Hi all, I just bought my first bike, a used 2005 GS500F with about 20k miles. Everything seemed in good condition, but it was a pretty inexpensive bike, so I don't feel too  bad about my inability to do a completely thorough inspection.

The bike rides well, but it has a few things that I'd like to fix, and I'm not sure where to begin.

- The bike takes a bit to warm up every morning, I have to choke it for about three minutes. From what I've read that seems to be a pretty regular occurance, but I just wanted to check if there's anything I can do.

- The light on the tachometer is dead. I assume it's just a bad bulb and not bad wiring, but how would I troubleshoot this? Where would I get a replacement bulb?

- Kind of a general question, but the spare key was also missing. Do I have to go to Suzuki to get a new one? Or can any keysmith make one?

- There doesn't seem to be much room under the seat to hold anything - but I'd love to keep my registration there instead of my wallet. It looks like there's room to affix a pouch or something, has anyone done this before? Any advice?

- I'd also like rear-seat saddlebags, but I've heard a lot of problems getting them to attach. What's a brand that goes well with this bike?

I am looking forward to learning how to take care of my bike, but until then I would appreciate any advice. Thanks.

Quote from: fdsdfg on May 11, 2011, 08:06:53 AM
- The bike takes a bit to warm up every morning, I have to choke it for about three minutes. From what I've read that seems to be a pretty regular occurance, but I just wanted to check if there's anything I can do.
- Kind of a general question, but the spare key was also missing. Do I have to go to Suzuki to get a new one? Or can any keysmith make one?
- There doesn't seem to be much room under the seat to hold anything - but I'd love to keep my registration there instead of my wallet. It looks like there's room to affix a pouch or something, has anyone done this before? Any advice?

Welcome to the forum, and congrats on the new purchase! I don't really count the minutes it takes to warm up, i just turn the bike on with the choke and by the time im done putting on my gloves and helmet and making sure all my gear is zipped up it's ready to ride.
For the spare key, I brought my suzuki key to an alarm and locksmith place and they cut me a key in less than 30 seconds. Only paid $4.00 for it too!
I keep a little pouch that has tools in it under my seat, toward the very back behind the tail light. It's snug enough back there that it won't fall out or drop through the sides. However, I would not suggest putting a wallet or paper back there. You can buy a small tank bag to put on your bike to hold stuff, or you can buy a jacket that has a zipper on the inside where you can keep your wallet/phone/papers etc..

QuoteThe bike takes a bit to warm up every morning, I have to choke it for about three minutes. From what I've read that seems to be a pretty regular occurance, but I just wanted to check if there's anything I can do.

This is pretty normal, not a whole lot you can do.

QuoteThe light on the tachometer is dead. I assume it's just a bad bulb and not bad wiring, but how would I troubleshoot this? Where would I get a replacement bulb?

Disassemble the tach and stick a multimeter in there (or check the wiring harness which I think is in the headlight housing) and check it.

QuoteKind of a general question, but the spare key was also missing. Do I have to go to Suzuki to get a new one? Or can any keysmith make one?

Any keysmith can make a key, but I'd go to a reputable locksmith as opposed to a chain hardware store.

QuoteThere doesn't seem to be much room under the seat to hold anything - but I'd love to keep my registration there instead of my wallet. It looks like there's room to affix a pouch or something, has anyone done this before? Any advice?

I keep all my paperwork under the seat in a Ziplock bag to keep it dry. Sometimes I keep it in my jacket, depends where I'm going.

Quote from: eero on May 11, 2011, 08:15:40 AM
I keep a little pouch that has tools in it under my seat, toward the very back behind the tail light. It's snug enough back there that it won't fall out or drop through the sides. However, I would not suggest putting a wallet or paper back there. You can buy a small tank bag to put on your bike to hold stuff, or you can buy a jacket that has a zipper on the inside where you can keep your wallet/phone/papers etc..

My bike actually didn't have a toolkit when I bought it - I bought one on Ebay and it's shipping over, but I'm still a little concerned about how it would stay in there. I was thinking of maybe velcro tape under the seat that I can use with a small nylon zipper bag. Good place to keep anything that I'll only need when I'm on my bike.

Quote from: jacob_ns on May 11, 2011, 08:15:58 AM
Disassemble the tach and stick a multimeter in there (or check the wiring harness which I think is in the headlight housing) and check it.

Thanks, I'll give this a try

use choke to start and while you are getting dressed, just ride off with it on and turn it off over the next few minutes

light riding will warm it up quickly

Quote from: skirecs on May 11, 2011, 08:46:05 AM
use choke to start and while you are getting dressed, just ride off with it on and turn it off over the next few minutes

light riding will warm it up quickly

Just remember not to ride away if you have the choke all the way on (~4k rpm) haha, i made the mistake of doing that once and I took off rather quickly lol without expecting it.

Toolkit goes in the back end of the inner fender, just behind the tail light, there is a rubber strap there holding it in place, but that isn't even needed, the tool kit got nowhere to go.
Cool.
Buddha.

The bulbs for the tach and speedo can be had from Autozone or any other parts store for pretty cheap. And while you have the dash apart, might as well change them both. Don't wanna go through that then in a couple days/week/month have to do it all over again! 

I'm pretty sure its a 194 automotive bulb, available at any auto store

Yeah, it says #194 here:

http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Upgrades.LEDIndicators

I should probably upgrade to LED though if I'm going to replace the bulb.. I mean why not?

Before you just place a baggie there with paperwork in it, realize that Stuff can fall out from the side of each rear plastic. YOu wouldn't want to have your paperwork slip through the gap and be gone. Take off your seat and have a look for yourself.

Michael

One word on getting a second key cut...

DON'T BUY THE BLANK FROM THE DEALER!!

I stopped in to check out some bikes with a buddy and while I was there figured I should pick up a blank to have a backup. The salesman was nice enough but came out to like 16 or 19 dollars! At the time I didn't think anything of it because I didn't do my research. Know when another friend of mine needed a copy of his car key it cost more than that. Anyway, I get to the locksmith the dealer recommends to cut new keys where he charged me maybe $2  to copy it. I mentioned that the key cost whatever times more than it did to get copy and he laughed and cautioned me about getting things from the dealer. He had blanks (granted not strictly from Suzuki but would do the trick) for a buck. Was tempted to get a third key made just because it was so cheap!

Quote from: fdsdfg on May 11, 2011, 08:06:53 AM
Hi all, I just bought my first bike, a used 2005 GS500F with about 20k miles. Everything seemed in good condition, but it was a pretty inexpensive bike, so I don't feel too  bad about my inability to do a completely thorough inspection.

The bike rides well, but it has a few things that I'd like to fix, and I'm not sure where to begin.

- The bike takes a bit to warm up every morning, I have to choke it for about three minutes. From what I've read that seems to be a pretty regular occurance, but I just wanted to check if there's anything I can do. Rejetting helped my bike with the cold starting.

- The light on the tachometer is dead. I assume it's just a bad bulb and not bad wiring, but how would I troubleshoot this? Where would I get a replacement bulb? Pull the bulb and see if the filament is broken.Any auto parts store should have the bulb.

- Kind of a general question, but the spare key was also missing. Do I have to go to Suzuki to get a new one? Or can any keysmith make one? Purchase a key blank from ebay and have your local lock smith cut the key.Probably $10 to $15 max.

- There doesn't seem to be much room under the seat to hold anything - but I'd love to keep my registration there instead of my wallet. It looks like there's room to affix a pouch or something, has anyone done this before? Any advice?Your bike should have had a tool pouch and tools under the seat held in with a strap.I put my papers in a zip bag and keep them under there.If you're missing your pouch and strap and substitute should work.

- I'd also like rear-seat saddlebags, but I've heard a lot of problems getting them to attach. What's a brand that goes well with this bike? I can't offer an advise here.I use my bike as a curve killer and keep it light.

I am looking forward to learning how to take care of my bike, but until then I would appreciate any advice. Thanks.Seriously look into buying a Clymer service manual.Even if you do not do your own work,it will help you understand your bike and any work to be done to it.The Clymer manual ISBN is 0-89287-833-9

Thanks for all the advice. There's one more issue that's a bit annoying:

I find it really hard to shift into neutral while the bike is running. Once I kill the engine, I can get to neutral very easily, but otherwise it's almost impossible.

However, sometimes when I'm in first gear (especially when accelerating from a stop), my bike shifts to neutral without me hitting the gear shift lever. It seems to happen when I stop in 2nd gear and shift down to first while stopped (at a red light or something). Once it's time to move again, I'm in first and I'm accelerating, but then it just hits neutral and I need to shift out of neutral manually.

I'm hoping it's something simple. Thanks

Move the bike forward a bit when stopped - just with your legs will do. It will go into first then, correctly.

Michael

Sounds like your clutch needs to be adjusted at the engine case.Run the adjuster in at the lever and the engine side cover.Then remove the little cover below where the clutch cable goes into the cover.It has two No2 phillips head screws.Break the lock nut loose.Turn the center adjuster in until it just touches the clutch rod.You will feel it.Then back off about a 1/4 turn.Hold it there while tightening down the lock nut.Reinstall the cover and adjust the cable.Start by adjusting the cable at the engine cover.Get close to 4mm of free play and then use the lever adjuster to fine tune it.

Quote from: fdsdfg on May 13, 2011, 11:18:14 AM
Thanks for all the advice. There's one more issue that's a bit annoying:

I find it really hard to shift into neutral while the bike is running. Once I kill the engine, I can get to neutral very easily, but otherwise it's almost impossible.



I'm hoping it's something simple. Thanks

i have the exact same issue. not your 2nd issue where it jumps into N. but i cant get into N at a standstill, even rolling the bike up and down doesn't work. I just cut off the engine because its normally when i'm parking.

I do however have a work around for that. Slip it into N while rolling. Like 2nd to N rather then 1st when coming to a light.

Quote from: LEMON8 on May 13, 2011, 01:55:00 PM

Quote from: fdsdfg on May 13, 2011, 11:18:14 AM
Thanks for all the advice. There's one more issue that's a bit annoying:

I find it really hard to shift into neutral while the bike is running. Once I kill the engine, I can get to neutral very easily, but otherwise it's almost impossible.



I'm hoping it's something simple. Thanks

i have the exact same issue. not your 2nd issue where it jumps into N. but i cant get into N at a standstill, even rolling the bike up and down doesn't work. I just cut off the engine because its normally when i'm parking.

I do however have a work around for that. Slip it into N while rolling. Like 2nd to N rather then 1st when coming to a light.

Should be in 1st gear at lights anyway. What if an inattentive driver comes up behind you with tyres screaming and you are stuck in neutral?

If the bike is shifting into neutral on its own there is something wrong there but I think it is more of a case where you are shifting down into what you think is first but hitting nuetral instead. Same witht he upshifts. As you get to know the bike better you will get a feel for the gearbox but most bikes like to be shifted firmly into gear not tapped.

Quote from: LEMON8 on May 13, 2011, 01:55:00 PM

Quote from: fdsdfg on May 13, 2011, 11:18:14 AM
Thanks for all the advice. There's one more issue that's a bit annoying:

I find it really hard to shift into neutral while the bike is running. Once I kill the engine, I can get to neutral very easily, but otherwise it's almost impossible.



I'm hoping it's something simple. Thanks

i have the exact same issue. not your 2nd issue where it jumps into N. but i cant get into N at a standstill, even rolling the bike up and down doesn't work. I just cut off the engine because its normally when i'm parking.

I do however have a work around for that. Slip it into N while rolling. Like 2nd to N rather then 1st when coming to a light.

Sounds like your clutch isn't releasing all the way.Check and adjust as I described above.

Got good answers above Saddlebags are pretty easy on the Gs500. Here is a pic of Flick



Nelson Rigg

Mary