For several months I've had two bikes, a 1982 GPZ750 and a 1998 GS500.  I figured that when both bikes were restored, I'd hold on to the GPZ and sell the GS500.  Well, this week I finally finished work on the GPZ and to my surprise the GS500 is the better bike.  Yes, the GPZ is more comfortable with it's twin rear shock setup, minimal vibration (due to a heavy old, yet low mileage engine), ideal riding position, and amazing instrument panel with fuel guage and voltometer. Sure it looks beautiful, and has way more torque at low RPM.  All of that said, I prefer the GS500.  The 500 changes directions much more quickly without giving up much in the way of suspension softness.  The 500's midrange power builds in a way that gives more of a sensation of speed despite being a bit slower.  In summary, my entry level 1998 GS500 just rides better than my mid-level 1982 GPZ750.  Surprising.

Lower vibration on a GPZ is due to 2-3 things. Rubber mount, 4 cyl and kawi in the early 80's were competing with honda on how buttery smooth their bikes would be, remember the 69 honda cb750 where they set a glass of water on the seat and revved it to redline and not have the glass shaken off the seat ... yea by the early 80's kawi had easily caught up to and beaten the hondas. Meanwhile suzuki and yamaha largely ignored the trend and ironically it worked for them as well.
Anyway, nothing takes away from the GS, it is a great bike.
Cool.
Buddha.

Quote from: The Buddha on March 02, 2012, 06:41:45 AM
remember the 69 honda cb750 where they set a glass of water on the seat and revved it to redline and not have the glass shaken off the seat ...

haha I couldn't even put my gloves or glasses on the seat of my XB9 when it was idling or they'd bounce right off onto the pavement. They apparently missed that memo.

Yea only honda and kawi got that memo, cos well, they wrote it.
My xs 650 when revved @ idle on the center stand, will slide backwards and tip to the right hard enough to jab you in the ribs when you're not paying attention and someone else is revving it.
I personally dont care for it being buttery smooth. I want it to be what it is after I am sure its designed properly.
The xs should have been designed as a 90 degree motor inspite of being a parallel twin. Its a 360 degree motor, GS is a 180, and the mod on a xs puts the thing @277 degrees (13 teeth spline holding the crank halves instead of a 12) ... anyway the 277 degree mod results is a lot nicer bike.
Cool.
Buddha.

Quote from: The Buddha on March 02, 2012, 06:41:45 AM
....4 cyl and kawi in the early 80's were competing with honda on how buttery smooth their bikes would be....

That's one thing I don't think modern bike makers care about anymore (perhaps with the exception of the Suzuki with their water-cooled bandits and GSX650f).  It's sad, because retaining feeling in my fingers is important to me when I ride.

Quote from: Juan1 on March 02, 2012, 07:17:27 PM

Quote from: The Buddha on March 02, 2012, 06:41:45 AM
....4 cyl and kawi in the early 80's were competing with honda on how buttery smooth their bikes would be....

That's one thing I don't think modern bike makers care about anymore (perhaps with the exception of the Suzuki with their water-cooled bandits and GSX650f).  It's sad, because retaining feeling in my fingers is important to me when I ride.

Yea, though the pre water cooled bandit though was a shuddery shaky vibratey beast ... seriously GS500 X 10, that bugger was seriously buzzy. Now on a test ride it wasn't annoying, but ride it ny longer than 1/2 hour and you're going to be so bloody tense, like yours bones have been rattled against each other.
Cool.
Buddha.

As much as the Buell shook like a paint shaker at idle, it smoothed out as soon as the RPMs raised and I never had so much as a numb finger. Can't say the same for the GS, especially with clipons. my hands could go numb within minutes haha.

Quote from: tt_four on March 03, 2012, 10:10:49 AM
As much as the Buell shook like a paint shaker at idle, it smoothed out as soon as the RPMs raised and I never had so much as a numb finger. Can't say the same for the GS, especially with clipons. my hands could go numb within minutes haha.

my sportie was/felt the same way. i did stll like to ride my gs however. i guess it depends on what kinda ride it was going to be and such