A friend of mine is looking to get into the two-wheeled world of transportation, and I'm directing him towards the GS 500.
The latest thing that he's been looking at is the Buell Blast 500.
I sent him a few links to GS's, and he likes the look and price, but he is concerned that it might be too slow and he'll get bored with it.

Pro's? Cons? Opinions? Alternatives?

Let's hear it!

I've got a friend of mine that's doing his motorcycle course and looking into bikes, he's got himself convinced he needs a litre bike or whatever so he doesn't "waste" his money.

The GS is an almost perfect starter bike (or even a good bike in general) since it's got a solid engine and frame, it's very light and 'flickable' for around town and learning how to ride. It's got tons of power for starting off, and I can lean mine over so far as to scrape the pegs, so it can handle just as good as most pure sportbikes.

It's only real downsides are it's age and smaller engine, since the technology in the suspension and mechanics of the bike are now 20 years old. The engine may be smaller, but it's torqey and lots of fun.

I'm not getting rid of my GS for a while yet, if ever, since I can still learn a lot from riding this bike even though I would like a larger engine.

Just my 2 cents.

What he ^ said.

I bought my g500 to "learn on and eventually sell & upgrade". Ive still got it, and see no point selling it.

The GS500 will go fast enough to get you arrested, is flickable, controllable but.. most importantly, its very forgiving! Bad gear changes, slipping clutch to much, it takes it all without feeling like its gunna throw you off.

Its also simple and cheap to fix for WHEN (not IF) you drop it, and will cruise happily at 80+, even with a passenger.

As a beginner, what more do you need?

Anybody who gets a litre bike for their first ride is an idiot. Plain and simple. It's just stupid and irresponsible. Even some of the 600 sport bikes are too much. Having said that, I think a 600 would be a good choice as well. I have had a cruiser, I have a GS500 now, and I have ridden various other larger bikes. I love my 500. Honestly I do. Sure more power is nice, sure there are more comfortable cruisers, but I love that it's small and quick. Nimble. Easy to maneuver. And lets be honest, once you are up to 60-65, what does it matter if you have more cc's? You're going the same speed. As a first bike and a keep it bike, I highly recommend. I almost traded mine for a 600 ninja but, it's not worth it if you are happy. Besides, they don't get much easier to fix!

600 Katana and SV650 are also good bikes if you want a little more power/modern features. However, GS can handle a drop or crash with less damage and is easier to work on and the parts are cheaper. This is perfect for a beginner or as an every day "working" bike (as in, a bike you rely on to get you from point A to point B like how most people treat their econobox japanese cars).

I have ridden and owned several other bikes with more displacement and I am sticking with the GS for the long term, just crossed 10,000 miles and still love it like the day I bought it.

Buel Blast is physically even smaller than the GS and is a single cylinder belt driven bike. I would stay away from that one unless you need a really low seat height.

How is he with impulse control and balance? If he isn't particularly coordinated or lacks impulse control, a 250 would be better to start with. If he has both in spades, he'd do fine on a 600 or 650. 

The problem with a 250 is that, unless you are  a small person, you will almost certainly have to upgrade to a bigger bike at some point. With the 500, you can decide to just keep it.

Honestly, i planned on getting a buell or a XS elevenhundred or XS 600 (shaft driven bikes), the buell is absolutely not a beginner bike and honestly, you NEED to be a mechanic to own one now, harley has dropped all support and it costs ALOT of money in upkeep on these bikes as you need to hit a custom shop for them. And as for a shaft driven bike, if you can drive a shaft bike you can drive any bike.
I got my GS500 as a combination birthday / graduation present from my dad as well as trading in my old dirtbike to cover cost, awesome bike
-To be continued after i finish work meeting

That's the same thing I said about the 250's, very good for learning and more forgiving than even the GS, but they just can't seem to keep up in some situations. The only place I find myself wanting more engine with the GS is on the highway, otherwise it's got tons of power for regular driving.

I'm currently recommending a CBR250 to my buddy who's looking to buy, simply because I know he lacks impulse control and if he gets a larger bike he WILL crash it before he learns enough to control it. I'm a much calmer driver than he is, and the 650 I tried out last month still seems a bit much for me (and I've been driving my GS a little while now).

ICLRAG: is a shaft driven sport bike much different than a cruiser? I had an 07 Suzuki S83 and I can't say there was anything special about the shaft drive in it.

Wow great advice, thanks!

As for coordination, he's been practicing on his dad's HD Fat Boy, so I imagine he has that covered.

The Katana is an interesting choice. How does it compare to the GS?

I did some research on the Buell Blast when I was looking for my first bike as well. Most reviews I saw panned it as the slowest and clumsiest bike of the group. The Blast is no reflection of other Buell bikes, which are reputed to be scary powerfull. IMHO, pass on the Blast.

Quote from: 89500inPA on July 30, 2012, 12:18:39 PM
I did some research on the Buell Blast when I was looking for my first bike as well. Most reviews I saw panned it as the slowest and clumsiest bike of the group. The Blast is no reflection of other Buell bikes, which are reputed to be scary powerfull. IMHO, pass on the Blast.

+1 to passing on the Blast. I found one for a stupidly good price, and told my friend who is basically a walking harley encyclopedia, and he said that they are pure garbage. Small for a 500, basically a lawnmower engine, clunky, hard to work on, and now Harley doesn't even support them.

I'm having a hard time reconciling your friend's opinion that the "GS might be too slow" with "he's looking at a Buell Blast".  The GS will run circles around a Blast.  For that matter the Ninja 250 will run circles around the Blast, especially on the highway.

Unless someone has ALOT of prior riding experience on anything else with 2 wheels, just not their own.

Then I would suggest the GS500 over any other bike to start with. (not that I know many tho) haha

Mine is my First bike.
Prior, I've only ridden a CBR600 in a parking lot for like 30 minutes. (first time I ever sat on or rode a bike)
and then the lil 250s at the training course.

I've had mine for 2 seasons now (still in the 2nd season)
and the ONLY complaint for me personally is the lack in power since I've basically Outgrown the bike. (im also not a small person)
Which I wouldnt even complain if I had a 2nd bigger bike to play on.

Parts are Cheap! VERY cheap compared to what I hear from other riders and what they do or fix on their bikes. (all newer sport bikes)
Working on it is EASYYYYYYYYYY!
I started out knowing absolutely NOTHING!

Now....
I can take the entire bike apart including the top half of the engine in like one day.
and put it together the next! hahaha

Not to mention they can take one Hell of beating with "learning wipes" or minor mistakes like dropping it in wet grass or losing it in gravel.

You own one, you should know all the answers as to why already.

I've found, a person who is set on a liter bike will not be swayed. It will not matter how good the GS500 is in reality they will decide they are not happy with it. Tell him he is a cockhead to buy a liter bike as a first bike a GS500 would be better, but he can do what he wants. And wipe your hands of it.

Michael

tell him to read:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Forums/82/1/Thread/SO-YOU-WANNA-GET-A-SPORTBIKE-.aspx

Quote from: Funderb on July 31, 2012, 06:58:39 AM
tell him to read:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Forums/82/1/Thread/SO-YOU-WANNA-GET-A-SPORTBIKE-.aspx

Just read it myself and forwarded it to 3 people I know are looking to get into riding.

Good on ya 

The Blast is a bust. The GS500 is a light and competent overall bike. Tell your friend to keep in mind that it's his first bike, not his last. Even the slowest bikes are still faster than the average car. For your first bike you need something that won't overwhelm you in terms of physical size, weight and power. A lot of litre bikes are faster than even the most expensive supercars ~ it takes a great deal of self-discipline and skill not to put yourself in a dangerous situation.

Quote from: Funderb on July 31, 2012, 06:58:39 AM
tell him to read:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Forums/82/1/Thread/SO-YOU-WANNA-GET-A-SPORTBIKE-.aspx

That's really good stuff. Couldn't have said it better.