New lurker here.

I really like the look of the new faired GS model. I'm in my early 60's so not terribly interested in high performance but would like something that I could use for an occasional highway ride at speeds of 70-75. Currently ride a Honda Ascot 500 twin that struggles at 60 or so.

Most of my riding would be local roads or secondary highways but when the need arises I'd like to be able to keep up with traffic; would the GS  be capable of that? I rather not get involved with engine mods.

(I certainly like the 600 class bikes but I'm learning there is a VERY big jump in insurance costs when going to 600's from 500's)

Ed

yes, i was doing about 80 last night no problems..

i suggest a windshield though.. at higher speeds it can get a bit tiring..

Well I commute ~ 200 miles a week and 130miles are on an interstate flying at 80mph,  and I'm a big guy, (6'2" 255lbs) and it does fine.  I can feel it if vehicle gets behind me (especially a semi) and it will start to slow you down a little bit, but dropping it to 5th gets you out of the way in no time.

A little story.

Im cruzing alot at 70mph in the right hand lane and just enjoying the Florida scenery when I start getting some weired wind buffets and I look behind me and I see a huge Grille and A mean looking semi that is hungry for a bike.  So I Tapped down to 5th, kissed the gas tank and held on.  About 10 seconds later the semi was small and I was doing 90+mph.  So yes the GS is fine for the Highway.  

I cruise 80-85 with no problem. These GS500s are geared fairly high. If sixth doesn't pull well enough due to wind or hills going down to fifth is OK at that speed too.

Quote from: EdCurrently ride a Honda Ascot 500 twin that struggles at 60 or so.

Cool!

After the MSF class, my first 600 motorcycle miles were on my Dad's Honda Ascot (over a period of several days).  It's been almost 5 years since I rode the Ascot, and I've been on a GS500 for over 4 years now, so it's hard to remember how different they felt.  But I DO remember the first time I really cranked the throttle on the GS500.

"WHOA!"

I'm used to it now, of course.  

My '04 has no trouble at interstate speeds, plenty of zip left and I'm a big guy.

However!  My speedo isn't right.  I know that most bikes' speedometers become less accurate the faster you go, but my GS seems quite off.  I had a feeling since the moment I first rode on the interstate that I wasn't going as fast as it says I am, and I finally rigged up my GPS last night to test it.

5000rpm in 6th shows an indicated 65mph.  According to my GPS, I'm going about 56-57.  75mph hovers around 5600ish rpm, and GPS says 65-66.  indicated 80mph is really closer to 71-72, and that's as fast as I care to go while still just learning my new bike.  Still had seemingly plenty of power there, but I was shocked at how much of a difference there really is.  It's accurate to about 30mph, then starts to be off.  By 40 I'm really only going about 36-37.

I'd be really curious to hear if anyone else has some real speed measurements on their GS.  If this is normal, so be it - easy enough to subtract 10mph from what the speedo says at interstate speeds.  But if it's not normal, it's definately something I will have the dealer fix at the 600 mile service.

Quote from: EdNew lurker here.

I really like the look of the new faired GS model. I'm in my early 60's so not terribly interested in high performance but would like something that I could use for an occasional highway ride at speeds of 70-75. Currently ride a Honda Ascot 500 twin that struggles at 60 or so.

Most of my riding would be local roads or secondary highways but when the need arises I'd like to be able to keep up with traffic; would the GS  be capable of that? I rather not get involved with engine mods.

(I certainly like the 600 class bikes but I'm learning there is a VERY big jump in insurance costs when going to 600's from 500's)

Ed

I'm about a decade past my early 60's and take a longer trip or two every summer on a GS500.  We run about 80 mph all day on the interstates.  Be back down to Maggie Valley, NC the last week in June again this year to play with the "big boys" in the Smoky mountain twisties.

No need for any engine mods at all, I ran the 97 GS for about 80k miles all stock enginewise.  Just add some Progressive front springs and a good set of sport touring radials and you'll think you're on a 600cc handlingwise compared to the old Ascot.   :lol:

Year before last on our 540 mile day long run to Lake George, NY we maintained the 80 mph and it rained hard half the way.  My kid seems to speed up especially in the twisties when it rains, but he's only 50 years old.   :mrgreen:

The GS500 is as good as it's rider.  Some need to move on to a bigger engined bike too soon because their rider skills aren't progressing as quickly as they'd like.  And as far as "spirited" riding goes just remember; the older you get, the less you got to lose.

Thanks for the comments.

Kerry:

Overall I have no complaints with my Ascot. It's an '84 model that I bought new in '86.

It supposedly has about 48HP and I understand the GS is around 39 but I guess the shaft drive on the Ascot robs some of that power. I've had it to about 70 but was not comfortable at that speed - just felt it was working too hard. Perhaps I'm just overly cautious.

Ed

Firstly just to let y'all know I am no Squid ... Now thats out of the way I have had the GS upto 100mph yesterday on I-75 (atleast thats what the speedo says) But I am normally able to keep up with the traffic no probs and I also pass all the "lil old ladies" as well. But a windshield is HIGHLY recommended. I have one but the mounting bracket is wrong so I gotta find some way to mount the sucker.

If you were to through money into your Ascot you could built it into a faster bike.  But that would likely  sacrifice some reliability.  

When my GS was stock it was cruise up to 100mph indicated without any problems.  It wouldn't have a lot of accerelation in that range but that's to be expected.

Nothing like when I had my CBR600 in DC and used to cross the American Legion bridge on 495 at 115+.  But those days of squidleyness are over.  I've only ridden about 500miles on the street this year and most of that has been putting around the neighborhood on my street GS.

I do 70 at 5,000 RPMs. I'm still breaking in my bike so I try not to drive on the interstate too much, cause I have to vary my speed and stay below 5k rpms. Kinda sucks but i need to break it in right.

Quote from: EdOverall I have no complaints with my Ascot. It's an '84 model that I bought new in '86.

Out of my Dad's 7 or 8 bikes, the Ascot seems to be the "ole standby".  I believe he has actually taken it on some longer trips in lieu of his "more suited" bikes.

Quote from: EdI've had it to about 70 but was not comfortable at that speed - just felt it was working too hard. Perhaps I'm just overly cautious.

In that case, you may feel like the GS is "working too hard", too.  I think the chain drive does give it a lighter feel, but at 5-6 thousand RPM it can seem kinda "rev-vy" if you're used to a lower-RPM bike.  (I can't remember the MPH / RPM ratios on the Ascot.)

But overall I think you'd like it.  You can't get a much better (or better-suited) endorsement than from gsJack!

Hi Ed, I'm 58 and use my 03 for just about everything, it will do a real "ton" if that is what you are into but cruises very happily at 80, speed limit here is 70 so I have to cross the Channel you understand!
At that speed the little demon behind you is trying to rip your head off along with your helmet but I have one of the larger screens available and it is very comfortable, they often need a bit of "jiggling" to get the angle and deflection right but well worth it. Insurance here for a 500 of "our" age is pretty much bottom end, so no worries. Enjoy.
Cal, Grumpy Old Git.

Quote from: PACMy '04 has no trouble at interstate speeds, plenty of zip left and I'm a big guy.

However!  My speedo isn't right...I'd be really curious to hear if anyone else has some real speed measurements on their GS.  If this is normal, so be it - easy enough to subtract 10mph from what the speedo says at interstate speeds.  But if it's not normal, it's definately something I will have the dealer fix at the 600 mile service.

It is well known the GS indicated speed in way off...we've talke dabout it a bunch here.  I actually went out recently and hooked dup with some cop buddies and using their certified patrol radars checked my indicated vs. actual speed.  Seems my '92 is about 5 miles off (reading faster than actual) up to 45 or so and 6-9 mph off at higher speeds.

give or take 10% :dunno:

I just finished a 120 mile journey that included a 2 night camping trip.  For my needs, the bike has more than adequate power for 55 mph highways as it will cruise comfortably at 65 or so, with plenty of acceleration to pass or avoid unwanted traffic.  Mine's a stock 2001.  The only add-ons are a 1/4 fairing (Maier) and Nelson-Riggs saddle bags (for such trips).  I'm 165 lbs and have the rear pre-load set to 5, a notch up from the stock setting of 4.

Speedo's on almost everything make you appear to be going faster than you are.  This is a saftey feature.  But also aids the police.  If you are caught speeding slightly over the limit, and you say "my speedo said 55 blah blah"  They can tell you its bull shaZam! because if your speedo says 55 you are well in the limit.

I know somebody with a 'busa which he fitted gps to.  when his speedo said 120mph he was actually only do just over 90mph.

It is also true of cars.

About the trucks up your arse.  I hadnt realised trucks were capable of that sort of speed.  Over here by law, all trucks over 7 tonnes must be electronically restricted to 60mph, so i don't get that problem.

o yea and the gs is plenty capable at higher speeds.  Just the other day i got up to 90mph over taking a truck on the dual carriage way, and i was still in 5th gear.

the thing is though, my restriction certificate says its top speed is 91?!?      

I have an 04 model and commute 53 miles on way to work. 40 mile each way of that is on a 70 mph interstate. the bike does very well. i caught myself running over 110mph (indicated on speedo) this morning. i don't usaully do that, but was riding with a honda interceptor.