Hey guys,

A little introduction to myself. My name is Jon, and I recently graduated college with a degree in Product Design. My passion for all things 2 wheeled started my freshman year of college, when a buddy and myself slaved some Chinese 2 stroke motors to old Schwinn cruiser frames. After that, I dabbled in electrifying motorcycles and bicycles, using lithium batteries and forklift motors. Long story short, I ended up selling my electric CB750 project to help me move across the country and look for work in LA.

I'm settled into my new left coast habitat, and the itch to get back into bikes is getting hard to ignore. I'm taking the riding class this summer through OCMT, and will hopefully get a bike in the near future. My lust for 2 wheeled things came from all of the beautiful (but I admit they are becoming tired and derivative) cafe racers, roadsters, and brat bikes on BikeExif and Pipeburn. The most common platform for those projects are almost always UJM bikes from the 70s and 80s.

I never really considered the GS500 until I came across this:



I admit that it's not exactly how I would do things, but I love the combination of vintage details with a more modern bike. I've been doing a lot of research and it seems like the GS500 is not too far removed from a UJM bike, with a pretty old school, simple engine, but more modern suspension and braking. I guess my question is, would the GS500 be a little too much for a first bike? My riding experience is limited to motorized bicycles, and riding a bicycle nearly every single day back and forth to work. It seems like a bike that I wouldn't really "grow out of", I'm not a speed demon (never even had a speeding ticket) or much of a hooligan, but it's small and nimble enough to learn on, but big enough to take onto the freeways if needed (atleast from what I read).

So what do you think? Is the GS500 a good place to start?

Thanks for your time and help!

-Jon

After/during your motorcycle course, try on a couple of different bikes including some smaller cruisers (Suzuki S50 Boulevard / Yamaha 650 V-Star) and Honda's CBR125 and 250, in comparison to the GS500 along with some bikes that are a step above like the FZ6R, 650 Ninja and SV650. 

The point is the GS500 is nicely lightweight and compact yet still has enough gumption to deal with fast traffic.

Lastly, buy a used bike first to see if you like owning/riding a motorcycle, after which you can modify it to your liking or get something different or decide it's not all that and a bag of chips after all. I would suggest avoiding a. Heavy traffic and b. Canyon carving until you gain the experience and discipline to handle the types of situations you will be presented with.

Mostly, people grow out of the GS500 for the same reason most people grow out of cheap compact econo cars.

Wow, people have been so cautious about their replies...

Quote from: jpanichella on June 29, 2012, 09:10:46 AM
it seems like the GS500 is not too far removed from a UJM bike, with a pretty old school, simple engine, but more modern suspension and braking. I guess my question is, would the GS500 be a little too much for a first bike? My riding experience is limited to motorized bicycles, and riding a bicycle nearly every single day back and forth to work. It seems like a bike that I wouldn't really "grow out of", I'm not a speed demon (never even had a speeding ticket) or much of a hooligan, but it's small and nimble enough to learn on, but big enough to take onto the freeways if needed (atleast from what I read).

So what do you think? Is the GS500 a good place to start?

yes, I think it will be a great place for you to start, particularly given your levelheaded attitude.

only one word of caution:  it's not so much in the 'modern suspension' department   depending on how much you weigh, you'll probably want to spend $100 or so to replace the springs at some point.
Other than that... happy riding!

GS500 is a great place to start. I just hit 1 year of ownership (and riding) 2 days ago, and have racked about 4,000 miles on it. Perfect bike to get comfortable on, and its really easy to work on. I did end up replacing my front and rear suspension about 4 months ago, but if you live in a city with decent roads, you won't have to do it unless you want to.

I would think so, It's my first street bike and doesn't seem too powerful at all, then again i grew up on dirt-bikes and what not so riding isn't new to me at all. That is one thing that i like about both the GS500 and the Kawasaki KE100, they are both relatively simple bikes to work on and havent changed alot so they have that kind of vintage look to them while maintainting power (well the KE100 isn't big on power, but it us fun to screw with!) but you seem like somebody who wont get into to much trouble, the GS500 wont give you that off-the-line wheelie power that a GSXR 1000R may, but it'll hold it's own on the highways

I've had a 2007 GS500F for 4 years, put 15,000km on it and generally loved every minute of it. I've ridden 1,500 km in 3 days on several occasions, so it's plenty comfortable, the fuel economy is excellent, and it's a fun wee machine.

My only complaint about it is that where I live (New Zealand) we have a lot of two lane highways without a lot of passing room. I find I really have to pick my place for passing large trucks, and I would appreciate having more low end torque to make passing a little less stressful.

I'm considering getting an SV1000 to solve that problem, but if I can manage it, I would love to keep the GS too.

Here's another cafed GS500





GS500 is learner friendly. 

Michael

Quote from: bucket_chemist on June 29, 2012, 03:22:16 PM
My only complaint about it is that where I live (New Zealand) we have a lot of two lane highways without a lot of passing room. I find I really have to pick my place for passing large trucks, and I would appreciate having more low end torque to make passing a little less stressful.

"low" end? what do you consider low end?!?! 

I havent actually timed it, but I think I can do 0-60 in around "the book" time of 6 seconds. That's no 100HP monster, but it still blows the doors off most cars!!

Quote from: Phil B on June 29, 2012, 09:55:47 PM

Quote from: bucket_chemist on June 29, 2012, 03:22:16 PM
My only complaint about it is that where I live (New Zealand) we have a lot of two lane highways without a lot of passing room. I find I really have to pick my place for passing large trucks, and I would appreciate having more low end torque to make passing a little less stressful.

"low" end? what do you consider low end?!?! 

I havent actually timed it, but I think I can do 0-60 in around "the book" time of 6 seconds. That's no 100HP monster, but it still blows the doors off most cars!!

The GS is not really a slouch but it could definitely be a bit faster. I know exactly what he means - I too found the lack of grunt especially frustrating or scary when it comes to trying to pass longer vehicles such as trucks and buses. Though, a smaller front sprocket would help a lot.

The SV is a great bike but not really something you want to try to learn on. The GS is kind of pushing it in terms of forgiving for newbs. If you've done the MSF the 500 will be a great experience. No MSF or other experience? Try a 250 instead.

Quote from: Kijona on June 29, 2012, 10:22:56 PM

Quote from: Phil B on June 29, 2012, 09:55:47 PM

Quote from: bucket_chemist on June 29, 2012, 03:22:16 PM
My only complaint about it is that where I live (New Zealand) we have a lot of two lane highways without a lot of passing room. I find I really have to pick my place for passing large trucks, and I would appreciate having more low end torque to make passing a little less stressful.

"low" end? what do you consider low end?!?! 

I havent actually timed it, but I think I can do 0-60 in around "the book" time of 6 seconds. That's no 100HP monster, but it still blows the doors off most cars!!

The GS is not really a slouch but it could definitely be a bit faster. I know exactly what he means - I too found the lack of grunt especially frustrating or scary when it comes to trying to pass longer vehicles such as trucks and buses. Though, a smaller front sprocket would help a lot.

The SV is a great bike but not really something you want to try to learn on. The GS is kind of pushing it in terms of forgiving for newbs. If you've done the MSF the 500 will be a great experience. No MSF or other experience? Try a 250 instead.

Yeah, it's not the stoplight drag races that concern me. The GS is great for that. It's passing a 60 foot long truck loaded with 15 tons of logs on a narrow two lane highway that worries me.

Thanks for all the help guys!

I just got Proficient Motorcycling by David L. Hough and am already about 50 pages in. Great book for understanding the risks of riding, since I commute by train I'll probably have it done in a week.

mister: Thanks for the heads up on that bike, gives me a lot of cool ideas!

I'm pretty settled on the GS500. I'll look into suspension upgrades using the search. I've come across people using R6 shocks, and I've taken apart the forks on my CB750, so I think I will be capable of stiffening up the front suspension as well.

Quote from: jpanichella on June 30, 2012, 12:19:54 PM

I'm pretty settled on the GS500. I'll look into suspension upgrades using the search.

check the wiki.

wiki.gstwins.com

I find the GS500 can overtake just fine. Maybe y'all are in too high a gear when doing it or not timing the pass well at all 

Michael

I am interpeting 'low range' as under 5500 rpm, where the 487cc of air-cooled two-valve GS doesn't have enough giddyap to pass at will once you are already going over 100kmh/60mph. It will overtake if you shift down a gear or two and are generous with the happy handle, but it still takes some work ~ there is still no replacement for displacement.

One of the interesting experiments here is the Honda CBR125. If you have absolutely zip for experience and aren't going to ride above 90km/h max, it's like a motorized bicycle, with just enough power to stay with traffic. We bought one for my wife when she started riding again after a 10yr break. Later she got a GS500 and an FZ6R. There are multitudes of low mileage CBR125's for so cheap you can own it for a season and still sell it for what you bought it for. It's not for everyone, and if the mechanics of buying and selling bikes is too much of a hassle, stick with the GS or 650Ninja.

Progressive springs up front, '06 R6 shock in the rear. Much stiffer, falls into turns more precisely, doesn't nose dive with brakes or otherwise bottom out. Not great for new orleans and the endless potholes and crap.

Quote from: jpanichella on June 30, 2012, 12:19:54 PM
Thanks for all the help guys!

I just got Proficient Motorcycling by David L. Hough and am already about 50 pages in. Great book for understanding the risks of riding, since I commute by train I'll probably have it done in a week.

mister: Thanks for the heads up on that bike, gives me a lot of cool ideas!

I'm pretty settled on the GS500. I'll look into suspension upgrades using the search. I've come across people using R6 shocks, and I've taken apart the forks on my CB750, so I think I will be capable of stiffening up the front suspension as well.

Sounds like a good idea,  once you're done with the book i'm interested to see if you still want a GS500