  They make one thing, have for 40+ years, and they make it well.  In recent years, they finally went over to fuel injection, but, other than that, it's still a modern-production 1960's-era bike.  Whereas Triumph makes old LOOKING bikes, RE makes truly old ones.

Here's the US webpage:
http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/

Here's the one I want...

Quote from: murf425 on March 17, 2011, 07:53:41 AM

Yeah, this is the only country in the world were 500cc is considered small.

Not really - here 500 cc is small bike territory too, you don't see many anymore. "Real" bikes start from 600 cc.
Off-road / dirtbikes and scooters - different matter of course.

Where is "here", Simon?

Quote from: murf425 on March 17, 2011, 07:53:41 AM
Yeah, this is the only country in the world were 500cc is considered small.

Nah.........It all depends on market conditions and the biggest influence on market conditions are the relevent learner laws various countries have. Very few sub-500cc machines are available in the UK these days and those that are are generaly aimed at learners and commuters.

Okay, I guess what I read on the subject about 5 years ago isn't the case anymore.  

I've seen 3 or 4 - one that I almost bought actually - but then again, motorcycles are a lot more common here in FL than anywhere else I've been.

Just had a look at the Enfield link. Don't get me wrong, there's a place for things like that and it'd be fun to putt around on, but are people seriously spending $2000 more on one of these than a GS costs???

It's kinda buying the name. Also for people that like the look of vintage bikes but hate doing the whole "restoration" thing.

I like old scoots, but not the price........

I think RE still sell diesel powered bikes.....

http://www.realclassic.co.uk/diesel05112800.html

Now that is cool- thanks Sledge.

Our Aussie Postie bikes with a twist. Outrageously priced but really cool -

http://www.pmmc.com.au/

Quote from: the mole on March 17, 2011, 08:57:12 PM
Just had a look at the Enfield link. ...are people seriously spending $2000 more on one of these than a GS costs???

Just a couple of years ago, brand new Bullets were selling for about $4,000. The price was really good, but that was before the modernization, when you still had to be quite the wrench-monkey just to keep one running right. When they came out with the EFI UCE engines, they started selling A LOT more of them (modern engine, retro bike, CHEAP price), and apparently realized "Hey...we don't HAVE to sell these so cheap anymore. Now that they work better, people'll pay more," and the price hiked accordingly.

Now, yeah, they're overpriced. I love the look, but I'm not spending $6k on something that'll only do 60mph.